- Men's Health, Women's Health, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNot that long ago, juggling your schedule to get from your home or work to a doctor’s appointment was the norm. But with social-distancing guidelines brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, telehealth has gained popularity. Now, telehealth is an important tool for the future of health care delivery. As a service to our community during COVID-19, we are temporarily waiving the fee for our CareConnectNow service throughout the declared pandemic. CareConnectNow is available Monday through Friday, 8 am-9 pm and Saturday through Sunday, 9 am-7 pm with access to trusted medical providers for patients aged 13 and up. Connect from your smartphone by calling 443-951-4270. What are the pros and cons? Telehealth connects providers and patients through video conferencing, online chat portals or telephone conversations for health-related services. Convenience and quick access to care are the top pros. Some patients also like the flexibility telehealth offers. However, not everything can be treated through telehealth. It can be hard to check vital signs if a patient doesn’t have a home kit. And listening to a patient’s lungs over the phone isn’t an option. Unfortunately, technology has its limits. Another con is that not everyone has access to a smartphone, tablet or a computer with video capabilities. This prevents telehealth from being a viable option to all. Will telehealth stay? Telehealth reveals new possibilities and is an opportunity to improve care in general. Whether it’s the way doctors interact with patients or the outcomes of those connections. Ultimately, telehealth is a tool that can boost access to care and integrate really well if combined with in-person care. The most important thing is that you do not delay your medical care, even during a pandemic. Contact your provider to discuss your options. We are here for you and ready to provide safe, effective and efficient care. Author Andrew McGlone, MD, is a physician with Anne Arundel Medical Group Annapolis Primary Care. You can reach him at 443-481-1150.0
- Wellness, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThat morning cup of joe could be more than a little pick-me-up—it may actually be helping your heart. A study published in the journal Heart finds that people who drink three to five cups of coffee a day are less likely to develop clogged arteries that could lead to heart attacks. The study, led by a team of researchers in Seoul, South Korea, found that people who consume a moderate amount of coffee had the least risk of coronary calcium in their arteries. Coronary artery calcium can cause blood clots that trigger a heart attack or stroke. Researchers say the new study adds to a growing body of evidence that suggests moderate coffee consumption is associated with a decreased risk of heart disease. “Over the years the caffeine and coffee benefits story has gone back and forth in terms of health benefits and health risks. For those of us tied to our Starbucks, I think the bottom line is still everything in moderation,” says Jonathan Altschuler, MD, cardiologist. “It’s certainly a provocative study, but we should remember that researchers looked at a patient population in Korea and the method they used to detect the presence of heart disease is probably less accurate in a younger population,” he added. Dr. Altschuler says for some people large amounts of coffee and caffeine can have a negative impact on blood pressure and even cause heart palpitations. As with all new healthcare research, it’s best to consult with your doctor before making lifestyle adjustments. Your doctor will be able to factor in your personal diet, lifestyle and risk factors for heart disease and make a recommendation that’s best for you Originally published March 3, 2015. Last updated Sept. 16, 2025.0
- Employee SpotlightGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSavanna Cowan, office assistant at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialists, was finishing her shift and heading to class at Salisbury University, where she is currently pursuing a career in nursing. On her way out, she noticed a patient who had fallen in the garage. Without thinking twice, she rushed over to help the patient before going inside to get a wheelchair and her manager for more help. “I treat others the same I would want for myself or a family member,” Savanna says. “I love helping people and I always want to make sure they have a good experience.” Savanna applied to work at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) after her cousin encouraged her to join the same practice where she was working. Motivated by her cousin’s positive experience, Savanna submitted an application and, on the same day of her interview, was offered the position. “I was really interested when I went in for the interview and they told me what my job duties would entail,” she recalls. “Hearing of all the things I could do was really interesting to me, and I immediately accepted.” Those duties include scheduling patients to helping providers sort their mailboxes. But Savanna’s favorite thing to do is make others smile. “As an office assistant, I’m the first person patients see,” she explains. “I greet them and make sure I get them where they need to be. But when I see a patient smile as they walk away or hear ‘thank you,’ that’s what I find most rewarding.” Savanna credits some events in her life for guiding her career decisions. When she was in fourth grade, her father went into cardiac arrest, requiring him to get surgery. Hit with uncertainty at the time, the incident also served as motivation for Savanna to seek a career that would allow her to help others. “I went through that when I was eight-years old,” she says. “I know what it feels like and I want to be able to help other families with young children who have to face a similar situation.” Most recently, Savanna’s family welcomed three babies born prematurely. The births helped her identify her next big step. “When I went into the NICU to meet my little cousin and then to meet my boyfriend’s new niece and nephew, that’s when I knew this is definitely what I want to do,” Savanna says. In the next five to 10 years, Savanna envisions herself working as a NICU nurse. While she is completing her nursing degree, Savanna is focusing on helping patients receive their best experience with what she says is her strongest asset: her kindness and her smile. Pro tip: “Always be nice to others and just keep smiling.” If you know a great individual or a fantastic team going above and beyond to make a difference, make sure to let us know! Looking for a career in health care? We invite you to join a diverse and collaborative team of professionals working together to innovate the future of health care for our entire region. Check out our career opportunities.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) has been recognized by the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Institute for Diversity and Health Equity with the 2019 Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award. The Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award is bestowed annually and was created to recognize outstanding efforts among hospitals and health care systems to advance equity of care to all patients, and to spread lessons learned and progress toward achieving health equity. AAMC is being recognized for its efforts to provide equitable care and reduce health inequities. In 2016, AAMC established a Health Equity Task Force, which for the past two years has published a health equity report identifying trends in patient demographics and health care disparities. This data has resulted in the development of action plans to improve patient outcomes across the health system. As the first hospital in the nation to sponsor a local chapter of Coming to the Table, an employee circle group, AAMC is also focused on creating a more diverse and inclusive culture by having open, candid conversations about cultural differences and discussing ways to understand and mitigate unconscious bias. These discussions led to diversity, equity and inclusion as a top priority in the organization’s operating plan, and AAMC’s strategic efforts have enhanced the organization’s candidate selection process. AAMC has increased the diversity of its leadership over 30 percent in one year. In addition, AAMC’s LGBTQIA Business Resource Group, African-American Business Resource Group and Generation Now Business Resource Group are grassroots groups formed by employees of all demographics to propel numerous strategies and actions to further diversity and equity across the health system. As a result, in 2018, AAMC was recognized by the Human Rights Campaign as an LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Top Performer. READ MORE: Anne Arundel Medical Center recognized as a top performer in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality “Anne Arundel Medical Center is committed to strengthening our diversity, equity and inclusion efforts to better harness the innovation and power that effective diversity and inclusion inspires,” said AAMC President/CEO Victoria Bayless. “With compassion, trust, dedication, quality, innovation, diversity and collaboration as our core values and steering philosophies, we recognize that a strong diversity, equity and inclusion culture will help facilitate our success. We are proud to be recognized with the Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award for our efforts.” In its announcement, AHA President/CEO Rick Pollack and Vice President Duane Reynolds said, “Hospitals and health systems that participate in the Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award process demonstrate a commitment to improving health for all people. Their work is not only a moral imperative but it’s also the way in which hospitals will be positioned to succeed under population health and value-based care,” said Pollack. “We thank Anne Arundel Medical Center and the Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care honorees for their innovative work to improve outcomes and advance health equity in the communities they serve.” “Across the country, racial, ethnic and cultural inequities are everyday realities for far too many individuals, limiting their highest potential for health and hospitals and health systems are committed to closing the gaps,” said Reynolds, who also serves as president and CEO of the AHA’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity. “A focus on eliminating disparities is one way in which hospitals and health systems make a commitment to just and equitable care for their patients and communities.” The Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award will be presented to AAMC on July 25 at the AHA’s Leadership Summit in San Diego.0
- CommunityGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFor the most delicious and nutrient-dense produce, look no farther than your local farmers market. These markets offer fruits and vegetables at the peak of their growing season, which means the produce is at its freshest and tastes the best. And it’s likely more nutritious than what you’d buy at the grocery store. Most fruits and vegetables at the supermarket are grown in other states or even other countries. When food is shipped across the globe or the country, it loses quality and nutrients along the way. If that’s not enough, here are six other reasons to visit farmers markets this season. Get the best nutrients. Most food at farmers markets is minimally processed. Many farmers go to great lengths to grow the most nutritious produce possible by using sustainable techniques and picking produce right before selling. Access a wide variety of produce. Farmers markets offer an array of produce you don’t see in the supermarket: red carrots, a rainbow of heirloom tomatoes, purple cauliflower, gooseberries, watermelon radishes, donut peaches, quail eggs and much more. Pick something new to try! Learn cooking tips and meal ideas. Farmers are often passionate cooks with plenty of free advice about how to prepare the foods they sell. Just ask! Enjoy a fun family outing. These markets are kid-friendly and a great opportunity to talk about where food comes from. Encourage healthier snacks by letting your kids pick something to try. Protect the environment. Food in the U.S. travels an average of 1500 miles before it ends up on your plate. This shipping uses large amounts of natural resources (like fossil fuels) that create pollution and trash from extra packaging. Most food at farmers markets is grown and sold near the same place, using sustainable methods. Support the local economy. Shopping at farmers markets also supports your local farmers and keeps the money you spend on food closer to your neighborhood. The AAMC farmers market is open to the community and runs every Friday from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm through Oct. 25 in the Hospital Pavilion South (ground level) located at 2001 Medical Parkway. The AAMC farmers market now accepts Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits via the electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card. By accepting SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, AAMC is expanding access to fresh fruits and vegetables to everyone in our community. Want to turn your produce into a delicious side dish? Try this grilled veggie platter for dinner. Authors By Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford, nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them call 443-481-5555. Originally published June 15, 2016. Last updated June 3, 2019.0
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