- 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
- SpecialtyWhat Is Palliative Care Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life for those with chronic or advanced illnesses. It provides an extra layer of support to anyone facing a complex diagnosis. You may benefit from palliative care if you have: Cancer. Heart disease. Lung disease, including COPD. Advanced kidney disease. Other serious illnesses. We tailor our support to match your goals and values. Palliative care providers can address physical, emotional, spiritual and logistical concerns that make it more difficult to cope with your illness. We involve your family members, so they can assist with your care as well. We also communicate regularly with your other doctors to better coordinate your care., How Luminis Health Palliative Care Helps Our team of palliative care doctors, nurses, social workers and chaplains work with you to address the problems impacting your quality of life. For instance, our: Doctors and nurse practitioners help with symptom management and establishing goals of care. Social workers help with concerns like transportation and financial support. Chaplains provide spiritual support. Nurse navigators coordinate care between your palliative, primary and specialist care teams. We can assist you in discussing important care-related topics with your family members if you don't know how to start the conversation yourself. We also help you solve logistical problems that are barriers to your care, like getting to the hospital for treatments if you don't have a ride. Palliative care can help you feel more like yourself. When you feel better, you're more likely to maintain your treatment regimen, recover more quickly and avoid complications.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
- Pediatrics, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNothing puts a damper on summer fun like an unexpected trip to the doctor or emergency room. But with a little bit of planning and making yourself aware of issues that can creep up as temperatures rise, you’ll help ensure a safe and healthy summer for you and your family. Whether you’re at home or on the go, having a summer safety kit handy can help you be prepared for unexpected emergencies. What’s something to always have on hand? Water! One of the most common conditions kids experience in the summer is heat illness. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms of heat exhaustion, you should get immediate medical care: Severe thirst Nausea Fast and shallow breathing Headache Cool, clammy skin You can prevent heat exhaustion by being proactive about making sure your child stays hydrated. Have them drink cool water or sports drinks 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. READ MORE: Summer travel tips: See your doctor and plan ahead Besides refillable water bottles, what else should your kit include? Hand sanitizer to clean your hands before providing first-aid Antiseptic wipes to clean scrapes and cut Cotton balls, plus multi-sized band-aids, gauze and adhesive tape Antibacterial cream, like Neosporin, to prevent infection Bug repellant containing DEET or picaridin to prevent bites Tweezers for splinters and removing ticks Plastic gloves for removing a tick or handling poison ivy Small plastic bag for keeping a tick removed for identification Hydrocortisone cream for rashes and bug bites Instant ice packs for inflammation Saline solution to clean out eyes Sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF of at least 30 to prevent burns Aloe Vera gel to soothe sunburn Small doses of over-the-counter medications—children’s versions when appropriate—such as Tylenol, Benadryl, Pepto-Bismol and Dramamine, or their generic equivalents. Thermometer Healthy snack items to refuel your kids on the go, including non-perishable items like trail mix, nuts or granola bars. Fresh fruits like apples, oranges or grapes are great options, too, but since they’re perishable they should be added to your kit the day you’ll use them. Cell phone to use if needed, preprogrammed with doctor contact and health insurance information; also handy to take photos of a plant you may suspect of being poison ivy or an unusual insect or snake that bites a member of your family. You should also consider the items that are specific to your family needs such as baby wipes, allergy and asthma medications, or an Epi-Pen. Keep your kit stored somewhere convenient but always out of the reach of young children. When you’re toting your on-the-go kit, make sure to keep it out of direct sunlight to avoid overheating the medications inside. Finally, be aware of any heat or air quality advisories and adjust your outdoor plans accordingly. If your child must be outside during a heat advisory, you should be extra vigilant. Also, if you plan to swim in a local river or the Bay, don’t do so within 48 hours of a heavy rain (1/2 inch or more) and check to see if there are additional water-quality advisories for that body of water. Author Michelle Skinner, DO, is a family medicine physician at Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Waugh Chapel Pavilion. You can reach her office at 410-721-1507. Originally published May 29, 2015. Last updated June 10, 2019.0
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