- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHeart disease is the number one killer in the U.S., and it doesn’t discriminate. While it tends to affect men earlier, it affects both genders. The good news is many cases of stroke and heart attacks are preventable through lifestyle changes. Research suggests following a Mediterranean diet has many benefits. It can aid weight loss, blood sugar control, help with depression and reduce levels of inflammation, which is a risk factor for heart attack, stroke and Alzheimer’s. A Mediterranean meal pattern is packed with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and olive oil. It highlights fish and poultry over red meat which is high in saturated fats. And red wine is consumed regularly but in moderation. Here are a few top Mediterranean heart-healthy foods and tips Replace butter and margarine with olive oil. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats along with canola and walnut oil, also high in omega 3 fatty acids. Try mixing with flavored vinegars for salad dressings, or marinades. Switch up your protein. Swap out red meat with fish, poultry, turkey, beans, nuts, soy and other plant-based proteins. Try one new recipe a week. ‘Tis the season for dusting off the crockpot. Enjoy fruit for dessert. A good source of fiber and antioxidants, fruit is a healthy way to indulge your sweet tooth. Try a new exotic fruit every week. Put fruits in recipes and keep it at the forefront in the kitchen and refrigerator. Set aside time to savor every bite. A Mediterranean diet is as much about lifestyle as it is diet. Instead of gobbling up your food in front of the TV or other media, sit down at a table and enjoy the food and the company. Eating slowly allows you to be more mindful on feelings of hunger and fullness. Dip it! Try vegetables with Mediterranean-inspired spreads such as hummus, tzatziki (creamy cucumber yogurt dip) or baba ghanoush (made from eggplant and sesame). A sample meal plan may look like this Breakfast: oatmeal with shaved almonds and an apple Lunch: whole grain sandwich with vegetables. Dinner: 3oz Broiled salmon, 1/3 c rice and 2 cups of cooked vegetables. A good first step to eat Mediterranean is to incorporate at least one new plant-based recipe per week. Keep in mind that exercise, stress reduction and keeping socially connected are all part of the Mediterranean lifestyle for good health and happiness. Recipe: Babaganoush (Baba Ganoush) Ingredients: 1 large eggplant 1 clove garlic, crushed 2 Tbls. lemon juice 2 Tbls. tahini (sesame paste) ¼ c. parsley, chopped (may use basil or cilantro for different flavor) Optional ¼ tsp. salt Directions: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil. Prick eggplant with fork and place on cookie sheet. Bake eggplant until soft – about 20-25 minutes. Let the eggplant cool – cut lengthwise, drain off liquid and scoop out pulp into food processor. Process until smooth and transfer to bowl. Stir in crushed garlic, lemon juice, tahini and parsley. Season with salt to taste. Serve with fresh vegetables and enjoy! Authors By Ann Caldwell and Maureen Shackelford, nutritionists and registered dietitians at Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach them, call 443-481-5555.
- GivingGeneral Page Tier 3BlogEvery day AAMC proudly serves the community and every day AAMC is rewarded by the community’s generosity. In 2016, Anne Arundel Medical Center received more than $700,000 in philanthropic support from community partners across Maryland. Through creative fundraising and special events, our community partners provide vital funding for AAMC’s direct patient care programs, services and advances in research and technology. We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of all of our valued community partners as friends of Anne Arundel Medical Center. Special thanks to all who contributed to AAMC in 2016: $1-$1,000 Fifth Annual Birthday Blood Drive- Tiny Miracles NICU Fundraiser – Annapolis, Md. Kicked Up Fitness- Annapolis, Md. Lash Moi, Inc.- Bowie, Md. LOTSA Pizza- Annapolis, Md. Premier Fitness Health Club- Annapolis, Md. The Ladies of the Circle of Perfection- Annapolis, Md. Whole Health Designs- Annapolis, Md. $1,001-$5,000 Annapolis City Firefighters- Annapolis, Md. Eddie Vazquez Mobile Blood Drive- Annapolis, Md. Effective MedSpa and Wellness Center- Gambrills, Md. Fort Meade Local Firefighters 281- Fort Meade, Md. Phantom Motorcycle Club- Indian Head, Md. Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, University of Maryland Chapter- College Park, Md. West Annapolis Food Truck Festival – Annapolis, Md. $5,001-$10,000 Across the Bay 10k- AAMC’s Labor and Delivery Team- Annapolis, Md. Annapolis Area Christian School, Annapolis, Md. Drink. Cure. – Arnold, Md. Koons Ford Annapolis Car Show- Annapolis, Md. Transformations- P.U.S.H for Pink Challenge- Odenton, Md. Westfield Mall- Annapolis, Md. $10,001-$25,000 Annapolis Striders, Annapolis, Md. The Dawn Orso 5k/1m Family Fun Day- Edgewater, Md. For Ellie Foundation- Severna Park, Md. Stepping Out for Breast Cancer- Annapolis, Md. $25,001 and above Anne Arundel County Professional Firefighters- Millersville, Md. Bo’s Effort Golf Tournament – Edgewater, Md. Bosom Buddies Charities, Inc. – Stevensville, Md. Fish For A Cure and Eastport Yacht Club- Annapolis, Md. Davidsonville Ruritan Club- Davidsonville, Md. DeCesaris/Prout Cancer Foundation, Annapolis, Md. Pink and Blue Golf Tournament- Lothian, Md. For more information about hosting an event to benefit AAMC, contact 443-481-4747 or [email protected]
- OrthopedicsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFirefighter Donny Fletcher was bending down to lift a patient at a 2009 fire call when he felt pain shoot down his left arm. Donny, a Mayo resident who serves as battalion chief for the Prince George’s County Fire Department, knew something was wrong. But he finished the call and headed back to the firehouse, where he popped a few Tylenol and tried to tough the injury out. But the next day, as his neck stiffened up, he knew he needed medical attention. And Donny knew exactly where he wanted to go for treatment. The former high school football player had several knee injuries as a teenager when he played for Archbishop Spalding High School. Peter Ove, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with Anne Arundel Medical Center Orthopedics, took care of him then. It was the beginning of a long-term relationship between Anne Arundel Medical Center and Donny, now 31, who says the care he’s received at AAMC “is second to none.” After visiting the Emergency Department, and learning he had two slipped discs in his neck, Donny saw Alex Speciale, MD, orthopedic surgeon, to begin treatment. Speciale guided him through the rehabilitation process, which included strength exercises, stem work, heat therapy and other activities. Some of that physical therapy continues to this day, but Donny was back doing the job he loves within a month. But that wasn’t the last time an injury sent him to AAMC Orthopedics. Four years later, Donny was at the scene of an apartment fire when he was injured again while handling tools. He felt a tightening across his shoulder and the next day, it was difficult for him to move his arm. When an MRI didn’t detect any damage to his shoulder, Daniel Redziniak, MD, orthopedic surgeon, ordered an arthrogram – a test that gives high definition images with contrast. The test detected a full labral tear. “This is why I like AAMC,” Donny says. “I was kind of stunned when the MRI didn’t show anything – deep down, I knew something was wrong.” He immediately began non-operative treatment, and struck a deal with Dr. Redziniak. He would keep going to rehab, as long as he was allowed to keep working. “Donny’s work is very important to him, so I wanted to help him return to his job as quickly as possible,” Dr. Redziniak said. For Donny, being a Prince George’s County firefighter is more than just a job. He’s been with the fire department for 13 years and says a drive for public service runs in his family. His grandfather and two of his uncles were Prince George’s County firefighters, and his father was a Prince George’s County police officer. “This is our second family,” Donny says. Today, he still does exercises two to three times a week, and plans to continue them for the rest of his life. “It obviously worked,” he says. “I feel that I’m a stronger person now than when I was injured.” Not only did his treatment help him get back to the work he loves, it has also helped him to enjoy other activities that are special to him. He can play with and pick up his children, 4-year-old Chandler and 19-month-old Zoe, without fear of further injury. Donny is also able to maintain an active lifestyle outside of work by lifting weights and playing softball, golf and soccer. Without the treatment he received at AAMC, “there’s no way that I would be able to live the life that I have right now,” Donny says. Donny is featured in commercials for AAMC Orthopedics for its Your Comeback Starts Here campaign. Contributor Peter Ove, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon with AAMC Orthopedics. To reach his practice, call 410-268-8862. Daniel Redziniak, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon with AAMC Orthopedics. To reach his practice, call 410-268-8862. Alex Speciale, MD, is an orthopedic spine surgeon with AAMC Orthopedics. To reach his practice, call 410-268-8862.
- UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMyChart is an online tool that gives patients access to their personal medical records anywhere, any time. But does having your health information at your fingertips actually improve health? The answer, according to two cancer survivors, is yes. Read how MyChart became a useful tool along their health journey. Earl Shellner enlisted the help of MyChart as soon as he began his battle with colorectal cancer. Radiation sickness caused him to lose his appetite, as he received treatment for the infection in his stomach. Even though he could not control how fast the cancer was spreading to his organs, MyChart gave him control over his plan of care as he received chemotherapy. “I was able to manage all of my records and procedures through the app on my phone,” Earl says. For Earl, staying informed and on top of his appointments was a valuable feature that stood out to him. “It is a convenient tool to use, whether young or elderly. It makes everything easier for you, especially if you’re sick or hospitalized,” says Earl. MyChart also became a significant resource for Eddie Vasquez, a retired Washington, DC police detective. Eddie began using the online tool when he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2006. The cancer progressed and attacked his immune system. His care team had to monitor many details of his treatment. MyChart helped Eddie and his family stay informed as he went through several chemotherapy treatments, managed multiple prescriptions and attended many doctor appointments. “MyChart is a private Wikipedia that is personally focused on you,” says Eddie. MyChart not only helps people with chronic conditions. It can also help you maintain wellness. No matter your health status, MyChart helps you: Schedule appointments Request prescription refills Send messages to your physician Manage family records Download your medical history View lab results A journey to good health can mean many things for different people. MyChart is one tool that can help you along the way. Learn more about MyChart and how you can sign up today.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogToday Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) announced the grand opening of its new Specialty Physicians Suite–Annapolis. Located on the fifth floor of the AAMC Belcher Pavilion, the Specialty Physicians Suite will house Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Cardiology Specialists, AAMG Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists, AAMG Neurology Specialists, AAMG Neuropsychology Specialists and AAMG Palliative Medicine Specialists. Mitch Schwartz, MD, chief medical officer at AAMC, says bringing these multispecialty doctors, nurses and skilled care teams under one roof is part of AAMC’s continuous efforts to better integrate and coordinate patient care. “Patients will have the benefit of better communication between doctors, easy appointment scheduling and seamless medical record sharing between specialties. Our focus is on our patients and creating the best health care experience possible,” says Dr. Schwartz. Barbara Onumah, MD, of AAMG Diabetes and Endocrine Specialists, says both patients and providers benefit from having all the care teams in a single location. “The environment will encourage collaboration between providers in different subspecialties. This will lead to better coordination of care and testing and improved patient outcomes,” she says. Patients visiting AAMC’s Specialty Physicians Suite will have the ability to get referrals and consultations on the spot, as well as save time scheduling appointments with specialists who can meet a spectrum of health care needs. Dr. Onumah explains how this works, specifically as it relates to patients with diabetes. “People with diabetes are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Adults with type 2 diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or stroke than adults without diabetes. Patients seeing an endocrine specialist within the Specialty Physicians Suite will have a ‘one stop shop,’” she says. To schedule an appointment with any of the practices located in the Specialty Physicians Suite—Annapolis call 443-481-6700.
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