- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) has once again ranked among the top hospitals in the region. AAMC delivered steady performance year-over-year, ranking fourth for the second year in a row on U.S. News and World Report’s list of Best Hospitals in Maryland. Also for the second year in a row, AAMC was rated as high performing in seven procedures and conditions: abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), colon cancer surgery, heart failure, hip and knee replacement and lung cancer surgery. “It is because of our AAMC team, working together to provide outstanding, compassionate, patient and family centered care, that we have earned this honor,” said Sherry Perkins, president of Anne Arundel Medical Center. This formal recognition is a testimony to the excellence we see every day. Thanks to each team member who plays a part in the incredibly complex provision of care of our patients.” To help patients decide where to receive care, U.S. News and World Report generates hospital rankings by evaluating data on nearly 5,000 hospitals across the nation. Regional rankings identify hospitals that perform well across a range of specialties, conditions and procedures.0
- Pediatrics, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs a parent, you’re probably still trying to learn how to navigate the new reality of dealing with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Your home is now your office. At the same time, it’s your new daycare facility. And just as you might have many questions about the new normal, you might also be wondering if you should take your child to the pediatrician during the pandemic. The short answer is yes. If you’re concerned about keeping standing visits for your kids, it’s important that you remember that these are vital to their health. Getting immunizations and other regular check-ups remain important. This is especially true during the pandemic. Pediatric practices are implementing new steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These extra precautions are designed to keep you safe. Some of these steps include screening children for symptoms by phone before their arrival. Additionally, staff are wearing masks and personal protective equipment when caring for your child. Even while you are staying home to prevent the spread of COVID-19, there are still important reasons you may need to bring your child into the office, including: Newborn visits after a baby is born. This is to make sure the baby is healthy and developing appropriately. Immunizations. Especially during the pandemic, we want to prevent an outbreak of other illnesses. Developmental screenings and tests. For example, hearing and vision screenings, monitoring growth, blood pressure and other vital signs. Adolescent health concerns. This includes menstrual care, anxiety and depression screenings. It’s also important to remember that our pediatrics Emergency Department (ED) is open. Patients must wear a mask to enter the ED. If patients need a mask, we give them one upon arrival. This is followed by screening questions at the front desk. We encourage parents to call their pediatrician’s office if they’re concerned about their child’s health. However, if it’s an emergency, we encourage parents to come directly to the ED. Here, staff is ready and available to care for your child. Understanding that you might feel anxious about bringing your child to the hospital, pediatric emergency visit turnaround time at AAMC has decreased to about 90 minutes for less acute symptoms. This is our way of giving you back your time and helping you get in and out as effectively as possible. Whatever you might be calling or visiting us for, we can assure you we are taking steps to keep you and your children safe. We understand things are a little different now and you might be worried about your child’s health. But, it’s important that you access care as soon as your child needs it. Waiting to come in will only prolong illness or symptoms. When a child needs to come in to the ED, the stay will likely be shorter the sooner you come. We’re here to help you. We remain safe, ready and open to care for your child. Authors Lauren Fitzpatrick, MD, is the medical director of Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Pediatric Emergency Department. Kristen Breslin, MD, MPH, is the medical director of Children’s National Emergency Department at Doctors Community Hospital. Melanie Lee, MSN, RN, CPN, is the nursing manager of Pediatric Emergency and Inpatient Unit at Anne Arundel Medical Center.0
- Wellness, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Men's Health, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogParents and caregivers deal with their fair share of “ick”-inducing situations, but there’s something about finding a tick embedded in your child’s skin (or yours!) that creates an extra sense of panic. Warmer weather makes ticks more active. Combine this with more outdoor playtime for kids and families, and you have a perfect storm for an increase in tick bites across the area. Here are the five things you should know as tick season ramps up in Maryland: 1. How to Remove a Tick You found a tick! Now what? Don’t panic, just reach for a set of fine-tipped tweezers and grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t worry too much if you aren’t able to remove the mouth of the tick—once the body is removed it can no longer transmit disease. Clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Avoid “folklore” remedies, such as using heat to make the tick detach or suffocating it with petroleum jelly. The goal is to remove the tick as quickly as possible. Consider saving the tick in a plastic baggie in case you need to visit the doctor. If that’s not possible, it’s important to note the size of the tick, whether it was actually attached to the skin and if it was engorged (that is, full of blood). It is also helpful to know how long the tick was likely attached to the skin. If it was not attached, was easy to remove, and was not full of blood when it was removed, the tick is not likely to transmit Lyme disease or any other infection. 2. Not All Ticks Carry Lyme Disease Lyme disease is transmitted primarily by deer ticks, but not all deer ticks are infected with the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. Adult deer ticks grow only to about the size of a sesame seed and have reddish hind bodies with black markings and black legs. Lyme disease is debilitating, though rarely fatal, and early symptoms closely resemble the flu, such as fever, headache, fatigue, and muscle and joint aches. A slowly spreading bull’s-eye shaped rash usually occurs at the site of the bite. If you’re bitten by a deer tick, a healthcare expert can advise you on one of two approaches: observe and treat if signs or symptoms of Lyme disease develop or treat with a preventive antibiotic immediately. Your medical history will largely determine which of these options is chosen. There is no benefit to blood testing for Lyme disease at the time of the tick bite—even people who become infected will not have a positive blood test until approximately two to six weeks after the infection develops. 3. When to Call the Doctor If you or your family member develops any of the symptoms of Lyme disease, call your doctor right away. Early diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease with antibiotics can prevent serious illness and long-term complications. Other reasons to call the doctor would be if you can’t remove the tick or the tick’s head, the bite site begins to look infected, or a fever or rash develops in the days or weeks following a tick bite. Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention if you have questions or concerns, it’s better to be safe than sorry! 4. How to Prevent Tick Bites A little prevention and thinking ahead can go a long way in preventing tick bites. Ticks crawl, they do not fly or jump, so avoiding wooded bushy areas with high grass, and walking in the center of trails can help you avoid direct contact with ticks. Use repellents that contain 20-30% DEET on exposed skin and clothing for several hours of protection. Always follow the product instructions—especially when it comes to the age of your child—and avoid hands, eyes and mouth. Bathe or shower as soon as you can after coming indoors, and perform a body check to more easily find ticks that might be crawling on you. Parents should check their kids for ticks under their arms, in and around the ears, behind the knees, between the legs and especially in their hair. Ticks also love to hitch a ride on pets and pet gear, so inspect those, too. 5. It’s Not Just a Warm Weather Concern As nice as it would be to not have to worry about ticks after the spring and summer months pass us, ticks are indeed active even in the winter. The cold causes many ticks to be less active, but deer ticks will be active any winter day the ground is not snow-covered or frozen. Bottom line: Don’t be caught off guard! Originally published June 9, 2015. Last updated July 20, 2025.0
- Men's Health, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYou may have seen people walking around toting a gallon of water that they sip from all day long, in hopes of staying properly hydrated. Others believe they need to drink eight 8-oz. glasses of water per day. Have you ever wondered if all that water is necessary for your body? It depends. Hydration is important. According to the National Kidney Foundation, about 60 to 70 percent of your body weight is made up of water, which is necessary for good kidney health. Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration. This can make you feel tired, cause headaches and lead to other health problems, including kidney damage. Water also helps prevent kidney stones and urinary tract infections, the Kidney Foundation says. Drinking enough water helps flush out bacteria that causes infections. The National Academy of Medicine recommends that men drink about 13 cups, or three liters, of fluids daily. Women should drink about nine cups, or 2.2 liters, each day. Doctors recommend more water when exercising. An extra 1.5 to 2.5 cups of water is fine for shorter rounds of exercise, though you’ll need more for exercise that lasts longer than an hour. You’ll also need to drink more water if you’re in a hot, humid environment, or if you’re experiencing fever, diarrhea or vomiting. Pregnant or breast-feeding women also need additional fluids, according to the National Academy of Medicine. Pregnant women should drink about 10 cups, or 2.3 liters, of water every day. Women who are breast-feeding need about 13 cups each day. You don’t have to drink only water – unsweetened juice or low-fat milk are other healthier options. But water is your best choice because it has no calories. If you’re in doubt about whether you are drinking enough water, look at your urine. Urine that is light yellow or clear indicates that you are properly hydrated. Dark yellow urine signals dehydration. Author By Lauren Parmer, DO, a primary care physician at AAMG Pasadena Primary Care. She can be reached at 443-270-8600. Originally published July 11, 2017. Last updated July 17, 2020.0
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen the temperature rises and the sun comes out, many people think it’s time to start soaking up the sun or hitting the tanning salons. But a “perfect summer tan” comes with a high price. “A tan is actually an injury to the skin, it’s not a tint,” says Barry Meisenberg, MD, the Chair of the Department of Medicine and Chief Academic Officer at Anne Arundel Medical Center and Luminis Health. Although we often hear a summer tan referred to as a “healthy glow,” Dr. Meisenberg says it’s anything but healthy. “A tan is essentially caused by a skin injury from ultra violet (UV) radiation. The resulting inflammation is what causes the skin to darken.” Many people believe a base tan or tanning gradually will protect them from skin damage as the summer goes on. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this isn’t true. “The idea of a safe base tan is a myth,” says Dr. Meisenberg. “In fact, people who tan in tanning booths are more likely to report being burned by the sun.” All forms of tanning increase the risk of skin cancer and other skin damage. The most serious of these is melanoma, which kills nearly 10,000 Americans every year. According to the National Cancer Institute, melanoma is among the most common forms of cancer found in those ages 25 to 39. In addition, young adults are more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma than younger children and older adults. Of course, not everyone who tans will develop skin cancer, and no public health authority recommends avoiding all sun exposure. But the damage caused by exposure to UV rays takes its toll over time. Tanners are more likely to develop wrinkles earlier in life than non-tanners. And the more UV radiation you’re exposed to during your lifetime, the more likely you are to develop age spots and scaly wart-like blotches called actinic keratosis. UV radiation is also very damaging to eyes, and can increase the risk of cataracts. Unfortunately, despite all the evidence linking UV radiation to skin damage and cancer, people continue to sunbathe or use tanning salons. The cultural pressure to be tan, especially in the summer, drives many people to intentionally expose themselves to cancer-causing UV-radiation. “So much of [indoor tanning] is about dissatisfaction with body image,” says Dr. Meisenberg, “Society is sending harmful messages that our body’s appearance is inadequate in some way. Adolescents especially should be aware that they are the target of messages that tell them to be dissatisfied with how they look.” To reduce your risk for skin cancer and premature aging of the skin, avoid indoor tanning and protect yourself from excessive exposure to UV radiation. Apply generous amounts of sunscreen with at least SPF 30 before going outside for prolonged periods, and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Wear sun protective clothing to keep your skin covered in the sun. Wear sunglasses with both UVA and UVB protection. Author Barry Meisenberg, MD, is the Chair of the Department of Medicine and Chief Academic Officer at Anne Arundel Medical Center and Luminis Health. Originally published May 25, 2016. Last updated Sept 16, 2025.0
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