- CommunityGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTori Bayless, Luminis Health CEO, reflects on the meaning of Juneteenth and our journey ahead. On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were now free by federal decree. While the Emancipation Proclamation became official on January 1, 1863, news of it traveled slowly to the outermost slave state. Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, week, and month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics, and family gatherings. The past three weeks have been painful and unsettling but through it, our incredible community has created the space to mourn, learn from one another, show solidarity and think about what change for the future should entail. I am grateful to those who organized, facilitated, and participated in our virtual faith-based service; White Coats for Black Lives demonstration; “Coming to the Table” conversations about diversity and inclusion; and other much-needed leadership discussions about how to improve racial justice and equity throughout our health system and communities. While I am proud of the steps we have taken to date through our Health Equity Task Force to ensure equity, promote diversity and inclusion, and actively tackle issues of racism in our health system, I know there is so much work ahead. As the great American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” I am hopeful and passionate about re-convening a Health Equity and Anti-Racism Task Force. This task force will bring together a diverse group of colleagues from our hospitals, our public health partners, and other community stakeholder groups. It will put into motion a new and lasting plan to guide the changes that we must undertake to be a more equitable and just health system. My own personal learning and resolve as CEO of Luminis Health has been strengthened by the outpouring of stories, reflections, and suggestions from so many of you across our health system. My high school motto was “actions, not words”—and I intend for that to guide our work ahead. We must be intentional and deliberate in our actions. In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing further details about our specific initiatives, progress, and ways to get involved. Please continue to share your feedback and suggestions with me, so we can continue the conversation and make changes as we go. The road ahead will no doubt be challenging, but that’s how we’ll know it is worth it. To those for whom this day is especially meaningful – happy Juneteenth. Thank you for your resilience and continued dedication. Change is possible. I challenge each of us on this journey – instead of trying to change people to fit our organization, let’s work together to change our organization to fit and welcome all people.
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogParents are often flooded with advice on how to care for their new baby. Much of that advice is on how to get them to go to sleep — including when, where and how. Sadly, about 3,500 infants die every year in the U.S. from sleep-related deaths, including deaths from accidental suffocation and strangulation, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). To prevent this tragedy, it’s important you have the right information on recommended safe sleep practices. “The biggest misconception is that parents think it won’t happen to their baby,” says Charlotte Wallace, AAMC community health nurse and environmental health coordinator. “But it can.” Here are some other common myths — and truths — about infant safe sleep. Myth #1: It’s OK to fall asleep with your baby We’ve all seen the cute pictures of babies snuggled up on couches or in beds with their mothers or fathers. This is fine if the parents are awake and alert. Otherwise, there’s a risk of suffocation. When it comes to co-sleeping, there is a “survivor bias,” says Wallace. New parents hear from other parents who safely slept with their baby and then feel safe themselves. “We’re a really cozy society, with fluffy mattresses, comforters, and couches with a lot of cushions. That’s not a safe place for a baby to sleep,” Wallace says. AAP also cautions parents against using devices that claim to reduce the chance of sleep-related deaths. Those include positioners and other devices placed in your bed to separate you from your baby. Infants are safest sleeping in your room – but not in the same bed, AAP says. Myth #2: Babies need to be bundled up all the time In 2016, eight Anne Arundel County infants died due to unsafe sleeping practices, and Wallace says three of those deaths occurred over the summer. “Overheating is a real concern,” she says. “The general rule of thumb is you dress your baby in one more layer than what you would be comfortable wearing.” Avoid covering your baby’s face, as that could lead to suffocation. Myth #3: Sleep monitors will alert you to any danger “Baby monitors provide a false reassurance,” Wallace says. If a child is suffocating, there’s no noise for a monitor to detect that will alert the caregiver. Following the basic guidelines of no sleeping with your baby, always placing your baby on their back to sleep, and using a firm sleep surface will dramatically reduce your infant’s risk of a sleep related death. AAP also cautions against relying on cardiorespiratory monitors as a way to make sleep safer. There’s no data to prove these decrease the risk of infant sleep deaths. Myth #4: Sleep-related deaths can happen to babies at any age The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development says babies are at risk of sleep-related deaths only until they are a year old. Most deaths occur when babies are between a month and four months of age. If your baby rolls over on his or her own during sleep, you don’t need to turn the baby over, the Institute says. Most babies start rolling over on their own once they are four to six months old. Learn more about how to care for the new addition to your life at AAMC’s Newborn Care class. Originally published April 10, 2017. Last updated June 17, 2020.
- Men's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDo you know a man who is reluctant to go to the doctor for a routine checkup? Maybe you are that man who avoids seeking medical treatment unless it’s an emergency. Many studies show that men are less likely than women to seek help for medical problems – including physical and emotional health issues. It could be because they are afraid to seem weak, or because they want to stay independent and in control. But this means men may be missing opportunities to deal with minor health issues before they become major problems. Routine checkups and screenings are necessary for staying healthy. The U.S. Preventive Service Task Force encourages men to have the following regular health screenings. High cholesterol. Beginning at age 35, men should get their cholesterol checked at a minimum of every five years. Men younger than age 35 could benefit from cholesterol testing if they smoke, have high blood pressure or diabetes, or have a family history of heart disease. High blood pressure. All men should get their blood pressure checked at least every two years, or more often if recommended by a healthcare provider. Both high cholesterol and high blood pressure are silent diseases, meaning symptoms may not always be obvious. Diabetes. Men should schedule a blood glucose test for diabetes if they have raised cholesterol or high blood pressure. They should also have this test if they notice signs of diabetes, such as frequent thirst and urination, extreme tiredness and blurred vision. Healthy men should get screened every three years starting at age 45. Colorectal cancer. Screenings should begin at age 50, or earlier if there is a personal or family history of colorectal polyps or a family history of colorectal cancer. Cancer screenings READ MORE: Cancer Care and Coronavirus: Taking Care of Our Patients Now and Into the Future The American Cancer Society also recommends the following screenings for men: Prostate cancer. Starting at age 50, men should talk to their doctor about prostate cancer testing. Men at high risk, including African-American men and those with a family history of the disease, should talk to their doctor at age 40 or 45. Lung cancer. Men ages 55 to 74 who are or were heavy smokers should talk to a doctor about whether a low-dose CT scan to screen for lung cancer is right for them. Skin cancer. Men should keep an eye on all moles and spots on their skin, and report changes to a doctor immediately. You should speak with your healthcare provider about the right method of screening for you. Author By Tim Romanoski, MD, a physician at AAMG Centreville Family Medicine. To reach him, call 410-758-3303. Originally published June 13, 2017. Last updated June 16, 2020.
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWeekend warriors are people who only participate in activities in their spare time. They may or may not maintain a routine exercise program and then participate in vigorous activities over a short or abbreviated period of time. Does this sound like you? Frequently, this is a recipe for injury. Here are some of the most common injuries weekend warriors experience: Hamstring, Quadriceps and Calf Muscles These are often strained or torn when they’re forcefully moved while stiff or weak. Treatment: Rest, compression, elevation, gentle stretching, avoiding activity. Tendons Knee tendons are especially prone to injury if they haven’t been stretched properly before activity. Treatment: Rest, anti-inflammatory medication, using a brace, activity modification, ice. However, if a tendon tears, the only treatment is surgery. Intra-articular Knee Injury (inside the knee) These include meniscal tears, ligament tears, and cartilage injuries. They can be prevented by strengthening the muscles around the joint. Treatment: Injuries can range widely in severity. Likewise treatment may range from rest, using a brace, or getting injections to physical therapy or surgery. Although the knee is often injured in the weekend warrior, this can be prevented. A good routine exercise and stretching program during the week can significantly reduce the likelihood of a major knee injury and either loss of playing time or need for surgery to reconstruct a knee. Author By Benjamin Petre, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Luminis Health Orthopedics. To reach him, call 410-268-8862. Originally published March 10, 2015. Last updated June 16, 2020.
- Cancer Care, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected all of us in ways we never saw coming. And, we are now beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel – though we will feel the pandemic’s impact in our country, and around the world, for quite some time. We never stopped taking care of those with cancer. But, we did have to change how we delivered care as we prepared for a possible surge of COVID-19 patients. Now, we are beginning to see the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations decreasing statewide. We know many people have questions about whether it’s safe to go to the hospital right now. Here’s what we want you to know. Do not delay your medical care because you are afraid to come to the hospital. I want to stress that this is not a good idea and can put your health at risk. Please know that we have safety procedures in place to protect you. Some of these include protected check-in and check-out practices, face masks for everyone on our campus, daily screenings for all employees and patients, and COVID-19 testing for all patients who are scheduled to undergo surgery. We can safely serve the needs of our community. Especially when it comes to cancer prevention and delivering cancer care. We changed how we manage the processes around cancer screening. This includes cancer screening services such as colonoscopies, mammograms, skin exams, and PAP smears or wellness exams. For physical distancing, we offer same-day appointments with waiting room limits. We also screen all patients for COVID-19 before procedures such as colonoscopies. We are open to care for you, with your health and safety as our top priority. You have more options than ever to “see” your doctor. Telehealth visits with your doctor are just like a FaceTime call, but better. Though the pandemic forced us to learn to communicate with our patients in new ways, I can tell you that telehealth is here to stay. It has given us a convenient method to meet with you and discuss your concerns. However, we will still happily meet with patients face-to-face. This is an important part of our personalized approach to care. To all of our cancer survivors, we urge you to stay in contact with your doctor. That could include your medical oncologist, your primary care doctor, your nurse navigator or any member of your cancer care team. Keep regular appointments and let them know of any changes in your health. We are here for you. We look forward to providing safe, effective and efficient care to all of our cancer patients now and into the future. Author Adam I. Riker, M.D., F.A.C.S., is chair of Oncology at Anne Arundel Medical Center’s DeCesaris Cancer Institute.
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