General Page - Tier 2
Nursing Jobs: Why work at Luminis Health? Guided by our R.I.S.E. values of Respect, Inclusion, Service and Excellence, our nurses are dedicated to enhancing the health of the people and communities we serve. Luminis Health makes career growth and advancement a priority for our nurses. We have a formal clinical ladder program and clinical ladder coaches who can help you advance your professional practice and achieve your goals. Your continuing education is important to us. That’s why we offer financial aid and scholarship opportunities for nurses who want to go back to school. In addition, our Clinical Education and Professional Development department arranges seminars,workshops and more. Together, we provide care for 1.8 million people in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties, the Eastern Shore and beyond. We make it refreshingly easy to access care with a network of more than 100 practice locations, including Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center, J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center, LuminisHealth Pathways, and Doctors Community Rehabilitation and Patient Care Center. Benefits of working for Luminis Health A supportive environment A comprehensive benefits package A highly competitive wage scale Tuition reimbursement Professional development programs Advance your career at Luminis Health LHAAMC and LHDCMC have established the Nursing Clinical Ladder, a professional development program for nursing staff. This initiative is intended to focus our nursing workforce on meaningful growth in the profession and move nurses progressively to greater accountability for professional practice and complex patient care. It's designed to promote an environment that encourages, rewards and supports the professional growth of the nurse., Nursing Staff Resources
Magnet® RecognitionLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) achieved our third Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in April 2024. as a reflection of excellence inpatient and family-centered care, nursing professionalism and teamwork. Magnet recognition, the highest national honor for professional nursing practice, is awarded to organizations that consistently uphold ANCC’s standards for nursing excellence. Achieving Magnet status signifies a long-term commitment to excellence in quality care, high patient satisfaction, and a culture where nurses thrive professionally and personally. This third designation places LHAAMC in the esteemed ranks of the elite 10% of hospitals in the United States to have achieved Magnet status. This accomplishment places it among the select few, as just over 6% of hospitals nationwide have garnered three or more Magnet designations. , Pathway to Excellence® Recognition Luminis Heath Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC), is part of a premier group of organizations that have received Pathway to Excellence® designation from the ANCC. The Pathway designation is a global credential that highlights LHDCMC’s commitment to creating a healthy work environment where nurses feel empowered and valued. Luminis Health’s nurses are an integral part of the healthcare team, with a voice in policy and practice. Pathway nurses are engaged, resulting in higher job satisfaction, reduced turnover, improved safety, and better patient outcomes. , Practice Transition Accreditation Program LHAAMC and J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center’s Nurse Residency Program achieved its redesignation as a Practice Transition Accredited Program, with distinction, by the ANCC in October 2024. This places us among an elite group of 275 programs, with only 118 achieving this prestigious status. This accomplishment reflects our ongoing commitment to nursing excellence and prioritizing career growth through continuing education.
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News & Press Releases, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Patient Stories
General Page Tier 3
Hackerman-Patz House Welcomes First Guests
Blog
The 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.
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Community
General Page Tier 3
Tips to help you stay safe this holiday season
Blog
With 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.
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General Page Tier 3
Junk food in disguise: 6 “health” foods fooling you
Blog
Knowing what foods are good for you and which foods aren’t good for you can be a challenge. Studies seem to contradict each other, and misinformation is everywhere. To add fuel to the fire, some food companies work hard to disguise their food as a healthy choice, whether it is or not.
When it comes to food, don’t be fooled by false health claims. From counseling people on health and nutrition, we’ve found that there are six foods in particular that have managed to gain a reputation as “health” foods, when in fact they often aren’t. Be wary of these six foods that often don’t include the health benefits they claim.
Smoothies
Drinking fruit that’s been blended into a sweet, liquefied concoction may sound more refreshing than chomping on a whole piece of fruit. The reason why most fruit smoothies are so delicious is because they may contain added sugars in the form of fruit, juice, frozen yogurt, agave, honey or dates. Some recipes add nut butters, seeds and coconut, which pack in a lot of calories for a drink. Make your own healthier smoothie with one serving of fruit (try freezing it for extra creaminess), unsweetened almond milk or low-fat milk, greens, and vanilla extract or cinnamon for natural sweetness.
Nutrition or protein bars
Most protein bars lining the grocery aisles are glorified candy bars injected with whey or soy protein. Some are upwards of 350 calories with of a lot of fat and sugar, consumed in about three bites. If you’re looking for a high-protein snack, try a glass of low-fat milk or a handful of nuts and dried fruits.
Granola
Granola has somehow managed to make its mark in the health food industry. But this crunchy cereal is almost always loaded with calories and sugar. One cup of granola can contain a whopping 600 calories. Check the label before you buy and try adding fresh fruit to your granola. The added fiber will fill you up faster.
Wraps
Wraps look thinner than bread or bagels, but they can actually equate to eating four small slices of bread. Whole wheat or not, ordering your sandwich as a wrap isn’t your best choice, especially for people watching their weight or blood sugars. Spinach wraps are no better. Less than two percent of these wraps are made up of spinach.
Gluten-free products
Gluten-free diets are meant for people with celiac disease or who have sensitivity to gluten. Most gluten-free foods are higher in calories, lower in nutrients and heavily processed.
Veggie and fruit “chips”
Banana chips may look like a smart choice, but their calorie count, fat and sugar content is nothing to brag about. And there’s not a lot of veggie in “veggie chips.”
There’s no need to swear off any of these foods for good. Lots of foods can fit into a healthy eating plan when you enjoy them in moderation. Just be sure to read labels so you know what you’re eating and aren’t fooled by advertising claims. And remember, the healthiest foods don’t come in packages.
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 Sept. 6, 2016. Last updated Feb. 14, 2020.
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Heart Care
General Page Tier 3
Heart attacks: What You Should Know
Blog
Every 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.
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