Community, News & Press Releases
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Bosom Buddies Charities Celebrates 10th Anniversary
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Bosom Buddies Charities celebrated its 10th anniversary with a $1.5 million milestone in support of Anne Arundel Medical Center at their 2016 Bosom Buddies Ball.
Their time and commitment helps provide essential equipment and programs to treat breast cancer patients at AAMC’s Kent Island Breast Center and the Rebecca Fortney Breast Center at AAMC. Bosom Buddies has helped fund a nurse navigator position, a 3D biopsy machine, Spy Elite imaging equipment, portable ultrasound and digital mammography units.
Bosom Buddies Charities members include breast cancer survivors and their friends and family. Through events like their annual Bosom Buddies Ball, Crabs for a Cure Feast and partnerships with other community organizations, they are successful in their mission to promote breast cancer awareness, encourage early detection, support treatment and celebrate healing.
“As a breast cancer survivor myself, I’m excited to join forces with Bosom Buddies Charities to support their mission of early detection, as well as raise awareness of younger women being diagnosed,” says Elizabeth DeCesaris, vice chair of Bosom Buddies Charities. “I received so much support from our community when I was diagnosed and hope to help others through their journey.”
The group is well into their planning for next year’s ball and events. Biana Arentz, chair of Bosom Buddies Charities, says, “Our 2017 Bosom Buddies Ball theme is ‘Maryland Against Breast Cancer,’ and we are excited that Governor Larry Hogan will join us to promote breast cancer awareness and paint Maryland pink.”
Call the AAMC Foundation at 443-481-4747 to learn how you can help.
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Wellness, Men's Health, Heart Care, Orthopedics
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Snow shoveling dangers
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Sure, it’s a wintertime chore, but did you know shoveling snow can cause major health issues?
“Shoveling snow is the equivalent of running a marathon when it comes to the strain it puts on your heart,” says Baran Kilical, MD, cardiologist and electrophysiologist. “If you do not exercise regularly or have a history of heart disease, you should think twice about shoveling. It would be better to ask a family member, friend or neighbor for help.”
The cold weather can tighten your blood vessels, making it harder for blood to pass. Couple that with the sudden increase in blood pressure and heart rate from the physical exertion of shoveling, and a heart attack could be triggered.
Who is at most risk?
People who have had a prior heart attack, have heart disease, smoke, are overweight or lead a sedentary lifestyle.
How can you make snow shoveling safer for your heart?
According to the American Heart Association, you should:
Take regular breaks. Frequently rest during shoveling so you don’t overstress your heart. Listen to your body and how it feels during those breaks.
Skip the heavy meal prior to or soon after shoveling. Large meals can put excess strain on your heart.
Push snow, instead of lift it. If you must lift the snow, do it in smaller amounts. It’s less stress on your heart to lift smaller amounts in more frequency, than to lift fewer, but heavier, loads.
Skip the alcoholic beverages before or immediately after shoveling. Alcohol may lead you to underestimate the extra strain your body is under.
Know the warning signs of a heart attack
Also, it’s important to know the warning signs of a heart attack. Not all heart attacks look alike, but most show some or all of these signs:
Chest pain or pressure that lasts more than a few minutes or comes and goes
Pain or discomfort in the arms, back, jaw or stomach
Shortness of breath
A sudden cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
Call 911 immediately if you begin to experience any of these symptoms. Getting to the hospital at the earliest sign of a heart attack is key to a successful outcome.
Protecting Your Muscles and Bones While Shoveling
Shoveling not only puts stress on your heart, but also can damage your muscles and bones. Orthopedic Spine Surgeon Chad Patton, MD suggests treating shoveling as a workout. Take time to warm up and stretch before you begin.
“Bend with your legs, don’t bend at your waist,” says Dr. Patton. “Try to avoid tossing the snow over your shoulder. Maintain good posture and really use your legs to do a lot of the work.”
Authors
Chad Patton, MD, is an orthopedic spine surgeon at Luminis Health Orthopedics. To reach him, call 410-268-8862.
Originally published Jan. 22, 2016. Last updated Jan. 23, 2026.
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Community, News & Press Releases, Infectious Disease
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Blood donations and coronavirus: How we’re keeping our community safe
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[Information updated February 10, 2022]
Having a strong blood supply is more important than ever, especially as we continue to monitor the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (LHAAMC) Blood Donor Center is taking these steps for the health and safety of our community:
We are practicing social distancing by keeping blood donors separate. We are also keeping a safe distance between blood donors and technicians. This includes decreasing the number of donations happening at the same time on our bloodmobile.
Our donor interview process identifies healthy blood donors. We added several screening questions that are specific to coronavirus to our donor interview process. We also added a two-question telephone pre-screen for potential donors. This will disqualify anyone with symptoms or possible coronavirus exposure.
There is no evidence that coronavirus can be transmitted through a blood transfusion. For more details, you can check out the AABB (formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks).
Additionally, we’d like to help make it clear that people who have had COVID and are fully recovered can donate blood. Per the Food and Drug Administration guidelines, individuals are eligible to donate blood 10 days after complete resolution of symptoms. Our mission is to enhance the health of the people and communities we serve and we ask for help in this endeavor.
Every year, LHAAMC’s blood bank helps around 3,000 people heal from medical conditions and surgical procedures. Patients with cancer and other serious illnesses need transfusion support. And having a strong blood supply could save their lives.
Healthy individuals should schedule an appointment to donate for those in need. The Blood Donor Center is located inside LHAAMC’s Wayson Pavilion, suite 450. Donation times are Monday through Wednesday from 8:15 am – 3:45 pm and Thursday and Friday from 7:15 am – 2:45 pm. You can call 443-481-4215 to schedule a time to donate.
If you’re interested in hosting a blood drive, please contact the mobile coordinator at the LHAAMC Blood Donor Center at 443-481-4272 or [email protected].
Check out our donor center web page for more information and to see upcoming blood drives.
Thank you for your support in keeping our community healthy!
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General Page - Tier 1
Building an inclusive women’s health program
Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) has a history of serving as a beacon of hope and wellness for Prince Georgians. Our commitment to providing high-quality, accessible care means regularly examining our community to develop new programs that address the growing needs of our diverse residents. We believe people in the county need and deserve accessible women’s health services.
A new four-story patient tower will include a dedicated women’s center for labor, delivery, and postpartum care with rooms designed for a family-centered birth experience. Our vision sets us up to achieve a future where every Prince Georgian is able to access the healthcare they need and want, in their own community, where they feel most comfortable and with outcomes that aim to eliminate maternal and infant mortality., Emerging themes for the next 5 years
Residents feel safe accessing health related services regardless of migrant status.
Residents have better perception of health care in county
Better use of local services
Systems that allow residents to access services close to home
Consideration of the needs of all residents
, Comprehensive Care
Our vision is to build an inclusive women’s health program. A program that will support community needs now and into the future. We will provide the following services — within PG county — that are currently available in other locations across Luminis Health:
, Care for the whole person
In addition to the services above, we will also provide:
Hormone replacement therapy
Heart disease prevention services
Osteoporosis services
Nutrition education and weight management services
Diabetes care and prevention services
Behavioral and mental health care
Education, prevention and wellness services
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News & Press Releases, Women's Health
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Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Named to U.S. News & World Report 2022-2023 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care
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Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) is proud to welcome another bundle of joy, in the form of great news. U.S. News & World Report has named LHAAMC as a 2022-2023 High Performing Hospital for Maternity Care. This is the highest award a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.
The evaluation, now in its second year, is designed to help expectant parents and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity care. “Since we welcome more than 5,500 babies into the world each year, we like to say our teams are trusted to deliver a kindergarten class a day,” said Sherry Perkins, president of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “Thank you to our physicians, nurse midwives, nurses, nurse practitioners, technologists, and the entire team for providing exceptional maternity care to our families.”
U.S. News evaluated nearly 650 hospitals that provide high-quality labor and delivery services for uncomplicated pregnancies for its 2022-2023 Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. Fewer than half of all hospitals that offer maternity care and participated in the survey received a High Performing designation.
“When expectant parents are considering their options for welcoming a baby to the world, the Best Hospitals for Maternity Care are designed to help them identify hospitals that excel in delivering babies for uncomplicated pregnancies,” said Ben Harder, chief of health analysis and managing editor at U.S. News. “A hospital that has earned a High Performing designation may be a good option for parents, in consultation with their medical provider, to consider.”
The U.S. News Best Hospitals for Maternity Care methodology is based entirely on objective measures of quality, such as C-section rates in lower-risk pregnancies, newborn complication rates, exclusive breast milk feeding rates, early elective delivery rates and vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) rates, among other measures.
“We are honored U.S. News is recognizing LHAAMC as a Best Hospital for Maternity Care for the second consecutive year,” said Dr. Monica Jones, chair of Luminis Health Women’s and Children’s services. “One of Luminis Health’s bold goals for Vision 2030 is to eliminate maternal and infant mortality. Through the work of Luminis Health’s Women’s and Children’s Quality and Safety Teams as well as the Women’s and Children’s Counter Racism Task Force, we are providing more high-quality, and culturally customized care. We are leveraging our maternal evidence-based protocols through our service line, system-wide, implicit bias education and training. This important work is already improving maternal and infant mortality for the communities we serve earning our place in the US News rankings.”
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