- Community, Giving, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFour years ago, local photographer and Davidsonville resident Linda McCarthy began applying her talents to benefit her community. As a 20-year veteran photographer specializing in weddings and family portraits, Linda often found herself taking great photos of babies, and thought they would make a wonderful local calendar. But she wanted this to be more than a calendar – she wanted this project to have a positive impact on her community. Thus the Angel Calendar was born. Partnering with the AAMC Labor and Delivery Unit and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Linda met dozens of families that had beautiful babies, some of whom had survived and thrived thanks specifically to the care and dedication of the NICU team. “As I would take photos of these adorable babies, I would hear the most wonderful stories about the family’s experience at AAMC’s NICU and their sincere appreciation of the care their babies had received,” explains Linda. “It gave me such joy to know I was creating a way for these families to say thank you to people who had played such an important role in their lives.” Since 2009, Linda’s Angel Calendar has raised more than $70,000 to support care for NICU babies at AAMC. “The Angel Calendars have brought a special magic to our NICU with a miracle worker leading the charge,” praises NICU Clinical Director Carol Lacher. “Thanks to the efforts and generosity of Linda and Visual Concepts Photography, we purchased much needed special emergency carts, chairs for family members to sit in while staying in the room with their baby, and special the room lighting for medical treatments.” “I have always believed in giving back to the community,” explains Linda. “What can be better than knowing you are helping someone who truly needs it!” To learn more about the Angel Calendar project, go to Visual Concepts.0
- Cancer Care, Men's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhat started as a casual conversation in a hospital waiting room ended up as a meaningful friendship and vital source of encouragement and support. John and Matt immediately bonded when they found out they were both at Anne Arundel Medical Center for prostate cancer treatment. As they continued to see each other at treatment appointments, the bond strengthened. Each man helped the other through treatment, and today they are both survivors. “Just to be able to talk to him in the morning time would chill me out and stop me from worrying about things,” says Matt. As for others going through cancer treatment, Matt has some advice. “Don’t be silent and sit in a corner. If there are people in there going through treatment, whatever it is, try to latch onto somebody because it’s going to help you.” For John and Matt, forming a friendship helped take their minds off cancer and keep calm during times of uncertainty. They both agree that while family members can be a great source of support, there’s a deeper level of understanding among fellow men going through similar treatment. “It was really encouraging to see each other,” says John. “You kind of feed off of that,” adds Matt. Learn more about prostate cancer treatment0
- CommunityGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWith the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s easy to let your guard down and forget to take your usual safety precautions. Unfortunately, that can make you an easy target for criminals. Make sure you are following these crime prevention tips to keep yourself and your loved ones safe this holiday season: Use credit or debit cards whenever possible to avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Be careful at the ATM. Guard your PIN, and do not walk away from the machine counting your money. Be careful how you handle your money in public. Never flash or count money in front of others. Have your car keys already in your hand when approaching your car just in case you need to get inside quickly. Look inside your car’s passenger area first to make sure it’s safe inside before you try to enter. Once inside your car, make sure all your doors and windows are closed and locked. Be extremely cautious of anyone who tries to get you to step outside of your car for any reason. Do not get out of your car unless you are confident you will be safe. If not, drive off if you can. Place all packages and other valuables out of sight and locked inside your trunk while your car is parked. Remember to walk in well-lit areas so that you and others can clearly see any suspicious behavior. Park your car in well-lit places as well. If you feel it is too dark, then find another space. Be aware of everything and everyone around you at all times, especially while outdoors. Be aware of people who bump into you. They may be trying to pick your pocket or purse. Never leave your purse or packages unattended, not even for a short amount of time. Never purchase more items than you can easily carry. You become an easy target when you’re struggling to carry packages. Trust your instincts. If you sense something is wrong, then it most likely is. Never be afraid to call 911 for help. Nothing you own is more valuable than your life or good health. If someone grabs your purse or packages, let them go. Crime can happen anywhere, to anyone. But you can help to prevent it by staying vigilant and following these safety tips. From all of us at AAMC, we wish you and your family a safe and healthy holiday season! Originally published Nov. 30, 2018. Last updated Nov. 22, 2019.0
- News & Press Releases, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe first thing most people learn about parenthood is that plans have to be flexible. So it was fitting that the new Hackerman-Patz House would open four days early to provide a young family the temporary home they needed when their little girl was born premature. Lucinda Avis was running errands near her home in Solomons, Maryland when she went into labor. She was two months early. Though she had closer options, she drove the hour and a half to AAMC because she wanted the quality medical care she knew the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) could provide. But an hour and a half is a long way from home. Her new daughter Audrey was born healthy, but she required medical support until gaining her strength. For her husband and 20-month-old son, this could have meant a lengthy stay in a hotel room or a daily drive back and forth from Solomons to visit Lucinda and the baby. But the Hackerman-Patz House offered them a better option. A home away from home, the Hackerman-Patz House provides affordable accommodations to patients and their families right on the AAMC campus. “It’s a huge benefit that we can all be here together,” says Lucinda. “I can sleep with my family and be right here near the hospital.” The 20 rooms share a common sitting room, kitchenette and playroom, so families have space to relax and recuperate. “My husband was here yesterday for four hours with our toddler,” she says, “and they didn’t have to just stay in our room all day, because there’s all this other space.” When Lucinda arrived at AAMC, The Hackerman-Patz House was still days away from opening. But she and her family needed to be together, and to be close to little Audrey. So staff opened their doors and welcomed the Avis’s. “I really feel like they’ve gone above and beyond what they needed to do. It’s just been more than what was expected.” With the help of the Hackerman-Patz House, Lucinda and her family were able to focus on welcoming their new daughter and celebrating her arrival.0
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEvery 40 seconds, a person in the United States suffers a heart attack. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women. In my clinical practice, I treat a wide range of heart attack patients, ranging in age from their 30s to 90s. While most of my patients have multiple risk factors for heart disease, others lack traditional risk factors. In fact, I have treated marathon runners and Navy SEALs for heart attacks. No one is “safe” from a heart attack. That’s why it is critical to be aware of warning signs and to seek treatment to minimize damage to heart muscle. What is coronary artery disease, or CAD? The heart is a muscular pump that transports blood to the body, and the coronary arteries deliver oxygenated blood to the heart. Fatty plaque deposits can develop within the arteries and block delivery of blood to the heart. During a heart attack, a plaque ruptures, causing a life-threatening narrowing that damages the heart from lack of blood flow. What are heart attack symptoms? When your heart lacks oxygen, you can develop chest pain that sometimes radiates to the arms, neck or back. If your chest pain becomes more frequent, intense, longer, and/or occurs at rest, you should seek medical attention. Notably, women, diabetic, and elderly individuals sometimes experience “atypical” symptoms. These can include shortness of breath, fatigue or weakness, back pain, jaw pain, nausea and indigestion. When in doubt, get checked out. Opening up narrowed arteries quickly can minimize heart injury. The best and safest way to get to the hospital is by calling 911 and taking an ambulance. How is a heart attack diagnosed? When you arrive at the hospital, doctors will check an electrocardiogram and your blood work to screen for a heart attack. If doctors are concerned that you’re having a heart attack, they may recommend a heart catheterization. This is where a small tube is placed in an artery. The doctor then takes pictures of the coronary arteries to look for blockages. What are the treatment options? If the doctor finds a severe blockage or several blockages, they may recommend stents, which prop open an artery where it narrows. If there are multiple severe blockages, doctors may recommend heart surgery. In addition to these procedures, medications also play a crucial role in improving blood flow to arteries and preventing plaque buildup. What are CAD risk factors? There are certain risk factors you cannot change, such as age and genetics. But there are other risk factors you can control with aggressive therapy and lifestyle modification. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and tobacco use. Exercise, a heart-healthy diet, avoiding tobacco, and taking prescribed medications are the cornerstones for a heart healthy lifestyle. If you have a heart attack, controlling cardiac risk factors is essential for preventing another heart attack. Recognizing CAD symptoms early and getting timely treatment minimizes heart damage. Controlling reversible risk factors for coronary disease also helps prevent heart attacks. Author Elizabeth Reineck, MD, is an interventional cardiologist at AAMC. Originally published March 26, 2018. Last updated March 27, 2019.0
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