- Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen Nakeya Johnson had her third child in 2010 she knew something had to change. With three small children at home, her health and wellness had taken a back seat to family and work responsibilities. But, on January 1, 2013 Nakeya decided to make a serious commitment to getting healthier. I gave up soda,” said Nakeya, a medical secretary with AAMC Oncology and Hematology. “I started drinking water, eating a healthy breakfast and I got moving!” Nakeya made it a priority to visit the AAMC Employee Gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays when her schedule permitted, and when she couldn’t make it, she began getting up at 5 am to walk. “I realized that I could get up that early and fit in a work out,” Nakeya said. She still follows that routine – adding jogging and strength training to her routine – and to date she has lost more than 70 pounds! Nakeya credits technology with helping her get and stay fit. “I find so many workout routines on YouTube,” she said. “I have walking videos and weight lifting routines to help me strength train.” Nakeya also uses her FitBit to track the number of steps she takes every day and the My Fitness Pal app on her phone to help her keep track of the calories she eats. She participates in AAMC’s Weight Watchers at Work and focuses on portion control when it comes to eating. “I am a stress eater,” Nakeya said, “but now, when I feel stressed, I excuse myself from my kids and I go to my basement and do a five minute workout instead of eating a cookie. It’s amazing how much exercise helps reduce stress!” Staying active and making healthy choices is a family affair with the Johnsons. After seeing Nakeya’s progress, her husband started exercising regularly. Nakeya has become a role model for her children who are also more active and aware of the importance of making healthy choices. “My kids are always pointing out things that aren’t on our ‘healthy eating’ list,” laughs Nakeya. Asked what advice she has for others looking to improve their health and fitness, Nakeya stressed having faith in yourself. “You will get discouraged because it does take time to see results, but you have to have faith that you can do it. I kept telling myself I wasn’t turning back once I started and I didn’t.”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
- Community, Pediatrics, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFamily routines are everything our current COVID-19 times are not: consistent, predictable and reassuring. While you may not consider yourself a “creature of habit,” you’ve likely hoped for a sense of normalcy to return to daily life. But for everything you’re feeling, your children are likely suffering more significant effects. Learn how routines can help Our children are in a constant state of development as they grow. New information and experiences shape and re-shape how they see the world — even before coronavirus came our way. Familiar routines can help kids find stability and a sense of security in good and bad times. Research shows family routines can support essential building blocks for kids, including better sleep, improved resilience during times of crisis and success at school and in social situations. Know where to start Where to start depends on your family’s needs. Play back your last few days and think about any stressful situations that developed. Was it getting your kids out the door in the morning? Putting dinner on the table? Getting everyone to bed? Chances are, you’ll notice patterns, and developing routines that address your family’s stressors can bring calm to critical transition times, such as: Before school After school Bedtime Weekends Start small. Setting little “constants,” like doing homework every night right after dinner, reading a book together before “lights out” or remembering to lay out school clothes, may be just what your family needs. Around mealtimes, you might try: Family scheduling. If you’re answering daily questions about when things are happening or always rushing to find a soccer jersey, library book or birthday present, established routines make it easier to stay on the same page. Put a family calendar where your kids can see it and check it together daily, preferably at the same time every day. Knowing what to expect can be comforting to your kids and avoid confusion. Meal planning. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel to feed your family every day. We suggest writing down three to five wholesome meals and making them every week until you can serve them with your eyes closed. These will be your go-to meals on weeks when you get busy. To simplify your meal schedule (and resist buying not-so-healthy or more expensive take-out options regularly), you might: Batch cook and freeze grab-and-go family favorites, like sausage-and-egg breakfast sandwiches or black bean burritos. Prep kids’ lunches the night before, or wash and cut up fruits and veggies for them to find easily. Try recurring weekly meals, such as Taco Tuesdays, Pizza Fridays or Soup on Sundays. Plan for periods of high stress When your family is especially busy or you’re dealing with stressful events — like COVID, a life transition or illness in the family — it can be easy to let things slide around the house. But quick daily routines can help you feel in control. They can also help keep your home running smoothly and mean you won’t have to face a mountain of household tasks at once later. You might try: Cleaning up dishes after every meal Getting up a half-hour earlier in the morning Running a load of laundry every day Running the dishwasher every night The great thing about routines is that once you’ve established them, you don’t have to think about them: they will become more automatic the more you do them. Make time for special moments It’s important to make sure you’re savoring the good stuff — the kind of everyday special moments that keep your family feeling connected. Once a week or month, you could consider scheduling: A date with your partner. Having time scheduled on the calendar is an excellent reminder to take time for your relationship, even when things are hectic. One-on-one time with each of your kids. You could let them pick a game to play or a park to visit together. You don’t need to keep up with your routines perfectly for them to work. Aiming to hit them most of the time will be enough to have an impact. And if things fall off track, it’s never too late to start again. Start small — and just keep building from there. You’ve got this. Authors Jennifer Williams is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor0
- Senior Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogRaising children is as challenging as it is rewarding. Being a grandparent can be much more carefree, but it’s not without responsibility. And things have changed since you raised your kids. Following these tips and brushing up on the latest guidelines will help you feel confident in your new role. Breastfeeding Support Your daughter or daughter-in-law has decided to breastfeed. Breastfeeding offers amazing health benefits to both baby and mom, and you can play an important role. In the 1960s and 70s, breastfeeding was not as common and doctors believed formula was better than breast milk. We now know that’s not true, and breast milk contains all the nutrients babies need to grow. Breastfeeding is a learned skill, and mom is more likely to succeed with support. In the first few weeks after baby arrives, you can help with chores or bring a meal, offering mom more time to focus on her baby and breastfeeding. Learn about the importance of breastfeeding and talk to mom about her goals. Encouraging her in this journey, offering support and simply listening can make all the difference. Sleep Safety Did your babies sleep on their stomachs? Guidelines for safe sleeping have changed. You should now always place infants to sleep on their back. This is proven to greatly reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) started telling families to put babies to sleep on their backs in 1992. Since then, the number of SIDS deaths in the U.S. has dropped by 38 percent. Babies should also sleep alone, and without loose blankets, toys or bumpers, which can pose potential choking or suffocation hazards. In fact, the sale of bumper pads is banned in Maryland. Studies show crib bumpers do more harm than good. READ MORE: Myths about infant safe sleep Car Seat Safety Properly installing a car seat and buckling a child correctly are critical, no matter how short the trip. The AAP says toddlers should ride in rear-facing car seats until the age of two. Research shows children under the age of two are 75 percent less likely to die or be severely injured in a crash if they’re rear facing. Ask the parents to show you the basics and help you choose a car seat for your car if you expect to help with transport. They’ll appreciate your dedication to safety! Social Media When you find out you’re going to be a grandparent and the little bundle of joy arrives, you’ll want to shout it from the rooftop. And today’s social media channels give you the ability to do that. Pause. Before you publically share news or photos, talk to the parents about their wishes. They may feel uncomfortable or have safety concerns about sharing photos and information about their baby on the Internet. In this age of technology, it’s important to talk about social media boundaries. No matter how many kids you raised, remember your grandchild’s parents are now in charge. Let them experiment and grow into their new role. Supporting their decisions and offering advice when they ask for it will help you step into your new role as a grandparent with grace. Want to learn more? Register for AAMC’s monthly Grandparent Update class. Your grandchild will thank you! Originally published May 9, 2016. Last updated Sept. 3, 2019.0
- Community, News & Press Releases, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogToday is an important day for our community. We have learned that the appeal against the approval of a cardiac surgery program at Anne Arundel Medical Center will be dropped. This means that after more than two years of being tied up in the court system, we can move forward with our plans to bring this important service to our community. AAMC remains one of the busiest facilities in the state of Maryland for treating life-threatening heart attacks. We are also one of the best in delivering this life-saving care in the shortest amount of time, which is critical to the patient. This cardiac surgery program will allow us to provide the full continuum of cardiac services. In essence, we will no longer have to transfer hundreds of AAMC patients to other programs outside of our region each year. This is a true win for our patients, their families and the community! With the ability to move forward, we are able to begin our recruitment of key staff to lead and develop our program. We anticipate that we will be able to provide patients with cardiac surgery services in spring of 2020. Your unwavering support for this program has helped bring us to where we are today. On behalf of everyone at AAMC, we are grateful. I look forward to keeping you updated on our progress.0
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