- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWe’ve never had a holiday season like this before. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has changed how we live – and it will change how we celebrate the holidays. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended staying home and spending the holidays with your immediate family to help slow the spread of COVID-19. For your safety, and the safety of your friends and family, it’s best to avoid traveling this year. Remember, you can still pass the virus onto others, even if you don’t feel sick. It is also getting colder outside in many parts of the country, forcing people indoors – where COVID-19 spreads more easily. But there are still things you can do to spark some joy this holiday season. Here are some ideas to get you started: Gather your household members together and have fun decorating, whether you’re putting ornaments on the tree or stringing up lights outside. Then, take a ride around your community and admire your neighbors’ holiday cheer! Get crafty. Staying home is the perfect opportunity to tap into your creative side. One easy project we love – making a gratitude jar. 2020 hasn’t been the easiest year for anyone – which is why it’s more important than ever to count our blessings. Bake holiday cookies. You could even participate in a socially distanced cookie exchange with your friends and family. Have everyone make a different kind of treat and arrange times to drop them off on each other’s porches. For some inspiration on how to make healthier desserts this season, check out the American Diabetes Association’s Food Hub. Reach out to family members who are far away. Even if we aren’t physically together, we can still keep in contact thanks to technology. Organize an online meeting Make time to get on Zoom or call your relatives to wish them a happy holiday – particularly if they are alone this year. If you must travel for Christmas, these are the important things to keep in mind: Practice the 3Ws. Wash your hands, wear a mask and watch your distance. Consider whether you, or any of your family members, is at risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19. If so, stay home. Look at the number of COVID-19 cases in your community as well as in the community that you plan to travel to. Different states and counties have different travel restrictions. Some may require you to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test, or self-isolate for a period of time after arrival. But a negative COVID-19 test simply means you don’t have the virus when you took the test. You should still plan on self-isolating before meeting with family members outside your household. You also need to consider any restrictions you’ll have to follow when you return home. Limit the number of guests. Set expectations with your family ahead of time – and stick to them. Ask family members to bring their own food and drink. But if you are sharing a meal, have one person serve and eat with single-use plastic utensils. If you’re inside, open the windows to increase air flow. Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces regularly. We all have to work together to flatten the curve of COVID-19. From all of us at Luminis Health, we wish you a happy, safe holiday. Author Jean Murray is the director of Infection Control at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health announces board officers and new appointments for 2020-2021. Luminis Health Board of Trustees Gary Jobson, Chair Rene LaVigne, Vice Chair Leisa Russell, Vice Chair Karen Drenkard, PhD, RN Keith Ghezzi, MD Misti Mukherjee, JD Anne Arundel Medical Center Board of Trustees James Chambers, Chair Misti Mukherjee, JD, Vice Chair Monya Phillip, JD Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors Jerome Collier, Chair Meg Samek-Smith, Vice Chair John Avallone, MD Kristin Fleckenstein Sally McCash Khlyah Settle Doctors Community Medical Center Board of Trustees Rene LaVigne, Chair Gary Michael, Vice Chair Laura Cline Doctors Community Medical Center Foundation Board of Directors Dominic Magnolia, Chair Madu Mohan, MD, Vice Chair Thomas Mulrenin, JD Sylvia Johnson Norma Rivera, JD Dana Stebbins, JD Luminis Health Clinical Enterprise Board of Trustees Keith Ghezzi, MD, Chair The Honorable Athena Groves, Vice Chair George Anderson, MD Victoria Bayless Joyce Phillip Mitchell Schwartz, MD J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center Board of Trustees Heidi Rothenhaus, JD, RN, Chair Lisa Hillman, Vice Chair Sherry Perkins, PhD, RN Victoria Bayless Timothy Adelman, JD, MBA “We welcome our newly elected officers and members to our boards of directors and boards of trustees,” said Victoria Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health. “Our boards are reflective of the diverse and multifaceted communities we serve, and we are thankful for their expertise, wisdom, and devotion to enhance health, advance wellness and remove barriers to care in the communities they and we call home. We are grateful for their passion and embodiment of our health system’s values of respect, inclusion, service and excellence.”
- Senior Care, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe holidays are usually a time to gather with family and friends. Our calendars fill up with parties and other social outings. We celebrate with our loved ones. We reflect on the past year and look forward to the future. But the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has led to months of physical distancing as we work together to slow the spread of the virus. This has sparked feelings of loneliness in many people. Including seniors, who may be at risk of severe illness from COVID-19. 43 percent of seniors say they feel lonely on a regular basis. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), about 20 percent of adults who are at least 65 years old live alone. Those who are lonely can suffer from health problems as a result. The health effects of social isolation In her 2015 study on public health and loneliness, Brigham Young University Professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad said social isolation can be as damaging to one’s health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. And according to the NIA, research has also linked loneliness to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weaker immune system, depression, anxiety and dementia. Having loved ones around often encourages people to take better care of themselves. Including eating well, exercising and taking necessary medications. Living alone and not leaving the house on a regular basis are two major things that can cause loneliness in seniors. How you can help Feeling connected to others is key. And these days, many of these connections are happening virtually. Thanks to FaceTime, Zoom and Skype, staying in touch is easier than ever. If you have an older family member or friend who wants to learn to use the new technology, set up some time to explain to them how it works. Or, simply give them a call. Chat with them about their worries and concerns. Let them know you are thinking of them. This year has been like no other. This holiday season will be no exception. The best gift you could give during the holidays or any day is to reach out to those who may be feeling lonely. Offer them connection and companionship. It costs nothing, and you’ll brighten someone’s day. Author Lil Banchero is the senior director of Luminis Health AAMC’s Institute for Healthy Aging. Originally published Dec. 16, 2019. Last updated Dec. 7, 2020.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center’s (formerly Doctors Community Hospital) Board of Trustees has endorsed Deneen Richmond as president of the medical center, located in Lanham, Md. Richmond has been serving as acting president since September 2020. “Deneen’s 20 years of experience in health care carries a track record of success in hospital operations leadership and clinical outcomes management,” said Rene LaVigne, chairman of the board. “This combined with her deep and practical expertise in population health makes her a community-driven leader who is poised to usher in the next era of strong, quality health programs for Prince Georgians. She has the unequivocal support of the board.” “Deneen is the right person to lead Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center now and into the future,” said Victoria Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health. “I am confident in her ability to honor the medical center’s legacy in the community and couple it with changes that will make a powerful difference for those we serve.” “I am honored and humbled to serve Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center as president,” said Richmond. “I look forward to carrying out our Vision 2030 10-year strategic plan to enhance health, advance wellness and remove barriers to health care in our community. I also remain focused on the immediate COVID-19 public health emergency and seeing it through to the end with the safety of our patients, workforce and community at the forefront.” Prior to her role as acting president, Richmond served as chief Quality and Population Health officer for Luminis Heath and, before then, vice president of Population Health at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Richmond came to Anne Arundel Medical Center from Inova Health System, where she served as vice president of Performance Improvement and Outcomes. She has also held leadership positions at Holy Cross Hospital, the Delmarva Foundation and the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Richmond holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of the District of Columbia and a master’s degree in health care administration from The George Washington University. She is an adjunct professor at The George Washington University and recipient of the Milken Institute School of Public Health’s Excellence in Teaching Masters Level Online Award. Named a Modern Healthcare/Witt Kieffer Up and Comer in 2004, Richmond has also been honored by the National Association of Health Service Executives as a 2014 Distinguished Healthcare Leader. Richmond is a resident of Bowie, Md.
- CommunityGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEverything looks different in 2020. That includes your holiday traditions. Like the annual visit from everyone’s favorite house guest, the Elf on the Shelf. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has kept us at home for the past nine months. And now, North Pole doctors have warned us that the virus is probably going to keep your Elf from moving around much this holiday season, too. (Kids don’t believe you? Not to worry. We’ve got you covered with our downloadable For-Elves-Only Doctor’s Notes.) Here are the top five reasons your Elf stayed in the same place for at least a few nights this year: 1. He was following social distancing guidelines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone (including Elves!) stay at least six feet away from others who aren’t in your household. Remind your kids that by not moving, your Elf is doing their part to prevent the spread of germs. 2. She was binge watching Netflix and forgot to move. We’ve all been guilty of this while staying at home. Especially now, with all of the holiday movies that are available to stream. Before you know it, hours (even days) have gone by. We spoke with our mental health experts, who tell us this is a form of “elf-care” and to let your Elf ‘veg out’ for the time being. If several days go by, you may need to give her a friendly nudge off the couch. 3. He ate way too many holiday cookies. If you’ve been spending a lot of time baking with your little ones, you can’t blame your Elf for wanting to indulge, too. Our dietitians suggest plopping him in the fruit bowl for a full day. That’s a healthier way to satisfy his sweet tooth. 4. She sprained her ankle after too much rockin’ around the Christmas tree. Maybe she was trying to entertain herself with an at-home dance party. Still much safer than a crowded gathering, but not without risks! Our orthopedic specialists who have treated other Elves say the only real cure is to hang out in a stocking for about 48 hours. 5. He fell and hit his head while hanging Christmas lights. Ouch! If your Elf was trying to make your home look especially festive this year and took a tumble, he needs to rest. Stick him under the tree where he can sit safely until his head feels better. Don’t forget, your kids (and Santa) are going to want to see an official doctor’s note as proof of any of these situations! Download your printable doctor’s note and share them with us by tagging Luminis Health on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! From our Luminis Health family to yours, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday! Originally published Dec. 7, 2016. Last updated Nov. 30, 2020.
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