Giving
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27th Annual Golf Classic a Resounding Success
Blog
The AAMC Foundation held its 27th Annual Golf Classic at the Chartwell Golf & Country Club on Sept. 26, 2016. This year’s tournament raised more than $175,000 to benefit patient care programs at Anne Arundel Medical Center.
“The golf tournament is such a fun event, and it is great to know that the proceeds ultimately will benefit so many members of our community,” says Tonya Hill, senior vice president of BB&T Bank and co-chair of the AAMC Foundation 2016 Golf Committee. “The hospital is an integral part of our local identity, and the AAMC staff work so hard to provide high-quality, patient- and family-centered care.”
AAMC Vice President of Finance Cathy Yurkon also served as event co-chair. A heartfelt thanks to all of our sponsors for their support, including our presenting sponsor, Comcast, and gold sponsor, All American Ambulance and Transport.
Behavioral Health, Pediatrics
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Your Game Plan to Address Video Game Violence
Blog
Between what they see on TV, online and in video games, your kids can be bombarded with violent images. If you don’t address it, kids can become numb to real violence over time.
Violent video games can especially lead to aggressive behavior and cause children to be less sensitive to other people’s pain and suffering. A study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that just 20 minutes of playing a violent video game can cause people to be less affected by real violence.
Children younger than 8 are even more prone to desensitization, since the line between reality and fiction is still blurry in their developing brains. As a parent, you should set clear limits for video game content and the amount of time spent playing. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these tips to steer your kids toward age-appropriate video games:
Get to know a video game’s content before giving the OK to play.
Keep gaming in a common family area for easy supervision.
Limit video game time to an hour a day, and encourage other activities like exercise, playing outside and reading.
Turn gaming time into family time by choosing group sports or music activity video games that bring everyone together.
It’s also helpful to learn and follow the Electronic Software Ratings Board (ESRB) video game ratings. You can find them on game packaging or onscreen before downloading a game.
Rating Categories
Early Childhood: Content is intended for young children.
Everyone: Content is generally suitable for all ages. May contain minimal cartoon, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language.
Everyone 10+: Content is generally suitable for ages 10 and up. May contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes.
Teen: Content is generally suitable for ages 13 and up. May contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language.
Mature: Content is generally suitable for ages 17 and up. May contain intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content and/or strong language.
Adults Only: Content suitable only for adults ages 18 and up. May include prolonged scenes of intense violence, graphic sexual content and/or gambling with real currency.
Learn how to talk to your kids about violence in the news and protect them from cyberbullying.
Uncategorized
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Hernia Treatments: What Are the Options?
Blog
If you have a hernia, you may be dealing with an array of possible symptoms, including:
A bulging lump in your abdomen
Pain or discomfort
A “heavy” feeling
Heartburn or nausea
Difficulty swallowing
According to the National Institutes of Health, about 4.5 million Americans have a hernia. It’s a weakened spot in the tissues of the abdomen or groin area that allows organs to push through. While there are several types of hernias, they rarely disappear on their own, says AAMC hernia specialist Igor Belyansky, MD, who specializes in hernia and abdominal wall reconstruction.
“A hernia can develop at any time in someone’s life,” Dr. Belyansky explains. “Once one develops, often it slowly gets bigger over time.”
Although surgery is the only way to fix a hernia, not all hernias require surgical treatment. Some hernias don’t ever cause symptoms. Most hernias only need treatment if it’s causing significant discomfort or cutting into your enjoyment of daily living.
Besides surgery, other treatment options include:
Lifestyle changes such as weight control
Medications such as heartburn relievers
Abdominal support belts known as “binders” that help contain protruding tissue
“Anyone with a bulge in their abdominal wall should visit a doctor for evaluation,” says Dr. Belyansky.
Learn how James Savoy, Jr., underwent surgery to remove his hernia and cancerous prostate gland at the same time.
Contributor
Igor Belyansky, MD, is a hernia specialist at Anne Arundel Medical Center.
Giving
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Coffee with Clinicians
Blog
Coffee with Clinicians, hosted by the AAMC Foundation, spotlights the work that is happening throughout Anne Arundel Medical Center. This unique opportunity invites community members to talk directly with AAMC medical providers and leaders about the state of healthcare and about AAMC’s future. These moderated discussions give people a chance to ask questions and interact one-on-one with the providers. Discussions take place in the intimate setting of the Doordan Institute on AAMC’s medical park campus.
Coffee with Clinicians, held on Oct. 4, 2016, featured pediatrics and pediatric mental health, which is an immediate crisis in Anne Arundel County. Michael Clemmens, MD, AAMC medical director of pediatrics; Melissa Wellner, MD, AAMC child and adolescent psychiatrist; and Susan Emerson, pediatric CRNP, presented on how AAMC is responding to the crisis. In the last year, we have seen a 13 percent increase in youth under 18 seeking help for mental health issues and illnesses.
Community members asked the panel of medical providers about how they could help respond to this crisis. The team answered with this advice: “Work with us to remove the stigma of mental health,” Dr. Clemmens said. “The more we can do that, the better for everyone. Join a committee, support the programs and beat the drum.”
For more information about Coffee with Clinicians and how to support these care programs, please contact Gabby Pasternak at 443-481-4735.
Digestive Care, Surgery
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Patient Story: Mark Bachteler
Blog
While watching television one evening, Mark Bachteler of Gambrills, Maryland, suddenly didn’t feel well. He thought he might need to cut back on spicy foods, but the stomach pain and vomiting didn’t go away, even after a few weeks.
At first, being unable to keep food down helped him meet his weight loss goals. He stopped eating out and only ate soft foods at home. But after losing more than 50 pounds, he and his wife agreed it was time to see a doctor.
Mark was referred to Dr. Sanmeet Singh, Medical Director of Endoscopy at Luminis Health. Dr. Singh performed an endoscopy and diagnosed Mark with achalasia, a rare condition that occurs when food and liquid can’t move from the esophagus to the stomach.
To fix it, Dr. Singh recommended a minimally invasive procedure called peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). The procedure gently cuts the tight muscle at the bottom of the esophagus, opening the passage so food can reach the stomach again.
“Given the severity of Mark’s symptoms, POEM was the right choice for him,” Dr. Singh says. “It’s minimally invasive, allows for a faster recovery than traditional surgery, and delivers relief by cutting the tight muscle without large incisions. We’re proud to be one of the few centers in Maryland equipped to provide this advanced level of care close to home.”
After just one night in the hospital, Mark went home to his wife and two sons, ages 11 and 8.
“It has been life-changing,” Mark says of the experience. "I am now eating more solids than I have in the last 1.5 years. I no longer have to always worry about being near a bathroom or someplace where I can step away when eating with others. Dr. Singh truly changed my life."
A few weeks later, Mark and his family went on a beach trip to Delaware with his in-laws. Everyone was glad to see him enjoying family meals again after so many missed mealtimes in the past.
Next, Mark is looking forward to a golf trip and enjoying meals out with his golf buddies.
If you or someone you know has a digestive disease, please call 443-569-4855 to make an appointment with our team.