There has been a hiatus in the issuance of the OSARC Newsletter over the past year or so. When we again issue an edition of the OSARC Newsletter in 2023, it will appear on this page.

In the meantime, you can view videos of the 2023 monthly membership meetings below:

OSARC MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING - DECEMBER, 2023

The December 2023 OSARC membership meeting featured guest presenter Nancy Gilston, Au.D, an audiologist with 30 years of professional experience. Nancy graduated from Brown University with a degree in comparative literature and worked as a writer for ten years in advertising and for the United Nations. She returned to school at night and received a Masters in Audiology from Hunter College, followed by her Doctorate in Audiology. From 1987 to 2009, she worked for neurotologist Kenneth Brookler, M.D. who looked at hearing and balance in a unique way, focusing on how metabolic factors can control hearing as well as balance. Nancy has worked for the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, as well as the otolaryngology department of Cornell University Hospital for the past 30 years. While at New York Eye and Ear, she has done vestibular testing as well as cochlear implant evaluations and programming. In the otolaryngology office, she evaluates hearing for individuals from infants to adults. In addition, Nancy has maintained a private practice where she has evaluated hearing and dispensed hearing aids for over 30 years.

Nancy's presentation addresses the science of our ears, factors contributing to hearing loss and how to preserve our hearing. Hearing preservation is important at all ages, more so as we age. In today's world, where music, phone conversations, movies, and TV shows are often listened to with headphones and earbuds, our hearing can be even more easily compromised.

Nancy's presentation can be downloaded at this link.

OSARC MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING - NOVEMBER, 2023

OSARC's November meeting featured guest presenter Kwame Prescod, an experienced computer and smart phone repair technician with extensive experience in the Information Sciences, Technology, and Services industries. Prescod analyzes technical problems and identifies requirements to solve them with appropriate IT solutions, helping users in the selection, creation, evaluation, and administration of computer-based systems. He has worked for 20 years as an entrepreneur offering technical support, software installation, and sales management. Prescod received an engineering certificate from Queensborough Community College, in addition to a degree from Kaplan University. He is also Apple certified. Prescod's presentation covered: the best cell phones and cell plans for seniors and a quick overview of the pros and cons of basic cell phones versus smartphones: and Samsung Galaxy versus Apple IPhone operating systems. He also touched on: how to cut down on fraudulent text messages, phone calls, and emails; what to do immediately if your cell phone is lost or stolen; enabling GPS-tracking capability, to track the whereabouts of seniors or family members with Alzheimer's Disease; the positive side of FaceTime for seniors; how to set up medical alert settings, face or fingerprint recognition, and more.

OSARC MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING - OCTOBER, 2023

The October OSARC membership meeting featured a presentation by climate change activist Becky Plattus. Plattus is a retired labor union staff member and early childhood social worker. She worked for almost 20 years at labor unions in the field of workplace health and safety. Since retirement, she has been involved in climate change activism, most recently with Good Neighbors of Park Slope, an aging-in-place organization in NYC, where she coordinates the Climate Change Interest Group. Her presentation focused on why she believes organizing around climate change is important for retirees, how they can be effective in climate work and some climate change organizations you may wish to become involved with.

OSARC MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING - SEPTEMBER, 2023

The September OSARC membership meeting featured a presentation by Sharon Puello, a nutritionist with NYC Health + Hospitals discussing "Eating For A Clear Mind." Among the issues Ms. Puello discussed were: Is there a connection between blood sugar control and decline in cognitive functioning? What should I be looking for in my bloodwork to determine if I'm at higher risk for dementia? How to identify if your diet is too high in sugar, or out of balance in general. Cooking strategies to improve insulin resistance. Is there a connection with sodium? Recommendations for physical activity. A review of supplements on the market aimed at preserving memory and mental acuity.

For those who would like to read the slides from Ms. Puello's presentation, you can download them at the link below:

Presentation By Nutritionist Sharon Puello - "Eating For A Clear Mind"

OSARC MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING - JUNE, 2023

The June OSARC membership meeting featured a presentation by Eric Hausman who is currently the HIICAP Outreach Volunteer Manager at the NYC Department for the Aging. He explores Medicare Supplement/Medigap Plans and Medicare Part D Drug Plans for NYC Retirees. With most NYC retirees with Medicare being switched from original/traditional Medicare to a new Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO plan on September 1st, the presentation explores the basics of Medicare, private Medigap/Medicare supplement plan insurance plans, Part D drug coverage and how to choose a plan. This was an opportunity to ask questions as retirees compare the new Aetna PPO plan with options in the private Medicare market.

For those who would like to read the slides from Mr. Hausman's presentation, you can download them at the link below:

Presentation By Eric Hausman of HIICAP on Medicare Supplement/Medigap Plans and Part D Drug Plans

OSARC MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING - MAY, 2023

The May OSARC membership meeting featured a presentation by former OSARC Co-Chair Colleen Cox for Mother's Day about the life of her 106-year-old mother; a presentation by the NYC Department For The Aging on the various services available from the agency; and a presentation by OSA Chair Bob Croghan on the impact of the changes in health programs for Medicare-eligible retirees on the union's Welfare Fund benefits.

We are also posting the minutes of the May OSARC meeting below:

Minutes of the May OSARC Meeting

OSARC MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING - APRIL, 2023

The April membership meeting featured guest presenters from Aetna describing and answering questions about the new Aetna Medicare Advantage PPO plan that the City intends to implement in September of 2023.

OSARC MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING - MARCH, 2023

The subject of OSARC's March meeting was the various Welfare Fund benefits offered by the union to retirees. Guest presenters were Pam Kolpan on OSA's vision benefits, Krystal Croghan on OSA's Dental, Hearing and Superimposed Major Medical benefits, and Vojna Stanic-Geraghty on reimbursements for Medicare-eligible retirees. In addition, the status of ongoing developments with retiree health coverage were discussed.

OSARC MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING - FEBRUARY, 2023

The topic for OSARC's February meeting was an overview of tax issues for filing your 2022 returns. OSARC's guest speaker was Lloyd Feinberg, a tax preparer who also happends to be an OSA retiree. This marks the fifth year that Lloyd has presented information to OSARC members on federal and local tax issues and changes. In addition, the status of ongoing developments with retiree health coverage were discussed.

OSARC MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING - JANUARY, 2023

The topic for OSARC's January meeting was "Safeguarding Your Health From Respiratory Viruses." OSARC's guest speaker was Dr. Olusimbo Ige, who serves as an Assistant Commissioner at the Center for Health Equity and Community Wellness (CHECW) at the NYC Department of Health. Dr. Ige provided an overview of the present status of the variety of respiratory viruses challenging our City - COVID, Influenza and RSV.

Dr. Ige is in charge of CHECW's place-based health equity programs, and serves as a key liaison to community leaders across New York City. She leads community engagement efforts to advance health equity, including COVID-19 vaccine equity through the Public Health Corps Initiative. She also chairs the Health Equity and Social Justice Taskforce of the National Association of County and City Health Officials. Dr. Ige is a public health doctor, with graduate degrees in epidemiology, biostatistics and public health. In addition, the status of ongoing developments with retiree health insurance were discussed.