Women's Health, Patient Stories
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Surgery Buds
Blog
After 30 years of dealing with acid reflux and trying different medications, Michelle Richardson finally decided to treat the problem with surgery.
She spoke to a neighbor who recommended that she see the same local surgeon who helped him. Dr. Adrian Park, of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC), Michelle learned, is internationally known as a leading authority in minimally invasive surgery.
Feeling reassured, Michelle started the process to take control of her health.
A few weeks before surgery, she met with Registered Dietitian Allison Maurer to go over a special diet in preparation for her surgery. Allison also told Michelle about an online support group established for patients of Dr. Park.
“We created this forum to foster a community of sharing and encouragement among patients,” says Dr. Park. “The opportunity to connect with others who have been down this path before them and even those who are making the journey in parallel with them often provides great comfort and reassurance.”
Michelle signed up and posted that her surgery date was coming up. She quickly heard back from Karen Pearl. The two shared the same date for surgery and decided to keep in touch.
They texted almost daily. “It made me feel like I was not alone,” Michelle says.
“The group was really helpful because I could gain perspective from actual patients who had already had the procedure,” adds Karen.
On the day of their surgery, Michelle and Karen saw each other in person for the first time.
“That was wonderful, not only to see each other in person but also know that the surgery was behind us. It was a day to celebrate,” Karen says.
The two planned their follow-up appointments on the same day and had lunch together before going to Dr. Park’s office.
“I think of her as my ‘surgery bud,’” Michelle says.
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News & Press Releases, Heart Care
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LHAAMC Earns National Recognition for Heart Attack Treatment
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Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) has once again received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® EMS Gold Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures to treat patients who suffer severe heart attacks.
Each year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. To prevent death, it is critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication.
The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline program helps reduce barriers to prompt treatment for heart attacks – starting from when 9-1-1 is called, to EMS transport and continuing through hospital treatment and discharge. Optimal care for heart attack patients takes coordination between the individual hospital, EMS and healthcare system.
“EMTs and paramedics play a vital part in the system of care for those who have heart attacks,” said Tim Henry, M.D., chair of the Mission: Lifeline Acute Coronary Syndrome Subcommittee. “Since they often are the first medical point of contact, they can save precious minutes of treatment time by activating the emergency response system that alerts hospitals to an incoming heart attack patient.”
Program participants apply for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to improving quality care for STEMI patients.
“Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center is honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our dedication to providing optimal care for heart attack patients,” said Jerome Segal, MD, medical director of cardiovascular services at LHAAMC. “The mission of Luminis Health is to enhance the health of the people we serve. Our commitment expanded this year when we opened the first cardiac surgery program in Anne Arundel County, providing our patients with integrated comprehensive heart care.”
Services for heart attack patients
Hospitals that meet AHA quality standards not only know the importance of treating quickly and safely, but they also follow evidence-based research that helps to determine why a patient had a heart attack or stroke in the first place. To learn more about LHAAMC’s heart services, visit https://aahs.org/Get-Care/Heart-and-Vascular-Care/
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Community, Infectious Disease
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COVID-19 Community Vaccine Clinics for September
Blog
With your help, we can finally end this pandemic. To date, Luminis Health has administered more than 100,000 COVID-19 vaccines in the communities we serve. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and free. In September, our Community Health Team will hold various community vaccine clinics throughout Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties. Here is September’s schedule:
**If self-registering, please select “No Insurance” during registration**
9/7/21- 5-7 pm- Langley Park Community Center; 1500 Merrimac Drive, Hyattsville, MD 20783
9/7/21- 5-7 pm- Catholic Charities DC; Susan Denison Mona Center; 5859 Allentown Way, Temple Hills, MD 20748
9/9/21- 4-8 pm- Riverdale Village ID; 5409 Riverdale Road, Riverdale, MD 20737
9/10/21- 4:30-7:30 pm- American Legion Post #141; 1707 Forest Drive, Annapolis, MD 21401
9/14/21- 5-8 pm- Calvert Hall 1D; 3817 64th Avenue, Landover Hills, MD 20784
9/15/21- 12pm- 2pm- Crossroads Farmers Market; Anne Street @University Blvd. E, Takoma Park, 20912
9/16/21- 5-5:30 pm- Boones Estates; 1091 Marlboro Road, Lothian, MD 20711
9/16/21- 5-7 pm- Annapolis Pride; 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, 21401
9/17/21- 4-8 pm- St. Alban Birmingham Lodge No. 233; 10800 Edmonton Road, Beltsville, MD 20705
9/21/21- 9am-5pm- First United Methodist Church; 6201 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD
9/23/21- 4-6pm- Save A Lot; 5416 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, MD 20710
9/24/21- 2-4pm- Americana Grocery Store; 4900 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg, MD 20710
9/28/21- 9am-5pm- First United Methodist Church; 6201 Belcrest Road, Hyattsville, MD
9/30-21- 5-8 pm- Riverdale Village 2D; 5409 Riverdale Road, Riverdale, MD 20737
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Cancer Care, Wellness
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Should You Get a Lung Cancer Screening?
Blog
Every day, you take steps to protect your health. You may buckle up when you get in the car or put sunscreen on when you plan to be outdoors. Or maybe you take the stairs instead of the elevator at work and make it a point to eat plenty of fruits and veggies. These are simple things, but they can reap big rewards when it comes to keeping you well. And if you’re a current or former smoker, there’s another easy way to stay healthy and safe: Talk with your doctor about lung cancer screening.
Lung cancer screening may be one of our most powerful weapons yet in the fight against lung cancer. And with updated recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), more people than ever now qualify for this potentially lifesaving care. You might be one of them.
Discover how early detection can make a difference
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer deaths. It’s also the second most common type of cancer diagnosed in men and women in the U.S. One big reason: Most people don’t notice symptoms of the disease until it’s in an advanced stage, when it’s often difficult to treat.
Screening may help doctors find cancer early, before symptoms appear. When lung cancer is small and hasn’t spread, treatment may keep you from dying of the disease. That’s a good reason to go looking for trouble, even if you feel fine.
Know if you should get screened
We know smoking poses, by far, the most significant risk factor for lung cancer. With this in mind, the USPSTF now recommends annual lung cancer screening if you:
Are between 50 and 80 years old. Previous guidelines suggested starting screening at age 55.
Have a 20 pack-year smoking history. To calculate your pack-years, multiply the number of packs you smoked each year by the number of years you smoked. For example, a 20 pack-year means you smoked half a pack a day for 40 years or two packs a day for 10 years.
Smoke now or stopped smoking in the past 15 years. Kicking your tobacco habit is the best thing you can do to prevent lung cancer — and a host of other health problems as well. And even if you quit several years ago, you’re still at increased risk.
The USPSTF says you can stop screening if you:
Have a health problem likely to limit your life expectancy or make it hard for you to have lung surgery that could cure your cancer
Haven’t smoked in more than 15 years
Know what to expect during your screening test
Lung cancer screening involves a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan. During the test, you will lie in a machine that takes X-ray images of your lungs. These detailed images allow your doctors to identify spots that might be cancer. LDCT tests take just a few minutes and are not painful. Medicare and most insurance plans help pay for these screening tests.
Speak with your health care provider
The best way to find out if and when you should get screened for lung cancer is to speak with your health care provider. Your doctor will talk with you about your risk factors and explain the benefits and possible drawbacks. If the test is right for you, your health care team will help you get it scheduled.
However, screening isn’t a good substitute for giving up tobacco. Quitting smoking is the single best step you can take to prevent lung cancer and improve your overall health. It isn’t easy, but it is doable. Millions of Americans have successfully stopped smoking, and you can be one of them.
Learn more about our quit smoking resources.
Author
Imad Tabbara, MD, FACP, has more than three decades of clinical experience with cancer patients, and holds board certifications in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology. He leads the LHAAMC Hematology and Medical Oncology program. Learn more at LuminisHealth.org/cancercare.
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Community, Infectious Disease
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COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics for August
Blog
Luminis Health is proud to have giving more than 100,000 COVID-19 vaccines in the communities we serve. In August, our Community Health Team will hold various community vaccine clinics throughout Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties. The COVID-19 vaccine is safe, effective, and free. No appointments are necessary, however to guarantee a shot, you are encouraged to pre-register. Just click on the link for the particular vaccine clinic. Here is the schedule for August:
Luminis Health se enorgullece de haber administrado más de 100,000 vacunas COVID-19 en las comunidades a las que brindamos servicios. En agosto, nuestro Equipo de Salud Comunitaria llevará a cabo varias clínicas comunitarias de vacunas en los condados de Anne Arundel y Prince George. La vacuna COVID-19 es segura, eficaz y gratuita. No es necesario hacer una cita, sin embargo, para garantizar una vacuna, le recomendamos que se registre previamente. Simplemente haga clic en el enlace de la clínica de vacunas que desea. Aquí está el calendario para el mes de agosto:
**If self-registering, please select “No Insurance” during registration**
**Si se auto-registra, seleccione “Sin Seguro” durante el registro**
8/3/21- 4pm-7pm- First Presbyterian Church– 171 Duke of Glouceser St., Annapolis, MD 21401
8/5/21- 3pm-7pm- Riverdale Farmer’s Market– 6220 Rhode Island Ave., Riverdale, MD 20737
8/6/21- 4pm-7pm- Holy Cross Lutheran Church– 6095 Greenbelt Rd., Greenbelt, MD 20770
8/10/21- 6pm-8pm Allen Apartments– 205 Center St, Annapolis, MD 21401
8/11/21- 4pm-7pm- Auburn Manor– 6821 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale, MD 20784
8/12/21- 12pm-3pm- LAYC Cirque Du Soleil – 7000 Adelphi Rd, Hyattsville, MD 20782
8/17/21- 5pm-8pm- Langley Park Community Center– 1500 Merrimac Dr., Hyattsville, MD 20783
8/20/21- 5pm-7pm- Boone’s Estates – 1091 Marlboro Road, Lothian, MD 20711
8/24/21- 11am-1pm- Ebenezer Church of God- 7550 Buchanan St., Hyattsville, MD 20784
8/25/21-11am-2pm- Crossroads Farmers Market– Anne St. @, University Blvd E, Takoma Park, MD 20912
8/26/21- 3pm-7pm- Riverdale Farmers Market– 6220 Rhode Island Ave., Riverdale, MD 20737
8/27/21- 12pm-5pm- Charles Carroll Middle School– 6130 Lamon Dr., New Carrollton, MD 20784
8/31/21- 5pm-8pm- Langley Park Community Center– 1500 Merrimac Dr., Hyattsville, MD 20783
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