By Gia Miller Photography by Justin Negard "I’ll never forget that feeling of driving into the city when I knew everybody else was leaving it,” says Katonah resident Dr. Rituparna Pati, M.D. “Being there felt kind of apocalyptic.”  It was March of 2020, and Pati raised her hand. As an infectious disease physician and medical epidemiologist with the Centers for ...

By Gia Miller The year is 2040 and you receive a stage four cancer diagnosis. Your oncologist says you’ll need surgery, possibly an organ transplant and chemotherapy … but you should make a full recovery. She assures you she will virtually practice the surgery prior to your operation, and she tells you to make an appointment for stem cell harvesting ...

How to use social media in a healthy way By Susan Trumpbour Social media—the double-edged sword of our digital age. It’s a modern-day wonderland that grants us access to a world of communication, self-expression and social connection, yet it leaves us vulnerable to a Pandora’s box of cyberbullying, curated content and constant comparison to others. It’s a bittersweet relationship that ...

Writing by Ana Dorta Yhen we walk into our local coffee shop every morning, some of us take the time to wish the cashier a good day, while others might saunter out without saying anything. But while a simple act of kindness like wishing someone well may seem purposeless and trivial, both anecdotal and scientific discoveries demonstrate the benefits that ...

https://connecttomag.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ConnectTo-EasyWaystoImprove-2500x3780.jpg This article was published in the  May/June 2024 print edition of Connect to Northern Westchester ...

How to support a friend or loved one in need Writing by Josephine D'Ippolito Artwork by Tal Doron In the early morning of March 13, 2023, I found myself in the emergency room, battling an excruciating headache. Twelve hours later, I was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis. It was  terrifying, and the road to recovery was longer than anticipated, with numerous ...

By Cathy Deutsch Artwork by Jennie Carr Dr. Corinne Menn recently co-led a four-day medical cruise for women and their partners. Over 150 men and women attended, all there to learn about a topic everyone—from Salma Hayek and Michelle Obama to Naomi Watts and Oprah—is talking about: how best to navigate the recent changes in their relationships. The couples expressed ...

Struggling with hard-to-treat depression, OCD, anxiety or pain? TMS can get you over that “hump.” Plus, promising signs for brain optimization in people with Autism. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), pain, depression and anxiety are among the most common causes of years lived with disability in the U.S. Medication doesn’t always work. So, what can be done? ...

What is family therapy and who is it for? Writing by Ana Dorta Artwork by Tal Doron You’ve likely heard a lot about the many benefits of therapy—it can help you open up, tackle issues that may impact your mental well-being, and is often instrumental in overcoming challenging situations.  When we hear the word “therapy,” we typically think of private ...

Writing & Photography by Amy Baker Artwork by Marilena Perilli The holidays are often filled with gatherings – some of which we love and some of which we loathe, numerous activities we’re required to attend, a rush to complete overwhelming shopping lists and an unnecessary pressure to make things “perfect.” But, this year, instead of giving into the chaos, we ...

Writing  by Ava Fleisher Artwork by Zoe Stevens As Wendy Belzberg strolled through the quaint streets of Rhinebeck, something suddenly became obvious: Every town should be doing this. Rhinebeck had established a concrete initiative to tackle the issue of inclusion by creating accommodations for people who are neurodivergent – an issue that is often swept under the rug. In nearly ...

Writing  by Gia Miller Artwork by Zoe Stevens No matter how much you love snow, a roaring fire or a hearty bowl of stew, less daily sunshine, more layers of clothing and icy roads that force you to stay indoors can make anyone feel a little blue. But for some, a biochemical imbalance in their brain causes a seasonal depression ...