AAMC Magazine

Spring 2009

Spotlight

AAMC Receives Two $1 Million Gifts from Local Family

“Quality health care is a must for every family in the community. This kind of a gift just made sense for me and my family.”
JUDY ZAZULIA-WAHL

Annapolis resident Judy Zazulia- Wahl has donated a second $1 million gift to the Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation (AAMC) in support of current expansion projects that are transforming the medical center’s 40- acre Jennifer Road campus.

Impressed by AAMC’s accomplishments in establishing itself as a destination health system, Ms. Zazulia-Wahl, who serves on the AAMC Foundation Board of Directors, donated her first million dollar gift three years ago. The second million dollar donation will support the $424 million expansion projects taking place across the medical center’s campus.

“When my first husband passed away, I evaluated my situation and decided I had everything that I really needed,” said Ms. Zazulia-Wahl. “but I knew I could dramatically impact other people. Quality health care is a must for every family in the community. This kind of a gift just made sense for me and my family.” A gift that “just made sense” for the Zazulia-Wahl family is one that will tremendously benefit AAMC patients.

AAMC Physician Survey Highlights Nursing Excellence

A recent survey of the Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) medical staff by HealthStream Research has revealed 94 percent of physicians at Anne Arundel Medical Center are either “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with the nursing care delivered to their patients.

Nationally, the responses place AAMC physician satisfaction with nursing care in the 84th percentile. HealthStream Research highlighted nursing care, nursing skill, consistency of care, and availability of well-trained staff as areas of strength at AAMC.

“The physician satisfaction level with the nurses and nursing care at AAMC is indicative of the high quality of care delivered by our nurses and their excellent leadership,” said Douglas Mitchell, M.D., president of the AAMC Medical Staff. “We know it takes great teamwork to provide such great care, and our patients should be assured they are getting the best care possible.”

“Positive nurse-physician relationships are a hallmark of the AAMC culture,” added Sherry Perkins, PH.D., R.N., chief nurse executive and vice president for patient care. “Research tells us that these positive relationships contribute to a safer, better care environment and more satisfied nurses—and most importantly, better patient outcomes.”

“Without a strong nursing foundation, patient care would absolutely suffer, and this survey has told us that our foundation is strong,” said Ms. Perkins. “One way to secure an adequate workforce is to promote strong relationships between our nurses and physicians.”

Doctors Emergency Services, P.A. Makes $1 Million Gift to Anne Arundel Medical Center

Doctors Emergency Services, P.A., front row, left to right: Lili Wilhelm, Melissa Mikami, M.D. (red shirt); Nancy Cain; Cece Jimenez, C.R.N.P., (on table); Yolanda Cormier; Jane Corner, C.R.N.P.; Dina Esterowitz, MD (on table); Hope Pennestri, C.R.N.P. (on chair); Terry Hamatto, C.R.N.P.; Debra Smith, C.R.N.P.; Mike Remoll, M.D.; Denise Thurling, M.D. Back row, left to right: Joseph Halpern, M.D.; Chas Iliff, M.D.; Helen Brown, C.R.N.P.; Michael Kent, M.D.; Donald Klein, M.D.; John Moghtader, M.D.; David Medland, M.D.; Robert Heller, M.D.; David Mooradian, M.D.; Elizabeth Maxwell-Schmidt, M.D.; Kenneth Gummerson, Ph.D., M.D.

Doctors Emergency Services, P.A ., the physician group that has been taking care of patients in the Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) Emergency Room for more than 25 years, has made a $1 million gift commitment to the AAMC Foundation. Their $1 million gift will help support the current construction that, once completed, will increase the Emergency Department by 40 percent. “Our physicians take tremendous pride in the clinical care delivered in the Emergency Department,” said Kenneth Gummerson, M.D., medical director of the AAMC Emergency Department. “It just makes sense that we would also support the expansion with a leading gift.”

AAHS Holiday Community Giving

In the spirit of the holiday season, Anne Arundel Health System employees donated seven van loads and three car loads of toys, coats, mittens, and food baskets to Centro de Ayuda, The Center of Help, located in the Gardner Center on Forest Drive in Annapolis. This organization provides a wide ranges of services and assistance to the previously underserved non-English speaking population of Anne Arundel County to help integrate them into the mainstream society and meet every day life necessities. The AAHS donation was the largest contribution this organization has received and speaks volumes about the compassion of AAHS employees.

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