- Community, Patient & Family Advisors, Women's Health, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf there’s one thing Michelle Hamill has learned in two seasons of filming her own TLC reality show, Our Little Family, it’s that “perfect is boring.” The Annapolis native says that when her family, who all have achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, was first approached with the idea of appearing on a television show, she was nervous. But now, looking back, she says, “It’s been a wonderful experience.” Moms from all around the country have written her to say how she’s an inspiration for parents everywhere. Michelle’s parenting journey with husband Dan started right here at Anne Arundel Medical Center, where all three of their children were born. “Since I was having a C-section, the team of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals put together an individualized care plan for me,” Michelle says. Wanting to give back, she became a founding member of the Women’s and Children’s Patient and Family Advisory Committee, which is made up of former patients and staff who come together regularly to share ideas to improve the patient and family experience. “Michelle was a very determined child,” says Maureen Parisi, Michelle’s mom, who has worked in various administrative roles at AAMC for almost 25 years. “When Michelle was growing up, she had jobs at home, like sorting the laundry. We had stools all over the house to encourage her independence. If she wanted a glass of water, she got a chair and got it herself—and that’s how she’s raising her kids. When I go over to their house for dinner, my six-year-old grandson Jack asks if he can get me a glass of water.” Because she is playing herself and not a character, Michelle is as beautiful and confident in person as she is on TV. “I want to teach my children to have a voice,” she says. “I am raising them to be kind, independent people and enjoy life. My mother taught me that my size was never the reason why I couldn’t do something,” she says. “If I want to go rock climbing, I can.” Watch “Our Little Family” on TLC.
- Giving, News & Press Releases, Women's Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogFor patients and supporters of AAMC, there are many ways to give back. Here is a roundup of some current charitable programs. Honor your child with the Kids Who Care campaign Kids Who Care gives families an opportunity to celebrate the beautiful children in their lives and support AAMC’s vision of providing comprehensive 24/7 care to children in our community. Your child can be recognized on an icon on this special wall outside the Anne Arundel Medical Center Pediatrics Department. When you donate to AAMC’s Pediatric Department wall of honor, your child becomes part of a legacy for future generations, and your gift has a tremendous and direct impact on the care of thousands of our youngest patients and their families.Will your child be a fish, a sailboat or a bird on our Kids Who Care wall? Call the AAMC Foundation at 443-481-4747 to reserve your location. Denim & Diamonds Bash The inaugural Denim & Diamonds Bash held April 25, 2015, was a huge success! Thank you to the more than 760 people who joined Denim & Diamonds Chairs Claudia and Randy Boldyga for a night of fun, food and dancing under the stars. Thanks to our committee members, generous sponsors and supporters, as well as an expansive silent auction, the Bash raised $595,000 to support the Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Clatanoff Pavilion renovation, which will impact more than 25,000 women, children and families who rely on AAMC to provide high-quality healthcare. Thanks to Denim & Diamonds Bash Chairs Claudia and Randy Boldyga, president and CEO of RxNT.
- 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.
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