- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen Marvin Page reached to ring the bell after eight weeks of radiation treatment, it was more than a casual gesture. It was a milestone along his 12-month journey as a cancer patient. While the emotion of that delicate moment was partially hidden behind the mask he wore, Page decided to pen a letter to his three radiation therapists about the quality of his care. In his letter, he called them brave. He called them soldiers. “I never saw you waver one time,” Page wrote. “You never spoke fear, doubt or uncertainty and for that I am forever grateful. You are a soldier on the front lines helping people in spite of this pandemic. Thank you for taking care of me.” Between February and April, Page received treatment for prostate cancer at Anne Arundel Medical Center’s DeCesaris Cancer Institute. Weekly he traveled from his Odenton, Maryland, home in the midst of climbing coronavirus (COVID-19) cases across the country, armed with a facemask he stored in a brown paper bag. Page said his treatment team – Angel “Ted” Torano, MD, a radiation oncologist at AAMC, and radiation therapists Lydia Capel, Kayla Welsh and Laura Zywicki-Payne – was consistent in its care for him. “They never gave me the appearance that something would be missed or that my treatment would be interrupted,” Page said. “I compared them to soldiers on the front lines because that’s what they were. When you are a soldier on the front line, you have a task to do and you do it – you execute it. That’s what they did.” Safe Care Dr. Torano said Page’s letter describing his experience is a validation of the effort, dedication and care that AAMC strives to deliver on a daily basis to all patients. “Receiving radiation treatment can be a uniquely new and stressful experience,” Dr. Torano said. “Our mission is to deliver high-quality care in a personalized manner. Accomplishing this can be especially challenging during the COVID-19 health care crisis. Despite the strict protocols put in place to minimize the risk of exposure to our staff and patients, such as social distancing and PPE, it is most gratifying to hear we are able to achieve our goal of delivering care in such a supportive manner.” Page, who works as a network printer technician, said he was initially nervous because he didn’t know what safety precautions the hospital planned to take to protect him and other patients during the pandemic. With each visit, he said the medical staff assured him that they were ready to care for him safely. AAMC patient Marvin Page “They were proactive in how they waited on the patients,” Page said. “We all had to wait in our cars before coming in to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The waiting in the car measure helped to ease my anxiety.” Page said he and other patients were asked to wait in their cars briefly as a way to stagger the flow of patients, and as an extra precaution in addition to other safety measures. “We try to make our patients feel safe in these uncertain times,” Zywicki-Payne said. “Our entire department works together to make sure that the patients come first, that there are always smiles and plenty of laughter. We take care of each other so that we can take care of the patients.” The “A Team” Page referred to Dr. Torano and the three radiation therapists as the “A Team,” in reference to Mr. T’s 1980s TV series. As he was writing the letter, Page said he noticed that each of the therapists’ first names ended in an “A” and Dr. Torano’s name starts with a “T.” He said they served as his “A Team” during his radiation journey. “During his treatment we got to know Mr. Page very well,” said Capel, who became a radiation therapist after witnessing her father’s radiation treatment care nearly 10 years ago at AAMC. “We are lucky that we get to see our patients every day, and that we get to build a relationship with them. We get to see him from a hesitant day one where treatment is scary and unknown, to his last day laughing and ringing the bell at the end of his treatment.” Welsh said her time with Page was very memorable. “I like to develop strong bonds with my patients,” Welsh said. “I believe it is very important so that my patients feel a form of trust. I want to be their security blanket during this life-changing time.” As Page’s recent bell ringing represents a milestone in his cancer journey, he wants others to know that they can depend on the team at AAMC to provide quality care during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. “No one wants to have cancer, but trust the people who are a part of the process and a part of your care,” Page said. “Trust that they are doing everything possible to help you get better.”0
- WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt’s impossible to separate Thanksgiving from the turkey, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. The big feast can be full of fats and calories, but celebrating the holidays doesn’t have to mean giving up your favorite dishes. Some small tweaks can make a big difference. Let’s talk turkey The bird is the main dish so try these healthier tips: Choose a fresh bird rather than processed meat Roast the turkey in its own juices. Don’t deep fry Avoid butter; use cooking sprays instead Apply fresh herbs for seasoning to help reduce the amount of salt Eat white meat which is lower in calories and fat. Skip the dark meat in the thighs and legs Don’t eat the skin Fewer calories, more nutrients Since fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, fill half your plate with them. That can be easier said than done, so try for example, boosting the nutrition of your stuffing by adding celery, mushrooms, apples or cranberries. Mashed potatoes are another must-have on Thanksgiving, but typically have added butter and cream, increasing the amount of fat in an already starchy vegetable. Try using skim milk, light sour cream or Greek yogurt. Go a step further and mix some riced cauliflower with the mashed potatoes to lower the carbohydrate and sugar count. When making gravy, avoid the flour. Instead, make it with reduced-fat chicken broth or turkey stock. Sweet potatoes are high in fiber and antioxidants. But on Thanksgiving, many of us spruce it up with butter, brown sugar, and marshmallows. For a simple substitute for sugar, try plant based zero calorie sweeteners such as Stevia or Truvia. Green bean casserole is another popular side dish that is often topped with fried onions and made with condensed cream of mushroom soup, both of which add fats, carbohydrates and sodium to the very nutritious green bean. This year, keep it simple and just roast or steam fresh green beans. Tasty treats Take a break before dessert. A short walk will do you a lot of good. When whipping up your favorite baked goods or pie, you can decrease the amount of sugar in any recipe by 25 percent without compromising flavor. You can also use unsweetened applesauce in place of sugar in baking recipes. Replace the sugar with applesauce in a one-to-one ratio: For example, one cup of sugar would be replaced with one cup of applesauce. Sugar can exact a significant toll on our health when consumed excessively. Luminis Health sees the resulting effect in our medical practices with a 1-2 percent drop in diabetic control each year in January. When making pies, hold the crust. It’s full of fat and calories. If you must have crust, use one layer rather than on the bottom and top. For pumpkin pie lovers, you will be happy to learn pumpkin is one of nature’s season superfoods. Pumpkin is heart healthy. It’s rich in potassium, which can help regulate your blood sugar, and rich in vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants—all of which help prevent heart disease. In addition, pumpkin can: improve your vision because it’s rich in beta carotene, an antioxidant that your body turns into vitamin A. Vitamin A helps you see more clearly in low light. lower your cancer risk with its jam-packed combination of cancer-fighting nutrients and antioxidants. boost your immunity with vitamins C and E, beta carotene, folate and iron, all of which help your body be more effective at fighting off germs. leave you feeling full for longer because it’s high in fiber. Other Reminders Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Adding extra calories with alcohol, soda or juices isn’t worth it when you have so many tasty food options to put on your plate. Remember that Thanksgiving is only once a year, so enjoy your favorite family dishes while following portion size control and keeping leftovers to a minimum.0
- Cancer Care, Men's Health, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogColon cancer is the third most common form of cancer in the United States. It is also the second deadliest cancer that affects both men and women. However, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if everyone age 50 or older had regular screenings, up to 60 percent of colon cancer deaths could be prevented. In fact, many cases of colon cancer can be completely prevented through a simple screening exam called colonoscopy. “Colon cancer is preventable through the removal of intestinal polyps, which have the potential to become cancerous,” says Surgical Oncologist Naeem Newman, MD. “This can be done during colonoscopy.” If you’re 50+ this year, pledge to have your colonoscopy. Learn more at askAAMC.org/Milestone50. Risky Business Factors that raise colon cancer risk Inflammatory bowel disease Family history Diet high in red meat or fat Smoking Obesity Factors that lower colon cancer risk Diet high in fiber Diet high in fruits and vegetables Taking aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Regular exercise Hormone replacement therapy in women Some studies have shown that people who include folate (the synthetic form is folic acid) in their diet have lower rates of colon cancer. Some foods that are rich in folate are fortified cereals, black-eyed peas, kidney beans and spinach. Many people avoid colonoscopy due to their fears about the procedure or feelings of embarrassment, but it’s relatively simple and pain free. The day before the colonoscopy, you prepare your intestine by taking a prescribed laxative. The day of the procedure, you are sedated and the doctor inserts a thin flexible tube into the rectum. The tube contains a camera and a light that allows the doctor to examine the inner walls of the colon—all five feet of it—for polyps and other abnormal growths. If anything out of the ordinary is found, the doctor can remove the polyps, which are tested for cancer. Illustration of a polyp removal. While 50 is the recommended age for a first colonoscopy, anyone with a first-degree family member (i.e., parent or sibling) who has had colon cancer should be checked sooner. “There’s no valid reason for not getting a colonoscopy,” says Dr. Newman. If there are no concerning findings with your colonoscopy, you may not need another one for up to 10 years. Colon cancer is preventable. Don’t wait if you are over 50. Call your doctor to set up a colonoscopy screening. If you need a physician referral, visit FindaDoc or call 443-481-5555. Author Naeem Newman, MD, is a surgical oncologist at AAMC Surgical Oncology. Originally published Feb. 19, 2016. Last updated Feb. 26, 2019.0
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNow that the World Health Organization has declared monkeypox a global health emergency, you may have questions and concerns about the virus and how it is spread. What is monkeypox? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), monkeypox is a rare disease caused by a virus—part of the same family as smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder and rarely fatal. Prior to the 2022 outbreak, monkeypox had been reported in people in several Central and Western African countries. Previously, almost all monkeypox cases in people outside of Africa were linked to international travel to countries where the disease commonly occurs. How does it spread? While many of those affected in the current global monkeypox outbreaks are gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, anyone who has been in close contact with someone who has monkeypox can get the illness. Monkeypox spreads in different ways. The virus can spread from person-to-person through: Direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs or body fluids Respiratory secretions during prolonged, face-to-face contact, or during intimate physical contact, such as kissing, skin-to-skin contact or sex Touching items (such as clothing or linens) that previously touched the infectious rash or body fluids Pregnant people can spread the virus to their fetus through the placenta Monkeypox can spread from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed. Unlike other diseases and illnesses, asymptomatic individuals (those who do not have monkeypox symptoms) cannot spread the virus to others. At this time, it is not known if monkeypox can spread through semen or vaginal fluids. What are the common symptoms? Symptoms of monkeypox can include: Fever Headache Muscle aches and backache Swollen lymph nodes Chills Exhaustion A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The illness typically lasts two to four weeks. Sometimes, people get a rash first, followed by other symptoms. Others only experience a rash. How to avoid contracting monkeypox You can take a number of steps to prevent contracting monkeypox: Avoid close, skin-to-skin contact with people who have a rash that looks like monkeypox Do not touch the rash or scabs of a person with monkeypox Do not kiss, hug, cuddle or have sex with someone with monkeypox Do not share eating utensils or cups with a person with monkeypox Do not handle or touch the bedding, towels or clothing of a person with monkeypox Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer If you are sick with monkeypox: Isolate at home until all lesions have resolved, the scabs have fallen off and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed If you have an active rash or other symptoms, stay in a separate room or area away from people or pets you live with, when possible How is it treated? There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox virus infections but because monkeypox and smallpox viruses are genetically similar, antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections. Antivirals, are sometimes recommended for people who are more likely to get severely ill, like patients with weakened immune systems. If you have symptoms of monkeypox, you should talk to your healthcare provider. According to the CDC and Maryland Department of Health, vaccination for monkeypox is not currently recommend for the general public. Vaccine resources are being reserved for individuals who have had known close contact with someone infected with monkeypox and for those who are in the highest risk population. This article was originally published in the Enquirer Gazette. Authors Jean Murray, RN, MSN, CIC, is the System Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Luminis Health. Her 29-year career as a registered nurse includes over 26 years of experience in infection control, outbreak surveillance and epidemiology. Jean is certified in Infection Control (CIC) and is an active member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and the Greater Baltimore Chapter.0
- Employee SpotlightGeneral Page Tier 3BlogCharles (Chuck) Fields and Sergeant Michael (Mike) Fuller have very different job responsibilities. Chuck, director of Information Systems support, works in a call center environment, managing anywhere from 100 to 150 calls per day while handling other IT related tasks. Sgt. Fuller, lead security officer, walks approximately 12 miles per day around campus making rounds, helping visitors find their way and keeping the hospital safe. But, on a personal level, Chuck and Sgt. Fuller share a similar sense of compassion. This unlikely duo, both in passing while at work, encountered a man struggling with addiction. They came together, sat with the man and encouraged him to seek help in the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED). Chuck and Sgt. Fuller helped the man over to the ED and stayed until he was seen. Sgt. Fuller could relate to the man in more than one way. “I’m a person who’s in recovery,” he explains. “I attend a recovery meeting that takes place here in the hospital. My empathy is there. But also, that’s the person I am. When you sit down with somebody and give them a little bit of one-on-one attention, when they’re already feeling awkward, it takes the pressure off of them.” Before leaving the ED, Chuck wrote his name and number on a piece of paper and placed it inside the man’s pocket. “It was just a moment where I felt that this gentleman needed some additional help,” he says. “At any point, if he did need something, I was happy to spend some more time with him just to be able to help.” By chance encounter, Sgt. Fuller saw the man a month after the incident. He expressed how grateful he was for Sgt. Fuller and Chuck taking the time to help him during what he felt was a very vulnerable moment in his life. “Sometimes people who come through here, especially those who suffer with addiction and relapse, can feel like their bridges have been burned,” says Sgt. Fuller. “The neat thing about being at AAMC is that we have so many resources, and we have a hospital that has a lot to offer to our community.” Pro tip: “When someone is coming up to you to talk, listen. We are all in this together.” If you know a great individual or a fantastic team going above and beyond to make a difference, make sure to let us know! Looking for a career in health care? We invite you to join a diverse and collaborative team of professionals working together to innovate the future of health care for our entire region. Check out our career opportunities.0
How can we help?
Common Searches
Common Searches
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?
Your Account
View your Dashboard
Messages
Billing Summary
Find Care
Schedule Appointment
My Care Team
My Record
Appointments
Medications
Insurance Summary
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?