Giving, News & Press Releases
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High School Students Donate $6,000 and Baby Blankets to Benefit Sick and Premature Babies at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center
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In a remarkable display of kindness and community spirit, students at Southern High School in Harwood, Maryland have made a significant contribution to the Thomas J. Frank Family Birth Center and Teddy’s Place Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC). Students from the National Honors Society and Future Farmers of America collectively raised $6,000 and donated handmade baby blankets to support the care of sick and premature babies.
Students, administrators and club advisors presented the check and blankets to members of the hospital’s care team. “This is a great example of young people in our community supporting our precious newborns and their families,” said Dr. Monica Jones, chair of Luminis Health’s Women’s and Children’s services. “Since our Level III NICU treats close to 800 newborns each year, these students’ generosity will help us provide specialized care to the tiniest and most vulnerable members of our community.” Dr. Jones personally thanked the students by saying “you are a friend of ours forever.”
The students raised the money by hosting a “Stroller Roller” 3K walk/run/stroll event. Rising senior Brenna Kadjeski came up with up with the idea for the service project to honor the doctors and nurses in the NICU who treated her twin sisters. “Whenever we talk about this project in our house, it’s just a bunch of smiles. It’s a sense of pride like yes, we gave back to the NICU. It’s not just me doing something, it’s the whole family. We were able to repay them for what they did for our family, they went above and beyond for my siblings, my mom and my dad,” said Kadjeski.
The donations will support various initiatives, including critical medical treatments, lodging, and educational materials for families. The handmade blankets will provide babies a sense of security by keeping them warm and safe.
“The students from Southern High School students should be commended by demonstrating the true spirit of compassion and empathy through this remarkable contribution,” said Elizabeth Gross, vice-president of the Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation. “Their generosity and dedication remind us all of the power of making a positive difference in the world, and their efforts serve as an inspiration to others to contribute to those who need it the most.”
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Patient Stories, Plastic Surgery & Skin Care
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Building Confidence with Gender Affirmation Surgery
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After a lifetime of feeling uncomfortable in his own skin, Giovanni Rozier made the decision to receive gender affirmation surgery on his chest (commonly known as top surgery).
He explored surgical programs in Maryland and was pleased and surprised to learn he could receive surgery at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC).
“I love that hospital. All the babies in my family were born there…I would rather use LHAAMC than any other place.”
“We are proud to help patients achieve their gender affirmation goals,” says Derek L. Masden, MD, chief of plastic surgery. “This procedure involves removal of breast tissue to create a flat and masculine chest.”
Top surgery is widely recognized for improving the quality of life in those experiencing gender dysphoria, which is a sense of unease that a person feels when the gender they were assigned at birth does not match with their gender identity.
Since transitioning, Giovanni says his life has changed for the better.
“Now I don’t have to worry when I use men’s bathrooms and locker rooms. I know I am supposed to be there and I look like I’m supposed to be there. There’s no denying it.”
“Gender affirmation can be life-changing,” says Lauren Eisenbeis, physician assistant. “Patients can finally be their authentic selves without having to hide or feel disconnects between their external appearance and internal selves.”
Giovanni’s advice for others considering surgery is: “do what makes you happy.”
He adds, “Nobody else has to live in your skin. Nobody else has to be you every day. I want trans people to love what they see in the mirror.”
To learn if gender affirmation surgery at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center is for you, please reach out to our plastic surgery team at 443-481-3400 to schedule a consultation, or visit our Plastic Surgery page on Luminishealth.org.
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News & Press Releases, Women's Health
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AAMG Chesapeake Women’s Health Welcomes New Physicians
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Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Chesapeake Women’s Health has added three new physicians to their practice—making them the largest OB-GYN practice in Easton and Cambridge with a total of 11 providers.
About the new providers:
Sozdar Abed, MD
Dr. Abed is an OB-GYN with special interest in infertility, endometriosis, hysteroscopy and laparoscopic/robotic surgery. She attended Damascus University Medical School and began practicing medicine in 2007. Dr. Abed is a member of a number of professional societies including the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and the American Society in Reproductive Medicine.
Afua Nyanin, MD
Dr. Nyanin is an OB-GYN with special interest in sexual health, infertility, vaginitis, integrative medicine, education, health disparity and global health. Dr. Nyanin attended Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and began practicing medicine in 2010. She is a member of the National Medical Association and a junior fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Jonelle Samuel, MD
Dr. Samuel is an OB-GYN with special interest in minimally invasive gynecology, adolescent gynecology and contraception. She attended Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC and started practicing medicine in 2007. Dr. Samuel is a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Medical Association and the Philadelphia Obstetrics Society.
“Our team is growing to support the needs of the community,” said Patrick O’Brien, MD, an OB-GYN who has been with the practice since 2006. “For more than a decade, we’ve dedicated ourselves to providing personalized care to women on the Eastern Shore. We’re proud to be a vital part of this community. Our patients are at the heart of who we are.”
AAMG Chesapeake Women’s Health offers easy appointment scheduling with same-day appointments available. It is also the only OB-GYN practice on the Eastern Shore that offers in-office breastfeeding support with a board-certified lactation consultant on staff.
AAMG Chesapeake Women’s Health is located at 401 Purdy Street, Suite 102, Easton, Md., 21601. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 410-820-0038.
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Pediatrics
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Fueling the young athlete: How proper nutrition can improve performance
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Whether you are a competitive athlete or a casual exerciser, what you eat affects your performance. But sadly, 30 percent of adolescent athletes skip breakfast and 25 percent skip lunch. And a whopping 86 percent eat at fast food restaurants each week. If your young athlete falls into one of these groups, it’s time to help them get on track.
Everyone’s body needs the right balance of carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals and fluids to fuel their fitness. Proper nutrition can improve strength, speed, stamina, delay fatigue, enhance healing from injuries and improve performance.
Here are some pregame meal suggestions for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks:
Breakfast
Cold or hot cereals
Bagels, English muffins
Pancakes, French toast with jam or syrup
Fruit or juice
Lunch
Sandwiches
Fruit
Thick crust pizza
Hearty soups with noodles/rice
Dinner
Pasta
Potato, or rice entrees
Vegetables
Breads
Fruit
Snacks
Hummus, carrots, whole grain pretzels
Peanut butter on fruit
Beans and cheese wrap
Half turkey and avocado sandwich
Greek yogurt
Banana
When it comes to fluid intake, make sure your athlete is getting in 12 to 24 ounces prior to exercise. To delay fatigue during exercise, they should drink eight to ten ounces of cold water or a sports drink every 15 minutes. After the game, they should drink 20 to 24 ounces for every pound of body weight lost while playing.
Just as pregame nutrition is important, so too is what your child eats after. Eating a carbohydrate with protein within 30 minutes after activity will help the body repair and recharge. Here are some suggestions:
Fruit yogurt with grape nuts
Chocolate milk
Cereal with milk
Trail mix
Apple and cheese sticks
Chicken dinner with rice and vegetables
Energy bar with a three to one carb/protein ratio
Meal timing prior to competition is also important, to allow for proper nutrition and digestion. When eating a large meal, allow three to four hours before heading into a hard practice or game. Smaller meals require two to three hours, and blended or liquid meals one to two hours.
Supplements and other enhancements are not necessary if your child is eating a nutritionally balanced diet and getting the necessary amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fats along with the important vitamins and mineral their body needs for optimum functioning. Help your young athlete accomplish this by making sure they eat a variety of foods in each food group and get plenty of rest.
Authors
By Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford, nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them call 443-481-5555.
Originally published Feb. 5, 2018. Last updated Jan. 23, 2020.
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News & Press Releases
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Bringing Holiday Warmth and Joy to Families of Premature Babies with Handmade Hats
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You could call it a special delivery for the holidays. Pam Crosby, a devoted knitter and the mother of a Luminis Health nurse, handcrafts tiny hats for each major holiday to brighten the lives of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. For families facing the challenges of a NICU stay with their newborns, Crosby’s creations bring comfort and a touch of celebration to an otherwise stressful time. Each piece – whether a costume for Halloween, a bunny bonnet for Easter, or a tiny Santa hat for Christmas – offers warmth, charm, and holiday spirit, helping families to feel more at home during the holidays while their little ones are in the NICU. Pam Crosby, who has been knitting for the NICU babies for ten years, says her goal is to provide comfort and support to these families during their NICU stay. "I know how stressful this experience can be for families, especially around the holidays when everyone longs to be at home with their loved ones," says Crosby. “Creating these little hats and costumes is my way of providing a little bit of joy into their lives. I also do this in honor of the NICU staff — especially my daughter Rachel Frazetti, who shows so much dedication and compassion for their patients every day.” To celebrate their first Christmas, the NICU staff carefully dressed the resident babies in holiday themed hats. The dedicated team then celebrated with a special visit from Santa Claus, who proclaimed them ‘Santa babies’ and confirmed they were all on the nice list, while also capturing memories for families. “On behalf of the entire team, we express our heartfelt gratitude to Pam Crosby for knitting more than 700 hats and costumes over the past decade,” said Sharon Mooney, clinical nursing director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. “Seeing the tears of joy in families’ eyes when they see their little one dressed up for the holidays is truly heartwarming. We couldn’t achieve this without the support of our amazing volunteers and dedicated staff who care for our premature babies and their families.” The Frank Family Birth Center at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center welcomes approximately 5,000 babies each year. The Level III NICU, known as “Teddy’s Place,” provides specialized care each year for approximately 800 premature babies and high-need infants who need extra support and care at birth. Consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek, the Annapolis hospital ranks among America’s best for maternity care.
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