As a mother, I cannot select one child as my favorite. As an editor, I don't have one favorite magazine issue. I love them all.

That said, this summer issue of Upstate Health is a particularly good one, for a bunch of reasons:

1. The urologist on the cover is conducting some really cool research (which you can read about on page 12) that may lead to a new way to treat urethral strictures.

2. We made a game out of patient satisfaction surveys. See if you can match the comment to the doctor, on page 2.

3. So much is going on at Upstate that you're bound to find at least one news item on page 4 that you missed.

4. Ever wonder how people who suffer strokes in rural areas receive care from the experts at Upstate, even before they arrive at the hospital in Syracuse? On page 5, meet two women who will tell you all about it.

5. If you have been told you have multiple sclerosis, consult page 7 for two important questions to ask.

6. Newborn babies are screened for phenylketonuria with a few drops of blood collected from the heel or the bend in the arm. What is life like for those who have PKU? We feature an adorable 5-year-old who has PKU on page 8.

7. A story on page 9 explains one reason you may be awakened during your hospital stay.

8. Page 10 features one of the most ubiquitous, recognizable medical device, which is 200 years old. Can you guess what it is?

9. The next page offers terrific explanations of five behaviors that are common in dementia, from a social worker at the Central New York Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. It's a must-read if you are a caregiver or have a loved one with dementia.

10. When someone begins taking an antidepressant, they may not realize how it could affect their sleep. Sleep disturbances can lead to physical and mental problems, including depression. And the antidepressants used to treat depression are liable to cause more -- and potentially more serious -- sleep disturbances. A vicious circle. Learn more about it on page 14.

11. The state health commissioner visited campus earlier this year, calling attention to three health conditions that are important for baby boomers. On page 15, you can read more about pre diabetes, high blood pressure and hepatitis C.

12. In addition to the advice for protecting your family from Lyme disease on page 16, a medical student shares his frightening experience with a rare complication of Lyme called Lyme carditis.

13. If you know someone with a disability, be sure to read page 18. Disability is a matter of both perception and reality. Even the use of the word 'disability' may not be proper.

14. Scientists from Upstate, Syracuse University and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry have worked together to study the industrial waste that has polluted Syracuse's Onondaga Lake for decades. In a story on page 20, they talk about two mystery compounds that are apparently more toxic than the banned pesticide, DDT.

15. Page 22 showcases a fitness class that uses wooden sticks. It's a martial art called kali, and several enthusiastic students practice together every week. It looks like fun.

There's more, of course. I haven't highlighted everything. I did, however, count the number of Upstate faculty, staff, health care providers, students, graduates, patients and community partners who are named on the pages of this issue: 71.

Upstate Health is a free publication that is distributed quarterly. To join our mailing list, send an email to magazine@upstate.edu with "Upstate Health" in the subject line and your name and address in the body of the email. In the meantime, you can check out all of our issues electronically.