- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogProactive, regularly scheduled screenings are your best defense against cancer. By checking for cancer before you have symptoms, you can catch it early — when it’s most treatable and gives you the best chance for a successful outcome. Dr. Feras Abdul-Khalek, medical oncologist for the Luminis Health Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, suggests talking with your doctor about the types of cancer screening that are right for you and when you should have them. Know your risk factors The timing and type of cancer screenings you need depends on your risk factors. And each type of cancer has its own set of risk factors; some you can control and some you cannot. If you’re concerned about a specific type of cancer, ask your doctor which risk factors may make you more likely to get cancer. Common risk factors include: Age Alcohol use Certain gene mutations, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 for breast cancer Dense breast tissue Diet Family history First pregnancy after age 30 Gender Physical activity Sun exposure Tobacco use Ultraviolet radiation exposure (such as tanning beds) Weight Understand screening types When it comes to cancer screening, remember you’re your first line of defense. Know your body and tell your doctor about any changes or symptoms as soon as you find them. Healthcare professionals are specially trained to listen to — and follow up on — your concerns. They will also likely recommend some routine cancer screenings based on your unique needs: Colonoscopy for colorectal cancer. Several types of screening can help detect colorectal cancer, including a colonoscopy. Men and women at average risk for colorectal cancer should have screening between 45 and 75. CT Scan for lung cancer. A low-dose CT scan, which combines x-ray imaging with computer processing, can reduce lung cancer deaths in heavy smokers. Adults age 50-80 who either currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years may be eligible for annual screening. Exams for skin cancer. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. and typically affects exposed skin like your face, hands and arms. Schedule a skin cancer screening or talk to your doctor if you notice any changes in your skin, like a new mole or changes to a mole you already have. HPV and Pap tests for cervical cancer. The human papillomavirus test (HPV) and Pap test, alone or in combination, are the standard screening tests for cervical cancer. Women age 21 should begin screening for cervical cancer (Pap test alone); age 30-65 Pap test every 3 years or Pap test and/or HPV test every 5 years. Remember – the HPV vaccine can prevent most cervical cancers. Mammograms for breast cancer. Mammography uses a low-level x-ray to take images of the breast tissue and check for any masses. Women age 40 and older should get a mammogram every year. PSA test for prostate cancer. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures a protein produced by prostate cells. Men aged 55 and older are at a higher risk for prostate cancer and should regularly have screenings. Trust Luminis Health with your health Cancer specialists at Luminis Health offer advanced cancer screening and diagnostic tests. Talk to your doctor to help determine if you need a specific type of cancer screening. Authors Dr. Feras Abdul-Khalek is a medical oncologist for the Luminis Health Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. Dr. Abdul-Khalek is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology. To make an appointment with him, please call 443-481-4884.0
- SpecialtyWhether you have an emergency, such as appendicitis, or a problem that's been bothering you for some time, like a hernia, the general surgery team at Luminis Health is in your corner. Our general surgeons handle dozens of common — and not-so-common — abdominal issues. With minimally invasive techniques and specialized training, Luminis Health is the area leader in compassionate, effective care for both emergency and elective procedures. What Is General Surgery? In the past, the term “general surgery" meant just that: various procedures performed by a surgeon who had knowledge of the entire body — head to toe. But with today's high-tech equipment and advanced training, it's more effective to have a team of surgeons who specialize in different areas. At Luminis Health, general surgery is divided into two distinct categories: acute care and surgical sub-specialties. Acute-care surgery happens in the emergency department, where our surgeons work on a rotating basis. No matter what time of night or day, there is always a doctor in the hospital ready to perform emergency procedures as needed. Our surgical sub-specialists each have their own niche, providing the best possible care for each patient. They see people in an office setting and perform scheduled surgeries. Specialties include the upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract, abdominal wall, thyroid, gallbladder and soft-tissue surgery., What to Expect From General Surgery Most of our scheduled surgeries are done on an outpatient basis, meaning you go home the same day. Sometimes your doctor will want you to stay in the hospital for overnight observation. For more-complicated surgeries, like a bowel resection, you may stay in the hospital for several days. Our head of surgery has more than 30 years of experience with advanced laparoscopy and is a pioneer in the field. Our team includes some of the most experienced robotic surgeons in the world. Your surgery may be done under a general anesthetic (meaning you'll be asleep). Your doctor will give you instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including what you can eat and drink beforehand.0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFinally, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. The two pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer and Moderna, that have developed COVID-19 vaccines are reporting a 94% to 95% effectiveness rate—a beacon of hope in fighting the pandemic. “94% to 95% efficacy is much higher than the annual influenza vaccine. Also, the high efficacy is maintained in the elder population. This is very promising,” says Dr. Mary Clance, epidemiologist with Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. The Data The New England Journal of Medicine reported on the results of Pfizer’s Phase 3 clinical trials late last month. A final analysis of its Phase 3 trial showed a 95% effectiveness rate. There were also no serious safety concerns. The clinical trial has 43,548 participants enrolled. The company conducted trials in about 150 clinical sites in six countries, including 39 states. The NEJM also reported on the results of Moderna’s Phase 3 clinical trials last month. Moderna’s data shows a 94.1% effectiveness rate at preventing severe disease from COVID-19. Moderna has 30,420 participants enrolled in the study at more than 100 clinical sites in the U.S. Both Pfizer and Moderna have received emergency use authorization from the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), and began distribution of the vaccines last month. The vaccines will continue to be monitored and studied. But so far, Dr. Clance and Jean Murray, director of Infection Control for Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, are very encouraged by the vaccines’ ability to prevent severe COVID disease. What This Means “Everybody is excited about the progress of the vaccine,” Jean says. “But, we need to remember that we still need to observe infection control precautions to prevent the spread of the disease until enough of the community is vaccinated.” Remember to practice the 3Ws. Wash your hands, wear a mask and watch your distance. It’s going to take time to roll out the vaccine and immunize a significant number of the population. “It’s not a magic bullet, so people will still need to continue to physically distance, wear a mask and wash their hands,” Jean says. “But the vaccine is an opportunity to give many, many more Americans immunity to prevent the spread of this virus.” Questions Remain But there are many unanswered questions. How long will a vaccine provide immunity? Can it be used in young children? When can the general public get the vaccine? State health departments have developed plans to roll out the vaccine. Essential health care workers in hospital and nursing facilities were first to get it, followed by first responders including firefighters, police officers and emergency medical services personnel. No vaccine is 100% effective, Dr. Clance says. “The chances of getting COVID after vaccination with the two mRNA vaccines is very small,” she says. “The duration of immunity after vaccination is not yet known but will be learned in the months ahead with longer follow up of the past and current vaccine recipients.” The Vaccine’s Effectiveness The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say the trial data results are remarkable. Each year, the CDC looks at how well the flu vaccine protects against the flu. Recent studies show the flu vaccine reduces the risk of flu by between 30% and 60% among the overall population—compared to the 94% to 95% effectiveness the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are showing against COVID. In some years the efficacy is much lower. The challenge, Dr. Clance says, is that influenza viruses can change each year. The CDC anticipates which strains to target for the upcoming vaccine. Some years, the efficacy is lower because the vaccine doesn’t match the virus. Coronaviruses, too, can mutate over time — as we are seeing with a more contagious strain recently discovered in the United Kingdom and now reported in several parts of the U.S. We don’t yet know what percentage of the population will have to become immune to COVID to reach herd immunity – the point at which the virus runs out of bodies to infect because enough people have already gotten it. How It Works To best understand how the vaccine works, we need to describe how the virus works. The virus is transmitted via droplets into our nose, mouth or eyes. The virus then produces spike proteins. These spike proteins are used like a key in a lock. The key, or spike proteins, attaches and unlocks our cells to infect them and make more virus. Both COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna were created using a genome sequence to design a molecule called messenger RNA (mRNA). The vaccine is not a live virus vaccine and cannot give COVID to those who receive it. When the vaccine is injected, the mRNA in the vaccine instructs the cells to make the virus’ spike protein only. Our bodies recognizes these spike proteins as foreign and starts making antibodies, so when we are exposed in the future to the actual COVID virus, our bodies will immediately respond and defend us. The antibodies generated by the vaccine prevent viral attachment and infection. Talk to Your Provider About the Vaccine “We’re beginning a marathon here,” Dr. Clance says. “We want to tell the public to be patient, continue washing your hands, wearing a mask and watching your distance – and let this unfold.” Talk to your doctor about when you could be eligible for the vaccine — and continue to follow Luminis Health for the latest updates. Do you think you may have COVID-19? Check your symptoms here.0
- General Page - Tier 2Dear Applicant, We are pleased to have your interest in the Internal Medicine Residency Program at Anne Arundel Medical Center. In this short letter, we hope to share our vision for the program and demonstrate why training in Annapolis will provide a long-lasting platform for your career success and personal development. We have started a new medicine residency program because we practice in a sophisticated medical center with a well-earned reputation for high patient satisfaction and high quality. The men and women of the Department of Medicine have a lot to offer young physicians and feel a responsibility to do our part in shaping the future of medicine through training the next generations of physicians. This medical center — part of an accomplished, vibrant and growing medical system — remains deeply rooted in the community and was established from a donated farmhouse nearly 120 years ago. Residents will experience and feel that community connection every day as they interact with patients and family members who live nearby and regard our teams as their trusted guide for their wellness and medical care. We have developed an extensive curriculum with emphasis on academics, research and evidence-based, high-value direct patient care. But, because no one practices medicine in isolation from society’s ills, we will learn about the ways in which medical outcomes are affected by societal conditions. We will guide you toward higher precepts of professionalism, which is more than mere competence, knowledge and skill, but also a code of behavior and standards of conduct that will govern how your colleagues and patients view you for the rest of your career. Through intra-mural resources, and our academic affiliations with George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and University of Maryland School of Medicine, you will enjoy interacting with medical students and have opportunities to rotate at nearby academic medical centers. You will have the opportunity to learn research concepts and the science of performance improvement both here and with our academic partners. New resident graduates can expect to experience rapid and substantial changes in the clinical science and in healthcare delivery models. You will want to train with a group of leaders who understand that and prepares its residents for that novel future. We are committed to providing young physicians with the tools and training that will ensure long-term success and personal fulfillment. With best wishes for your future success, Barry Meisenberg, MD Chair, Department of Medicine Faculty, Internal Medicine Nargiz Muganlinskaya, MD Program Director, Internal Medicine0
- Why Rely on Us to Treat Your Vestibular Disorder?When a vestibular disorder throws your life off balance, we're committed to getting you back on an even keel. Additional reasons why you should trust us for your care include:We have experienced, certified therapists. The physical therapists in our vestibular disorders program don't just concentrate on treating these conditions — they've taken advanced training to become certified vestibular therapists. And we work hard to keep up with the latest research in the field.We partner with other health professionals. Our specialized physical therapists often work with speech language pathologists to treat related issues. For example, say you started experiencing dizziness and thinking problems due to a concussion. We have speech therapists who are specially trained to teach you techniques for coping with thinking and memory issues.We'll personalize your treatment plan. No two people with vestibular disorders are exactly alike, even if they have an identical diagnosis. Our vestibular therapists carry out specific assessments that pinpoint areas of impairment. With this information, we can tailor a treatment plan to meet your individual needs.We make it convenient to come see us. We have satellite clinics, so you can choose the location closest to your home or workplace.ConditionConditions/Services/Treatments PageWe treat all types of disorders of the vestibular (balance) system. We can help improve symptoms like dizziness and vertigo with vestibular rehabilitation.What You Should Know About Vestibular DisordersTiny structures in your inner ear that detect head position and movement make up your vestibular system. It also includes the nerve connecting your inner ear to the brain, and part of the brain itself.This network helps keep you upright and enables you to sense where you are in space and see clearly when you're moving.Some diseases and injuries can throw a wrench into your vestibular system. And the underlying problem often can't be fixed with medication or surgery.We have physical therapists who are specially trained to help tame the debilitating effects of vestibular disorders. This means you can go back to dancing, playing tennis, attending classes or whatever else nurtures your body and soul. Symptoms of vestibular disordersPeople with vestibular disorders can experience:Dizziness.Difficulty walking.Sensitivity to motion.Trouble balancing.Vertigo.Bouts of any of these symptoms can seriously disrupt your life. Activities from driving to simply standing in place can become much more difficult — even dangerous.Staying upright may require so much physical and mental energy that you're exhausted after doing even the simplest tasks. You might also stop doing most physical activities for fear of triggering or exacerbating symptoms.All these things can lead to loss of muscle strength and fitness as well as emotional distress.Vestibular rehabilitation is a specialized form of physical therapy that can minimize these issues. It includes individualized techniques that train the brain to use other senses to take over for your impaired vestibular system.0
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