- Giving, News & Press Releases, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn 1981, Tom Frank moved his family to Anne Arundel County and purchased Shady Oaks Marina in West River, dedicating the next three decades of his life to building the busiest boat dealership in the county. Now retired and living in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Tom and his wife Nancy wanted to give back, but where and how were the real questions. “It was easier to earn the money than it was to figure out who to give my earnings to—who would use my gift to really make an impact,” says Tom. “There are a number of great institutions to choose from. We felt members of this community helped us build our business here, and our family has received great care at Anne Arundel Medical Center, so we decided we wanted to give back here.” Ultimately, the Frank family presented AAMC’s birth center with a $3 million donation that includes a cash donation and a future estate gift. “Anne Arundel Medical Center’s birth center has meaning to us. Our dear friends had children who received excellent treatment in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit–Teddy’s Place. We are delighted to be able to help AAMC continue to help children in the community. A child with a health problem is the most painful thing to my heart,” says Tom. Their generous donation will help fund services and technologies, such as an expanded neonatal nurse navigator program, a new inpatient maternal-fetal testing site for high-risk obstetrical patients, and other advancements designed to enhance the patient’s and family’s experience. As a result of the Franks’ generosity, the second and third floors of the Clatanoff Pavilion have been renamed The Thomas J. Frank Family Birth Center. “We are extremely grateful for the Frank family gift. As the second-busiest birthing center in Maryland and one that takes care of a large number of high-risk pregnancies, expanding care and services to include the latest in technology and diagnostic testing is essential,” says Henry Sobel, MD, AAMC’s chair of women’s and children’s services. Call the AAMC Foundation at 443-481-4747 or visit the Foundation website to learn how you can help.
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Women's Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTo avoid injury, it’s best to match the exercise routine to a specific goal. Then, make sure you are doing the exercise the right way and not too often. If you’re not sure about which type of exercise is right for you, your doctor can help you choose what’s best for your lifestyle and health. If you do have an injury, like plantar fasciitis in your foot, the first step is good rehab. That could be as simple as putting a water bottle in the freezer, then rolling it on the foot to stretch out the plantar fascia. Hamstring stretches can help, as can stretching out the Achilles tendon, because it attaches to the heel, which goes to the plantar fascia. The recommendation is about 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week. There is a limit, and once you go past that limit, you’re more prone to injuries. It all depends on level of activity and how you are progressing toward your goal. The idea is to be progressive, not aggressive. Let your body be your guide. Author By Tim Romanoski, MD, a board-certified family physician at AAMG Centreville Family Medicine specializing in primary care sports medicine. To reach him, call 410-758-3303.
- Men's Health, Women's Health, Wellness, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhile many patients have success with safe, long-term weight loss after bariatric surgery, there are instances when revision of the surgery may be required. For those who are experiencing recurring complications, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, severe gastric reflux, or malnutrition, a qualified bariatric surgeon with expertise in revisional procedures can determine if corrective surgery is the right course of action. Candidates for revisional bariatric surgery may no longer be comfortable socializing or exercising, and they may be in pain or malnourished. In the case of severe gastric reflux, they may also be at high risk of esophageal cancer. The goal of revisional bariatric surgery is to correct the underlying problem by adjusting or removing an original bariatric device, such as a lap-band, and in some cases performing a new bariatric procedure that is more appropriate for the patient’s body and current condition. These include sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass. Patients should expect revisional surgery to be more complex than their original bariatric surgery, which may include a longer recovery time; however, the revision should enhance their overall quality of life. Read the inspiring story of a patient who underwent revisional bariatric surgery. Author By Alex Gandsas, MD, a bariatric surgeon and director of AAMC’s Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery Program. To reach him, call 443-924-2900.
- Women's Health, Uncategorized, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWomen are more likely than men to have atypical heart attack symptoms. Some women do not have chest pain at all. They may notice more subtle types of discomfort. Women’s heart attack symptoms may include: Nausea Pain or discomfort in the chest, jaw, shoulder, neck, or back Shortness of breath Dizziness A cold sweat If you experience any of these symptoms, especially with exertion, call 911 immediately. Unfortunately, women are more likely to wait to get help, allowing more damage to be done to the heart. This is partly because many people are not aware of women’s heart attack symptoms, which can be mistaken for other illnesses or the effects of stress. But it’s also because women are so used to thinking of everyone else first, before ourselves. When we feel these symptoms, we continue multitasking and thinking of all the things we need to do—call the babysitter, the workplace, the petsitter—before we go to the emergency room to get help. And during this time period, more damage is being done. I tell women to take care of their tribe. An important part of that is knowing the symptoms of a heart attack, beyond the typical chest pain. This helps us to take care of ourselves and those around us. Author By Barbara A. Hutchinson, MD, a cardiologist at Chesapeake Cardiac Care in Annapolis. To reach her, call 410-573-9805.
- Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFor premature and medically fragile babies, every milestone represents an emotionally packed triumph. The AAMC NICU–Teddy’s Place celebrates these victories with its Journey Bead necklace program. When a baby is first admitted, the mother receives a necklace with one bead—blue for a boy, pink for a girl. A bead is added for each milestone the baby achieves while at the hospital. A few of these significant events include the first diaper change, snuggling into kangaroo care, coming off oxygen, successfully breast-feeding, and the grandest bead of all, going home. “It’s a way to help parents recognize each accomplishment. But it’s also a way to keep them thinking positive thoughts,” says NICU Nurse Navigator Polly White, RN. “When I bring in a bead for baby’s first breast-feeding or coming off oxygen, it’s easy to open a conversation about what’s next—what we can look forward to. So I think in some ways this necklace that represents success softens negative emotions that can crop up during any parent’s journey.” They’re inexpensive beads on a black leather string, Polly adds, but mothers wear their necklace as if it holds precious jewels. “It’s physical proof that this tiny person, who may seem so fragile, is actually quite strong and courageous—moving forward in the best possible way.” Return to “A Tiny Miracle.”
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