- Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNo one wants to think about getting sick or hurt on vacation. But if this does happen, being prepared can make the experience much better—and safer. Here’s a safety checklist for your pre-trip planning. If you’re older or have chronic health issues, see your doctor four to six weeks before your trip to make sure it’s safe for you to travel. Tell your doctor where you’re traveling, for how long and what activities you might do. Check to make sure your vaccinations are current, including a flu shot. Make a list of your current medications and allergies and take the list with you on your trip. Include the names and phone numbers of your doctors and your pharmacy. If you have a history of heart disease, ask your cardiologist to give you a wallet-sized version of your latest electrocardiogram (EKG). This will give emergency department (ED) doctors something to compare if you have heart troubles while away. It’s also a good idea to bring over-the-counter medicines: Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, Benadryl and a thermometer should be part of your travel health kit. Remember to bring a note on your doctor’s letterhead if you are taking controlled substances or injectable medications. For older travelers with health conditions, be careful about your amount of activity —going to graduations, weddings, reunions and other parties on top of sightseeing can be stressful and make health issues worse. Try to build in rest time so you stay safe and healthy. What to expect in the ED If you do end up in the ED, a nurse will assess your symptoms, measure your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature and oxygen level), and gauge any pain you may be having. This process helps define how severe your condition is, so that the most urgent patients are seen first. The ED has an expert team led by emergency physicians to assess and treat problems. Other team members may include registered nurses, physician assistants, registered nurse practitioners, ED technicians, respiratory therapists, care managers and social workers. Most EDs, like ours, have specialists such as orthopedists, cardiologists and surgeons on call 24/7. We can call them in to provide care when needed. After your care team reviews all necessary treatments and procedures, your provider will determine whether you can leave the hospital, or if it’s necessary to stay. If you require follow up while you’re still in town, a doctor will refer you to a local primary care provider or specialist. In some instances you may need to return to the ED for a final checkup. While you may not be able to prevent an illness or injury while traveling, planning ahead can make it easier to deal with. Author Mike Remoll, MD, is the medical director of the Emergency Department at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published June 29, 2016. Last updated May 21, 2019.0
- Pediatrics, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSummer’s here which means it’s a great time for kids to get outside and play, but the heat can also take a serious toll on little bodies when we aren’t careful. Heat exhaustion is one of the most common conditions kids experience in the summer. A child’s body surface makes up a greater proportion of their overall weight than an adult’s, which puts them at greater risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion Severe thirst Nausea Fast and shallow breathing Headaches Muscle pain Cool, clammy skin If your child is experiencing these symptoms you should immediately bring them to a cooler place, remove any excess clothing, encourage them to drink cool fluids and call your doctor for advice. You can prevent heat exhaustion by being proactive about keeping your child hydrated. Make sure they drink cool water early and often. If they’re going out to play or to a sports practice make sure they’re fully hydrated before leaving and then make sure they take regular breaks to drink – even if they aren’t thirsty. Heat exhaustion starts slowly but if it’s not identified and treated quickly it can progress into heat stroke. Symptoms of Heat Stroke Pounding headache Dizziness and light-headedness Red, hot, dry skin Cramps or muscle weakness Rapid, shallow breathing Nausea, vomiting Confusion Unconsciousness Heat stroke is very serious and is considered a medical emergency. If you think someone has heat stroke, call 911 immediately. While you wait for medics to arrive you can try and cool the person down by moving them to a shady or cool area, fanning them and cooling down their skin with water. Author By David Afzal, DO, a family medicine physician with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Waugh Chapel Family Medicine. To find an AAMG doctor in your area, visit MyAAMG.org. Originally published May 29, 2015. Last updated July 6, 2020.0
- Employee SpotlightGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOn the International Day of the Girl, we celebrate the remarkable journeys of Deneen, Anne and Ana Maria, women whose lives are a testament to the power of integrity. These three inspiring individuals have overcome adversity, championed individuality, and are paving the way for a more inclusive future for girls and women everywhere. Deneen’s Full Circle Journey Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center and Chief Quality, Equity, and Population Health Officer, has come full circle in her journey. The hospital she leads is just a mile away from the elementary school she attended as a child. However, her path was not without its challenges. In the 1970s, as a young girl, Deneen recalls experiencing racism for the first time when she was bused during the desegregation of schools. “We basically felt unwanted here,” Deneen recalls. “Our buses would pull up, and there would be parents of kids throwing things at the bus, yelling nasty things as we’re getting off the bus. No child should have to go through that, not because of anything that you’ve done, but just because of the color of your skin.” Nearly 50 years later, Deneen is on a mission to address racial inequities that persist in healthcare and advance the health system’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) initiatives. “I think a lot of it, and even what we see in healthcare, is the same thing we’re seeing in our communities,” Deneen reflects. “There’s still bias, there’s still racism, and so I think that impacts women and women of color and our ability to be recognized for the talents and strengths that we bring to the table.” She, along with hospital staff members, have returned to her former grade school to donate school supplies and gifts during the holidays. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for girls everywhere. Anne’s Unwavering Authenticity For Anne Gotimer, director of WellBeing and Employee Health, life has been a journey of self-discovery and resilience. From a young age, she faced the challenge of expressing her gender identity and unique style in a world that often demands conformity. However, Anne refused to compromise her identity, standing up for her right to self-expression even in the face of bullying and harassment. “I’ll never forget the first time I was allowed to wear something other than a dress in my school yearbook photo,” Anne recalls. “I just remember having this smug look on my face like ‘Finally, I did it! I don’t have to wear a dress!’” Despite facing harassment during her middle and high school years, Anne refused to compromise her identity. “I drew a lot of negative attention and bullying over it,” she says. “When I was 11, a group of boys ambushed me in a lunch line and sprayed me with men’s cologne so I ‘smelled right’. I was furious that they thought they could make me feel bad about myself.” She stood up for her right to self-expression and learned how being true to herself had an effect on other classmates. “I didn’t know how much it mattered until a high school acquaintance talked to me about my suits and over-the-top outfits… apparently this, in our rural town, made other people feel like they could be bold.” Anne’s stayed true to herself. She drew inspiration from icons like David Bowie and Annie Lennox, who celebrated their individuality fearlessly. Anne’s parents also played a crucial role in nurturing her uniqueness, showing her that being loved for who you are is deeply rewarding. Reflecting on her experiences, Anne has valuable advice for young girls and women: Find your unique identity and wear it proudly. Confidence in one’s authentic self can be a catalyst for personal and professional success. In her role at Luminis Health, Anne’s unique perspective has fostered inclusivity and collaboration. She actively promotes diversity as a driver of innovation and teamwork. Anne reminds us to embrace our true selves and our passions, emphasizing that life is too short to postpone authenticity. Her journey is a testament to the power of diversity and authenticity. Ana Maria’s Resilient Advocacy Ana Maria Phillips, abuse and domestic violence specialist at Luminis Health, embodies the invincible spirit of women everywhere. Born in Cuba, her life took a dramatic turn when, as a 5-year-old unaccompanied minor, she left her homeland for the United States during the Cuban revolution. “I was separated from my family for about two years,” she said. “State governments and religious organizations sponsored us, and I ended up in St. Ann’s Orphanage in Massachusetts. It was a challenging environment.” Reuniting with her parents was a miracle, an emotional moment that Ana Maria’s mother hadn’t expected when she put her daughter on that plane. Ana Maria’s path to advocacy was somewhat accidental but deeply meaningful. Her high school years were marked by a fascination with Native American history, a subject that helped her draw connections to the injustices faced by her own people in Cuba. This sparked her determination to fight for human rights and eventually pursued a degree in social work. A move to Maryland led Ana Maria to a role at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center as a domestic violence specialist. Over the last 15 years here, she says she has learned so much on the job, working closely with Latina women and providing essential support and education on their rights. She earned the prestigious Warren B. Duckett Jr. Memorial Commitment to Justice Award from the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney, recognizing her outstanding advocacy work. Her journey of resilience serves as a powerful source of inspiration for her patients who have also experienced trauma and hardship. On this International Day of the Girl, Deneen, Anne and Ana Maria are examples of the transformative impact that one person can have on the world. Their stories share the enduring spirit of girls and women who rise above adversity, empower others, and create positive change. Embracing authenticity is not just a celebration of individuality; it’s a call to action for a more inclusive and equitable future for all.0
- SpecialtyWhen you're devoted to someone who abuses you, it can be confusing, terrifying and heartbreaking. You may always be on edge, unsure whether to expect a loving gesture, a harsh criticism or physical violence from someone who used to be kind. Many people who experience domestic abuse blame themselves or feel embarrassed, ashamed and alone. If you're abused, it's important to know it isn't your fault, and you aren't alone. Domestic violence is a serious health problem, and you can get help., How We Can Help Recognizing you're a victim of domestic violence can be hard. But it isn't hard to recognize you don't deserve this treatment. It isn't your fault, and you aren't alone, even if it feels that way. We can help. The Luminis Health Abuse and Domestic Violence Program helps people who are experiencing intimate partner abuse. We offer confidential, professional help. We listen and provide you with the support, guidance and compassion you need, plus resources to help you reclaim your life. Our team visits patients' bedsides in our unit and can follow up in person or by phone. Additionally, when a doctor suspects an abusive relationship, we respond to physician referrals 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, typically within an hour. We offer a weekly PDF document of available support groups trauma recovery support group that focuses on strategies to manage symptoms. A social worker and a psychologist from the Abuse and Domestic Violence Program run the group. It meets on Wednesday evenings at our Luminis Health J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center. Anyone is welcome to come whenever they are able. For more information, call Call (443) 481-1209 directly 443-481-1209 .0
- GivingGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEvery year, new and current community partners just like you, as well as grateful patients and friends of AAMC, make philanthropic gifts to support the hospital. Charitable donations of all sizes are vital to supporting our important caregivers, purchasing cutting-edge equipment, and providing continuing education for nurses and physicians. As a non-profit community hospital, donations offer much needed funding as the costs of providing high quality care continue to outpace medical reimbursements. With your gift, you make a difference every day for the patients that we serve. As your community hospital, so can we. Making an effort to connect more personally with our donors, we embarked on a phone outreach campaign last year. You may have received a phone call from an AAMC student volunteer, nurse, or auxilian who called to explain the importance of sustaining AAMC’s Annual Fund. David Beck, a volunteer patient family adviser at AAMC, and his wife Bobbette have been charitably giving to AAMC for more than a decade. Last fall, they answered the call and made a gift to support the greatest needs of the hospital. “AAMC is much more than your local hospital. It is an integral part and a cornerstone of our greater Annapolis community. The caring demeanor of everyone you come in contact with is so reassuring to both patient and family. And this is just in addition to an outstanding medical staff and facility. We are proud to support AAMC,” the Becks say. Perhaps you or someone you know – a family member or neighbor, a colleague or a friend – has been touched personally by the high-quality healthcare services offered at AAMC. Our goal is to continue this long-standing tradition of providing our community with excellent healthcare right here in our own backyard. But we can’t do it alone! We look to you, our friends in the community, for support. The Annual Fund is the cornerstone of that support. When you make an unrestricted gift to AAMC, we apply it to a high priority need or initiative. You may also designate it toward a specific area of care within the hospital. We are currently planning our upcoming telemarketing campaign for fall 2017, and our callers are looking forward to speaking with you. For Damaris Dipini, a medical assistant for microvascular surgery at AAMC, hearing donor’s stories and enthusiasm for their community hospital is what she looks forward to the most when she makes her calls. “I am amazed at the fact that this wonderful place that I work continues to thrive because of people in the community that give back so graciously without blinking an eye,” says Damaris. “Through the telemarketing campaign, I get to genuinely thank the donors who graciously give so that the patients I care for can continue to get advanced treatment. I am honored to be a part of a community that has such a giving heart.” At AAMC, it’s not about how much you give. Every gift of every size is important. We hope you consider continuing your support through the Annual Fund every year, and we look forward to speaking with you during our next campaign! For more information about how you can support AAMC’s Annual Fund, contact Gabby Pasternak Fitzmaurice at 443-481-4735 or [email protected].0
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