- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs women we often juggle many roles throughout the course of our lives, putting our personal time, interests and health on the back burner. But we want to encourage and remind women to make their health a priority. Here are some tips to lead a healthier life at any age. In your 20s This is the decade for setting good habits for a lifetime. It’s a time when you should be thinking about proper exercise, nutrition, good sleep habits and proper skincare. While long-term health might be the last thing on your mind, a healthy lifestyle in your 20s can reduce risk for certain diseases and conditions later in life. This is also why starting a relationship with a primary care doctor is important. A primary care doctor is one of your best allies in preventive care and early detection. In your 30s As you climb the corporate ladder, children may also be entering the picture. This can be an exciting time. It can also be a busy time in your life as you juggle kids, work and social obligations. If you started good habits in your 20s, it may be easy to forget them as you focus more on others. It’s important to set aside time for you and to de-stress. Pay attention to your mental health. Talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing anxiety or depression. In your 40s Now is more important than ever to have regular medical checkups and basic screening tests, including a mammogram and cholesterol test. It’s also important to know your family history. Depending on your family health record, you may need to start some screenings in your 40s, like a colonoscopy. Your doctor will help you determine when and what screening is right for you. In your 50s+ Enjoy the fruits of your labor! If you’ve worked hard to establish healthy habits in your 20s, 30s and 40s, this is when it will pay off. Still, preventive care is key. Talk to your doctor about certain vaccines or immunizations you may need in your 50s and beyond. Women at this stage should also be aware of osteoporosis as bones become less dense. Osteoporosis screening or a bone density test can help you detect your risk. Women’s health is complex. You can find answers to questions you may have, and get the opportunity to connect with your peers through programs like Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Smart Woman Series. This informal health education program for women provides access to doctors and other health experts during monthly seminars in a fun networking environment. To get a complete schedule, visit www.askAAMC.org/events. Author Debbie Wasem is supervisor of Women’s Education at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC). Originally published May 14, 2017. Last updated May 15, 2019.0
- Employee SpotlightGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEarlier this year, Karyl Banks, supervisor of respiratory care, was assigned a responsibility requiring care, humility and strength — all characteristics that Karyl uniquely encompasses. “We had a patient who was very sick,” she recalls. “After a while, the family came to the conclusion that it was best to take her off the ventilator and understood the moment we took her off she would pass. Her children couldn’t bear being in the same room and I was the therapist to take her off. I was not going to let her pass alone.” Understanding how difficult it would be for the family to be present during this moment, Karyl stayed with the patient and talked her through it. “I held her hands and prayed with her,” Karyl says, helping the patient pass peacefully. Raised by a father who was a police officer and a mother who worked as a licensed practical nurse, Karyl wanted to follow her parents’ footsteps. And, although she went to school for auto mechanics, her desire to work with people reemerged soon after her brother had a massive stroke. “He was 35-years-old at the time and I remember he was laying in the hospital and was hooked to a ventilator,” she recalls. “I remember thinking I didn’t know if the doctors were doing what they were supposed to be doing. It was after that event I decided to go into the medical field because if anyone in my family ever got that sick, I wanted to know what was happening and be able to help.” Karyl started as a nurse assistant in shock trauma. She noticed that every time a patient would come in a room for treatment, nurses had to leave the room while doctors and their team stayed in. “When that happened, I also wanted to stay in the room with everyone else to save lives,” she says. “So I went to school, got all my prerequisites and became a respiratory therapist.” Nearly seven years ago, Karyl was working at Howard University Hospital as a new respiratory therapist. Her heart was set on traveling and, after some thought, she resigned her position to join a medical staffing agency that would help her fulfill her dream to work at different hospitals throughout the country. Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) happened to be her first assignment, and it didn’t take long for Karyl to fall in love – literally. “Once I got to AAMC I refused to leave this place,” she says. “It was a beautiful area, beautiful hospital and everyone was so friendly. I wanted to stay here.” READ MORE: AAMC Employee Spotlights When her three-month stint ended, Karyl was offered at full-time position at AAMC. Without hesitation, she said yes. Karyl, who is a mother of four and a proud grandmother of six, says her biggest reward is helping others and making them feel good. She splits her weekly 40 hours into working in the office, where she can manage her duties as a team supervisor and on the floor working one on one with patients. “I enjoy helping people and putting a smile on someone’s face every day, whether it’s a patient or a colleague,” she says. “When it comes to patients, I’m always going to be ready to help and make them feel better. When it comes to colleagues, I work to help my team feel like they come to work because they miss each other, not because they have to do something.” PRO TIP: “Any job you have should be a part of you and not just a job. If you like what you’re doing, you’re going to be more effective and happier.” 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
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYou may have heard a friend talking about her pelvic floor or you’ve seen a pelvic exercise printable on Pinterest. Maybe your doctor mentioned it during a routine exam. But what exactly is the pelvic floor? Where is it, what does it do — or in many cases not do? Your pelvic floor supports several organs and when it is weakened or not functioning properly, it can lead to a number of uncomfortable and inconvenient disorders. If you are one of the millions of women getting up several times in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, wearing pads every day, having painful sex, feeling heaviness and vaginal bulging, or sprinting to the bathroom, here’s what you need to know. What is the pelvic floor? Your pelvis is a bone, so you may assume the pelvic floor is also made of bone; however, the pelvic floor is an area of muscles that resembles a hammock spanning from the pubic bone to the bottom of the spine. These muscles support and help to control the vagina, uterus, bladder, urethra and rectum. When the pelvic floor weakens, those organs can drop and may have trouble functioning normally. Imagine a trampoline taut and sturdy, holding up and supporting the weight of your body as you jump. The base of the trampoline expands and contracts based on your movement and control. Now, picture the trampoline fibers beginning to wane, the middle sags, the function worsens and control becomes difficult. The pelvic floor can weaken like this. That’s why it’s important to watch for symptoms that, while common, can mean you have a pelvic floor disorder. How do I know my pelvic floor isn’t doing its job? Because the pelvic floor is supporting several different organs, you may experience a variety of symptoms depending on how the structure of the pelvic floor has shifted. Many women will experience incontinence, which is the leaking of urine. Others may have trouble emptying their bladder or bowels. Some are always running to the bathroom, are up going at 3 am or have pain during sex. Often as the pelvic floor weakens, a woman may start to feel a heaviness down below and eventually even a physical bulging of tissue presents itself externally, which is a sign of pelvic organ prolapse. Any and all of these symptoms can happen separately or together. How did this happen? There is often no single cause for pelvic floor disorders, but childbirth, age, hormonal changes, obesity, smoking, constipation and chronic heavy lifting are usually factors. Is there anything I can do? Yes! Talk to your health care provider about all of your symptoms. Don’t be embarrassed; pelvic floor disorders are very common. Chances are you know several other women experiencing the same issues as you, they’re just not talking about it. Solutions can include physical therapy, home exercises, medication or non-invasive surgery. The takeaway is that these inconvenient and uncomfortable changes in your body, though very common, deserve treatment. You don’t have to live with pelvic floor issues. Who can help? As part of a relatively new field of medicine, a urogynecologist is an OB-GYN with additional training and expertise in the evaluation and treatment of conditions that affect the female pelvic organs, as well as the muscles and tissue that support these organs. The Women’s Center for Pelvic Health at Anne Arundel Medical Center has a fellowship-trained team of doctors and nurse practitioners who specialize in the care of female pelvic health disorders. Team members collaborate on care for patients of all ages, from those with minor issues to individuals suffering from complex conditions requiring advanced surgery and care. For each patient, they will conduct a thorough review of medical history, conduct a physical exam, lab studies and advanced imaging and testing to develop individualized treatment plans based on your needs and goals. Author Kay Hoskey, MD, is a urogynecologist with AAMC’s Women’s Center for Pelvic Health. Contact the Women’s Center for Pelvic Health at 443-481-1199 to schedule a consultation to help guide you to the right solutions to meet your needs and health goals. Originally published April 23, 2018. Last updated May 14, 2019.0
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAfter having children, women experience a lot of changes (hello new sleep schedule and goodbye personal space). We also feel and see changes with our bodies. Things can start to feel different and work differently “down there.” Many of us hear, “Oh, that’s just part of having kids,” or “That’s what happens when you get older,” but in many cases, what seems common is really a pelvic health issue that needs care. According to the American Urogynecologic Society, one in four women over 20 suffer from a pelvic floor disorder (PFD). So what’s not OK and when should you call a doctor? Dr. Kay Hoskey, urogynecologist, walks us through some of the signs that your “mom bod” might actually be a PFD that can be treated. Sneezing and Coughing Comes With an Outfit Change The most common symptom of a PFD is stress incontinence, which is when you leak urine while you exercise, laugh, sneeze, cough or during any other movement that puts pressure on your bladder. This is also one of the most easily ignored symptoms because of just how universal it seems among women. As the pelvic floor weakens due to any number of factors, the bladder can shift and its function is compromised. READ MORE: Tips for treating urinary incontinence You Can’t Go — or Oops, You Just Went Number two on our list is actually well, just that. The pelvic floor supports your rectal organs the same way it supports your bladder, and the same problems can occur with leakage, flatulence and even constipation. Your exact symptoms all depend on exactly how the structure of your pelvic floor has changed. Because this can be a hugely embarrassing symptom, many women suffer in silence. You’re Running to The Bathroom — Literally Urge incontinence is when the need to urinate comes on very quickly giving you only a few seconds of warning, whether the bladder is full or not. This can also come with pelvic pressure or pain while urinating. Urge incontinence can be a challenge to your daily routine, family and social life with the feeling that you always have to be near a bathroom. Exercises, medication and surgery are all options for solving this issue. You Feel Bulging or Heaviness One of the more serious and painful symptoms of a PFD is pelvic organ prolapse in which pelvic organs —such as the uterus, bladder and rectum — drop or fall out of position. Many women actually feel a falling out sensation, which can be frightening and debilitating. Prolapse can also be felt in the lower back and abdomen so keep an eye out for recurring pain in those areas as well. READ MORE: It’s 3 am. Do you know where your pelvic floor is? Sex is Painful Do you cringe when you insert a tampon, get a gynecological exam or have sex? This is a sign of any number of pelvic floor disorders and you should discuss this with your health care provider. If you think of the pelvic area as a house, depending on if the floor, roof or walls fall and weaken; you could have varying issues and pain points. PFDs are NOT a normal part of aging that you just have to live with. They’re medical conditions and they’re treatable. Treatments include bladder control training, lifestyle changes, pelvic muscle strengthening, medication, support devices or surgery. Your doctor will work with you on a personalized treatment plan to meet your needs, which often includes a combination of things. Having children and getting older comes with a lot of change. Some of these changes are a proud reflection of the life you’ve lived. But when it comes to your pelvic health, no amount of pain, pressure, inconvenience and embarrassment is normal. Don’t let the unnecessary stigma of PFD symptoms prevent you from seeking effective treatment. You can hit reset on your pelvic health and find your way back to yourself. Contact AAMC’s Women’s Center for Pelvic Health at 443-481-1199 and speak to a specialist who will help guide you to the right solutions and a provider to best fit your current needs. Author Kay Hoskey, MD, a urogynecologist with AAMC’s Women’s Center for Pelvic Health. Originally published April 27, 2018. Last updated May 14, 2019.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) and Doctors Community Health System (DCHS) are taking the first step in the formation of a new health system that will serve the region. The two hospitals are working toward a definitive agreement pending completion of a due diligence process and standard regulatory approval. Last year, DCHS began the search for a partner to help strengthen its existing services, make new investments, and to continue to meet the needs of patients and the Prince George’s County community. “Partnership is essential for independent hospitals that are working to navigate the rapidly changing health care environment,” said Philip Down, CEO of DCHS. “We vetted many affiliation opportunities, and ultimately chose Anne Arundel Medical Center because of our shared values of community service and quality care.” While the hospitals have primary locations in separate counties, there are bordering service areas between the two, with AAMC serving patients in Prince George’s County through locations in Largo and Bowie, and DCHS serving patients in its Crofton location. “Our contiguous service areas make this an ideal opportunity to come together and provide care to our collective community,” said Victoria Bayless, president and CEO of AAMC. “We determined that our counties share more than just a border, and we want to make the region in which we operate healthier as a whole. Together, we believe that we can bring better care to the residents of Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties.” Through the new health system, AAMC plans to invest up to $138 million over five years in the existing DCHS campus and its IT infrastructure, expand inpatient and outpatient services, and launch much-needed programs that support the Prince George’s County Community Health Needs Assessment. “We are excited by the opportunities this partnership is designed to deliver and look forward to working with the team at AAMC to learn from one another,” said Rene LaVigne, chairman of Doctors Community Hospital’s Board of Trustees. “We admire the high level of care that AAMC provides its patients, and the incredible abilities of its staff, which is why we view them as an ideal partner as we plan for how to best serve this region in the years ahead.” “AAMC is excited by the opportunity to partner with DCHS and to expand and enhance care across Prince George’s County. Together, the two systems can meet the unique needs of this region and grow, even in a complex and challenging health care environment,” said John Belcher, chairman of AAMC’s Board of Trustees. Due diligence discussions are expected to continue for the next 30 days. A name for the new health system will be announced this summer. FAQs: What is happening? When? Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) is partnering with Doctors Community Health System (Doctors/DCHS) to create a new health system. This new system will allow us to meet the growing health needs of our region, while providing personalized care and remaining community focused. We will announce the name of the new health system this summer, with the full integration process expected to take one to two years. Throughout that time, we will provide regular updates about our progress. What will the new health system be — AAMC, DCHS or something new? Something new. Together, we are forming a new, yet-to-be-named health system of which both AAMC and DCHS will be a part. As we embark on this journey, we will engage and request feedback from employees and members of the medical staff at both organizations, as well as community members in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties in order to respect both legacies and histories, while also being aspirational about the future. This is not a transition that will happen overnight, or suddenly. We want to make sure that our new health system is built in a way that considers the interests of our communities, our patients and our employees. That means that we will continue to operate as AAMC and DCHS for a time, providing the same services you are used to, as we bring together our organizations and build something new. We will keep you updated along the way. What’s the timeframe for this growth? While we hope to have an agreement completed and signed by both entities in June, our main priority is not meeting a deadline, but making sure that we complete our due diligence, go through the necessary regulatory process, and establish a new health system that meets the needs of our communities and patients for the long term. Over the next several months, and following extensive conversations with our community members and employees, we will create a transition plan for the formation of the new health system. The transition plan will include multiple phases, with full integration likely in one to two years. What changes will AAMC patients see? Nothing will change in terms of how we care for our community and our plans for growing services in Anne Arundel County and on the Eastern Shore. We will continue to be a regional referral system and our vision for services like the new mental health hospital, cardiac surgery program and Easton Pavilion continue to move forward. We will be expanding access in Prince George’s County to include programs that support the Community Health Needs Assessment. We want to create more entry points for care across the region, and to provide more access to care close to home for the people we serve.0
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