- News & Press Releases, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEnvironmental Services (EVS) Supervisor Belawn McGowan is one of more than 100 members of Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (AAMC) EVS team who keeps the health system safe to care for patients. The team uses a ‘secret weapon’ of sorts to achieve this every day: Tru-D SmartUVC, a germ-killing robot. Out of 300 hospitals in the U.S., AAMC ranked number one for usage of the Tru-D room disinfection robot. AAMC received the first place spot for completing the most sterilization cycles in May with only one robot. Tru-D uses Ultraviolet (UV) rays to disinfect patient rooms, the Emergency Department and the Intensive Care Unit at AAMC. It ensures patient safety by reducing the risk of health care-associated infections. “When you enter a hospital you expect everything to be clean, neat and tidy,” Belawn said. “We are the frontline team who ensures this is done right. We use the Tru-D robot as an extra tool to make sure everything is cleaned well in the hospital.” How it works At AAMC, Tru-D goes by a different name. Staff call the robot “CRIS,” which stands for Clean Rooms Improved Safety. The cleaning process is twofold: once the EVS team cleans and disinfects a room, CRIS disinfects the room a final time. The robot uses UV light to kill bacteria, spores and viruses. The cleaning process takes between 15 minutes to an hour depending on the size of the room. This added layer of disinfection helps the EVS team ensure a safe patient environment during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. “CRIS helps us do our jobs efficiently,” Belawn explained. “There are spores and other germs that can stay on surfaces for long periods of time. There are also cracks and crevices that we can’t get to. We use CRIS to make sure surfaces are germ-free and hard-to-reach areas are sanitized.” No one can be in the room when CRIS is in operation. The robot’s UV rays can be harmful to humans. CRIS sends a text or audio message to a member of the EVS team when the disinfection cycle is done. Belawn said the EVS team’s goal is to make sure that patients feel safe every time they enter the hospital for care. “Achieving this ranking was a team effort,” she said. “We keep CRIS running to make sure everything is clean and sanitized at AAMC at all times.”
- Orthopedics, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogI was concerned about going to a doctor since I’m in a high-risk group for COVID-19, but the pain in my shoulder was intense, movement was limited and my symptoms kept getting worse. In 2016, I had surgery on my left hand to repair an artery. After the surgery, my activities were restricted for several months to allow complete healing of the artery. It was during this time that some of my muscles atrophied and my left shoulder froze. However, after several months of rehabilitation, I was able to return to the gym and exercise. Once gyms closed because of COVID-19, I really lost the ability to continue exercising and started to experience problems with my left shoulder again. I contacted my physician at AAMG Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Specialists. My physician explained the safety protocols they had put in place to keep patients safe and I made an appointment. Once I got to the office, I called the receptionist to let her know that I had arrived. She told me to wait in the lobby where I could safely distance while keeping comfortable. When the doctor was ready for me, the receptionist called and instructed me to go directly to the appropriate waiting area without needing to otherwise sign in. Next, a nurse took my temperature. No one else was in the waiting room. A staff member directed me to an exam room where I met the doctor. The whole experience was professional, efficient and safe. I’m so happy that I did not postpone my visit. My shoulder would have continued to deteriorate and the pain would have gotten worse. Now I am improving my flexibility. The pain in my shoulder is subsiding. I will no longer hesitate to return for follow-up appointments knowing that AAMC has established protocols to keep patients safe. Author Tony R. is a resident of Millersville, Maryland.
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogBreastfeeding takes patience and persistence but the journey is a beautiful thing. Your body is supporting the growth and development of a tiny human – that’s no small task! Repeat these mantras to yourself whenever you need a little encouragement along the way. “One more time, one more time.” Some moms may set an initial goal of breastfeeding for a year, or longer. In those first few days, or weeks, the long-term goals may actually make breastfeeding feel very overwhelming. When you are dealing with a bad latch, over- or under-supply, or general exhaustion, you may think, “How am I going to get through the day, let alone a year?” Stop right there. Deal with one feeding, then another, and then take on tomorrow, and then the day after that. Meeting smaller goals may help you reach the larger goal you set for yourself. “I am doing something beautiful.” You might feel awkward or self-conscious about nursing in public or even around friends and family. Besides figuring out the logistics—where to sit, do you want to cover to feel comfortable, what to wear to make nursing easy—you may be wondering what other people are thinking about you. The only person you need to worry about is your baby! You are doing something beautiful and natural. Keep your mind focused on this thought and let everything else fade away. Also, don’t forget you’re protected by Maryland law to breastfeed your baby in any public or private place where you’re permitted to be. “It’s ok, relax. Help is on speed dial.” You don’t have to do this alone. We’re in the midst of a breastfeeding revolution and support resources are readily available. Take advantage of them. Find a lactation consultant before you actually need the help. Put AAMC’s Warm Line in your speed dial list (its 443-481-6977). Join a social network of other new moms. Many moms use these tools to help them not only deal with breastfeeding difficulties, but also to help adjust to their new role of “mom.” (See below for a full list of resources.) “Sometimes goals change and that’s okay! A happy mom is a good mom.” If you start to feel unhappy or stressed, you may be putting too much pressure on yourself! If breastfeeding is in your heart then by all means keep going —find help and remind yourself that you are doing the best job you can. But, if you need to adjust your breastfeeding goal, be confident in that decision too. Don’t beat yourself up. Any amount of breast milk is important. Be proud of yourself! Your baby thinks you are the best mother just as you are. “I’m doing a great job!” Motherhood can be scary, difficult and, at times, overwhelming no matter how you feed your baby. But, it can be amazing, beautiful, fun and life-changing. Remind yourself every day that you’re doing a great job! Best wishes in your breastfeeding journey. It might be a piece of cake. But, if it’s a bit challenging keep telling yourself, “I got this.” Take advantage of helpful resources, embrace it and enjoy discovering the amazing strength that you never knew you had. Author Lindsay Bittinger is a local mom, living in southern Anne Arundel County with her husband, two daughters and one crazy puppy. Breastfeeding Resources AAMC offers several breastfeeding support classes, all of which have gone virtual due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. See a complete schedule here. Breastfeeding Warm Line: Anne Arundel Medical Center’s lactation staff is available to answer any questions you might have about breastfeeding. You can reach our consultants seven days a week via our Warm Line at 443-481-6977. Simply leave a message and they’ll return your call between 9 am and 4 pm the same day. You can also e-mail our lactation staff anytime at [email protected]. Find a Lactation Consultant: A board-certified lactation consultant can help address your breastfeeding concerns or challenges. You can find one in your area through the United States Lactation Consultant Association directory. AAMC Smart Parents: Join our Facebook community focused on the journey of parenthood. This is a safe, non-judgmental group to ask questions and get answers from local moms and dads, and AAMC experts. Originally published April 14, 2016. Last updated Sept. 16, 2025.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) has once again received the Mission: Lifeline® Gold Plus Receiving Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality measures outlined by the American Heart Association for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks. Every year, more than 250,000 people experience an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the deadliest type of heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment. It’s critical to restore blood flow as quickly as possible, either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or by providing clot-busting medication. AAMC earned the award by meeting specific criteria and standards of performance for quick and appropriate treatment through emergency procedures to re-establish blood flow to blocked arteries in heart attack patients. “A heart attack is an emergency that requires immediate medical attention. It’s critically important not to delay care if you think you are experiencing symptoms. At Anne Arundel Medical Center, we are safe, ready and open to care for you,” said Jerome Segal, MD, medical director of Cardiovascular Services at AAMC. “This award is testament to our consistent, coordinated team approach that is quick and efficient in delivering life-saving care during this time and into the future.” “We commend AAMC for this award in recognition for following evidence-based guidelines for timely heart attack treatment,” said Tim Henry, MD, chair of the Mission: Lifeline Acute Coronary Syndrome Subcommittee. “We applaud the significant institutional commitment to their critical role in the system of care for quickly and appropriately treating heart attack patients.” Services for heart attack patients Hospitals that meet AHA quality standards not only know the importance of treating quickly and safely, but they also follow evidence-based research that helps to determine why a patient had a heart attack or stroke in the first place. To learn more about AAMC’s heart services, visit www.askAAMC.org/heart.
- General Page Tier 3BlogMoms often describe the hours, days and weeks following their babies’ arrival as a wonderful yet overwhelming time. It’s also an important time to surround yourself with helpful information and support for breastfeeding success. A rewarding breastfeeding experience starts with education, like AAMC’s Breastfeeding Basics class. Getting familiar with the basics will help you get off to a good start. The Early Weeks You may feel like all you’re doing in the first week of your baby’s life is nursing – and it’s probably true! This is how your baby helps your body create a plentiful milk supply. Newborns generally nurse eight to 12 times a day. Nursing this often doesn’t mean your baby isn’t getting enough milk. Rather a newborn’s stomach, just like the rest of them, is tiny! At day three, it’s about the size of a walnut. At two weeks, it’s about the size of a large egg. Newborn Stomach Size from Medela In the early weeks of frequent nursing remember that all your hard work is encouraging your body to create a good milk supply. Breastfeeding is a supply and demand activity. Your body learns to supply exactly what your baby is demanding. Nursing your baby at the first sign of hunger cues– rooting, smacking lips, stirring, hands in mouth—also helps minimize engorgement that can happen two to five days after birth when your milk “comes in” or increases in supply. Some moms worry about their milk supply. If your baby is gaining weight and having frequent wet and dirty diapers, then your baby is getting enough milk. In those early days and weeks, remember you’re learning something new. Like all new skills, it may take some time to feel like you’ve gotten the hang of it. Trust your body, your baby and yourself. And don’t be afraid to ask for help! Importance of Skin-to-Skin Studies prove that skin-to-skin contact, which you may also hear called ‘kangaroo care,’ offers many benefits. Among them, skin-to-skin can help regulate your baby’s temperature, heartbeat, breathing and blood sugars. It can enhance bonding with parents (Yes, dad can do it too!) and reduce baby’s cries. Babies who are kept skin-to-skin immediately after birth may latch better, and are more likely to nurse sooner and longer. Getting a Good Latch A good latch is key to baby effectively and comfortably removing milk, and helps create a successful and enjoyable breastfeeding experience. A good latch can look different to every mom. To latch your baby: Sit comfortably in a slightly reclined position, supported by pillows if you’d like. Have baby lie belly down on you with their nose aligned with the nipple. If baby is not rooting with a wide mouth, tickle baby’s top lip with your nipple to stimulate rooting. As baby opens wide, allow baby to self-latch or guide baby on so that most of your areola is covered by the baby’s mouth, especially at the bottom lip and chin. Watch for signs of sucking from baby’s jaw motion and ear movement, and for periods of swallowing. If you’re experiencing pain, break the latch by inserting your finger into the corner of baby’s mouth and re-latch as needed. Persistent pain should be assessed by a lactation consultant. Images from La Leche League International Breastfeeding should feel comfortable and you should be able to hear sounds of swallowing. Don’t worry if it feels awkward at first. Before long getting baby to latch will feel so second nature you’ll be able to do it with your eyes closed– or at least in a dark room, say around 2 am. For more information, I recommend the Latching and Positioning Resources from Kelly Mom. Author Kim Knight is a board-certified lactation consultant with Breastfeeding Works which offers home consultations and workplace lactation support. She has provided support to thousands of breastfeeding moms during the course of her career. Breastfeeding Resources AAMC offers several breastfeeding support classes, all of which have gone virtual due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. See a complete schedule here. Breastfeeding Warm Line: Anne Arundel Medical Center’s lactation staff is available to answer any questions you might have about breastfeeding. You can reach our consultants seven days a week via our Warm Line at 443-481-6977. Simply leave a message and they’ll return your call between 9 am and 4 pm the same day. You can also e-mail our lactation staff anytime at [email protected]. Find a Lactation Consultant: A board-certified lactation consultant can help address your breastfeeding concerns or challenges. You can find one in your area through the United States Lactation Consultant Association directory. AAMC Smart Parents: Join our Facebook community focused on the journey of parenthood. This is a safe, non-judgmental group to ask questions and get answers from local moms and dads, and AAMC experts. Originally published April 14, 2016. Last updated Aug. 10, 2020.
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?