- Giving, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWe’ve never experienced anything like the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic before. Now the holidays are here, which could be a tough time for many. So how can you shine some positivity into your local community? You can make a difference with an attitude of gratitude and giving. Consider shopping small this year Since March, a number of businesses have closed or moved online in order to stay afloat. Use your favorite search engine and look up “local gifts near me,” and check out what local merchants are selling. Or, get takeout from a local coffee shop, bakery or restaurant. You can even “pay it forward,” by purchasing a few gift cards to local businesses to hand out to someone in need. If you can’t afford to give, consider donating to charity, such as your local Goodwill or food pantry. If you’re stressed during these uncertain times, do something good for someone else. This can make you feel better, too. Feeling overwhelmed? Missing interaction with loved ones? We may be social distancing, but we can still communicate. Call a friend or a family member to chat or laugh about a funny memory. If your mental health is suffering, reach out to a mental health professional or a primary care provider (PCP) for assistance, or dial 911 if it is an emergency. We’ll get through this – together. Author Tormeika Sanford, DNP, MSN, CRNP, is a nurse practitioner with Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.0
- Cancer Care, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTanja Syre-Goodman of Annapolis, Maryland, was taken aback when she received a breast cancer diagnosis. She had kept up with her yearly mammograms and no one in her family had experienced breast cancer. She scheduled an appointment with Dr. Rubie Jackson, a breast surgeon at the Luminis Health Breast Center. “It was a fantastic experience,” Syre-Goodman said about her appointment. Dr. Jackson discussed various treatment options with her, and together they decided on a one-sided nipple-sparing mastectomy. ”I was so pleased that Tanja had the option to keep her nipple. A nipple-sparing mastectomy allows a woman to keep all of the skin of her own breast, including her nipple and areola, while the internal breast tissue is removed,” Dr. Jackson explains. “The result is that the reconstructed breast has the most natural appearance possible. Women who have to undergo mastectomy usually are more satisfied with the results of their surgery when their nipple can be preserved.” After the treatment plan was established, Syre-Goodman found herself counting down the days to surgery. To pass the time, she played golf and went boating to distract herself. The surgery, which also involved reconstruction by the Luminis Health Plastic Surgery team, was performed in October 2020. “I know that Dr. Jackson routinely performs these procedures and even instructs others in the field, so I felt I was in really good hands,” Syre-Goodman said. Following the surgery, Dr. Jackson offered a reassuring hug. Three years later, Syre-Goodman has recovered successfully and maintains an active lifestyle through yoga and kayaking. Her advice to others is, “Take each day as it comes. Every day is a gift.”0
- Community, Wellness, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogCaring for patients and practicing medicine became a passionate personal commitment for Charles Kinzer, MD. So, when the doctor, retired from his primary care practice, he dedicated the next 15 years to caring for patients free of charge. Dr. Kinzer volunteered his time at the Annapolis Outreach Center (now the Community Health Center) which provides free medical care to underserved and underinsured patients. “The center is important because it provides a way for patients who have limited resources to go for primary care,” Dr. Kinzer says. “I wanted to keep a hand in medicine, and stay involved in the field,” Dr. Kinzer says. So, in addition to conferences and continuing education, he spent one day a month seeing patients at the center. It provided him with a way to maintain a link with the community—a community that has always been important to him. He says he first chose to come to Annapolis in 1965 because, at the time, it was a country town with a couple of colleges and the seat of the State Government. When he joined AAMC, there were only 65 doctors on staff, and everyone knew each other. Even though the town and the medical center have grown significantly since then, Dr. Kinzer believes it’s important to hold on to the personal aspect of medicine. “Put away your machines and listen to your patients,” he says, “They are telling you the diagnosis.” Dr. Kinzer brought that personal touch, and deep concern for the person as a whole to the patients he saw at the free clinic. “They all had stories to tell,” he says. “That’s what made medicine fascinating.” He recently retired from his volunteer position at the clinic after 48 years in of practicing medicine and caring for our community. Now he enjoys going to lunch with the RODEO gang (Retired Old Docs Eating Out). It’s a way of keeping up with partners and friends.0
- News & Press Releases, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogA year ago this week, Luminis Health launched COVID-19 vaccine efforts at its hospitals in Annapolis and Lanham. Since that time, the health system has administered approximately 117,000 COVID-19 vaccines in the communities it serves. Throughout the year, Luminis Health has given COVID-19 vaccines at its hospitals, businesses, churches, colleges, community centers, housing complexes, and barber shops. Our Community Health Team has reached vulnerable populations by administering COVID-19 vaccines at various mobile clinics throughout Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties. “Since the mission of Luminis Health is to enhance the health of the people and communities we serve, our Community Health Team is committed to meeting people where they are,” said Chris Crabbs, director of community health for Luminis Health. “We know first-hand that the COVID-19 vaccine saves lives and our mobile vaccine clinics will continue well into 2022.” Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center and Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center are experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. As of this week, both hospitals have more than 70 patients battling COVID-19. “Our hospitals are near capacity. In fact, hospitalizations have doubled in the past month,” said Dr. Stephen Selinger, chief medical officer for Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. “The vast majority of our hospitalizations are unvaccinated patients. It is crucial for more people to get vaccinated and boosted.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that Americans 16 years and older get a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine if they are at least six months after their initial vaccination series. “With a positivity rate surging in Maryland, now more than ever, people need to get a booster shot,” said Dr. Sunil Madan, chief medical officer at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “A booster will help provide additional protection against COVID-19 and will minimize symptoms, as well as the severity of the disease if infected.” Luminis Health is hosting mobile COVID-19 vaccine clinics throughout Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties. Click here to find the one closest to you.0
- Pregnancy & Birth, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs you start your pregnancy journey, you may have different options for prenatal care. While many women still seek traditional one-on-one appointments with their OB-GYN or midwife, more women are taking advantage of group health care like CenteringPregnancy®. The cornerstone of CenteringPregnancy® is the group discussion that takes place for the majority of each visit. During this time the group of moms — who are all due around the same time — have a chance to talk with their providers and fellow moms about important topics including labor and delivery, breastfeeding and infant care. Each CenteringPregnancy® visit also includes self-led health assessments and one-on-one belly checks with your OB-GYN or midwife. Benefits for mom and baby As group prenatal care has grown in popularity over the years, research has shown this type of healthcare can have a positive effect on both mothers and babies. A Yale School of Public Health study showed women who participated in group prenatal care were more likely to have healthy babies and go the full term of their pregnancy. According to the research, women in group prenatal care are: 33 percent less likely to have undersized infants Less likely to have a preterm delivery or an infant with low birth weight More likely to have babies that spend less time in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) Less likely to get pregnant again soon after giving birth, which can increase risk of preterm delivery According to research done by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), women attending group prenatal care are also more likely to: Feel ready for labor and delivery Have better prenatal knowledge Feel more satisfied with their care Start breastfeeding Balancing private time with group sessions While much of the CenteringPregnancy® visit will consist of group discussion time, it’s important to note that CenteringPregnancy® does not eliminate the one-on-one interaction you get with your provider. Every visit will include private belly time where your doctor or midwife will take measurements and check your baby’s health. You can use this time to ask questions that you may not be comfortable sharing with the group. Your care team will also take part in the group sessions and help lead many of the discussions. As most CenteringPregnancy® visits last between 90 minutes and two hours, this means you actually get 10 times the amount of time with your provider compared to a typical office visit. Finding friendship and support One of the main goals of the CenteringPregnancy® visits is for women to connect with fellow moms who are facing the same questions about giving birth and infant care. You may feel more relaxed and confident after talking through some of your concerns with the women in your group. You may also find unique solutions and points of view that can help you approach a problem in a different way. The group sessions are also a great time for partners, spouses and care people to connect with others who will be helping with delivery and infant care. These individuals can participate in all aspects of the CenteringPregnancy® visit. Remember you don’t have to share during the group session if you’re not comfortable doing so. But you may find you feel more comfortable sharing information as time goes on. Keep in mind that all women and their care persons in the CenteringPregnancy® group are told to maintain discretion with any information shared during the visits, and in some cases, participants are asked to sign a confidentiality form during the first visit. Empowering women to lead healthy lives Another goal of the CenteringPregnancy® visits is to help women better understand their health and empower them to take charge of their lifestyle and risk factors. Sessions include education about healthy choices and preventive steps you can take to avoid health problems during or after pregnancy, such as diabetes or heart conditions. Each visit starts with a self-led health assessment, which means you learn how to take your own health data, including weight and blood pressure. You track this data throughout the CenteringPregnancy® visits and record it in your own medical records. You will also have the opportunity to set health and lifestyle goals. The goals may focus on weight, diet, hydration, stress management, relationships or any other challenges you may be facing during pregnancy. Ultimately, the CenteringPregnancy® program aims to help women stay healthy and confident throughout their pregnancy and into motherhood. For more information about the program, visit CenteringPregnancy®0
How can we help?
Common Searches
Common Searches
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?
Your Account
View your Dashboard
Messages
Billing Summary
Find Care
Schedule Appointment
My Care Team
My Record
Appointments
Medications
Insurance Summary
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?