- UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogPalliative care is often mistaken for hospice care. If you or your loved one is suffering from a serious illness, it’s important to know the difference and what is available to you. Hospice care is appropriate when medical treatments cannot offer a cure. Hospice professionals provide care to people who have an advanced illness and are in their last stages of life (prognosis of six months or less). Palliative care (pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv), however, may be given at any time during a patient’s illness, from diagnosis on, regardless of life expectancy. Palliative care may also be provided along with curative (meaning lifesaving or life-prolonging) treatment. Most doctors are trained to focus on curing and treating your illness. But you may have symptoms that make it difficult to be as active as you want to be, or that impact your overall quality of life. This is where palliative care teams come into play. Teams are made up of specially trained doctors, nurses and other providers. They focus on treating and relieving your symptoms and side effects, such as shortness of breath, pain, lack of appetite and fatigue. They can also treat physical and mental stress caused by a serious illness—whatever your diagnosis. In fact, the word “palliative” itself comes from the word “palliate,” which means to make the effects of something less painful, harmful or harsh. Palliative care also emphasizes making sure you are informed. Teams help you understand the pros and cons of treatments and help you make decisions about treatment options. They also offer spiritual or religious support, and can help match your goals and values to your medical care. Palliative care teams work with you, your other doctors, and your family to coordinate all aspects of your care. They focus on you as a whole person, not just the part of you that is sick. Research shows that those with a serious or chronic illness who receive this extra layer of support see a number of benefits, like better symptom control, improved quality of life, satisfaction with care, fewer hospital and emergency room visits, and lower medical costs. So, where do you start? If you think palliative care could be right for you, the first step is to talk to your doctor. If costs concern you, you should know that services are covered by most private insurance plans as well as Medicare and Medicaid. Services are also flexible and based on your needs. Medical care can be confusing. Palliative care teams can help you and your family talk through what you want, and help you navigate a very complex system. You don’t have to cope with the day-to-day challenges of living with a serious illness alone. Palliative care can give you a better quality of life. Learn more about palliative care at www.askAAMC.org/palliative. Author Jeanette M. Abell, MD, MBA, is associate chair of Medicine and medical director of Hospitalists and Palliative Medicine at Anne Arundel Medical Center.
- Heart Care, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOne small act can make a big difference. We invite you to join Anne Arundel Medical Center in our week-long celebration of kindness as we put our hearts in motion for Random Acts of Kindness week, Feb. 12-18, 2017. Studies have shown that being kind and doing kind acts for others can benefit your heart, reduce anxiety and lower your blood pressure. Download our free, printable kindness cards to start your own chain reaction of good deeds. Need some ideas to get you started? Buy a cup of coffee for a stranger. Leave a special treat on a friend or co-worker’s desk. Donate old towels or blankets to an animal shelter. Surprise a neighbor with dinner. Send a card to someone who deserves more recognition. Leave a kind server the biggest tip you can afford. Share your stories and see what others are doing on Facebook using #AAMCHeartsInMotion. One of the best Random Acts of Kindness you can do is encourage everyone to know their “heart age” and risk of heart disease. Take our free, online heart health profiler at AskAAMC.org/Heart.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) President and CEO Victoria W. Bayless has been recognized as an “Influential Marylander” by The Daily Record and will be honored March 23 at a ceremony in Cockeysville, Md. Fifty-one Influential Marylanders were selected by the editors of The Daily Record for their significant contributions to their respective fields and for their leadership in Maryland in the following areas: civic leadership, communications, education, finance, freestyle, general business, health care, law, philanthropy, real estate and technology. “This year’s Influential Marylanders demonstrate an impressive record of accomplishment, leadership and vision,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, publisher of The Daily Record. “What they say is important, and what they do makes a difference in the lives of many in Maryland and beyond. The Daily Record is honored to recognize their accomplishments.” Bayless has 25 years of experience in management and leadership roles specializing in strategic planning, health system operations, performance improvement, community health and outreach, medical staff relations, physician practice management and business development. The principal architect of AAMC’s ten-year strategic plan, Vision 2020: Living Healthier Together, Bayless is focused on overall quality performance, workforce development, growth and financial strength, while improving access and meeting the needs of the community. During her tenure, AAMC has become the third busiest hospital in Maryland, with the busiest joint, bariatrics and urogynecology programs in the state, and is one of only six percent of hospitals in the U.S. to have earned the Magnet® designation for superior nursing care. Bayless was recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of 12 national healthcare leaders in the publication’s 2007 “Up and Comers” report. In 2007, the Baltimore Business Journal recognized her as one of “40 under 40” business leaders in the region. In 2015, she was named to the list of “Influential Marylanders” by The Daily Record. Most recently, in 2016, the Capital Gazette named Bayless to its list of “People to Watch.” Additionally, Bayless was named one of the “Most Powerful Women in Healthcare IT” by Health Data Management. Bayless is a 2007 graduate of Leadership Anne Arundel and the 2011 recipient of the YWCA’s Tribute to Women & Industry (TWIN) Award. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves on the board of organizations including the United Way of Central Maryland, CareFirst/Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Johns Hopkins Home Care Group, and the American Hospital Association Region 3 Policy Board. In 2016, Governor Larry Hogan appointed Bayless to serve on the state’s Health Services Cost Review Commission. Honorees will be profiled in a special magazine that will be inserted into the March 24 issue of The Daily Record and available online at www.TheDailyRecord.com.
- 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]
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