- CommunityGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTori Bayless, Luminis Health CEO, reflects on hope in times of crisis. I am sure each of you is still processing the events of yesterday, as am I. What happened in our nation’s capital was shocking and scary. While horrifying for people all over the country, we have the added trauma of this happening where we live – so many of our colleagues live and work in DC or nearby. This is our home – not a tourist destination. News analysts and commentators speak about how yesterday’s breach and desecration of the Capitol shakes the very foundation of our democracy. And it does. For us, it also takes aim at the security and sanctuary of our home. That is no small matter, especially this year when home has become even more central to our worlds – family life has collided with work and school. Home has been a safe haven from the virus; our respite. Yesterday, for some of our team mates, getting home was a scary prospect. That weighs on everyone. Many of us were looking forward to the hope of a new year. The promise of a vaccine and a return to normal. Yesterday’s violent acts shattered some of that optimism. But here’s what I know: The hope is in us. Each of us – choosing to stand and face the future with determination to make it better – give hope for a brighter tomorrow. Together, collectively, we have the power to change today. And tomorrow. And the one after that. During the stress of a long day or particularly hard shift, it is easy to forget how much our communities respect and admire the compassion, excellent care, teamwork and inclusiveness you demonstrate every day. But just as the assault on our nation’s capital could not destroy the inherent strength of our democracy, neither a pandemic – nor any challenge – can harm the strength of our purpose and our resolve to make lives better for thousands of people every day. I encourage you to check on each other. Reach out for help. Call the employee assistance program. Take care of yourself, your family, and each other. Know that your Luminis Health family is with you, supporting each other. There is hope in that.0
- News & Press Releases, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLast updated at 10:30 am Wednesday, May 27, 2020. Luminis Health is participating in a national study sponsored by the FDA and Mayo Clinic to collect “convalescent” plasma from recovered coronavirus (COVID-19) patients, to give to patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19-related illness. The approach involves transferring antibodies from recovered patients to those still acutely ill as means of therapy. This is not currently a preventative treatment at the current time. What is plasma and convalescent plasma? Plasma is the liquid portion of your blood. It contains factors that help with blood clotting and contains antibodies that fight infections. Those who have recovered from COVID-19 will have antibodies to the virus in their blood plasma that might help protect them against future infections. Whether or not this works is the purpose of the study. What is a convalescent plasma donation? Donors who have fully recovered from COVID-19 have antibodies in their blood plasma to help protect against future infections. These antibodies can be collected from the recovered donor and infused safely to patients with acute COVID-related illness. What is involved in donating? Donors must have had a positive swab test from the nasal pharynx. Donors must be symptom free (no fever, cough, fatigue or shortness of breath) for at least 14 days before they can donate plasma. Potential eligible donors should complete a donor eligibility screening form. Someone will then contact you to gather more details, such as medical history and COVID-19 history to determine eligibility. What is involved in donating plasma? During a plasma donation, blood is drawn from your arm and sent through a high-tech machine that collects your plasma and then safely and comfortably returns your red cells and platelets back to you, along with some salt water through another intravenous line. It only takes a few minutes longer than donating blood. Is convalescent plasma a proven treatment for COVID-19? According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it is not currently known if convalescent plasma will be an effective treatment against COVID-19. Since there are no known effective treatments, multiple options are under investigation by the scientific community. Some information from prior infections suggests that convalescent plasma could help some COVID-19 patients — especially those who are hospitalized. Since plasma transfusions are generally safe for most patients, the FDA announced an initiative to investigate this as a treatment option. We are committed to assisting with plasma collections from carefully-screened recovered COVID-19 patients to enable rapid access to treatment for the most seriously ill patients. I don’t have a positive COVID-19 test, but am certain I had it, can I still participate? Thank you for your willingness to donate convalescent plasma to help patients. You may still qualify if your blood contains COVID-19 antibodies, however, at this time we do not have a process by which antibody testing can be done. We encourage you to fill out our donor eligibility screening form and we will contact you to provide a sample for antibody testing once it’s available.0
- Behavioral Health, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn recent years, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have increased substantially in popularity. They are commonly advertised as a “healthier” and cheaper alternative to cigarette smoking. Smoking e-cigarettes, an activity known as vaping, is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a method for smoking cessation. It is important to remember that e-cigarettes contain nicotine. Unlike FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapies, such as the patch, lozenge and gum, which contain regulated amounts of nicotine, the nicotine found in e-cigarette cartridges can vary widely among brands. Without large scale, well-designed research studies it is difficult to determine the real impact of e-cigarettes both now and in the future. Furthermore, by appealing to teenagers and young adults, there is the concern that e-cigarettes usage will reverse the progress made in smoking prevention, as well as normalize smoking behaviors. A Battery-Operated Nicotine Delivery Device Let’s look closer at what an e-cigarette is. An e-cigarette is a battery-operated nicotine delivery device. Rather than inhaling smoke from burning tobacco, users inhale a vaporized liquid solution. In 2009, the FDA published a study that identified varying levels of nicotine in these solutions, even in some e-cigarette cartridges that claimed to be nicotine free, and known carcinogens including diethylene glycol, an ingredient found in anti-freeze, and nitrosamines. Although sale to minors is prohibited in Maryland, virtually anyone can sell or buy e-cigarettes. Convenience stores, gas stations and grocery stores offer the most popular brands. Unlike traditional tobacco products there are no restrictions on Internet sales, which makes it relatively easy for youths to make online purchases. This may account for teen use of e-cigarettes doubling between 2011 and 2012. While e-cigarette manufacturers may claim they do not market directly to young people, flavored cartridges such as bubble gum, caramel and chocolate clearly appeal to children. And the industry has exploded. Revenues for e-cigarette companies have doubled every year since 2008, and the market exceeded $2 billion in 2013. A Lot of Unknowns for E-Cigarette Safety So, are they safe? While it is widely believed e-cigarettes are less toxic than cigarette smoking, there are no scientific studies to support this belief. Furthermore, there is no information as to the future effects of vaping or the effects of second-hand vapor inhalation. Most importantly, the lack of regulations for the e-cigarette industry leads to a wide variation in e-cigarette nicotine levels and potentially toxic substances in the vapor. Without scientific data establishing the safety and efficacy of e-cigarettes, there is no basis for recommending them as an alternative to cigarette smoking. Combining counseling and medications is proven to be an effective way to quit. The FDA has approved several forms of nicotine replacement therapies, including gum, lozenges, transdermal patches, inhalers and nasal spray, as well as bupropion and varenicline (Chantix). Talk to your doctor about how to stop smoking. If you have teenagers, talk to them about the dangers of e-cigarettes and vaping. Ready to quit smoking? Learn more about smoking cessation programs at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Courses and individual counseling are free if you live, work or attend school in Anne Arundel County. If you live elsewhere in the region, our staff may be able to navigate you to free resources in your area so please call 443-481-5366. Author By Stephen Cattaneo, MD, medical director of Thoracic Oncology at Anne Arundel Medical Center. He may be reached at 443-481-5838.0
- Cancer Care, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSandra Massey’s journey with cervical cancer began more than 30 years ago. As a mother of two young daughters, she worried that cancer could take her away from her children—just as she lost her father to cancer at the age of 11. Doctors suggested surgery to remove her cervix, but Sandra hoped to have more children and was not open to that option. Instead, in 1989, she underwent a cone biopsy. Since then, she has been diligent about visiting her doctor every year and staying up to date on screenings. She also welcomed two more children. Despite her commitment to her health, the cancer returned. In June 2023, Sandra received the news that she had stage 4 cervical cancer. “It felt like my life was turned upside down,” Sandra recalls. The day after her diagnosis, she met with Dr. Nicholas Lambrou, Chief of Gynecologic Oncology. “It was meant to be,” Sandra says of meeting Dr. Lambrou. “He and his team gave me so much hope when I needed it most.” Sandra’s treatment plan involved receiving chemotherapy every three weeks for about five months. Then she transitioned to maintenance infusions using immunotherapy. Throughout treatment, Sandra’s four children and three grandchildren provided support. They accompanied her to appointments and ensured she had meals and snacks to help maintain her strength and weight. Today, Sandra continues to work in sales and cherishes every moment with her family. “My grandchildren are the light of my life,” she says. Recently, they enjoyed a Sunday outing together, watching a movie and trying a new restaurant—a tradition they uphold nearly every weekend. Sandra’s resilience and the support of her loved ones have been instrumental in her journey. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer, please visit our webpage at Luminis Health Gynecologic Oncology or call 443-481-3493 to schedule an appointment today.0
- ServiceConditions/Services/Treatments PageWouldn’t it be great if you had a nutrition plan tailored to your individual needs and goals? Our registered dietitians will give you just that through a one-on-one counseling session. With ongoing sessions, they’ll help you follow through with your plan.Whether or not you’re a patient, you can choose to meet with our dietitians for nutrition counseling. Although we don’t accept insurance, most flexible spending plans cover our services.For more specific nutrition needs, we also offer services through our Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Center, DeCesaris Cancer Institute and Diabetes Center.0
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