- Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt’s past 9 am on Friday, Aug. 2. Three teenagers wearing AAMC volunteer t-shirts stand in front of a blank wall covered in navy blue paint. They’re chatting back and forth, exchanging ideas they’re excited about – like where they’re going to paint a polar bear or a penguin. They pull out their cell phones, scroll through Google Images and quickly regroup to discuss. “I’ll start with the mountains,” says Janine Avante. Janine is working with Jayden Harrold and Caitlin Doherty on painting AAMC’s latest tunnel mural. Janine and Jayden learned about the opportunity while volunteering at the hospital. They shared the opportunity with their friend Caitlin. The team of artists are working on beautifying one of the pastel walls near the IS Help Desk office. But it’s not all about embellishment. The mural carries a message. “We had the idea to pay tribute to the environment because it’s something we need to be more aware of,” says Janine, while she starts to sketch an outline of tall mountains on the wall. “Our schedules at school are usually filled with music classes, so when we learned about this opportunity, we thought it would be cool because we never really get the chance to do art like this.” This project is part of their Performing and Visual Arts Internship through Broadneck High School, where they are all ascending seniors. Janine and Jayden are in orchestra. Caitlin is in band. Jayden drafted the mural sketch at home prior to painting the wall. “When employees walk down the hallway, I hope they think about how the work they do here affects everyone everywhere and continue to take care of the environment,” he explains. An hour goes by and the wall is covered with several outlines. Jayden is standing on a stool painting green brush strokes on the upper left of the wall to portray the Aurora Borealis. Janine is in the middle using a white pencil to sketch the Rocky Mountains. Caitlin is standing on the far right of the mural detailing the snow on each mountain peak. “Some employees walking by already told us they like how different this wall is from the rest,” says Caitlin. “We hope to bring environmental awareness because denying that we need to take care of it won’t make the problems go away,” she adds. “Awareness and acknowledgement is the first step.” The volunteers hope to complete the mural by the end of the month. Know someone interested in becoming a student volunteer? AAMC offers a variety of volunteer opportunities and internships for students who are looking for real-world, hands-on job training.0
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt’s time to show your heart some love, especially if you are a woman. When most of us think of someone having a heart attack, we picture a man clutching his chest and struggling to breathe. But did you know that, contrary to common belief, heart disease—which is commonly manifested in the form of heart attacks—is just as common in women as it is in men? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the most common cause of death in women in the United States. Approximately one in every five female deaths is attributed to heart disease. Heart attacks in women are common. What Is Heart Disease and How Does It Relate to Heart Attacks? The term “heart disease” refers to several types of heart conditions. The most common type of heart disease in the United States—and the main cause of heart attacks—is coronary artery disease, which is a buildup of plaque in the walls of arteries that supply blood to the heart and other parts of the body. The heart is a muscular pump that sends blood to the entire human body. As with any other muscle, the heart needs a steady supply of blood and oxygen to function properly. When blood flow to the heart is reduced or blocked, the heart muscle is deprived of necessary oxygen, resulting in a heart attack. Do Genetics Play a Role? Although there aren’t specific genes that have been identified as making some women more prone to heart attacks, there are trends that can occur in families. Family history of coronary artery disease, particularly at a younger age (30 to 50) is a strong predictor of increased potential for heart attack, as is race and other inheritable illnesses such as diabetes and high cholesterol. A heart attack can occur at any age, but the average age for women is 70. Heart Attack Symptoms Symptoms of a heart attack are most commonly described as an intense pressure/ache in the chest that may or may not extend to the arms, neck, jaw or stomach. Sometimes, particularly in women, pressure/ache is replaced with more vague symptoms such as: Nausea/vomiting Shortness of breath Pain in both arms Jaw pain Back pain Stomach pain Sweating Lightheadedness Extreme fatigue Risk Factors and Prevention Heart attack risk factors can be grouped into two main categories: modifiable and non-modifiable. Familial history, race and gender are non-modifiable. Modifiable risk factors include other medical diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and tobacco use. Heart attack prevention in women is the same as for men: Properly manage diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol with physician-prescribed medications Make heart-healthy food choices Maintain a normal body mass index Perform regular physical activity Quit smoking — Women who smoke are four times more likely to have heart disease than non-smokers Love Your Heart February is American Heart Month, a time when we can all focus on our cardiovascular health. It’s important because an estimated 80% of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, is preventable. To raise and spread awareness, Luminis Health invites you to learn about heart health risks while entering for a chance to win a Lululemon studio mirror (so that you can bring the gym experience to your home). Visit Luminis.Health/MirrorGiveaway for details and to register for a chance to win. Now, that’s something we can all love. Authors Murtaza Dawood, MD, is a cardiothoracic surgeon at Luminis Health. He is recognized for performing operations for complex valve disease and atrial fibrillation. Prior to joining Luminis Health, he was the surgical director for the University of Maryland atrial fibrillation and structural heart programs. Jennifer Brady, MD, is a cardiologist at Luminis Health who is board certified in cardiovascular disease and electrophysiology. She has a special interest in adult echocardiography and heart failure.0
- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEthlyn’s story: Ethlyn Carroll of Mechanicsville, Md., underwent several surgeries for gynecological cancer in 2021. After feeling unheard by her physician, Ethlyn decided to contact Dr. Monica Jones, chair of Women’s and Children’s services for Luminis Health. “I sought a second opinion, and I am so glad I did. Dr. Jones and her team welcomed me,” Ethlyn says. Dr. Jones referred Ethlyn to radiation treatment at the DeCesaris Cancer Institute (DCI). Instead of driving one hour each way from her home to DCI, Ethlyn and her husband decided to stay at the Hackerman-Patz House, an affordable accommodation option for LHAAMC patients. “Ms. Cati Revelle [manager of the Hackerman-Patz House] welcomed us with open arms,” Ethlyn says. Before starting radiation treatment, Ethlyn had a simulation done by Radiation Therapist Leah Vinson. “She was so warm and loving. I thought this is the way everyone should be treated,” Ethlyn says. Ethlyn and her husband go home on the weekends and enjoy being active members of their church, including through virtual bible study and Sunday service. Ethlyn is also a writer. She is working on her second book of poetry. Throughout this journey, Ethlyn says God and her husband have been her source of strength. “No one can take care of me like my husband, Gary, can.”0
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn April 2021, Patty Moyher of Bowie, Maryland was diagnosed with breast cancer. Patty, who has worked as a customer service representative for Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) since 2008, met with Lorraine Tafra, MD, a former breast surgeon at LHAAMC, to talk about her options. “She gave me the confidence that I was going to be okay,” Patty says of Dr. Tafra. Patty decided to get a bilateral mastectomy. This is the surgical removal of both breasts. She also had her lymph nodes removed. After surgery, she did not need chemotherapy or radiation. Instead, she decided to get lymphedema therapy. Lymphedema therapy addresses the swollen tissue in the arms and chest. This often occurs after the removal of lymph nodes. “As lymphedema specialists, we are tasked to treat the whole patient,” says Rhonda Fowler, PT, the oncology rehab program coordinator. “After completing a comprehensive evaluation and individualized treatment plan, we usually focus on the main tenets of care: manual lymph drainage, multi-layer compression bandaging, skin care and therapeutic exercise.” Patty receives lymphedema therapy twice a week. “I get a massage to help with the fluid build up, and afterwards I feel relaxed and relieved. It helps with daily functions. I can go to the gym and not feel so tight,” Patty says. LHAAMC offers rehabilitation services to all cancer patients to improve the quality of life. If you would like to learn more, please click here.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation has recognized Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), now part of Luminis Health, for the third year in a row. This time as a “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” after earning a top score of 100 on the 2020 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). The HRC Foundation is the educational arm of the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization. “We are incredibly proud to be recognized as a leader in health equity,” said Shirley Knelly, chief compliance officer at Luminis Health and executive sponsor of the health system’s LGBTQIA Business Resource Group. “This designation recognizes our continued commitment to an equitable, inclusive environment for both our patients and workforce.” The HEI is the national LGBTQ benchmarking tool that evaluates healthcare facilities’ policies and practices related to the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ patients, visitors and employees. In 2020, more than 1,700 healthcare facilities were evaluated nationwide. Of those, 495 facilities earned the “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader” designation. In a message to designees, Alphonso David, HRC president, said, “The health care facilities participating in the HRC Foundation’s Healthcare Equality Index (HEI) are not only on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, they are also making it clear from their participation in the HEI that they stand on the side of fairness and are committed to providing inclusive care to their LGBTQ patients. In addition, many have made strong statements on racial justice and equity and are engaging in efforts to address racial inequities in their institutions and their communities. We commend all of the HEI participants for their commitment to providing inclusive care for all.” AAMC had previously been recognized by the HRC Foundation as a “LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Top Performer.” “Earning the top score this year is a testament of how we are constantly working to identify opportunities to create a more inclusive culture,” said Knelly.0
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