- Lung CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn the fall and winter, staying vigilant about our health becomes paramount during the peak of respiratory illness season. During this period, the convergence of various respiratory infections, such as the flu, COVID-19 and RSV, underscores the importance of knowing how to prevent the spread of germs and maintaining robust health practices. Through vaccination and rigorous hygiene measures, we can strengthen our defenses against these illnesses. Who’s at Risk Flu, RSV, and SARs CoV2 which causes COVID-19 disease are all viruses. High risk groups for all three viruses include, but aren’t limited to, adults over 65, very young children and those with chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease, neurologic issues, weakened immune systems and obesity. Women who are pregnant may also be at risk. About Vaccination Flu vaccines are available, so get yours, sooner rather than later. It takes two weeks for antibodies to be effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months and older receive a flu vaccine each year, with rare exceptions. Vaccination is particularly important during pregnancy and for those at higher risk of serious complications such as pneumonia and even death. Flu can also cause problems that may result in inflammation of the heart, brain, muscle tissues, and multi-organ failure. The CDC recommends that everyone five years and older receive one dose of the updated COVID-19 omicron-specific booster, even if you had the original series. RSV vaccines are recommended for adults 60 years and older and pregnant women. There is also an RSV antibody shot that is recommended for babies at birth to 8 months old, but has been difficult for many health care providers to get adequate supply this season. RSV can inflame the small airways of the lungs or cause pneumonia—which is a lung infection—in children younger than one year. What You Can Do You’ve heard this before, but truthfully, these are the best ways to protect yourself from serious respiratory illness: Wash your hands often. Keep your hands off your face. Avoid close contact with sick people. Cover your coughs and sneezes. Clean and disinfect surfaces. Stay home when you are sick. In addition, experts agree that vaccination will keep you from being hospitalized for severe illness and keep you home with family this holiday season. Author Jean Murray is the system director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology at Luminis Health. She has over 26 years of experience in infection control, outbreak surveillance and epidemiology.0
- Men's Health, Stroke Care, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOne year after suffering a stroke, 47-year-old Ray Torreon says the AAMC Stroke Club has played an important role in helping him recover from and learn to adjust to life after stroke. At those early stroke club meetings . . . I didn’t intend to, but I broke down and cried. The support I got from them lifted my spirits, gave me hope. That’s what the stroke club does. The volunteers that run it from the hospital are a great resource and the educational topics are helpful in terms of learning about stroke, about medication, therapy, the division of rehab services and what’s out there as far as getting a job. But as important as that it, the fellowship of having people who have been on this same journey is what I needed. Other stroke patients understand how alienating and isolating it is— how alone you are even if you have people around you. Everyone’s stroke is different, but everyone in the stroke club has been depressed and has lost things and doesn’t know what the future holds for them. I was a Capitol Hill lobbyist. I was a sales person running a 12 million dollar store. My speech was my trade and someone listening to me now might say my speech is fine, but I’m struggling because I don’t have the fluency I once had. I have never in my entire life struggled for words. I could sell ice cream to Eskimos. I don’t feel that way now. Other stroke patients understand that. Even as everyone else says, “Oh, you look good, or you sound fine,” the stroke patient inwardly shakes his or her head and thinks, “No, I don’t feel fine.” I’m not recovered fully. I have deficits and even though I appear fine to you, I feel sad that I’ve lost some abilities that I know I used to have.” You mourn for the person you were. In the stroke club you come to realize that they’ve had the same journey. There are people with severe aphasia. There are people who were in a wheelchair in the beginning and now they’re walking with a cane or a walker. That’s good to see. Over time, we’ve sort of developed a core group, and we want to expand this to really touch as many other stroke patients as possible. We’re looking for active members and we’re planning more activities outside the stroke club just to socialize and help people along the path to finding a new life. A stroke literally blows up your life, and you have to put the pieces back together. The other members of the stroke club and I would like to help survivors put their lives back together more quickly than they can alone. To learn more about the Stroke Support Group contact Laurie Neely, physical therapist, or Jennifer Irving, speech-language pathologist or by phone: 443-481-6872. Visit our askAAMC to find out more about the support groups and services we offer to all members of our community.0
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYou are what you eat. So why is it so hard for many of us to eat our fruits and vegetables? Chew on this, a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report reveals that—in many states—more than half of children between the ages of one and five do not eat a single vegetable on a daily basis. Even more shocking, only about a third of young kids eat fruit daily. It is alarming because both fruits and vegetables provide a wide variety of vitamins and minerals that are essential for optimal health, energy production and brain power. Recommended Daily Serving According to Maureen Shackelford, a nutritionist and registered dietitian at Luminis Health, most children should get a daily serving of one or two cups of vegetables. Since fruits offer similar nutritional and fiber content as vegetables, children should eat one to two cups of fruit each day. For each meal, more than half your plate should be full of fruits and vegetables, with the other half made up of one-quarter protein and one-quarter starch. In other words, cut back on the potatoes. Encouraging Veggie Intake As we know, most children don’t like to eat their vegetables. But Shackelford says presentation is key because kids are more likely to eat them when they look appealing. Consider pairing raw veggies with yogurt dip, peanut butter or hummus. You can also mix veggies into favorite meals like enchiladas, pizza, tacos, spaghetti sauce, pasta salads or omelets. Mixing vegetables with starches and protein makes the meal more appetizing and kids will eat healthier without even knowing it. Take it one step further and make funny faces with the foods on their plate or let your children choose their veggie toppings for dishes like pizza and tacos. In fact, involving children in the purchasing and preparing of vegetables—and perhaps even in planting a garden—allows them to be included in the process and to develop more of an interest in the vegetables they are eating. Try using multi-compartment bento boxes for your child’s lunches, filling one or more compartments with vegetables. Parents’ Own Consumption of Vegetables Sets an Example You set the example by setting the table. Kids will follow your lead, so if parents consume plenty of vegetables each day, your youngsters will too, and it should begin at an early age. Children have been shown to eat more vegetables when they have: Adults modeling the behavior Readily available veggies Rules about vegetable intake, with parents as the gatekeepers Shared family meals While fresh is always best, frozen or canned vegetables can be an affordable option while still offering important nutrients. But it’s important to check the label and avoid varieties with added sugars or sodium. Available Resources Eating vegetables should be fun. You can visit sites like myplate.gov for activities, games, apps and more. In addition, EatRight.org offers creative ideas for adding vegetables into each meal, along with easy-to-prepare recipes that are developed by registered dietitians. And this may be hard to swallow, but limit or stay away altogether from fast food. Author Maureen Shackelford is a nutritionist and registered dietitian at Luminis Health with more than 33 years of experience.0
- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen a friend is diagnosed with breast cancer, you want to do the right thing, but may wonder what the right thing is. Try these strategies, shared by people who have been there: 1. Listen You don’t have to have answers. Avoid clichés and comments like, “Everything will be fine.” Allow your friend to share what she wishes, but also respect her silence or the request to talk about something else. 2. Help with chores Ask your friend how you can help, and offer some practical ideas. Could your friend use someone to mow the lawn? Or pick up the kids? Or provide a meal? 3. Don’t forget the family Partners and children may be struggling, too. Ask your friend’s family how they are doing. Find out what they have shared with their children and what they would like you to say if the kids ask questions. Honor your friend’s decisions and avoid advice unless asked. 4. Be there for the long haul Breast cancer treatment may last a year or more. Put it on your calendar to continue to check in with your friend for the duration of her treatment. Often, your support is needed most later on. Originally published Sept. 24, 2015. Last updated Aug. 13, 2025.0
- Our Centering Pregnancy Approach Whether you choose to have a midwife or OB-GYN, you can benefit from our Centering Pregnancy approach, designed by the national Centering Healthcare Institute. At no extra cost, you have access to 10 educational group sessions spread throughout your pregnancy journey. Each time, you meet with the same small group of pregnant people who are due around the same time as you. You'll feel the power of community, and you might even meet your lifelong mom friend! At each Centering Pregnancy session, a midwife or nurse from our team shares information and facilitates a discussion on a different topic. The topics include nutrition in pregnancy, what to expect in labor, stress management, breastfeeding and more. You not only learn from our certified instructor — you'll also share wisdom with each other. Our Centering Pregnancy meet-ups are complete with healthy refreshments. We schedule them when you're due for a growth check, which happens during the meeting. Convenience. Education. Health care. Mom friends. Snacks. We've thought of everything! Learn how to participate in CenteringPregnancy® at Luminis HealthTreatmentConditions/Services/Treatments PageWhy Choose Luminis Health Midwives?Luminis Health Midwives specialize in low-risk pregnancies and births. A team of highly experienced, board-certified midwives follows you throughout your pregnancy, birth, and beyond.We monitor your health and make sure your baby is growing well. At the same time, we empower you with information about pregnancy, birth and newborn care. You can feel comfortable asking any question or sharing any concern you have. Your midwifery team is here to respond to your emotional, physical, and social needs.Just like an OB-GYN, your midwife tracks your growth, listens to that lovely thumpity-thump of your baby's heart and connects you to any needed blood or ultrasound tests. Your prenatal appointments take place in a cozy, home-like clinic attached to our main hospital building.When it's time for your birth, you will deliver in the Frank Family Birth Center inside of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. Once you go home with your tiny love, Luminis Health midwives continue to support you — in your recovery in the weeks after your birth, as well as in feeding and caring for your baby. The Best of Both WorldsIf you choose midwifery at Luminis Health, you have immediate access to advanced medical expertise and technology should you need it. If your pregnancy ever becomes high-risk, it's a seamless transition to an OB-GYN at Luminis Health.0
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