- General Page Tier 3BlogIt’s the holiday season – a time to enjoy our favorite seasonal treats. Watching your sugar or calorie intake this year? We have you covered with these recipes, which offer your sweet tooth a healthier alternative. Snickerdoodles This version of the holiday staple has less added sugar. Ingredients 1 cup trans-fat free tub margarine 1/4 cup stevia sugar blend plus 1 tablespoon stevia sugar blend, divided use 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon Directions Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the margarine, 1/ 4 cup stevia sugar blend, egg, and vanilla until smooth. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Using the electric mixer on medium speed, gradually beat the flour mixture into the stevia sugar blend mixture just until moistened but no flour is visible. In a small bowl, stir together the remaining 1 tablespoon stevia sugar blend and the cinnamon. Using your hands, shape the dough into 1 and 1/4-inch balls to make 24 cookies. Gently roll in the stevia sugar blend cinnamon mixture, coating lightly. Place about 2 inches apart on a large baking sheet or two small baking sheets. With the palm of your hand or a fork, lightly flatten each ball. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the bottoms are browned. Serving size one cookie, 91 calories per cookie. Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association. Mint-Chocolate Meringue Cookies Ingredients 3 egg whites 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted 1/4 teaspoon mint extract 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips or finely chopped bittersweet chocolate Directions Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper, securing the edges with tape. With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Add cocoa powder and beat until the mixture becomes glossy. Add mint extract. Gently fold in chips. Place mixture in a pastry bag fitted with a 1/ 2 or 3/ 4- inch tip. Pipe 1-inch rounds onto the parchment, leaving 1 to 2 inches between cookies. With damp fingertips, press down any peaks. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, rotating pans halfway through baking. Place baking sheets on a cooling rack for 10 minutes before peeling cookies off the parchment. If a pastry bag isn’t available, spoon mixture into a zip-top bag and snip a ½-inch hole in the bottom corner of the bag. Batter can also be dropped with a tablespoon onto the parchment. Makes about 60 cookies. Serving size one cookie, 15 calories per cookie. Recipe courtesy of the American Cancer Society. Poached Pears with Pomegranate Sauce Ingredients 1/3 cup pomegranate juice 2 teaspoons sugar 1 medium pears (peeled, halved, cored) 1 teaspoon water 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons sliced almonds (dry-roasted, crumbled) 1/4 teaspoon cornstarch Directions In a small saucepan, stir together the pomegranate juice and sugar. Add the pear halves with the cut side down. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for five minutes, or until tender, turning occasionally. Remove from the heat. Leaving the liquid in the pan, transfer the pear halves with the cut side down to dessert plates. Put the cornstarch in a small bowl. Add the water, stirring to dissolve. Pour into the same pan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking constantly. Boil for one minute. Remove from the heat. Stir in the lemon zest and vanilla. Spoon over the pears. Sprinkle with the almonds. Tip: Be sure to use a ripe pear for peak texture and flavor. Using a firm pear not only will require at least twice as much cooking time but also will not be as tender, sweet, and flavorful. Serving size one pear half and one tablespoon of sauce, 120 calories per serving. Recipe courtesy of the American Heart Association. Enjoy!
- 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.
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