- Adventure Therapy at Luminis Health PathwaysWe use every tool to help you recover and stay strong when you're receiving inpatient substance use treatment at Luminis Health Pathways. Besides being unique and fun, our adventure therapy program offers:Personal motivation through excitement. Our on-site ropes course features more than 20 high and low activities. Plus vertical challenges that include a 45-foot climbing tower and a 12-foot climbing wall.A chance for reflection. Adventure therapy offers a respite from the chaos of daily life. It takes place on our tranquil Pathways campus, nestled in a beautiful, wooded area just outside Annapolis.Expert staff. You'll be in good, safe hands during your adventure therapy. Our staff is specially trained to work with those recovering from substance use.TreatmentConditions/Services/Treatments PageDare to Believe in YourselfTrust — in yourself and others — plays a big part in recovery from substance use. Adventure therapy challenges you to regain the trust you've lost. It confirms your ability to handle whatever the future holds. What is Adventure Therapy?Adventure therapy is a form of behavioral psychotherapy that uses team-based exercises and daring obstacle courses to teach you to believe in yourself.Activities like walking a rope bridge high in a tree canopy test your motivation and commitment.Set outdoors, adventure therapy is a full sensory experience. It taps into the stress-relieving power of nature. And taps into helping you make behavior changes critical to your healing process.You're safe every step of the way. Your harness protects you from falling, but you still must have the determination to walk across that bridge to get to the other side."If I can do that, I can do anything." That's a typical feeling after completing adventure therapy.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnnapolis, Md. (July 25) — Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC), the premier hospital serving Annapolis, the Eastern Shore and beyond, is grateful to announce a transformational philanthropic gift from Annapolis resident Sally Ehrle, PhD – one of the largest in the hospital’s nearly 125-year history. In recognition of this extraordinary generosity, the main North Pavilion lobby at LHAAMC has been named in honor of Sally and her late husband, Raymond Ehrle.Dr. Ehrle’s contribution is the lead gift of a major philanthropic investment in support of Luminis Health’s Vision 2030 strategic plan, with the goal of enhancing health, advancing wellness, and removing barriers to high quality care. The Ehrle’s gift will support planned renovations to expand patient care space, allowing LHAAMC to better serve the community and introduce additional patient-centered innovations. “We are deeply grateful to Dr. Ehrle and her late husband for their remarkable generosity and vision to spark change and inspire others,” said Dr. Sherry Perkins, president of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “The Sally and Raymond Ehrle Lobby is in the heart of our hospital and welcomes 200,000 patients, family members, and visitors each year. It will stand as a welcoming reminder that none of us are alone in our health journey, we have dedicated neighbors who invest to ensure high quality care, close to home.” Dr. Ehrle joined her two sons, their children, Dr. Perkins, Luminis Health CEO Tori Bayless, hospital leaders, clinicians, and community members for a dedication ceremony honoring the Ehrle’s enduring legacy of care and compassion. “Raymond and I lived simply with a goal of someday using our resources to support the community.” said Dr. Ehrle. “I have an extensive volunteer history wherever I have lived, and this volunteerism has led to being a donor to several institutions in the Annapolis area. I have been an Annapolis resident for 23 years and feel a strong tie to this community.” Always humble and focused on others, Dr. Ehrle has asked that the amount of her gift remain confidential and hopes to instead focus on the impact that philanthropy can make on the health of the community. “By enabling us to grow with the needs of our community, Dr. Ehrle’s gift will enhance the health of generations to come,” said Elizabeth Gross, vice president of the Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation. “Our hospital has been built by the remarkable generosity of this community. Generations of philanthropists have stood with us to make LHAAMC the nationally-recognized institution that it is today. Dr. Ehrle’s gift is a powerful catalyst, and we hope it inspires others to join in, because every gift, no matter the amount, plays a vital role in the health of our community.” This transformational gift comes on the heels of LHAAMC’s Emergency Department receiving the Maryland Stars of Life Executive Director’s Award from the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS). The hospital is also consistently recognized among the Best Hospitals by Newsweek and rated high performing by U.S. News & World Report. LHAAMC is the only hospital in Maryland to earn 13 consecutive ‘A’ grades from Leapfrog for patient safety and is one of just 6% of hospitals nationwide to receive a third Magnet designation for nursing excellence.0
- Surgery, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs February marks Heart Health Month, show your heart some love by eating a nutritious diet comprised of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking. Taking these steps can decrease the chance that you may need heart surgery one day, but if you do need heart surgery, medical advancements have improved options and outcomes for surgery patients. Here are five things you should know about heart surgery: If Your Arteries Are Blocked, Surgery Can Help. A blocked blood vessel can lead to a heart attack, stroke and other problems. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common type of open heart surgery performed on adults today. The surgeon uses a blood vessel taken from another part of the body to provide an alternate route for blood to go around the blockage. When You Have A Valve That Doesn’t Work, Doctors Can Replace it Without Surgery. Conditions like aortic stenosis can keep the heart valve from opening fully and make it difficult for blood to flow. Left untreated, aortic stenosis can damage the heart muscle and lead to severe complications. The good news is that aortic stenosis can be fixed without surgery. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a game-changer. It is a minimally invasive alternative to a traditional surgical valve replacement, deploying artificial heart valves using small catheters. This avoids the need for open-heart surgery and can lead to less pain and faster recovery. TAVR demonstrates outstanding results, providing a viable treatment option for patients who previously had limited choices, ultimately extending their lives and enhancing their overall quality of life. Traditional Surgery Can Work for A Valve Replacement, Too. Certainly, open heart surgery remains a viable method for replacing a damaged heart valve. Surgeons have performed the procedure for more than 50 years, yet Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR) is still considered major surgery since it involves opening the chest to perform the procedure. Nevertheless, it has a high success rate, with a low likelihood of significant complications. You Should Treat A Bulge In Your Blood Vessel Before It Becomes an Emergency. An aortic aneurysm is an enlargement of the aorta, which is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When an aneurysm gets too large, it can tear or rupture which may be life-threatening. There is a lot at stake, so it’s important to know the warning signs, which can include: Chest pain Coughing up blood Dizziness Hoarseness or trouble swallowing Pulsing near the belly button Shortness of breath Sudden and intense abdominal or back pain If you or a loved one have an aortic aneurysm, treatment often starts with medication and keeping a close eye on it. However, if it’s large or fast-growing, surgery may be the best option to replace the weak section of the aorta with a graft, or tube. Surgery Can Correct Heart Rhythm Problems. Today, doctors can help arrhythmia issues. But when medications and catheter ablations don’t work, surgical ablations can be performed with improved success. If you are concerned about your heart health, schedule an appointment with a primary care provider or cardiologist. If heart surgery is recommended, we provide skilled, compassionate surgical care for all heart conditions at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. Consultations are available in Lanham, Annapolis, and Kent Island. Author Murtaza Dawood, MD is an experienced cardiothoracic surgeon who is recognized for performing operations for complex valve disease and atrial fibrillation. He is known for treating mitral valve regurgitation as well as aortic valve disease.0
- Men's Health, Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSummer is in full swing! With school out for the year and summer vacations on the calendar, there’s a lot to look forward to this time of year. But summertime also means an increased risk of sun damage, heat-related illnesses and other seasonal ailments. Here are some of the most common summer safety concerns and what you can do to address them. Stay safe in the sun As we expose more of our skin during the summer, we are also exposing ourselves to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, which damages skin cells. Sunburns significantly increase the risk of developing skin cancer. In fact, more than five sunburns as a child can double your risk of developing skin cancer later in life. A suntan also increases your risk of skin cancer, the most serious of which is melanoma. It’s important to protect your skin and eyes all year long, but especially in the summer, when UV rays tend to be stronger. Wear UV-blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes and the sensitive skin around them. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protector factor (SPF) of at least 30, which will screen out 97 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays as well as protect against ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. Apply approximately two tablespoons of sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, especially if swimming or sweating. Consider limiting your time in direct sunlight, especially between 10 am and 4 pm, when UV light is strongest. For more summer safety tips, visit www.askAAMC.org/sunsafety. Enter our Instagram contest, and help us spread the word about the importance of sun safety! Beware of heat exhaustion and heat stroke Outdoor activity can lead to heat exhaustion, one of the most common conditions kids experience in the summer. The signs include severe thirst, nausea, fast and shallow breathing, headaches, muscle pain and cool, clammy skin. If your child is showing signs of these symptoms, immediately bring them somewhere cooler, remove excess clothing, encourage them to drink cool fluids and call your doctor. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can turn into heat stroke, which is extremely serious. Symptoms include a pounding headache, dizziness and light-headedness, red, hot, dry skin, cramps or muscle weakness, rapid, shallow breathing, nausea, vomiting, confusion and unconsciousness. If you think someone has heat stroke, call 911 immediately. While you wait for medics to arrive, work to cool the person down by moving them to a shaded area, fanning them and cooling their skin with water. You can prevent heat exhaustion by making sure your child is drinking water early and often, especially if they are playing outside in the heat. Be prepared when traveling Nothing can spoil your vacation like getting sick or injured. But if this does happen, it helps to be prepared. If you’re older or have chronic health issues, see your doctor four to six weeks before your trip to make sure it’s safe for you to travel. Check to make sure your vaccinations are up to date, and make a list of your current medications and allergies. Include the names and phone numbers of your doctors and your pharmacy. Remember to bring a note on your doctor’s letterhead if you are taking controlled substances or injectable medications. You should also program health information, including medical conditions and emergency contacts, into your phone (both Apple and Android products have built-in apps for this). If you have a history of heart disease, ask your cardiologist to give you a wallet-sized version of your latest electrocardiogram (EKG). Over-the-counter medicines, including ibuprofen and a thermometer, should also be a part of your travel kit. Don’t let illness put a damper on your summer activities. Following these safety tips will help you have a relaxing, fun and, most importantly, healthy summer. Authors Joanne Ebner is a cancer prevention program manager at Anne Arundel Medical Center. You can reach her office at 443-481-5366. David Afzal, DO, is a family medicine physician with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Waugh Chapel Family Medicine. To find an AAMG doctor in your area, visit MyAAMG.org. Mike Remoll, MD, is the medical director of the Emergency Department at Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
- Pediatrics, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs COVID cases in children continue to rise — and the delta variant continues to spread — health experts are cheering on the latest vaccine developments, including the possibility of a lower-dose vaccine that may be ready for kids age five to 11 in a matter of weeks. Aside from getting us one step closer to stopping the unprecedented spread of the virus, there’s no question what it will also mean when it comes to keeping our kiddos in school. But what should you know as a parent? How COVID affects kids At the beginning of the pandemic, it seemed children didn’t get COVID as much as adults. However, over time, the number of kids infected has risen sharply. In fact, children now account for about a quarter of the weekly reported cases in the U.S., according to data from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Most cases in kids are mild. But researchers are still studying how the virus could affect their long-term health. And with children in schools, sports, extracurricular and social activities, getting them vaccinated could go a long way in helping slow outbreaks of the virus in the community, reduce sick days from illness and days out of school exposure to COVID. How the vaccine works Vaccines are already available for children 12 and over. However, clinical trials were needed for those under the age of 12 to 5 years of age to ensure they’ll be safe and effective for younger kids, whose bodies work differently. A recent announcement from Pfizer explains that their vaccine for younger kids uses a smaller dose than the vaccine for adults and teens (10 micrograms compared to 30 micrograms), given 21 days apart. Their trial showed that kids had a strong immune response on par with those in the 16 to 25 age group after getting their second dose. They also had similar side effects, which were mild. The Pfizer trial included more than 2,000 children. Both vaccines must now go through a review process from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) before being given to the public. And health officials have been eager for this to happen, especially with the latest Delta variant statistics. There’s also good news for parents of children under five who are waiting for a vaccine for their little ones. Researchers say it could be ready for our youngest set of kids later this year. When your child can get it We expect final approval for the vaccine for kids age five to 11 in the coming weeks. And officials are hopeful that children could start getting their shots as early as Halloween. Where to find help if you need it Vaccines are our best shot at ending the pandemic and getting back to freely enjoying time with our friends and families. Making sure your family gets vaccinated puts us one step closer to reaching that goal. And while that seems easy, these are stressful and uncertain times. It’s normal to have questions, and we always want to make sure you find all the information you need to feel comfortable with your health decisions. Your child’s pediatrician is a great place to start. You can also visit our FAQs at any time for help with general vaccine information. Let’s put an end to the spread — together. Authors Lauren Fitzpatrick, MD, is medical director of the Pediatric Emergency Department and Inpatient Unit, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Asha Payne, MD, is medical director of the Children’s National Emergency Department at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.0
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