- Behavioral Health, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt all started with a phone call. Lisa Hillman got the call from a beloved teacher, warning her that her teenage son, Jacob, may be dabbling in drugs. “I will always remember that phone call,” says Lisa, the former longtime president of the AAMC Foundation. “I thought, he’s got to be wrong.” But he wasn’t wrong. That call would signal the start of a years-long battle with addiction for Jacob. “In addiction, the phone can be a nightmare,” Lisa says. With the help of therapists at AAMC’s Pathways, and later drug rehabilitation in Florida, the nightmare is over today. Now 28, Jacob is more than five years clean. “But who’s counting, right?” Lisa says. She’s written a book, Secret No More, which chronicles her son’s struggle with drug addiction and her family’s efforts to help him – and ultimately, themselves. “I wanted to write a story of hope,” she says. The secrecy of addiction Before addiction touched her family, Lisa, as a well-known hospital executive, lived an idyllic life. Her husband, Richard, is a former Annapolis mayor. They raised their daughter, Heidi, and Jacob in historic downtown Annapolis. But things changed during Jacob’s junior year of high school. First Lisa caught her son openly drinking in front of her. Then she got that phone call. Jacob graduated from high school and was accepted to the University of Maryland with honors, but his life took a sharp turn during a senior week trip to North Carolina. There, he was arrested for marijuana. A year later, he failed out of college due to his drug use, and returned home to work and attend Anne Arundel Community College. “He still didn’t seem right,” Lisa recalls. She soon learned he was continuing to use. Desperate to fix his problem, Lisa called a colleague at Pathways, AAMC’s addiction treatment center. She knew she would keep her call confidential. The Hillmans lived a public life in many ways, Lisa says, but they also valued their privacy. Lisa found herself balancing the demands of overseeing a multi-million dollar capital campaign at AAMC with discreetly trying to get her son the help he needed. “I think it’s a skill you learn,” she says. Pathways eventually sent Jacob to rehab in Florida, and that’s when Lisa learned something else. “I didn’t realize I was sick,” she says. Healing herself Through the help of a support group, Lisa learned the phrase that would become her mantra. “I didn’t cause it, I can’t control it, and I can’t cure it,” she says. With Jacob in Florida, Lisa focused on healing herself and letting her son go – detaching with love, she says. Back home in Annapolis, she took a call one night from her son, who confessed he’d had a minor relapse. She told him to take care of himself. “I was able to say that to Jacob because of the support group and learning to put the focus on him,” she says. It was a lesson she had to remember on New Year’s Eve in 2011, when she got a call from Jacob’s counselor in Florida. He told her Jacob needed detox immediately. The Hillmans agreed to pay for his treatment, but decided it would be the last time. And fortunately, something clicked within Jacob. “He wanted to be clean,” Lisa says. One day at a time Today, Jacob lives in Florida and works in recovery, managing a group of homes for recovering addicts. “For him, it’s almost a calling,” Lisa says. Writing her book, too, was a calling. She wants other families who are dealing with addiction to know that it’s OK to talk about it. Years later, Lisa reflects on the strangeness of trying to keep Jacob’s addiction a secret, even as she sat on the board of Pathways. Once she opened up to her bosses about her secret, they were supportive, a nod to the therapeutic environment in which she worked. She urges other parents dealing with an addicted child to find someone in whom they can confide. “It is a family problem,” Lisa says. “If the addict is to get better, it helps if the family gets better.” And you may not be able to fix the addict, but you can fix yourself. “One thing that addiction teaches you is to live life one day at a time,” she says. “Sometimes, it’s one hour at a time. Sometimes, it’s one minute at a time.” Pathways hosts Family Wellness Workshops for family members of adults and teens struggling with addiction, as well as those dealing with a combination of substance abuse and mental health problems. Call 410-573-5449 for upcoming dates, and register for a Family Wellness Workshop today. Originally published May 30, 2017. Last updated May 4, 2018.
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Women's Health, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYour knee or hip has bothered you for years. Perhaps you have a joint replacement surgery scheduled, or maybe you just know it’s in your near future. Before your surgery, you may be able to decrease your odds of a complication by making a few key lifestyle changes. Get in shape Strong muscles help support your joints. The better shape you’re in before joint replacement surgery, the more likely you’ll have a speedy recovery. Regular exercise helps maintain joint function while relieving stiffness and fatigue. Also, strengthening your upper body makes it easier to get around with a walker or cane for the time you’ll need it following your surgery. Make sure you follow the exercise plan your surgeon recommends, and strongly consider taking part in prehabilitation strength training with a physical therapist. Research shows that prehab helps many recover faster following joint replacement surgery. Watch your weight Studies also show that obese patients are more likely to experience complications both during and after surgery than patients who are not obese. Every pound you lose takes three pounds of force off of your joints. In some cases, your diet can even help with the inflammation that can cause joint pain. Cutting back on fried and processed foods can help you lose weight and reduce inflammation. Quit smoking Smoking, and other tobacco use, can delay your body’s ability to heal itself following surgery. Smoking can slow down incision healing time, as well as increase your risks of prosthetic-related complications. When you smoke, your blood vessels become smaller, reducing the amount of oxygen-rich blood in your bloodstream. Healthier lungs and higher blood oxygen levels lead to faster healing. If you need help quitting, Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) offers classes and resources at askAAMC.org/QuitSmoking. Prepare your home Being able to successfully move around in your own home is the first step to getting back to everyday life following joint replacement surgery. Don’t wait until after surgery to prepare your home. Here are a few basic tips: Consider creating a “base camp” on the main level of your home. This will be where you spend most of your time. Set up a recliner or a chair and ottoman, with your phone, computer, remotes and everything else you’ll need in easy reach. Make sure you’ve cleared a path in your home that allows you to easily move around with a walker. Remove loose rugs since they can be hazardous when you are walking around. Plus, make sure you tape down all electrical cords. Make sure your food and grooming supplies are accessible, between waist and shoulder level. AAMC’s Center for Joint Replacement recently began offering PT360, which offers in-home visits from a physical therapist before your surgery. The therapist helps with prehab and helps you prepare for life after joint replacement surgery in your own home. You learn how to get in and out of your own bed, how to navigate your stairs, how to get in and out of your car, and much more. Keep a positive attitude Know that you’ll experience challenges along the way, and maintaining a positive attitude helps tremendously. Having a positive surgical outcome is partly dependent on your willingness to work hard in physical therapy and rehab. Keeping a positive attitude helps. Prepare for your joint replacement Another challenge patients often face is anxiety, or fear of the unknown. A great way to ease anxiety is to be prepared. Talk with your surgeon and ask questions. Read through the guidebook you’re given by your surgeon. Go to the preoperative joint class and learn as much as you can before your surgery, as this will aid in your recovery. The success of your joint replacement surgery truly takes a team approach — from the office staff, to the operating room team, to the nurses and physical therapists. Having a solid team helps you achieve the best possible result. Our goal is always to get you out of pain and back to your everyday activities as soon as possible, and these six steps will help you reach that goal. To sign up for an upcoming Hip and Knee Pain 101 class, visit askAAMC.org/JointSeminars. Author By Justin Hoover, MD, orthopedic surgeon at AAMC Orthopedics. To reach his practice, call 410-268-8862. Originally posted March 15, 2017. Last updated May 4, 2018.
- Orthopedics, Women's Health, Pediatrics, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOsteoporosis: It’s a disease that manifests later in life, but the foundation of healthy bones begins at a young age. Characterized by weak bones, osteoporosis can cause fractures and chronic pain. Here’s how it works: Your body is constantly breaking down and rebuilding your bones. For the first 25 to 30 years of your life, your body makes more than enough new bone to replace the bone it loses. Around this time, you reach what’s called “peak bone mass,” meaning your bones are at their strongest. But after age 30, the pendulum swings the other way and you start to lose more bone than you gain. This process continues for the rest of your life. For women, the most rapid bone loss is in the years around menopause. For those who haven’t built up their bones enough during those first 30 formative years, that’s when osteoporosis can set in. Known as the silent disease, osteoporosis can strike without warning. In fact, many people don’t know they have it until after they suffer a fracture. And while there’s no cure for the disease once you get it, there’s plenty you can do to prevent it in both yourself and your kids. A Parent’s Role to Prevent Osteoporosis in Kids As a parent, you can greatly reduce your child’s chance of developing this disease later in life. Christina Morganti, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), says, “The fact of the matter is, the exercise and dietary habits you instill in your children can either be a powerful mechanism to prevent osteoporosis or a perfect storm for the disease to develop.” There’s no surefire way to determine whether or not you or your children will develop osteoporosis later in life. The best solution? Do everything you can to prevent the disease early in life. If you’re a parent, make sure you’re helping your kids build strong, healthy bones. Your guide to building strong, healthy bones Luckily, preventing the disease isn’t complicated. But it does require some self-discipline and, depending on your current habits, shifts in your diet and exercise routine. Here’s what you can do for yourself and your children to help fend off the disease: Know your family history. “If you have a parent or sibling with osteoporosis, you’re at a higher risk of developing it yourself,” says Dr. Morganti. Knowing empowers you to take extra measures to ensure you’re keeping your bones as strong as possible. Exercise! The more you use your muscles, the stronger they become. Same goes for your bones. Weight-bearing exercises help improve your bone density to form stronger bones. This includes any exercise that uses resistance to make you exert effort. Resistance can come from dumbbells, your own body, fitness machines, etc. The result? New bone tissue forms as your muscles push and pull on the bones around them, strengthening both bone and muscle.Your action plan: Mix it up! Variety keeps exercise exciting and ensures you’re using a variety of muscles. Try a stair workout, hiking, running, walking, weight training or dancing to reduce your risk of osteoporosis. “While swimming and biking are great low-impact exercises, they don’t have the same effect on your bones as weight-bearing exercises do,” says Dr. Morganti. “Children should be active for at least 60 minutes a day. For adults, the recommendation is at least 30 minutes a day of aerobic exercise like walking, supplemented with strength training two to three days a week and balance training one to two days per week.” Know what to avoid. While there’s plenty you can do to keep osteoporosis at bay, don’t forget about what not to do if you want strong, healthy bones. “Some studies have linked salt, caffeine, carbonated soda and alcohol consumption with accelerated bone loss,” says Dr. Morganti. “If your children have a diet heavy in salty, processed food or drink caffeinated or carbonated drinks, this could affect their bone density.” And add this to your list of reasons not to smoke: Multiple studies reveal that smoking can actually limit your body’s ability to absorb calcium. Calcium, calcium, calcium. We’ve heard it all before. Drink your daily glass of milk to nourish your body with adequate calcium. But did you know there are plenty of non-dairy sources of calcium? Or that your body needs a certain amount of vitamin D in order to absorb the calcium you consume? “To make the most of the calcium you eat, pair calcium-rich foods with foods high in vitamin D, like tuna, shrimp and eggs (yolk included),” explains Ann Caldwell, nutritionist and registered dietitian at AAMC. Sunlight can also help the body produce more vitamin D, which is why it’s not uncommon for people to be vitamin D deficient in the winter. If you have a desk job, try taking a walk or eating your lunch outside to soak up some rays. Just don’t forget the SPF. No Dairy, No Problem Besides the beloved trio of milk, cheese and yogurt, there are plenty of non-dairy sources of calcium out there, including: Canned salmon. Half a can contains 23 percent of your daily value of calcium. It’s important to note that other forms of salmon won’t reap the same calcium-rich benefits as canned salmon. Figs. Pick up a bag of dried figs for a sweet, fibrous snack to keep bones strong. Cut them up into small pieces and mix with nuts and other dried fruits for a homemade trail mix your children will love. Kale, spinach, bok choy and turnip greens. There’s a reason why leafy greens are one of the healthiest foods you can eat. But there’s no need to limit yourself to the same green salad. Sauté greens with some sea salt and olive oil, or add them to a stir-fry. If you’ve passed the 30-year mark of your body making plenty of new bone tissue, taking preventative measures against osteoporosis can still be effective, and are vital to maintaining healthy bones. But the reality is that calcium and weight-bearing exercises will have a more dramatic effect on the strength of children’s bones than those of older adults. “The lesson here is to make sure you’re helping your children develop habits that create strong bones to last a lifetime,” explains Dr. Morganti. Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad This pasta salad includes a healthy dose of calcium from the canned salmon. Plus, it’s easy to pack up the leftovers for a healthy work-day lunch the next day. Dietitian’s tip: For added calcium and health benefits, serve this on a bed of baby spinach. It’s delicious! INGREDIENTS (8-oz.) package of farfalle or bow tie pasta heads broccoli, chopped into florets carrots, peeled and chopped teaspoons soy sauce tablespoons olive oil tablespoons red wine vinegar cloves of garlic, crushed/pressed ¼ cup fresh lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste 10-oz. canned salmon, rinsed, drained and broken into small pieces INSTRUCTIONS Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, 8-10 minutes. Bring a separate large pot of water to boil. Add broccoli and carrots, cook in boiling water for 2 minutes and drain. Combine soy sauce, olive oil, vinegar, garlic and lemon juice in a sealable container and shake vigorously. Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss together the drained pasta, vegetables, salmon and dressing in a large bowl. Store in the refrigerator. Want to eat healthier but not sure what to cook? Try more of these healthy, delicious recipes from our registered dietitians. Contributor Christina Morganti, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center and has developed a dedicated osteoporosis program at her practice, Luminis Health Orthopedics. You can reach her office at 410-268-8862. Contributor Recipe author Ann Caldwell is a registered dietitian and nutritionist. Originally published November 29, 2016. Last updated July 5, 2023.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center announces Barry Meisenberg, MD, as its new chair of the Department of Medicine. Dr. Meisenberg has lead the Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute since 2008, and served as chair for Quality and Health Systems Research since 2012. He has been at the forefront of many health system initiatives and innovations in cancer care. Dr. Meisenberg has also been instrumental in AAMC’s work to reduce opioid prescribing across the health system. Most recently, the Maryland Patient Safety Center recently awarded AAMC the Distinguished Achievement in Patient Safety Innovation Award. “After a national search, our committee unanimously agreed that Dr. Meisenberg was the strongest candidate to lead our medical services into the future,” says Mitchell Schwartz, MD, chief medical officer and president of Physician Enterprise at AAMC. “He is a true leader in his field. We are honored to have him as an integral part of our health system team.” In his new role as chair, Dr. Meisenberg will work to enhance quality outcomes and ensure that the Department of Medicine functions within an integrated system of care, continuously improving performance. Prior to joining AAMC, Dr. Meisenberg was professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He also headed the Division of Hematology/Oncology and was deputy director for Clinical Affairs at the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center. Dr. Meisenberg is widely published in oncology and research journals, and speaks nationally and internationally on diverse topics in cancer medicine. He is also a visiting professor of oncology at the Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center and supports their clinical efforts internationally. Dr. Meisenberg received his medical degree from Albany Medical College in New York and completed his residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in Hematology/Oncology at the Naval Hospital in San Diego.
- Men's Health, Physical Therapy, Senior Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogCertain disabilities can make daily tasks such as turning light switches on and off, talking on the phone or adjusting a thermostat difficult or impossible. For many years, occupational therapists have used environmental control units (ECUs) and assistive technology (AT) to help people manage their disabilities and become more independent. Until recently, this technology has been extremely expensive. But thanks to advances in technology over the last decade, items that once helped people with disabilities are becoming more affordable as “cool” or “high tech” gear for your home. Examples include Amazon’s Alexa, Verizon’s Gizmo watch, and the Ring Video Doorbell. Amazon’s Echo is a portable device that uses voice recognition. You can ask Alexa, the Echo’s witty, charming female voice, to turn lights off and on, play music, answer questions, make phone calls, and order groceries. Verizon’s Gizmo watch is an invention that, a few years ago, looked like it could be in an episode of Star Trek. It’s a simple tool that can store 10 contacts, call 911, serve as a tracking device and measure physical activity. If you’re caring for a parent with mild cognitive impairments, you can use the corresponding phone app to track the person’s movements. Less walking may mean a fall, an illness or the progression of a disease. The TV show Shark Tank turned down the Ring Video Doorbell but it can help people who have a hard time walking. You can see who is at the door without having to rush and risk falling. It also has a function to allow you to lock and unlock your door remotely. All of these items are simple, yet sophisticated, pieces of equipment that were once too expensive for many people. You can now buy a device that used to cost more than $3,000 for less than $150. Because ECUs and AT are now more readily available, occupational therapists can help people live more independently, all with a click of a button. Author Erica Jones, OTR/L, CLT, is an occupational therapist with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Physical Therapy. You can reach her office at 443-481-1140 or you can request an appointment online.
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