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- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhether you are a marathon runner or just on your feet a lot, a good pair of shoes is your greatest asset. Just ask David J. Keblish, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center. During a deployment in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the retired Navy Captain says his best piece of gear was his trail-running shoes. “They were very durable and stiff, and held up well in that environment,” says Dr. Keblish. In the world of shoes and orthotics, Dr. Keblish says there are three types of feet: high-arched, flat-footed and neutral. If you are one of the extremes—high-arched or flat-footed—finding the right pair of running shoes is especially important. Types of Feet High-arched Those with high arches should look for shoes with extra cushioning, because these feet do not absorb shock as well. Flat-footed People with flat feet, or fallen arches, should look for shoes with motion control or stability. Lower arches mean the bones and tissues in the foot endure more stress, and the stiff soles of these types of shoes help support them. Neutral Dr. Keblish says most people fall into the neutral category and have fewer specific needs, but can still benefit from buying a pair of shoes that is both stiff and supportive. People with flat feet, or fallen arches, should look for shoes with motion control or stability. Lower arches mean the bones and tissues in the foot endure more stress, and the stiff soles of these types of shoes help support them. Those with high arches should look for shoes with extra cushioning, because these feet do not absorb shock as well. “The shoe should not be ‘zero-drop,’ meaning the heel should be raised a little to put tendons in a better position,” says Dr. Keblish. “You should also have padding for your whole foot.” If you already have a pair of running shoes you cannot bear to part with, over-the-counter orthotic insoles can be helpful. But, Dr. Keblish adds, only people with extreme foot conditions, such as chronic heel spurs or arthritis, need to consider custom orthotics. If you are not sure what type of foot you have, Dr. Keblish recommends going to a running shoe store where salespeople can evaluate your feet. Or, he says, there are plenty of websites that can help you evaluate your feet on your own. Barefoot Running: An Ill-advised Trend Read more about how barefoot running might hinder your performance. Contributor David J. Keblish, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon with AAMG Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialists. He can be reached at 410-268-8862.0
- Community, Giving, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogCongratulations to Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation Board Member and Past Chair JoAnn DeCesaris, who has been named the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County 2015 Philanthropist of the Year. This prestigious award is presented annually to an individual known for exceptional generosity who has demonstrated outstanding civic and charitable responsibility and whose generosity encourages others to become philanthropic leaders. Through the Geaton & JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation, JoAnn DeCesaris and her five daughters make giving a family affair. They inspire others to give by participating in and hosting many community events and fundraisers, inviting new potential donors to fundraising events and referring potential donors to AAMC. Their gifts have made an incredible impact on the well-being of our community. The DeCesaris family provided the financial support to create the region’s only combined, state-of-the-art pediatric emergency and pediatric inpatient unit, named in the family’s honor. It is a comforting, innovative and medically-appropriate space for our youngest patients to be cared for in the hospital. The DeCesaris Pediatric Unit expands our capabilities, ensuring that children who come through our doors receive seamless care with the same pediatric specialists, nurses and physician teams, all in one location. Additionally, the family provided the funds to build and expand the Geaton & JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute, which continues to provide leading-edge care for oncology patients in our region with the best facilities, programs and equipment. Most recently, they established a fund to help give direct financial assistance to patients undergoing cancer treatment who cannot afford their care and/or family living expenses due to the cost of their illnesses. “AAMC is proud of the trust JoAnn and her family have put in us to advance healthcare in our community,” says AAMC Foundation President Jan Wood. “We congratulate JoAnn on this well-deserved award.”0
- Cancer Care, Men's Health, Patient & Family Advisors, Women's Health, Uncategorized, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEarl Shellner had just completed a long course of chemotherapy to treat aggressive rectal cancer when he and his family began to notice something was seriously wrong: He was experiencing frequent memory lapses. Earl found himself forgetting basic life skills, such as how to use his toothbrush or write out certain letters. “I couldn’t remember how to make a cursive S or a J,” he recalls. “I had to look it up on the Internet, how to make the curves for those letters.” His family also noticed he was telling the same stories over and over again in the same day without realizing he was repeating himself. When Earl mentioned these lapses to his medical team, they told him the problem was very likely “chemo brain,” a term describing cancer-therapy-associated cognitive deficits. Basically, the strong drugs used to treat Earl’s cancer had disrupted some of the neural pathways in his brain. Reports indicate that as many as 70 percent of patients who receive chemotherapy experience symptoms anywhere from mental “fuzziness” to memory lapses to problems following through on tasks. Rebecca Gondak, a speech language pathologist with Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Cancer Rehabilitation program, worked with Earl, practicing exercises that helped him carry out tasks like shopping for groceries and recalling names. Earl was particularly excited when he and Rebecca worked out a clue for helping him remember the name of his 14-year-old neighbor. “I learned how to use a mnemonic device,” says Earl. “When I saw the young man, I would think of a calendar and the first letters of July-August-September-October-November to spell ‘JASON.’” Now, after making significant progress on his cognitive tests, Earl has become a patient and family advisor at AAMC. In this role, he is informing medical center staff, as well as cancer patients, friends and family—everyone he can—about chemo brain. “I have given a speech to hospital administrators,” he says. “And when I am at the infusion center, I ask patients if they know about chemo brain. A lot of them don’t, so I lead them in the right direction [to get help].” Read more about chemo brain and Earl’s experience. Learn more about Cancer Rehabilitation, a certified STAR Program® at AAMC, by calling 443-481-3805.0
- Wellness, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTeko Sellman loves being alive. A tech in Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Emergency Department, he loves living every day to the fullest. So, when he found himself feeling sluggish, unmotivated and depressed last year, he knew he needed to make a change. “One day I walked up three flights of stairs and noticed I became winded and felt really tired,” said Teko. “In that moment I thought to myself ‘Only three flights? This cannot be good.’ I love being alive and want to stay around as long as I possibly can.” That was his turning point. “I was 39, and I had a pot belly. I realized my external appearance was a direct reflection of my internal reality and it had to change,” he added. Teko noticed the Energize signs posted around AAMC encouraging employees and visitors to take the stairs instead of the elevators, so he started climbing the stairs before and after his shift for exercise. “I tried my first 30-minute stair climb,” Teko said, “and instantly fell in love. After three months, I had lost 50 lbs. I started eating better and added strength training to my regimen. I look and feel healthier now than I have in many years. Three flights of stairs is just part of my warm up now.” “I believe working out and eating well makes my life better. It provides my mind, body and spirit with the motivation to achieve the unimaginable.” Teko, who works nights, finds time to run the stairs 3 to 4 days a week for 30 to 45 minutes. He varies his routine and keeps the intensity high. “I keep my exercise sessions short but intense. This allows me to fit in a workout anytime I have 15 to 20 minutes to spare. I meet a lot of interesting people on the stairs,” Teko said, “That’s one of the reasons I love doing it.” In addition to stairs, Teko works out at home by running sprints, doing yoga and Pilates and incorporating everyday objects, like those found in parks and playgrounds, into his workouts. “I use the monkey bars for pull ups, and benches for jumps and lunges. I enjoy being outside, and it reminds me of how important it is to play and have fun,” he said. Teko also keeps “danger foods” to a minimum, but doesn’t deny himself all together. “I eat small portions, prepare home-cooked meals, choose healthier options and drink a lot of water. I allow myself treats here and there as a reward for my hard work.” Teko encourages others to zero in on what they want from a fitness routine and figure out what works for them. “You must ask yourself the question: ‘What is my ultimate goal?’” he said. “Narrowing down what you really want allows you to fine tune your plan for success.” “We all possess great instincts for what works for us and what doesn’t. There’s no single plan that works for everyone, so be real with your body and true to yourself. If something does not work for you, try something else. Try a variation. Do not continue to do something that does not produce results just because you were told it works,” Teko added. In the end, Teko’s commitment to physical wellbeing comes down to his passion for living. “I believe working out and eating well makes my life better. It provides my mind, body and spirit with the motivation to achieve the unimaginable. I believe the energy I give off by looking good and feeling great attracts the same energy in return. I want to be surrounded by healthy and positive people.” AAMC offers classes, nutritional counseling and other resources through our Energize program.0
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