News & Press Releases
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AAMC CIO Dave Lehr named to Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Emerging Leaders list
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Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) Chief Information Officer Dave Lehr is among Modern Healthcare’s 2019 class of Top 25 Emerging Leaders (formerly Up and Comers). Modern Healthcare, the leader in healthcare business news, research and data, annually honors emerging leaders, all age 40 or under, who have made significant contributions in the areas of innovation, financial, operational and clinical excellence early in their careers.
“We are very excited to announce this year’s Top 25 Emerging Leaders who are not letting moss grow under their feet. This next generation of healthcare leaders knows that the challenges facing every sector of the industry demand action now. Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Emerging Leaders bring an entrepreneurial spirit to problem solving,” shared Aurora Aguilar, editor of Modern Healthcare. “We received hundreds of nominations for this year’s class of Emerging Leaders. The final 25 chosen by the editorial staff represent the positive force of change that’s coming to the industry. We applaud them for these executive’s efforts to improve patient care and create efficient and quality-driven teams.”
Lehr joined AAMC in 2015 as executive director of analytics and was named chief information officer in 2017. He has responsibility for overall strategy and deployment of electronic information and technology services.
READ MORE: Anne Arundel Medical Center named 2019 CHIME Healthcare’s Most Wired recipient
He has led in the creation of a new Analytics Department for the organization, overseen the creation of new organizational data science capabilities and the development of an inter-facility architecture to share care alerts across organizations in Maryland. The care alert framework pioneered at AAMC has gone on to become part of the Maryland Health Services and Cost Review Commission’s CEO Checklist for all Maryland hospitals.
As stated by Modern Healthcare, Lehr has also been a key figure locally and nationally in the battle against opioids. He co-chairs the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives’ Opioid Task Force, which aims to spread best practices for using technology to stem the crisis. At AAMC, he was a key leader in forming an opioid stewardship committee that helped cut opioid prescribing by 68 percent.
This year’s honorees are profiled in the Oct. 14 issue of Modern Healthcare and online at www.modernhealthcare.com/awards/top-25-emerging-leaders-2019.
News & Press Releases
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Luminis Health names general counsel and chief legal officer
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Luminis Health announces Timothy Adelman, Esq., as its general counsel and chief legal officer, effective Oct. 28.
Adelman comes to Luminis Health from Indianapolis-based Hall, Render, Killian, Heath and Lyman, P.C., the largest law firm focused exclusively on healthcare law in the United States, where he serves as managing partner. Adelman also served on the Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) Foundation Board of Directors.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tim to Luminis Health,” says Victoria Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health and president/CEO of AAMC. “His selection for this role resulted from a national search process that attracted healthcare attorneys from across the United States. As the unanimous choice of the multi-disciplinary selection panel, Tim brings not only a national view of healthcare law, but also an in-depth understanding of Maryland’s unique regulatory environment.”
READ MORE: Anne Arundel Medical Center, Doctors Community Health System combine to form Luminis Health
A nationally recognized leader in the health-law industry, Adelman recently completed a six-year term as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Health Lawyers Association, serving as the secretary of the association, member of the Executive Committee as well as chair of the Membership Committee. He now leads the association’s 2030 Task Force, looking at the evolution of the healthcare industry and health-law industry over the next decade.
A contributing author of the Hearing Officer’s Guidebook and author of its 2010 supplement, Adelman is frequently asked to present around the country on issues relating to credentialing, peer review and regulatory compliance.
He holds a J.D. with honors from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and MBA from the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business. He earned his BA with honors from Franklin and Marshall College.
Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's Health, Pediatrics
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Do you have the common cold, or the flu? How to tell the difference
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The common cold leads to more health care provider visits and absences from school and work than any other illness each year. It is caused by a virus and is easily spread to others. It’s not caused by cold weather.
However, cold symptoms may look like other medical conditions. Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis if your symptoms are severe.
A cold and the flu (influenza) are two different illnesses. A cold is relatively harmless and usually clears up by itself, although sometimes it may lead to a secondary infection, such as an ear infection. However, the flu can lead to complications, such as pneumonia and even death. What may seem like a cold, could be the flu. Be aware of these differences:
Symptoms of the common cold
Low or no fever
Sometimes a headache
Stuffy, runny nose
Sneezing
Mild, hacking cough
Slight aches and pains
Mild fatigue
Sore throat
Normal energy level, or sluggish feeling
Symptoms of the flu
High fever
A headache is very common
Clear nose
Sometimes sneezing
Cough, often becoming severe
Often severe aches and pains
Several weeks of fatigue
Sometimes a sore throat
Extreme exhaustion
How is the common cold diagnosed?
Most common colds are diagnosed based on reported symptoms. However, cold symptoms may be similar to certain bacterial infections, allergies, and other medical conditions. Always consult your health care provider for a diagnosis if your symptoms are severe.
How is the common cold treated?
Currently, there is no medication available to cure or shorten the duration of the common cold. However, the following are some treatments that may help to relieve some symptoms of the cold:
Over-the-counter cold medications, such as decongestants and cough medicine
Over-the-counter antihistamines (medication that helps dry up nasal secretions and suppress coughing)
Rest
Increased fluid intake
Pain relievers for headache or fever
Warm, salt water gargling for sore throat
Petroleum jelly for raw, chapped skin around the nose and lips
Warm steam for congestion
Because colds are caused by viruses, antibiotics don’t work. Antibiotics are only effective when given to treat bacterial infections.
Do not give aspirin to a child who has fever. Aspirin, when given as treatment for viral illnesses in children, has been associated with Reye syndrome. This is a potentially serious or deadly disorder in children.
When should I call my health care provider?
If your symptoms get worse or you have new symptoms, let your health care provider know. If your symptoms don’t improve within a few days, call your provider, as you could have another type of infection.
Are you looking for a primary care doctor? Search our Find A Doc directory.
Cancer Care, Women's Health
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Breast cancer rehab: 5 things to know
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When you think of breast cancer treatment, you may think surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or any combination of these treatments. You may not know that there are rehabilitation services available to help with various side effects from breast cancer treatment.
If you’re diagnosed with breast cancer, rehab can improve your quality of life. Here are some things you should know:
Specialists provide your breast cancer rehabilitation. Your team may include physical, occupational and speech-language therapists, based on your needs. They’re trained to provide you specialized care to help you before, during and after your treatment. They help you get back to your previous lifestyle in the best way possible.
After chemotherapy you may notice a change in your sensation. A common side effect of chemotherapy is peripheral neuropathy, where the nerves in your arms and legs (typically in your hands and feet) are damaged. Breast cancer therapy can help desensitize nerves and improve your sensory feedback. This can help restore your balance if your legs and feet are affected.
After breast surgery, you may experience limited reach and flexibility in your arm. A therapist assesses your range-of-motion and prescribes exercises and interventions, like massage and stretching, to safely improve your mobility and function.
You may have surgery to remove underarm lymph nodes where cancer has spread. As a result, you may develop lymphedema. Lymphedema is abnormal swelling of your arm or other part of your body. Breast cancer rehab can help prevent development of lymphedema, or help treat lymphedema if you already have it. Rehab interventions to treat the condition may include:
Specialized massage to help drain excess fluid.
Compression bandaging and/or compression garments.
Skin care strategies.
Specialized exercise.
Many experience muscle decline and weakness after breast cancer treatment. A therapist can help you with exercises, as well as energy conservation and fatigue management strategies to improve your tolerance for activity. The ultimate goal is to help you return to your prior level of function.
Breast cancer rehabilitation ultimately helps improve your function and participation in daily activities. Rehab therapists are available to assist you with getting back to your personal best after the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Author
Christy McLellan, PT, DPT, CLT-UE, is a physical therapist with AAMG Physical Therapy. To contact her practice, call 443-481-1140.
Originally published Oct. 23, 2017. Last updated Oct. 11, 2019.
Cancer Care, Women's Health, Wellness
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Sweat to prevent: Beating breast cancer with exercise
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“What caused my breast cancer?” Patients have asked me this seemingly simple question every day of my 16 years as a breast cancer surgeon. Despite the incredible advances we’ve made, I still have to answer, “I don’t know.” If you search the Internet, you can discover a list of about 50 possible causes. Unfortunately you can’t prevent the major risk factors: being female, getting older, living in North America, and genetic risk.
Breast Cancer and Exercise
But there’s good news. There are several risk factors you can control. One way you can prevent breast cancer is with exercise. More than 60 studies show that regular exercise lowers your risk of breast cancer by 20 to 40 percent. If you’re a breast cancer survivor, exercise can help prevent breast cancer from returning by the same percentage.
If that doesn’t motivate you to break a sweat, here are some other health benefits of exercise.
Lowers your blood pressure
Decreases your risk of many diseases and conditions (including 12 types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, dementia, arthritis, heart disease, etc.)
Maintains your bone strength and builds muscle mass
Boosts your energy levels
Increases your metabolism
Improves your memory
Decreases excess body fat
Helps your immune function
Decreases insulin and inflammation
Prevents stress
The amount of time a woman is overweight also matters. For each decade a woman is overweight, her breast cancer risk may go up by 7 percent. And while adults who start exercising as a teenager have a lower risk of breast cancer, starting at any age still helps. Even if you’ve never exercised, it’s not too late to start!
Get Motivated: Your Action Plan
If you don’t exercise regularly, I recommend starting with 30 minutes of moderate exercise (such as a brisk walk) each day. Eventually, your goal should be four to five hours per week. For most women, that’s easier said than done because we’re often the caretakers, sacrificing our needs for those of our children, partners, parents, friends and even pets. We’re also the hardest on ourselves and often feel guilty and discouraged when we don’t meet our goals.
Think of exercise as a celebration of what your body can do, not a punishment for being something it’s not. Tell yourself you are worthy of exercising for yourself and schedule exercise until it’s a natural part of your day, like brushing your teeth or taking a shower. Recommit to your daily goals and remember tomorrow is another opportunity to get back on track.
Start at a level and activity that’s fun and feels almost easy.
Exercise with a friend or go to a group exercise class to keep you accountable and motivated.
Meet with a personal trainer to learn simple exercises you can do in the gym or at home to feel comfortable and confident. You don’t need fancy or expensive equipment to break a sweat.
Mix it up with cardio, strength and flexibility exercises. Don’t get bored with repeating one activity.
Don’t give up if your goal feels far away. I know many women who could barely walk for 10 minutes at a time, who eventually ran a marathon.
Know your limits and talk to your doctor for an exercise plan that considers your age, exercise experience, daily energy level and chronic symptoms from medical conditions and treatment side effects.
Remember, whatever your body can do that day is better than nothing. Exercise because you can.
Author
Wen Liang, DO, is a breast surgeon at the Fortney Breast Center.
Originally published Oct. 10, 2016. Last updated Oct. 11, 2019.