- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center has been awarded a 2018 Top Workplaces honor by The Baltimore Sun Media Group. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by research partner Energage, LLC (formerly WorkplaceDynamics). The anonymous survey measures several aspects of workplace culture, including alignment, execution and connection. “It is an honor to be named a Top Workplace by The Baltimore Sun Media Group,” said Julie McGovern, vice president and chief human resources officer. “We pride ourselves on being a diverse, friendly and collaborative team of professionals who work together to innovate the future of health care. We also believe in caring for our caregivers, which means providing our team members opportunities to experience new challenges within a supportive environment where they can grow, learn and make a difference.” “Top Workplaces is more than just recognition,” said Doug Claffey, CEO of Energage. “Our research shows organizations that earn the award attract better talent, experience lower turnover, and are better equipped to deliver bottom-line results. Their leaders prioritize and carefully craft a healthy workplace culture that supports employee engagement.” “Becoming a Top Workplace isn’t something organizations can buy,” said Claffey. “It’s an achievement organizations have worked for and a distinction that gives them a competitive advantage. It’s a big deal.” For more information about career opportunities at AAMC, visit www.aamccareers.org.
- Weight LossGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you live with type 2 diabetes, especially if you are obese, updated guidelines came out in 2016 calling for weight loss surgery to become a more routine treatment option for your diabetes. This is the first time bariatric surgery is recommended specifically as a diabetes treatment. Before, people considered bariatric surgery as an obesity treatment that only had the extra benefit of helping control diabetes. The recommendations were endorsed by the American Diabetes Association and more than 40 other health groups. And, it makes sense. Type 2 diabetes and obesity can be a deadly combination, and many studies have shown weight loss surgery can drastically improve diabetes. These studies show that most obese diabetics who undergo weight loss surgery see their blood sugar levels dramatically improve. This is something I’ve seen with my patients, too. Some even no longer require medication to maintain normal blood sugar levels. People can control diabetes with diet, exercise, medication or insulin. But those who struggle to control the disease could face heart disease, kidney disease or stroke. Some may risk limb amputation or sight loss. The updated guidelines conclude the surgery should be a regularly considered option for certain patients with diabetes. It’s about better blood sugar control instead of pounds lost. Instead of bariatric surgery, the procedure is called metabolic surgery when performed for diabetes. If you have a body mass index, or BMI, of 40 or greater, weight loss surgery is recommended regardless of your blood sugar level. If you have a BMI of at least 35 and have tried lifestyle changes and medication to control your diabetes with no success, the surgery is also recommended. Weight loss surgery may also offer other benefits for diabetics. The surgery affects hormones, gut bacteria and other substances that may change how the body handles insulin and blood sugar. Medicare often pays for certain types of weight loss surgery for people who are obese with an illness, like diabetes. Although rules vary, some insurance companies cover the surgery, too. Perhaps with these updated guidelines, insurance companies will expand coverage. The surgery is not a cure for diabetes, since some people relapse. However, many people do remain in remission for years. It’s important for those struggling with obesity and diabetes to know weight loss surgery is an important treatment option. To learn more about weight loss surgery, attend a free seminar at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To learn more or register, visit askAAMC.org/WeightLoss. Author By Alex Gandsas, MD, a bariatric surgeon and director of AAMC’s Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program. To reach his practice, call 443-924-2900. Originally published Jan. 30, 2017. Last updated Nov. 28, 2018.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) announces Deneen Richmond, MHA, RN, as its new vice president of Population Health and Clinical Improvement. Richmond comes to AAMC from Inova Health System, where she served as vice president of Performance Improvement and Outcomes. Prior to this, she held leadership positions at Holy Cross Hospital, the Delmarva Foundation and the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Richmond assumed the role of vice president of Population Health and Clinical Improvement in November. In this position, she will provide oversight and direction for designing, implementing and supporting a robust population health, care management program and promoting a quality improvement culture consistent with AAMC’s mission. “We are thrilled to welcome Deneen to Anne Arundel Medical Center,” said Mitchell Schwartz, MD, chief medical officer and president of Physician Enterprise at AAMC. “Her role is a unique position that will help us continue to shape the future of health care delivery both at AAMC and in Maryland.” “This role reflects our vision of living healthier together and building population health-based care models to improve the health of our whole community,” said Barbara Jacobs, chief nursing officer at AAMC. “Deneen brings tremendous experience to this role and we look forward to her leadership.” Richmond received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of the District of Columbia and her master’s degree in healthcare administration from The George Washington University. She holds an adjunct faculty position at The George Washington University and received the Milken Institute School of Public Health’s Excellence in Teaching Masters Level Online award this past spring. Richmond is a resident of Bowie, Md.
- General Page Tier 3BlogWith the holiday season in full swing, you’re likely to be surrounded by food for the next month or so. Family get-togethers, office potlucks and holiday parties offer opportunities to indulge in your favorite holiday treats. You can celebrate with a little less guilt by bringing healthier baked goods to the spread, says Devon Forbes, RDN, bariatric dietitian at AAMC. “When you contribute your own dish that is healthier and lower in fat, you’ll know there is something you can go to if you’re leery of the other baked goods,” Devon says. Fortunately, there are some tricks to preparing delicious, heart-healthy baked goods. One trick is to substitute ingredients in your favorite recipes with healthier alternatives. If you’re concerned about how these substitutions will affect the taste of your favorite desserts, Devon says not to worry. “I’ve used applesauce in place of fats before. The substitutions can actually make for better consistency and provide more nutrients,” she says. “You might have to play around with the recipe to get it right, but cutting the calories, sugar and fat makes it worth trying.” View Devon Forbes’ recipe for Baked Apples with Oat Topping. Find more healthy recipes from our registered dietitians. Author Devon Forbes, RDN, is a bariatric dietitian at AAMC. Originally published Dec. 2, 2016. Last updated Nov. 19, 2018.
- Physical TherapyGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen it comes to keeping your body healthy, the first things you may think about are your diet and exercise habits. While those are two vital parts that contribute to your wellbeing, many other factors are often overlooked, including your posture. Good posture is tough to define, but it often includes the correct alignment of bones and joints while sitting, standing and lying down. This ensures your muscles are being used properly. Bad posture can affect your overall health and lead to chronic pain. Poor movement patterns generate both physical and mental stress, like indigestion, neck and back discomfort, headaches, an increased risk of heart disease, and fatigue. It’s important to pay attention to how you move and position your body. The benefits of practicing good posture are undeniable. It engages your core, increases energy, relieves pain and improves your appearance. Because of this, there are many items out on the market claiming they can help you improve your posture. We decided to put one new gadget to the test. The Upright Go is a Bluetooth device you attach to your back. It’s designed to improve and track posture by vibrating to alert you when you slouch. Shannon Robinson, physical therapist with Luminis Health Physical Therapy, tried it out for a day to see what she thought. To first get started with Upright Go, you download the free app and sync the device to your phone. You then attach a small, white device to your upper back via an adhesive sticker. When in ‘Training Mode,’ the device will vibrate on your back to alert you when you slouch. Their website recommends training daily in order to form a better posture habit. After each daily training session, you can switch to ‘Tracking Mode’ to continue monitoring your posture throughout the day. “I could feel myself having to use all back muscles to sit up tall with my shoulder blades pinched and eventually my muscles would feel fatigued, telling me that they were really working,” Shannon says. “Using the app, you can see all your posture statistics, goals, and how you have improved over time.” Shannon felt the device worked well with activities that require an erect trunk posture such as sitting, standing and walking. However, “it was very sensitive and required me to actively pinch my shoulder blades and retract my neck to an uncomfortably extreme position,” she describes. “I found the device to be inappropriate to wear with activities that require a lot of movement such as bending forward to treat patients.” The device may work for those who have desk jobs, Shannon says, and it does tend to be useful to track your progress. The vibration is also adjustable. “But, overall, I wouldn’t recommend it.” The best way to improve posture, instead, is good, old-fashioned physical therapy focused on postural strengthening. Exercise and stretching can improve your posture because it helps increase your circulation and range of motion. “They are the most effective and realistic ways to improve back support. Lumbar cushions are a good tactile cue, but exercise is best.” Whether you’re someone who works a physically demanding job or sits at a desk, the Luminis Health Physical Therapy team can help you train your spine and offer tips to prevent and alleviate poor posture. We offer convenient, outpatient locations throughout Anne Arundel County, and into Prince George’s County. Our specialists can treat you near your home or work. Visit LuminisHealth.org/Physical-Therapy or call 443-481-1140 to learn more.
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