There’s a winter storm brewing that promises to blanket the Northeast in heavy snow and dangerous amounts of ice. Preparing for the kinds of impacts we’re expecting isn’t just about stocking up on groceries and batteries. Here’s what you should (and shouldn’t) do.

Don’t just plan for power outages. Do plan for days of isolation
This storm is extreme, but even moderate winter storms can knock out electricity, especially when ice or heavy snow is involved. A battery-powered or hand-crank radio can provide weather updates if cell service and internet go down.

• Keep phones and power banks charged. Make sure flashlights, radios and extra batteries are easy to find.
• Refill prescriptions early. Make sure baby formula, diapers, pet food and medications are stocked. If anyone relies on powered medical equipment, have a backup plan in place before the storm.
• Pull out blankets, hats and warm layers now so you’re not scrambling later. Even short-lived storms can disrupt travel and services for days.

Don’t overfill your fridge. Do stock shelf-stable food and water
If the power goes out, refrigerated food won’t last long. Focus on pantry items that don’t require electricity, refrigeration or cooking.

You should aim for at least three days of food and water for everyone in your household, including pets. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends storing at least one gallon of water per day for each person in your household.

Your refrigerator will keep food safe for about four hours during a power outage, according to the US Department of Agriculture. A full freezer will hold a safe temperature for approximately 48 hours — but that time limit drops to 24 hours if it is half full and the door remains closed.

Disposable plates, cups and flatware can be useful to have on hand, too, if you’re without power or water.

Read more preparation tips

Are You Too Old to Shovel Snow?

On Maternal Health Awareness Day, We Salute the AAHPO Maternal Health Experts

Today is the fifth annual Maternal Health Awareness Day observed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG ). This year, the theme is Holding Ground on Maternal Health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 80% of deaths during and after pregnancy are preventable.

Maternal health is a high priority for the AAHPO Board of Directors. Four members of the BOD are obstetricians or maternal health researchers: Lucy Tovmasian, MD, Lena Merjanian, MD, Kim Hekimian, PhD and Samuel Badalian, MD, PhD.

Lucy Tovmasian, MD

Lena Merjanian, MD

Kim Hekimian, PhD

Samuel Badalian, MD, PhD

We also Salute these AAHPO OB/GYNs: Hasmik Stepanyan, MD, Marine Sahakyan, MD

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Maternal Health Q&A from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

Q. Why is it important to eat healthy during pregnancy?
A. Eating well is one of the best things you can do during pregnancy. Healthy eating helps your fetus grow and keeps your body healthy throughout all the changes that pregnancy brings.

Q. What does it mean to eat healthy during pregnancy?
A. The popular saying is that when you’re pregnant, you should “eat for two,” but that doesn’t mean that you should eat twice your usual amount of food during pregnancy. Instead, you should aim to eat twice as healthy.

Q. How do I know if I’m eating healthy?
A. Eat fresh, whole foods if you can. Eat a variety of foods from the five food groups. Eat fewer foods that are high in saturated fat or sugar. Focus on getting the right amount of nutrients to support your fetus’s growth and your health.

Learn more about healthy eating during pregnancy

Learn more about other ways to stay healthy during pregnancy

Khoren Nalbandian, RPh

Pharmacists have always been integral to AAHPO. One of our founders was the late, great Khoren Nalbandian, RPh (photo at right), who served AAHPO and the Armenian community for decades.

On National Pharmacist Day, observed annually on January 12th, we honor the nearly 350,000 pharmacists in the United States who promote patient health by dispensing medications, advising patients, and providing health information and guidance in pharmacies, hospitals, and retail locations as well as non-patient-facing positions.

We are especially grateful for the hard work and dedication of the pharmacists who are AAHPO members. These highly skilled professionals leverage their knowledge and experience in a variety of roles and make a difference in the Armenian community every day.

Thank you, pharmacists, for your exceptional contributions and for your unwavering commitment to safeguarding patient health.

We Salute the AAHPO Pharmacists

Christine Atlas Yinlanjian, RPh
Christine Getzoyan, PharmD, RPh
Gail Varjabedian, RPh
Laura Der Marderosian Torcomian, RPh
Robert Kevorkian, RPh
Sonia Mardinian, MS, RPh
Tanya Torosian, RPh
Vatche Demirjian, PharmD