- Community, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAt the summit of Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro, Matt King, MD, and the 15 members of his climbing party unfurled a flag honoring friends and family who have battled cancer. Among the climbers were four survivors who had faced cancer a combined seven times. They joined Dr. King as participants in Survivor Summit, a non-profit organization he co-founded two years ago with his brother Paul, who is an orthopedic surgeon at AAMC. The organization leads cancer survivors and their supporters on expeditions to the top of Africa’s tallest mountain. “It’s hard to put into words the power of that kind of experience,” says Dr. King. “It felt like the people whose names were on the honor flag were along with us on the trip.” A primary care physician in Chester on the Eastern Shore, Dr. King, his four brothers and his closest friend founded Survivor Summit as a way to inspire those struggling with cancer and to make a difference in the world. Along with funding the expeditions, donations to the organization support the Livestrong foundation, which raises awareness for cancer patients and promotes patient navigation services. “We had many powerful moments with the survivors during the climb,” he says. “One of the climbers celebrated her one year ‘cancerversary’—that’s one year being cancer free—while we were on the mountain.” This was the second expedition for Survivor Summit. Two of Dr. King’s brother’s led the first expedition in 2012. At the beginning of expedition, the team made the decision to stay together throughout the entire climb. Fewer than 20 percent of those who attempt Kilimanjaro actually succeed, and staying in a large group rather than breaking into smaller more efficient teams would make the challenge even more difficult. But the message their decision sent was clear—they would support each other and help each other throughout the physical and emotional struggle to reach to top. And they succeeded. “The way we all banded together and became a cohesive unit in two weeks was just amazing,” says Dr. King. “It really was emotionally overwhelming.”
- Weight LossGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAAMC offers two weight loss surgery procedures — sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. Both have been shown to be highly effective in combination with a long-term program of exercise, proper nutrition and medical support. Each procedure is minimally invasive and creates a small stomach pouch, helping patients feel fuller sooner and stay full longer. As less food is eaten, the body stops storing excess calories and starts using its fat supply for energy. Patients are able to digest food in a normal manner after recovery. “Bariatric surgery gives you an advantage in addition to diet and exercise, and is the only proven long-term weight loss solution,” says AAMC bariatric surgeon Courtney Doyle, MD. “By changing the anatomy, we help patients curb appetite and limit portions. These changes may also alter the body’s hormones, which can help to suppress appetite.” Return to Beating the Odds: Weight Loss Surgery Helps Man Keep the Weight Off. Save Contributor Courtney Doyle, MD, is a bariatric surgeon with AAMC.
- News & Press Releases, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3Blog“No one should have to go through what we did,” says Clay Bockting, Arnold resident. Read on to hear his story. I was 50 years old when I had my second heart attack. The first time it felt like I had a cannonball on my chest. This time, I thought it was indigestion, but given my history, I called an ambulance. They took me to AAMC and everything looked normal. I called my fiancé, Sandra, and told her she could come pick me up, that I’d be ready to go soon. Then everything changed. It felt like a wave came over me, and all of a sudden there was a team prepping me to go to the heart catheterization lab. As I was being hooked up, I texted Sandra: “I’ve gotten worse. I love you.” The next thing I remember is waking up. Sandra and the doctor were there. The doctor told me I was stabilized, and a helicopter would be taking me to Washington because I needed open heart surgery. It was only at this minute that we learned AAMC doesn’t perform heart surgery. It was unnerving, especially given what happened next. There wasn’t availability for me yet in Washington, so I had to remain under constant surveillance for three hours. If my condition had gotten worse, I probably wouldn’t have made it. Thankfully, I did make it to the hospital, where doctors performed a six-way heart bypass surgery on me. During recovery, the trip from Annapolis to Washington was hectic for Sandra and my family. It greatly added to the stress of the situation. I felt guilty putting her through all the pain and anxiety. We feel lucky, knowing things could have ended very differently. No one should have to go through what we did. After cardiac rehab at AAMC, I’m doing great. I quit smoking, see my doctor regularly, and enjoy spending quality time with Sandra, my kids and grandkids.
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs you navigate your pregnancy, it’s important to know your own health status to ensure the best possible health for your child. While most pregnancies are generally free from serious problems, several factors can make a pregnancy high risk. A woman may have a high-risk pregnancy if she: If your OB/GYN determines your pregnancy is high risk, he or she may refer you to Anne Arundel Medical Group Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialists. The center offers a number of additional services, including diagnostic procedures, level II obstetric ultrasound, genetic counseling, diabetes education and more. The team will work to ensure your child is healthy and you don’t experience any unexpected hitches throughout your pregnancy. Return to Conquering Cancer During Pregnancy. Save
- Men's Health, Patient & Family Advisors, Weight Loss, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMark Goss knows how hard it can be to lose weight and keep it off. At age 34, the Annapolis resident and business owner weighed just over 350 pounds. When his primary care doctor warned him that he was headed for early heart disease and stroke, he knew it was time to get healthier for the sake of his wife and two young daughters. After years of trying a number of weight loss programs that didn’t work for him, Mark was inspired when he attended a free seminar held by AAMC’s Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program. The program’s emphasis on forming healthy, lifelong habits made sense to him. After undergoing surgery in 2014, he lost more than 100 pounds, his weight has remained stable, and he has a new, healthy lifestyle that he knows he can sustain. “If you are serious about long-term weight loss and getting healthy, the AAMC weight loss surgery program provides an outstanding tool for making the changes that can save your life,” says Mark, who now provides peer support to new and prospective AAMC bariatric patients. “I’m sure it saved mine.” Even Biggest Losers Gain Recent research has shown just how difficult it can be to sustain weight loss like Mark’s. In one study, detailed in a May 2016 New York Times article, researchers followed a group of contestants from the reality TV show “The Biggest Loser” for six years after their weight loss. During those years, the contestants’ metabolism actually slowed down. It became harder than normal for them to burn calories, and most regained their weight. “Weight loss surgery provides an added advantage to diet and exercise as the only proven, long-term weight loss solution for patients struggling with obesity,” says Alex Gandsas, MD, director of AAMC’s Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program. “But a focus on overall wellness and long-term support is another crucial factor for success. We’ve found that patients do so much better in a program that will support them for the rest of their lives. Surgery is only one of the components on the journey along with nutrition, psychological counseling and medically supervised exercise.” No more medication Mark was a candidate for sleeve gastrectomy, one of two minimally invasive weight loss surgeries offered at AAMC. The small stomach pouch his surgery created now provides a fail-safe against overeating, he says. “I can comfortably eat one plate of food, and immediately after that I have an amazingly full feeling.” Prior to the procedure, he had a complete medical evaluation and physical fitness training. After surgery, program dietitians prescribed him a diet that he says helped him break an addiction to junk food. He also entered the AAMC Bariatric Optimization Program, a carefully monitored exercise regimen. “The program gave me the building blocks I needed to continue exercising on my own with a personal trainer,” he says. He continues to work out regularly and stays away from unhealthy foods. All in the family Mark’s journey has also had a profound effect on his family’s health. His wife has lost nearly 100 pounds with diet and exercise, and his daughters now ask for the healthy foods they see their parents eating. In addition, the once sedentary family is now active and the kids are enrolled in sports programs. “We are where we should have been to begin with,” he says. “The surgery was a catalyst for a life change.” Mark now helps guide the program and supports others in his role as a patient and family advisor. And if he needs help, Mark knows he can contact his AAMC team with any questions, concerns or complications. He credits this support as a key factor in his ongoing success. “Everyone’s really friendly and just an email away,” he says. “I struggle the same as everyone, and moderation is still the key. But it’s easy now that I have the mindset and the knowledge to keep my weight under control and to stay fit,” Mark says. “It’s up to the individual to capitalize on the opportunities this program offers, and AAMC makes it easier.” AAMC surgeons also perform complex hernia repair procedures in combination with weight loss surgery.
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
Find Care
Schedule Appointment
My Care Team
My Record
Appointments
Medications
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?