- Community, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEvery May we honor a special holiday to celebrate motherhood, maternal bonds and the influence of women in society. To celebrate all the wonderful women in our community and beyond, we asked some AAMC employees to share the biggest lessons they still carry from the women who have inspired them. Here’s what they had to say: Chad M. Patton, MD, orthopedic surgeon: “My mother taught me that kindness, patience and listening to others goes a long way. My brothers and I are all physicians, and these lessons undoubtedly influence our approach to patient care.” Jennifer Brady, MD, cardiologist: “I learned from my mom at an early age that while receiving a gift gives instant gratification, the euphoria is short-lived. On the other hand, giving a gift provides a sense of satisfaction that remains for a long time and shapes how we feel about ourselves. My mom needed to draw upon her strengths when at the age of 45 she was diagnosed with a large tumor, which required extensive surgery. The courageous way she endured the arduous process gave me a perspective that has been extremely helpful as a clinician. I am grateful every day to my mom for being such an incredible role-model.” Kwasi Sharif, MD, pain management physician: “As a registered dietitian nutritionist, my mom has instilled in me the values of healthy eating and exercise. My habits today include exercising at least three times a week and obtaining at least seven hours of sleep each day.” Joseph Morris, MD, OB-GYN hospitalist: “I lost my dad when I was 12. My mom raised three boys, ages 12, 15 and 17, by herself. All of us went on to become physicians in large part from the lessons we learned from her. One lesson in particular that I remember is that if you want a good friend, be 75 percent of the friend.” Lauren Fitzpatrick, MD, pediatrician: “The piece of advice that I learned from my mother is always stand up for what is right, even if it is not the popular opinion. Growing up, my mother regularly reminded me to do the right things and not to worry about whether I was liked by others because of it. Those who respected me for doing the right thing were the ones I would want to surround myself with. As a pediatrician, taking care of children can be difficult some days, but doing the right thing for them is always worth it.” Jo Deaton, senior director, behavioral health: “One of the most influential people in my life has been my friend of 45 years, Donna. We met our first year of college, where I was an unhappy psychology major. Donna was pre-nursing and told me all about nursing. I had never considered that as a career but as I began to investigate, becoming a psychiatric nurse seemed like a good fit. I was 18 years old and Donna was a 26-year-old newly divorced, single mom of three young children. Donna has shown me that if you have a clear goal, you can achieve it regardless of your external circumstances.” Kay Hoskey, MD, urogynecologist: “As a retired nurse, my mother taught me the value of human connection, the magic of a smile and the importance of understanding a person’s story. It is not always easy to walk in some else’s shoes. Still, these lessons have helped me to connect with friends, patients and strangers alike.” Lil Banchero, RN, senior director, Institute for Healthy Aging: “I had the wonderful privilege of having two very strong loving females in my life, my dearest gram and my mom. Both smart and brave. I come from a family of four girls, so these two women really were strong advocates for our ability as women to do whatever we wanted. Over the years, they taught me many things. Be yourself. Do your best. Say please and thank you. Keep your word. Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Be independent. Be kind, compassionate and loyal. Do not hold hate in your heart. These are just a few of the many other lessons they taught me that have shaped me as a mother and nurse leader.” Heather Keats, OTR/L, occupational therapist: “Watching my mother as I was growing up, I learned to work hard and take full advantage of opportunities given to me. As a result, I am able to see the value in putting in the hard work now for the future pay off. This lesson carries over to all aspects of my life including relationships, health and career.” READ MORE: 6 ways to support a new mom0
- Cancer Care, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3Blog“What next?” I hear that question often from cancer survivors when they finish their last treatment. From diagnosis to the end of treatment, most cancer patients are on autopilot. They focus on doctor visits, test results, chemotherapy or radiation, and perhaps surgery recovery. It’s a whirlwind of events –until it’s over. Whether a patient is deemed cancer-free or in remission after treatment, the cancer journey comes to an abrupt stop and a new journey begins: cancer survivorship. What should be a joyous, hopeful and celebratory time often leaves patients feeling lonely and afraid. Care and support for cancer survivors doesn’t have to end when treatment does. For example, our Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute offers programs and support to help survivors manage their unique needs and challenges after cancer treatment. The goal is to help all survivors thrive beyond their cancer diagnosis and enjoy a high quality of life. A survivorship program should include: A survivorship visit. Each patient should receive an individually tailored document with a summary of their diagnosis, test results, specific information about their treatments and the possible late and long-term effects of treatment. A care plan. Also tailored for each survivor, the care plan guides patients to live healthier which empowers them to self-manage their quality of life. Counseling. Based on each person’s own needs, there are many counseling options available including nutrition counseling, psychosocial support/counseling, spiritual counseling, financial counseling, genetic counseling, sexuality counseling and smoking cessation. Lifestyle recommendations to thrive. Survivors should be encouraged to adjust their eating habits to more plant-based food choices, rather than meat. Dietary changes, along with regular activity, exercise and healthy weight management, may reduce risk of the same cancer returning, or a new cancer developing. READ MORE: How to navigate cancer survivorship In addition to a comprehensive survivorship program, there are other steps cancer survivors can take after treatment ends. If you’re a cancer survivor, here are five ways you can thrive. Share your story. Whether you do this by talking in casual conversations, writing your story on a blog or even speaking at an event, sharing your story can help you reflect on your cancer journey and help you see how far you’ve come. It can also inspire others and give them hope. Get involved. Join the community of people who are working to conquer cancer. There are plenty of walks, runs and other events that support the fight against cancer. Be active. Studies show that exercise helps improve many different bodily functions, and can even decrease your risk of certain cancers. Make it fun! Ask your friends to join you on a walk, try a yoga class or even take simple stretching breaks during the day. Try a new hobby. You’ve likely been spending most of your time and energy on completing cancer treatment. Now that you’ve conquered cancer, you can take on anything! Add a furry friend to your family. If you’ve been thinking about getting a pet, now’s the time. There’s nothing like the healing power and companionship of a dog or cat. Author Madelaine Binner is an oncology nurse practitioner at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published May 31, 2016. Last updated May 7, 2019.0
- News & Press Releases, Physical TherapyGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG), a multi-specialty physician group that is part of Anne Arundel Medical Center, announced today the opening of its physical therapy location at Jennifer Square. AAMG Physical Therapy – Jennifer Square offers a comprehensive range of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language services for adults and children, including blood-flow restriction training and driving rehabilitation. This location also features a dedicated sports performance zone, combining traditional physical therapy and sports performance ideal for athletes. The new clinic is located at 161 A Jennifer Road, Annapolis. Morning and evening appointments are available — from 6:30 am to 8 pm Monday through Thursday, 6:30 am to 5 pm Friday, and 8 am to 12 pm Saturday — with convenient free parking. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 443-481-1140. To see a complete list of services and to find an AAMG Physical Therapy location near you, visit AAMGPhysicalTherapy.com.0
- Men's Health, Weight Loss, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMost of us know that good nutrition is important for good health. However, when we hear catch phrases like “calcium deficiency” or learn a new multivitamin just hit the shelves, it can make us wonder if we are getting enough vitamins and minerals. Do we really need to take additional doses? First, let’s talk about these nutrients. There are 13 vitamins – vitamin C, A, D, E, K and the B vitamins. Vitamins help your body grow and work the way it should. Minerals have different jobs in which they help you resist infections, keep your nerves healthy and help your body get energy from food. By following the MyPlate guidelines, a nutrition guide published by the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, you will get enough of most of what you need from food. In addition to a balanced diet, some people may need nutrient supplements depending on their situation. For example, older adults, pregnant women and people who are food insecure are at increased risk of nutrient deficiencies. Some individuals are limited in their food choices because of allergies, special diets, medical conditions, intolerances or because they are following a vegetarian or vegan diet. For example, animal foods are the main source of vitamin B12. So people who follow a vegan diet need to eat fortified foods and or take a supplement. Vitamin D might be a concern among infants, children and young adults, especially for those that do not drink milk. Therefore, they will likely need a supplement. Adolescent girls, meanwhile, may need more iron. As people age, it can be difficult to get enough vitamin B12. Getting B12 from fortified foods or taking it as part of a multivitamin can help raise B12 in our blood. As we get older, our bodies are not as skillful at absorbing certain nutrients. B12 is one of those. READ MORE: What you eat can affect your mental health On the other hand, real food contains healthy components a pill can’t give us. Plant foods have thousands of beneficial plant substances called phytochemicals that interact with one another in many ways, some of which scientists may not even understand yet. The greater the food variety, the more the potential beneficial interactions. When we get nutrients from a pill, we lose the fiber in these foods and, according to studies, these vitamins also fail at preventing cancer, dementia, heart disease or Type 2 diabetes. People who eat foods rich in those vitamins instead of going for pills only are at less risk of these diseases. Nutrients work synergistically, meaning you need the right balance of nutrients. A deficiency in one might appear as, or worsen, a deficiency in another. For example, vitamin E enhances vitamin A absorption. Vitamin A and E together lead to increased antioxidant capabilities, protect against some forms of cancer and support a healthier gut. Zinc is required for vitamin A transport, while vitamin C aids in iron absorption. This is only a snapshot of the many nutrient interactions happening in our bodies and their co-dependencies. Your doctor can order tests to help determine if taking a supplement would be good for you. A registered dietitian can evaluate your diet and make recommendations to meet your personal needs given your food preferences. As always, check with a health care professional to see which vitamins and minerals you may need and how to best take them. Remember, eating a balanced diet mainly consisting of fruits and vegetables is the first step towards the right direction. Authors Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford are nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them, call 443-481-5555.0
- Stroke CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogStroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly 87 percent of all strokes are ischemic. That means a clot within a blood vessel blocks the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Most ischemic strokes are caused by atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Some chronic health conditions, if not managed well, can speed up atherosclerosis. Keeping on top of these conditions can help reduce risk for ischemic stroke and other arterial diseases, says Mark Peeler, MD, a vascular surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Coronary heart disease, triggered by hardening of the arteries, more than doubles your risk of stroke. “When artery disease blocks blood flow to the heart muscle, there’s likely artery disease elsewhere in the body. It’s the artery disease that increases stroke risk, not the heart attack itself,” explains Dr. Peeler. “So we offer free ultrasound screenings for artery disease and then take proper steps, whether that means medical intervention or helping people start to make lifestyle changes.” The screenings are offered through a program called Dare to C.A.R.E. High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects nearly one in three adults in the U.S. When uncontrolled, it increases your risk for having a stroke by four to six times. But with medication and lifestyle changes, hypertension is highly controllable. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance produced by your liver and found in many foods. Although certain amounts of cholesterol are normal, high levels of some lipids in the blood can contribute to plaque in arteries and lead to a stroke. Depending on your levels, your primary care doctor may prescribe a medication such as a statin while guiding you toward healthy lifestyle changes. Statins are a class of drug that reduce fat levels in the blood (for example, Lipitor). Obesity is a major health problem in America. The severity of obesity is measured by the body mass index, a calculation relating your weight to height. As your BMI increases, so does your risk for rising blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglycerides and blood sugar. Losing 5 to 10 percent of your weight can reduce these stroke risk factors. Diabetes, when not properly managed, causes sugar to build up in the blood, which increases your risk for stroke. Many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and are overweight — conditions that further increase your risk for stroke. The Best Way to Reduce Stroke Risk Whether or not you have a chronic condition, Dr. Peeler stresses that not smoking is the single best way to reduce your risk of artery disease. “Cigarette smoking causes more deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke than from lung cancer,” he says. A simple screening using ultrasound can find a blockage in your arteries. If you are 60 or older, or in your 50s and at risk for vascular disease, you may be eligible for a free screening. Call 410-573-9483 to learn more. Author Mark Peeler, MD, is a vascular surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published Nov. 28, 2016. Last updated Aug 25, 2025.0
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