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Uncanny Timing

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:04:02 -0400

Home for the Holidays, Illinois Mom has Unexpected Delivery

Kelly and Mike Williams of Elgin, Ill. were grateful for AAMC’s OB/GYN hospitalist program when son Mason was born eight weeks early. The couple was visiting family and friends in Maryland for Thanksgiving when Mrs. Williams developed eclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition. Courtesy photo.

Traffic was heavy as Kelly Williams, her husband Mike, and their beagle Pepper travelled from Elgin, Ill. to a friend’s house in Clinton, Md. the day before Thanksgiving. The 12-hour drive was long, but important for the soon-to-be parents. The couple was to spend Thanksgiving with friends and family in Mrs. Williams’ hometown, and her mother was planning a baby shower for them.

As they reached the 10-hour mark in the car, Mrs. Williams, 32-weeks pregnant, began experiencing motion sickness, worsened by a terrible migraine. By the time they reached their destination, she was vomiting.

“I called my obstetrician back in Illinois,” Mrs. Williams said. “He told me to take two Tylenol, take a shower and get some rest.”

The long-distance advice worked. By Thanksgiving morning, Mrs. Williams felt better, enjoying turkey and stuffing, and socializing with friends and family. But that night, the headaches returned.

“I would take Tylenol and it would go away,” Mrs. Williams said. “But it always returned. My stomach also never felt quite right,” she recalled about how she felt those next several days.

By Monday, the Williamses knew something was wrong. A part-time firefighter, Mr. Williams knew there was no way he could drive the 12 hours home with his wife in that condition. Mrs. Williams, apprehensive of hospitals since her father died when she was 14, also knew she needed to go to an emergency room. She insisted on coming to Anne Arundel Medical Center based on a positive past experience.

A quick blood pressure check in AAMC’s emergency room revealed Mrs. Williams’ blood pressure was unusually high. Within the hour, she started to have seizures.

“That’s when they told me, ‘You have to deliver tonight,’” Mrs. Williams said. “It was scary. I actually had a seizure as I met the doctor.”

That doctor was Coryse Brathwaite, M.D., an OB/GYN hospitalist, who immediately recognized the signs of eclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition marked by hypertension and protein in the urine. After the care team stabilized Mrs. Williams, the board-certified obstetrician delivered the baby to safeguard Mrs. Williams’ health.

“It all happened very fast,” Dr. Brathwaite said. “Nothing fixes eclampsia until delivery.”

Baby Mason Kenneth Williams arrived eight weeks early, weighing just 3 lbs., 6 oz. He was taken immediately to the hospital’s Level IIIB Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for specialized care.

Over the next two weeks, the Williames visited Mason in the NICU, watching him grow stronger each day. Mrs. Williams time in the hospital conjured up vivid feelings and emotions about the times she spent in various hospitals as a teenager while her father, Kenneth, was ill. He died at AAMC on Dec. 23, 2001 at 6:23 a.m. in room 323.

“He was there with us in some way,” Mrs. Williams said about her father and the turn of events that led the Illinois resident to deliver her baby at AAMC. “And both my husband and I knew something would happen involving the number 23.”

The family of three finally arrived home in Illinois in mid-December. Grandparents and relatives had painted and decorated the nursery during their extended absence. Mason’s Maryland birth certificate has since arrived. On it is his time of birth: 10:23 p.m.

– Jenny Steffens

The Safe, Smart Place to Deliver Your Baby

Coryse Brathwaite, M.D., OB/GYN Hospitalist

Anne Arundel Medical Center offers a dedicated OB/GYN hospitalist program to ensure that mothers-to-be have highly skilled, around-the-clock obstetrical and gynecological care. These experienced physicians provide 24/7 in-house coverage for obstetric and gynecological services within the hospital.

AAMC’s OB/GYN hospitalists have many duties. These include providing obstetric care in Labor and Delivery, offering consultations to OB/GYN patients in the Emergency Department, managing obstetrical coverage or consultation for private physicians as requested, performing emergent gynecologic surgery and providing surgical assistance.

The AAMC Women’s and Children’s Center is a comprehensive program tailored to the various stages of a woman’s lifetime needs. To learn more about prenatal and maternity care, or for a physician referral, call the nurses at askAAMC, 443-481-4000.

Bayside Beacon Now Open

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:58:21 -0400

Stop by AAMC’s newest gift shop on campus – the Bayside Beacon – located in the new Health Sciences Pavilion. Housed on the second floor, this charming gift shop offers unique items for sale, as well as cards, balloons, flowers, jewelry, children’s toys and more.

The gift shop is run by AAMC’s Auxiliary, a group of more than 500 dedicated volunteers. All proceeds benefit the hospital.

Rare Neuroendocrine Tumor Removed Surgically

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:58:33 -0400

A rare, neuroendocrine pancreatic tumor—initially thought to be gastric cancer—turned out to be a best-case scenario for AAMC patient Patty Roger. The diagnosis meant treatment options, a full recovery, and a return to the children of her Odenton, Md. day-care center.

For most people, being diagnosed with a pancreatic tumor wouldn’t be considered a “best-case scenario.” Yet, for Patty Roger, that is exactly what her diagnosis turned out to be.

“Four years ago, I wasn’t feeling well and knew something wasn’t right,” said the 49-year-old Odenton day care provider. “I went to Nighttime Pediatrics’ urgent care center, and they found I was anemic.”

Five pints of blood low (the average adult has approximately 10 pints of blood), she was referred to the AAMC emergency room. There, gastroenterologist Anthony J. Calabrese, M.D., assessed Ms. Roger and consulted AAMC surgical oncologist Glen Gibson, M.D., about the possibility of emergency surgery.

“Whenever a young patient presents with big bleeding ulcers, as Ms. Roger did, the immediate concern is always gastric cancer,” said Dr. Gibson, referring to the aggressive nature of cancers involving the stomach. “Fortunately, once her bleeding was stopped, we were able to perform the biopsies and radiologic testing that would help us find the source of the problem.”

A CT-guided core needle biopsy performed by interventional radiologist Jason R. Dittrich, M.D., probed a large mass along the wall of her stomach and returned a surprising result.

“The biopsy came back with pancreatic cells, and we found that a large pancreatic tumor had grown into her stomach,” said Dr. Gibson. “But this was actually good news, because such tumors—called neuroendocrine tumors—while rare, are much more slow-growing and curable.”

The seven-centimeter mass growing along Ms. Roger’s pancreas had pushed its way into her stomach, calling for an aggressive surgical approach. Dr. Gibson removed the entire tumor, two-thirds of her stomach, half of her pancreas, her spleen, and her left adrenal gland. She recovered well and returned to her life. But 15 months later, a CT scan found a recurrent tumor, this time in the remaining half of her pancreas.

“When I received the call that my tumor had come back, it was devastating,” said Ms. Roger. “It’s something vivid in my brain that won’t ever go away. But I went into a mode of ‘what do we do now’ and ‘how do we fix it?’”

Dr. Gibson removed the tumor and the remainder of Ms. Roger’s pancreas. The surgery meant she would become an instant diabetic and would need insulin and digestive enzymes for the rest of her life.

“It took a while for me to become ‘me’ again,” she said, recalling her life after surgery, which was nearly three years ago. “It was an instant challenge to manage the diabetes, and there aren’t any holidays from the condition. My husband helped me through the experience, and today I’m back to being the same old Patty.”

There is a bit of serendipity in the timing of her illness and Dr. Gibson joining the AAMC medical staff. “Dr. Gibson arrived at AAMC right about the time I got sick,” Ms. Roger said. “And I truly believe his arrival was meant to be, in terms of what it meant for my health.”

Be Well

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:58:40 -0400

Sleep an Important Part of Health and Wellness

Eating healthy, exercising regularly and reducing stress are common instructions to living a healthy life. While these three recommendations are indeed important, a good night’s sleep also is a critical component in the wellness equation.

The majority of Americans have multiple daily demands in their lives. Because sleep is commonly viewed as a “down time” activity, sleep often can be neglected. However, sleep is an essential activity that your brain actively engages in each night. While you sleep, your brain reorganizes information, compartmentalizes data and rejuvenates the mind and body to take on the next day at full potential. According to the National Institutes of Health, sleep affects many aspects of the mind and body including:

Learning and Memory
Sleep is required to form new learning and memory pathways in the brain. Several studies show that lack of sleep causes the thinking processes to slow down and makes it harder to focus and pay attention. Reaction time also decreases and faulty decision making can occur.

Your Heart
Sleep gives your heart and vascular system a much needed rest. During non-REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, your heart rate and blood pressure progressively slow or dips as you enter deeper sleep. According to several studies, this important “dip” in blood pressure appears to be important for good cardiovascular health.

Healing and Weight Control
Sleep triggers the release of many hormones in the body. Deep sleep triggers the release of growth hormones, which facilitate growth in children while also boosting muscle mass and repairing tissues in both children and adults. Getting enough sleep also is related to weight control. During sleep, the body’s production of the appetite suppressor leptin increases, and the appetite stimulant grehlin decreases. Studies find that the less people sleep, the more likely they are to be overweight or obese and prefer eating foods that are higher in calories and carbohydrates.

Your Mood
Most people report being irritable and often times unhappy with limited sleep. People who chronically suffer from lack of sleep also can be at risk for developing depression over time.

Sleep is important in achieving overall wellness and a healthy life. If you are having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or waking too early, you may be experiencing a sleep disorder.

Need a good night’s sleep? The AAMC Sleep Center can help. Please call 1-800- 755- 7510, ext. 139 or 145 to schedule an appointment at this highly sophisticated Sleep Center. For more information relating to sleep and sleep disorders, visit www.sleepfoundation.org.

– Ashley DeStefano

AAMC's New, Expanded Breast Center

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 09:21:59 -0400

Anne Arundel Medical Center’s commitment to serve breast patients in the region includes a new, expanded breast center under the umbrella of the AAMC Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute, and a third fellowship-trained breast surgeon.

In February, the breast center moved to a new, 11,000 square-foot suite on the second ? oor of the Health Sciences Pavilion, adjacent to the new Anne Arundel Diagnostics Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (AADI), at 2000 Medical Parkway, next to the Sajak Pavilion.

Breast surgeon Dr. Wen Liang, a native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, joins fellowship-trained surgeons Dr. Lorraine Tafra, the medical director of the breast center, and Dr. Zandra Cheng. Fellowship-trained is a designation that indicates the surgeon has completed additional, in-depth breast surgery training.

The breast team also includes a medical breast physician specialist, Dr. Barbara Urban, (one of a few in the United States), a team of nurse navigators and staff, and dedicated breast radiologists at AADI. Together, they provide a comprehensive range of programs, including prevention and high-risk assessment, education and outreach, treatment, diagnostics, research, rehabilitation, reconstructive surgery, survivorship and supportive care.

Fellowship-Trained Breast Surgeons

	Lorraine Tafra, M.D., the medical director of the breast center for 10 years, helped establish sentinel node biopsy as a standard for breast cancer patients and has been the lead investigator on numerous innovative studies. Dr. Tafra is past president of the American Society of Breast Surgeons and former board member of the National Approvals Program for Breast Centers.
	Wen C. Liang, D.O., AAMC’s newest dedicated breast surgeon with eight years of breast surgery experience, completed her residency at Grandview Hospital and Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio, and a fellowship in breast surgery at Grant Medical Center in Columbus. Her interests include breast oncology research, oncoplastic surgery and management of high-risk patients.
	Barbara Urban, M.D., medical breast physician specialist, leads the High Risk Assessment and Prevention Program (RAPP), which provides comprehensive care for high-risk breast cancer patients, as well as the Benign Breast Disease Program. A board-certified family physician, she received additional breast subspecialty training in surgical oncology, breast radiology, pathology, and medical and radiation oncology. She is the lead investigator on a project looking for breast cancer markers in nipple aspirate fluid.

A Celebration of Memories

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:58:55 -0400

The AAMC Geaton and Joann Decasaris Institute Inpatient Oncology Unit will host a “Celebration of Memories” on Thursday May 20 at 7 P.M. for families and friends of those who were cared for at AAMC, and who passed away from cancer. The memorial celebration will take place in the Health Sciences Institute, located on the 7th floor of the new AAMC Health Sciences Pavilion, 2000 Medical Parkway, next to the Sajak Pavilion. Free parking is available in Garage E next to the Health Sciences Pavilion. The event will feature inspirational readings and offer family and friends an opportunity to connect with clinical staff who may have provided care to their loved one.

Call askAAMC at 443-481-4000 to register.

National Cancer Survivors Day

Join AAMC on Sunday, June 6 for National Cancer Survivors Day, an annual, worldwide celebration of life that is held in hundreds of communities on the first Sunday in June. The event celebrates life and demonstrates that life after a cancer diagnosis can be meaningful and productive.

Visit www.aahs.org for more information.

Life After Detox

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:59:04 -0400

Outpatient Therapy Important in Overcoming Addiction

For a patient recovering from alcohol or drug addiction, everything that was once familiar can suddenly seem strange and foreign. And it is here that the hard work back to an addiction-free life begins.

According to Helen Reines, executive director of the AAMC alcohol and drug treatment facility, Pathways, the hardest part of overcoming an addiction begins not when a patient arrives at an inpatient detoxification facility, but when that patient is discharged and begins an intensive outpatient treatment regimen back in the real world, with all of its temptations.

“We always tell our patients, discharge is when the hard part begins,” said Ms. Reines. “You’re suddenly out of that protective bubble provided by Pathways, and now you’re facing life, and the reality of all the destruction your addiction may have left in its wake, and all the relationships that may have been destroyed.”

For Pathways, easing patients back into normalcy is essential in countering relapse. Through intensive outpatient therapy, staff members and counselors empower patients recovering from addiction with the tools they’ll need to avoid triggers that can provoke relapse, and work to redevelop coping mechanisms pirated by years of addiction.

“We often see patients whose emotional development has literally been put on hold for a decade or more during a period of addiction,” said Ms. Reines. “These patients need to re-learn the coping mechanisms that will help them combat their addiction. Through outpatient therapy, we can teach patients these tools.”

Upon discharge from Pathways, all inpatients are referred to another level of care, often intensive outpatient therapy, where counselors work with the patient to reorganize lives substance abuse has left in disarray. The outpatient program Healthy Recovery expands upon the counseling component and focuses on issues such as pain management, coping with stress, anger management, improving sleep, money management, tobacco addiction and nutrition, as these can be known relapse triggers, particularly for those in early recovery.

“Patients recovering from addiction will learn that sobriety doesn’t fix everything,” added Ida Walsch, M.A., C.A.C.-A.D., clinical team leader at Pathways. “This realization can be incredibly frustrating, and we work to help our patients overcome those frustrations.”

According to Ms. Reines, best evidence shows that the longer a patient remains in substance abuse treatment, the better prognosis for continued recovery. “The patients who tell us they’re scared to leave understand that inpatient treatment is just the beginning,” she said.

--Justin Paquette

The Earls Gift Keeps the Genius of da Vinci in Capable Hands

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:02:25 -0400

Sylvia and James Earl.

James and Sylvia Earl’s wide range of intellectual curiosities qualifies them as a modern-day renaissance couple. Their interests in science, the arts and their involvement in the region’s civic life make for full and interesting lives, and a busy schedule.

Mrs. Earl was earning her degree in education when they met in Massachusetts. After James Earl earned his doctorate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, they lived in Minnesota for seven years before moving to Maryland. Dr. Earl taught physics and astronomy at the University of Maryland for 35 years. Along the way, he also managed to earn bachelor’s degrees in both art and computer science. “A professor was entitled to one free course per semester,” said Dr. Earl. “I dabbled in things that interested me and though it took a while, eventually I qualified for the degrees.”

Their recent leading gift to the Care Like no Other campaign, one in a long series of gifts to AAMC dating back to 1998, was prompted in part by a lifelong involvement with science and the ways in which technology is transforming health care.

Eventually, the Earls moved from University Park to Crownsville. They both maintained an intense interest in things that were new and pioneering. When they learned of da Vinci robotic surgery, they were drawn to its engineering genius and potential for revolutionizing surgery. Dr. Earl was treated to a hands-on demonstration of da Vinci at AAMC, at which point he became convinced that the robotic system is a transformative technology. “It was one of the most fascinating experiences of my life,” he said.

The Earls have directed that their gift to the Care Like no Other campaign be committed to the expansion of the da Vinci robotic surgery system. “We’ve seen how science has changed the world so much,” said Mrs. Earl. “As those changes unfold in the realm of health care we want our community to stay in the forefront of all the benefits they’ll bring.”

fit. healthy. and fab.

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:59:20 -0400

Photos from the AAMC Women’s Health Summit — Saturday, February 20, 2010

The first fit. healthy. and fab. event drew some 400 participants.

Some 400 women attended AAMC’s first ever women’s health day, Saturday, Feb. 20, in the AAMC Health Sciences Institute. The free event featured AAMC women health specialists, as well as health screenings, wellness events and interactive breakout sessions with AAMC medical staff physicians covering topics ranging from menopause and mammography to stress management and bone health. The day also included keynote speaker Susan Bennett, M.D., a cardiologist and clinical assistant professor of medicine at George Washington University, who discussed heart health as it relates to women.

Paraffin hand treatments were a huge hit at the event.		Women participate in a morning yoga session.
Tom Leahy, exercise physiologist, measures a participant’s blood pressure.		Joanne Ebner, left, cancer prevention nurse, talks with a participant about Derma Scan, a test that uses ultraviolet light to show skin damage from sun exposure.
Massages and energy medicine were offered throughout the day.		From L-R: Victoria W. “Tori” Bayless, AAHS president and chief operating officer, Susan Bennett, M.D., cardiologist and keynote speaker, and Jessica Kartalija, emcee and co-anchor on WJZ-TV.

Your Gift Touches Lives

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:59:27 -0400

The Gift of Peace of Mind... Priceless

Parents experience an understandable degree of anguish when faced with the prospect of taking a seriously ill or injured child to an emergency room. Thanks to the generosity of Tim and Cindy O’Neill of Annapolis and their family foundation, the William J. and Dorothy K. O’Neill Foundation, that anguish will be reduced for both parents and their children.
The O’Neill Foundation’s grant of $100,000 is playing a critical role in funding the Pediatric Emergency Department, part of the new AAMC Pediatric Unit. “Every parent who has dealt with a seriously ill child in the middle of the night or had a son or daughter injured in a mishap knows the feeling,” said Mrs. O’Neill. “The thought of your child having to cope with the unavoidable anxiety of an emergency room setting and then maybe being sent for specialized care to a distant hospital can be extremely upsetting.
“Now we’ll have our own kid- and family-friendly Emergency Department here at AAMC, much nearer to home for thousands of families in our community,” she said. “We are proud and pleased that our family foundation will help to comfort families during their time of need.”

Tim and Cindy O’Neill, through their family foundation, the William J. and Dorothy K. O’Neill Foundation, donated $100,000 for the Pediatric Emergency Department, part of the new AAMC Pediatric Unit.

A Gift That Gives Back

“I recently established my second gift annuity with the Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation. During my 55 years on the medical staff, I have watched AAMC develop into today’s magnificent institution. I am proud to support the AAMC mission and I invite you to join me. Setting up a gift annuity was uncomplicated, and I am pleased that the full faith and assets of AAMC stand behind this mutually beneficial gift arrangement that provides income to me for life.”

– W. E. Landmesser, Jr. M.D.

Is an AAMC Foundation Gift Annuity for You?

With a gift of $10,000 or more to the AAMC Foundation, you can support the future of health care in our community while also receiving a fixed annual payout for the rest of your life.

Contact Bob Harrison at the AAMC Foundation for your confidential personal benefits profile. Call 443-481-4745 or e-mail rharrison@aahs.org. Or, learn more at www.aahs.org/giftplanning. If you are a couple, we invite you to ask about a two-life gift annuity. If you are looking ahead to retirement, please ask about deferred gift annuities.

New Bowie Laboratory Site

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:59:35 -0400

Outpatient Infusion Center

The AAMC Outpatient Infusion Services Center on the second floor of the Donner Pavilion is undergoing an expansion, with a targeted completion date of late summer. Until then, patients are being cared for in two locations on the AAMC campus: the current center on the second floor of the Donner Pavilion and a satellite location in the Clatanoff Pavilion. Patients will receive the same excellent and compassionate care at both locations. Physicians will advise patients where to go for treatment.

Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Laboratory has opened a new offsite location in Bowie, at the AAHS Health Services Building, Suite 201, 4175 North Hanson Court.

In addition to serving the AAMC Laboratory, the Bowie draw site also can accept testing requests for Quest Diagnostics. The laboratory offers a full range of diagnostic testing for patients from newborns to seniors.

The Bowie location is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Collections are done on a walk-in basis.

In addition to the Bowie location, AAMC has two laboratory sites at the main campus in the Acute Care Pavilion and the Sajak Pavilion, and also AAMC Health Services — Kent Island, 1630 Main Street Chester, Md.

Visit http://www.aahs.org/services/lab.php for more information, or call askAAMC, 443-481-4000 or 1-800-MD NURSE.

New Practices on Campus

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:59:43 -0400

With the opening of AAMC’s Health Sciences Pavilion last year, several medical practices are now housed in this new, state-of-the-art building, complete with parking facilities, located at 2000 Medical Parkway. Several more practices plan to relocate there later this year. Below are practices and locations:

Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center, Suite 101
AAMC Breast Center, Suite 200
Anne Arundel Diagnostics Breast Imaging Center, Suite 202
Annapolis OB/GYN, Suite 304
Chesapeake Women’s Care, Suite 306
Shady Grove Fertility Center, Suite 308
AAMC Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation, Suite 404
Emily Ulmer, M.D., Family Medicine, Suite 605

Grand Opening!

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 14:59:54 -0400

AAMC Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Center

The new, full-service AAMC Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Center now is open on the fourth ? oor of the Health Sciences Pavilion, 2000 Medical Parkway, on the AAMC Medical Park campus.

The new center combines all outpatient rehabilitation therapy services in one convenient location. The services include:

Cardiac
Pulmonary
Sports and Orthopedic
Neurological Rehabilitation
Physical Medicine (including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy)*
Lymphedema
Women’s Health

To participate in any of these programs, patients must have a physician order. Please check with your insurance company to determine if a referral from your primary care physician or pre-authorization is required.

*AAMC physical, occupational and speech therapy provides treatment for both adolescents and adults. Additionally, speech language services are available for pediatric patients.

Unobstructed Care

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 15:00:02 -0400

Minimally Invasive Procedure Restores Blood Flow, Relieves Pain

Annapolis resident Granville MacCollum. Courtesy photo.

Granville MacCollum had never stepped foot inside a hospital as a patient until 1998, when, at 83, he had a pacemaker implanted—an impressive run of good luck considering he served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Eleven years later, in January 2009, atherosclerosis interrupted Mr. MacCollum’s nine-decade run of nearly perfect health.

Years worth of fatty deposits were blocking blood flow through Mr. MacCollum’s superficial femoral arteries, the major thoroughfares that transport oxygenated blood down the thighs and feet. Because of inadequate blood flow, gangrene had developed in two of Mr. MacCollum’s toes.

Vascular surgeons in Florida, where Mr. MacCollum lived at the time, attempted to stent the two arteries to restore blood flow. But his adverse reaction to anesthesia prematurely ended the procedure, with just one stent implanted.

“The physicians in Florida thought my father would have a second reaction,” said daughter Clare Chapman.

“They wavered for weeks on a second procedure. It was then we decided to bring him back home. He needed to see a physician here in Annapolis. In hindsight, this decision was a very good idea.”

Despite Mr. MacCollum’s age and problem with anesthesia, vascular surgeon Michael Curi, M.D., was intent on extending the life of an otherwise healthy adult of advanced age.

“This was truly a case of a physician looking at the patient and doing the right thing for my father and our family.”
—Janet MacCollum

“This was a surgery we believed we could do safely, and in doing so, we could dramatically improve this patient’s quality of life,” he said.

Dr. Curi successfully implanted the second stent and amputated one toe, leaving the second toe amputation for an outpatient procedure performed by podiatrist John G. Deleonibus, D.P.M.

By June 2009, Mr. MacCollum was on his way to recovery and, by August, was walking on his own with a cane. In October, to celebrate his health, Mr. MacCollum and his wife travelled with their Heritage Harbour community friends to the Poconos.

“This was truly a case of a physician looking at the patient and doing the right thing for my father and our family,” said Janet MacCollum, Mr. MacCollum’s youngest daughter. “Dr. Curi is a wonderful doctor.”

– Justin Paquette

To listen to a podcast explaining how a stent restores blood flow to obstructed arteries, and for more information on the AAMC Vascular Center, visit www.aahs.org. If you need a vascular surgeon, talk to your primary care physician or call askAAMC at 443-481-4000 for a primary care physician referral.

The AAMC Foundation Announces

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 09:55:20 -0500

Comcast Makes Million Dollar Commitment to Challenge the Community to Support Improved Health Services

The Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation is proud to announce that Comcast Cable is pledging a million-dollar match to contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations and organizations as part of a philanthropic outreach to the community this year.

“It’s encouraging to note that a community leader like Comcast recognizes the critical importance of Anne Arundel Medical Center to everyone in our community.”
– John Belcher,
Chairman, AAMC Foundation Board of Directors & CEO of ARINC

In making this extraordinary commitment, Comcast recognizes that Anne Arundel Health System and Anne Arundel Medical Center “touch the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in our region,” said Fred Graffam, regional senior vice president of Comcast Cable. “We are pleased to be able to support this important cause and hope this will inspire others to do so as well.”

John Belcher, chairman of the AAMC Foundation Board of Directors, and CEO of ARINC, applauded Comcast for stepping up to make this remarkable commitment. “Not only will this help the Care Like no Other campaign, but it also helps us expand health care services and family-centered care for generations to come,” Belcher said. “It’s encouraging to note that a community leader like Comcast recognizes the critical importance of Anne Arundel Medical Center to everyone in our community.”

AAMC is reaching out to the community to invite support for its landmark capital campaign, Care Like no Other. The campaign, now in its fourth year, seeks to raise $44 million to help fund capital expansion on AAMC’s Medical Park campus just outside Annapolis. Thanks to the generosity of the hospital’s leadership, Medical Staff and employees, as well as several hundred leading community supporters, the Care Like no Other campaign already has raised more than $37 million. “This is a true testament to the high regard the people of this community hold AAMC,” said Lisa Hillman, president of the AAMC Foundation. “Any one who lives, works or visits here might at some time need the hospital’s services. And this expansion ensures the hospital can care for thousands more people for decades to come.”

The Comcast Health Challenge

Be part of the Comcast Health Challenge and help Anne Arundel Medical Center to advance health care services for our community.

Here’s how…
The Comcast Health Challenge invites you to be among the thousands of area residents who support AAMC. Last year some 6,600 individuals, organizations and foundations donated gifts to AAMC totaling nearly $6.4 million. Many of these contributions are helping to fund the new patient tower and projects that are part of the Care Like no Other capital campaign.

Conceiving After Cancer

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:06:01 -0400

Fertility Preservation Possible Even with Cancer Diagnosis

The hardest part is behind you now. The oncologist declared that you are “cancer free.”

But now, there is a new concern. “Can I still become pregnant? Will I be able to have a family?”

For many, the answer to these questions is yes.

“For women living with a range of cancers and undergoing a variety of treatments, fertility preservation options exist,” said Gilbert L. Mottla, M.D., a reproductive endocrinologist and fertility specialist with Shady Grove Fertility in Annapolis. “If you can preserve fertility and the hope of being a parent, a patient’s attitude and sense of wellness will be far better, allowing her to better deal with the disease.”

Scientific progress in reproductive endocrinology runs parallel to therapy advancements used to fight cancer. As cancers are diagnosed earlier, involving a reproductive endocrinologist early in treatment planning is a vital component for many families.

“More and more, oncologists are aware of fertility preservation potential, and it becomes part of the greater cancer conversation for the multidisciplinary medical team,” explained Dr. Mottla.

A sample of options include:

Medications to put the ovaries into a state of hibernation during chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Functionality may be restored when treatment is finished.
Ovarian stimulation to coax eggs into development before treatment begins for later fertilization. Recent developments in freezing technology have made the freezing of eggs possible.
In vitro fertilization, a process by which fertilized embryos are frozen, then thawed and implanted after successful cancer treatment.

Gilbert L. Mottla, M.D.

“The goal first is to get these women to a point where they are cancer free, and to preserve fertility for when such a point is reached,” said Dr. Mottla. “We often find that while therapy is effective in eliminating cancer, it also has eradicated any remaining fertility. But because we’ve planned ahead, and we now have frozen, viable eggs or embryos, a woman with a healthy uterus is able to carry a pregnancy.

“The bottom line is we want to provide options to women, both young and those who may have delayed starting their family, who have their lives disrupted by cancer,” Dr. Mottla said. “Once that cancer has been beaten, we can provide them with options to get their lives back on track. Fertility preservation is possible—and a reality—for many women.”

– Justin Paquette

About the Care Like no Other

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:08:08 -0400

A rendering of the inside of the new pediatric emergency unit, opening in spring 2011.

The new Health Sciences Pavilion houses the Health Sciences Institute, a state-of-the-art educational and learning environment.

Anne Arundel Medical Center is undertaking the largest expansion in its 100-plus year history, a project that will increase the hospital’s facilities by 50 percent in order to continue providing health care services to our growing population. This expansion – or Vision 2010 plan – not only will add patient rooms and new operating suites, but additionally will help further advance state-of-the art medical technology, allowing our caring staff to provide the best possible care for you and your loved ones.

To ensure the success of this project, the AAMC Foundation is conducting the largest capital campaign in its 27-year history,entitled Care Like no Other. This campaign is the philanthropic portion of the Vision 2010 plan, designed to help achieve our expansion goals.

The entire Vision 2010 project costs an estimated $424 million.The majority of these funds are derived from the sale of taxexempt bonds, capital and cash reserves; however, $44 million in philanthropic funds is required to complete this expansion project. Since the Care Like no Other campaign began, more than $37 million has been raised from generous individuals, businesses, foundations and organizations.

You can make a Difference–
You are a Vital Health Care Partner
Every year, more than 6,500 donors make life-saving gifts to the AAMC Foundation—funds that make a quantifi able and qualitative difference in health care. Join your neighbors and friends in the Care Like no Other campaign and invest in long-term medical excellence for our community.

Anne Arundel Medical Center
A Vital Community Resource
AAMC is a community resource governed by volunteers who live and work in the community. Every dollar donated is carefully invested in people, facilities, equipment and programs to serve the people of our region.

This is Your Regional Medical Center
More than 70,000 people visit AAMC’s Emergency Room and more than 25,000 are admitted each year. Chances are high that at some time in the future, you or someone you love will need AAMC. When that time comes, you will be glad you contributed today.

The Care Like no Other campaign is an opportunity to reaffirm AAMC’s future.

You, a valued member of our community, can make a difference by making a gift to the Care Like no Other Campaign. Donations, at any level will help support the following:

A new eight-level Patient Tower, opening in spring 2011.
This tower will add 50 new private patient rooms, eight additional surgical suites, a Pediatric Emergency Department and an expanded Adult Emergency Department.
The Pediatric Emergency Department and Inpatient Suite,
which will provide both outpatient and inpatient care with a dedicated focus on children and their families. It will be staffed 24/7 by pediatricians, pediatric nurses and pediatric support personnel.
A seven-level Health Sciences Pavilion (HSP),
which opened in June 2009. This beautiful facility houses the Health Sciences Institute – a state of the art learning and educational environment for hospital staff as well as the community. The HSP also houses the new AAMC Breast Center and AAD Breast Imaging Center with an 11,000 square foot state-of-the-art clinical facility and adjacent 5,000 square- foot diagnostic imaging suite. In addition, the HSP is home to AAMC’s new, comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Center, a 15,000 square-foot facility staffed by expert clinicians in cardiac, pulmonary, speech-language pathology, sports medicine, orthopedics, lymphedema, physical medicine, occupational therapy, neurological and vestibular conditions, and women’s health therapy.
Two pedestrian bridges linking the East and West campus and the Sajak Pavilion with the new HSP. Parking structures connected to the Patient Tower and HSP allow for an additional 3,000 free parking spaces, making it easier for patients and visitors to access AAMC.
Anne Arundel Medical Center depends on the support of individuals like you to help provide quality health care, close to home. From our downtown hospital to our current comprehensive medical center, AAMC has grown with the community and has doubled its capacity to care for family, friends and neighbors.

Your Gift Touches Lives AAMC Foundation Events

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:11:49 -0400

2010 Gala Supports AAMC’s Pediatric Program

Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation’s 2010 Gala was a great success with nearly half a million dollars raised to benefit AAMC’s Pediatric Program and services. More than 700 individuals attended the event, which included a silent and live auction, gourmet cuisine, dancing and a heartwarming performance from the All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis.

Comcast—one of the Gala’s presenting sponsors—was honored for its many years of long-standing commitment to the event and to Anne Arundel Medical Center. From left are: Fred Graffam, Comcast’s senior vice president, Mike Clemmens, M.D., AAMC chief pediatric hospitalist, Victoria W. Bayless, Anne Arundel Health System president and chief operating officer, and Bruce Abbott, Comcast vice president of operations for Greater Baltimore and AAMC Foundation Board Member.

From Left: Mary T.Preas; Jim Myers, chair, AAMC Board of Trustees; Tina Doordan and Martin L. “Chip” Doordan, chief executive officer, Anne Arundel Health System.

The 2010 Gala Committee’s Subcommittee Chairs from left: Barbara Ducker (Hospitality Chair), Lynette Entzian (Sponsorship Chair), Carla McGill (Gala Chair) and Virginia Owens (Marketing Chair).

Fourth Annual Bosom Buddies Ball

Bosom Buddies Charities, Inc. held its fourth annual Bosom Buddies Ball, donating $100,000 to benefit AAMC’s Breast Center at Kent Island. Pictured from left are the Bosom Buddies Charities committee: Terri Friedl, Jean Berry, Susan Vianna, Susan Ponchock, Martha Kendall, Deidre Wilson, chair, Donna Moran, co-chair, Karen White, 2010 honoree, Cathy Adelman, Biana Arentz, Gloria Peithman, Marlene Davis and Deb Zussman.

Stepping Out for Breast Cancer Donates $50,000

Yvette Parrish and Veronica Campbell of Stepping Out for Breast Cancer present a generous $50,000 commitment to Karen Scott, director, Anne Arundel Diagnostics Imaging, and Dr. Daina Pack, lead radiologist, Annapolis Radiology, for the newly expanded breast-imaging center at AAMC. From left to right are: Scott, Parrish, Campbell and Pack.

Helping Hands

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:38:03 -0400

AAMC Surgeons Care for Haiti Earthquake Victim

AAMC orthopedic surgeon Jeffrey Gelfand, M.D., left, visits patient Michel Thomelus after a post-operative check-up. Mr. Thomelus was brought to AAMC by the Helping Hands Foundation to correct injuries suffered in the earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010.

Just before 5 p.m., on Tuesday, Jan. 12, Michel Thomelus sat in a back pew in the Eglise Saint-Louis Roi de France Church in the Turgeau neighborhood of Port-au-Prince and prayed as he did most afternoons.

Moments later, Mr. Thomelus felt a low rumble and then the violent shaking of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that would destroy much of the city he called home.

The century-old Haitian church collapsed, pinning Mr. Thomelus beneath debris. Both his legs were crushed, breaking immediately under the weight of falling wood and stone. His right leg suffered a compound fracture, the bone of his shin shattering.

In the panic, his 22-year-old brother, Evens, pulled him to safety.

Two months later, Mr. Thomelus was nearly 1,500 miles away, in an AAMC hospital room, speaking softly in his native Creole language about his experience.

“I was scared, and never lost consciousness as the church fell,” Mr. Thomelus said through a translator. “But I was lucky. My brother dug me out. My cousin and another brother both died in the earthquake.”

Mr. Thomelus arrived at AAMC with support from the Helping Hands Foundation, an international medical aid group launched by AAMC orthopedic surgeons Jeffrey Gelfand, M.D., and Thomas J. Harries, M.D.

Through its partnership with AAMC, which provides clinical support staff, medication, an operating room and supplies, the group provides reconstructive surgery to those who would otherwise be unable to receive such care in their home countries.

“The care Michel was able to receive in Haiti probably helped save his leg, but there was no way they could perform the vascular work and complex reconstructions he needed,” said Dr. Gelfand. “He needed a tissue transplant and a bone graft, not to mention a complex fracture repair. He had also developed a severe, highly antibiotic-resistant infection due to his open wound.”

On Friday, March 5, a six-physician medical team removed stabilizing pins from Mr. Thomelus’ right leg and cleaned the baseball-sized exposed wound on his shin. The bones of his right leg were set, and skin and muscle were transferred from his left thigh to close the wound. A complex and difficult surgery that would have been impossible in Haiti took eight hours at AAMC.

Days later, Dr. Gelfand surveyed Mr. Thomelus’ chart and examined the wound, which was healing well. The leg was accepting the skin grafts and two additional surgeries were scheduled.

“It’s like a paradise here, and I’m very happy,” Mr. Thomelus said after getting the positive report. But his eyes betrayed him. His mind was occupied with thoughts of home, with the family he’d left behind and worries about each day. Dr. Gelfand assured him his leg was healing, and his infection was being beaten back by broad-spectrum antibiotics. “Recovery is a process,” Dr. Gelfand said, “but we’ll get you there.”

Mr. Thomelus softly smiled. This, he knows.

– Justin Paquette

Editor’s Note: Michel Thomelus returned to Haiti in late May.

The Helping Hands Foundation was founded in 2005 to help international patients get access to reconstructive surgery normally unavailable in their home country. The Foundation partners with AAMC and the AAMC Foundation. For more information, visit www.helpinghandsfoundation.us.

More Gain, Less Pain

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:42:24 -0400

AAMC Surgeons Offer New Approach to Hip Replacement

A new approach to total hip replacement surgery is gaining momentum at AAMC, with surgeons reporting faster recovery times and less postoperative pain for patients.

AAMC patient Nancy Stamates was working in her flower garden just weeks after her total hip replacement. A new muscle-sparing procedure offers faster recovery times, allowing patients to resume their active lifestyles sooner, and with less pain.

The new method—called direct anterior approach to hip replacement—avoids the division of any hip muscles through the use of a highly specialized table.

Seventy-four year old Nancy Stamates can attest to the results. The Annapolis resident had her right hip replaced two years ago with a posterior method and her left hip replaced in March with the direct anterior approach.

“The healing process is much quicker (with the direct anterior approach),” Mrs. Stamates said, noting that she used a walker and cane for just two weeks after the March surgery, versus a month two years ago. She also spent less time in the hospital and could climb stairs much sooner following the new procedure.

Dr. Paul King is the medical director of the AAMC Joint Center. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and specializes in joint replacement surgery, as well as arthroscopic and ligament reconstruction procedures of the knee. Dr. King graduated from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, completed a residency at the University of Pennsylvania and is fellowship trained in joint reconstruction surgery from Harvard Medical School.

To listen to a podcast by Dr. King on the direct anterior hip approach, visit www.aahs.org/hips

Made possible by a highly specialized surgical table that allows surgeons to manipulate a patient’s leg in very precise positions during the procedure, the direct anterior approach eliminates the need to divide the hip muscles.

“This procedure is really a muscle-sparing evolution of the procedures orthopedic surgeons have been performing for decades,” said orthopedic surgeon Paul J. King M.D., medical director of the AAMC Joint Center, who performed both of Mrs. Stamates’ procedures. “Just like many other surgical specialties offer adaptations on traditional procedures that cause less tissue trauma and offer faster recovery times, this procedure allows us to provide our patients new benefits.”

Chair of Surgery Stephen E. Faust, M.D., added: “This procedure is a significant advance in hip replacement surgery, with demonstrated benefits for patients.”

Mrs. Stamates agrees. “The difference was so noticeable. It’s much easier this way. I’m back doing my housework and yard work.”

– Justin Paquette & Jenny Steffens

The anterior approach is not appropriate for all patients. Each patient will be evaluated by a surgeon to determine the optimal surgical approach. For more information about joint replacement surgery, or to find an orthopedic surgeon, call the nurses at ask AAMC at 443-481-4000.

Imaging Gently, and Safely

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:45:16 -0400

Recent articles in the press have raised concerns about medical radiation exposure including the possible effects of X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans and other tests that are performed with radiation.

Radiologist Mark Radowich, M.D., of Annapolis Radiology Associates, believes such fears are unfounded.

“Small doses delivered over time are well tolerated by the body,” Dr. Radowich said. “The damage—if any—is repaired naturally by the body. Otherwise, residents of high altitude cities such as Denver, where exposure to natural occurring radiation is heightened, would have an increased rate of cancer versus residents of Baltimore—and they don’t.”

Of course, it is worthwhile to limit the dose of radiation from any source to the lowest amount possible. At Anne Arundel Diagnostics Imaging (AADI), part of Anne Arundel Health System, and at Anne Arundel Medical Center, great care is taken to use as low a dose of radiation as possible while still achieving readable results.

“We keep the radiation dose as low as possible for each imaging exam,” Dr. Radowich said, adding that, “we often suggest alternative tests that don’t use ionizing radiation, such as ultrasound and MRI, which can provide the needed information.”

AADI also is part of the “Image Gently Campaign,” an effort to raise awareness about opportunities to lower radiation dose used in pediatric imaging exams. Recently this campaign has been expanded to include other areas, such as interventional radiology.

Dr. Radowich encourages patients not to deny themselves the benefits of a test that could save their lives because of radiation concerns. “If there is a definite benefit to be gained, the small risk is worth it,” he said.

If you are concerned about the effects of radiation from an imaging exam, please talk with your physician. For more information about Anne Arundel Diagnostics Imaging, or to make an appointment, visit www.AADImaging.com or call 1-888-909-XRAY (9729).

Wishful Thinking About Indoor Tanning

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 15:54:49 -0400

by Barry Meisenberg, M.D.

The Internet and advertising media are filled with misinformation and disinformation about the risks of indoor tanning.

Many sources falsely claim that tanning booths are a safe alternative to outdoor tanning, and that they provide a more measured dose of ultraviolet (UV) radiation than actual sun exposure. The sources claim that because such booths won’t cause painful sunburns, they won’t damage the skin or cause cancer. There are even those who say that since UV exposure helps our bodies absorb vitamin D, that tanning lamps are actually healthy for us.

Such arguments are false, dangerous, and wishful thinking—either deliberate self-delusion or an attempt to delude the public to sustain what has become a multibillion dollar industry.

Scientific evidence confirms that tanning booths are harmful. This confirmation comes from laboratory studies of skin cells and epidemiologic studies that link indoor tanning to melanoma and other skin cancers.

The risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is about 75 percent higher for tanning bed users than the rest of the public. The studies also indicate that the earlier this exposure to tanning beds begins, the higher the risk for melanoma, perhaps 300 percent higher if started at a young age. This is worrisome since the target group for the industry is adolescents.

In addition to the World Health Organization, professional organizations such as the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Medical Association, and the Skin Cancer Foundation all have warned against the use of tanning booths. Though the FDA regulates tanning booths as a medical device, they do not regulate usage, and they do not give health advice to the public.

AAMC’s oncology team wants the community to know the very real dangers of tanning salons. Protect your skin whenever you are outdoors. Do not go to tanning salons. Always be armed with knowledge of the dangers of sun exposure.

Barry Meisenberg, M.D., is a medical oncologist and hematologist, and medical director of the AAMC Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute.

AAMC Innovations

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 11:08:30 -0400

This fall, the AAMC Geaton and Joann DeCesaris Cancer Institute will debut the Novalis Tx™, one of the most precise, non-invasive treatments available for cancerous and non-cancerous conditions of the entire body. This new robotic, image-guided Novalis system incorporates a powerful linear accelerator that rotates around the patient to deliver treatment beams anywhere in the body from virtually any angle.

Traditionally, radiosurgery has been used to treat the brain. This new system, which can treat tumors and lesions in the lung, spine and other parts of the body, continuously tracks and adjusts for a patient’s breathing and movement of a tumor. The Novalis Tx also shapes its radiation beam to contour to the exact shape of the tumor or lesion, protecting healthy tissue. More information is available at www.aahs.org/cancer.

New Magnetic Resonance Software

AAMC recently installed new software that allows for magnetic resonance vascular examinations without the use of contract, a benefit for patients in end-stage renal failure and those with earlier stages of kidney disease. In addition, the new software dramatically improves the visualization of anatomy around implanted metal, particularly of the spine and joints.

CREST Study Results

AAMC was one of three Maryland hospitals to take part in one of the largest and longest-running stroke prevention studies ever conducted in North America: the Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stenting, or CREST study. The study found that both surgery and newer, less-invasive carotid stenting procedures may safely and effectively prevent strokes in patients suffering blockages in the arteries of the neck.

To listen to a podcast featuring Drs. John Martin and Jonathan Altschuler discussing AAMC’s role in the CREST study, visit www.aahs.org/crest

Vision Restored

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:22:42 -0400

Scarless Surgery Removes Pituitary Tumor

Robert Chambers was recovering from routine knee surgery in October 2009 when he experienced an excruciating headache. Thinking the sudden ailment was a residual side effect of anesthesia, the 31-year-old government employee took pain medication and went to bed.

Above: Before and after MRIs show the location of a pituitary tumor that caused AAMC patient Robert Chambers to nearly completely lose his vision. Following the removal of the tumor, Mr. Chambers’ vision was restored, allowing him to return to work and resume his normal life.

The next day, another crippling headache afflicted Mr. Chambers. This time, the symptoms were more severe—vision loss, dizziness and lack of appetite. While attempting to brush his teeth, the Odenton resident lost his balance and fell, hitting his head on the vanity. He stood up again, only to fall over a second time.

With his vision quickly decreasing in both eyes, family members took Mr. Chambers to an eye center where doctors there realized he needed an MRI.

“They were speaking in acronyms,” Mr. Chambers recalled. “That’s never a good sign.”

Within a matter of hours, Mr. Chambers was in AAMC’s Emergency Department, where staff quickly ordered an MRI. They also paged AAMC neurosurgeon Timothy Burke, M.D., who diagnosed Mr. Chambers with a pituitary tumor, or an abnormal growth on the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain. Though typically noncancerous, pituitary tumors often place pressure on important nerves or blood vessels. In Mr. Chambers’ case, the pituitary tumor was pressing on his optic nerves and if not removed, would cause permanent blindness.

“Mr. Chambers had no vision in his left eye and only residual sight in his right eye,” said Dr. Burke.“ We knew we needed to act quickly.”

The sudden diagnosis was a shock to the otherwise healthy Mr. Chambers. “Dr. Burke told me, ‘of all the tumors to have in your life, this is the one you want,’” he said. “He also said I’d have no scars and they wouldn’t even have to cut my hair.”

Timothy Burke, M.D.

That’s because Dr. Burke removed the tumor transsphenoidally, an approach through the sphenoid sinus, one of the facial air spaces behind the nose. The minimally invasive approach involves a small, hidden incision in the sinuses and the use of a fiberoptic endoscope to remove the pituitary tumor.

Immediately following the surgery, Mr. Chambers recalled a nurse asking him how he felt. “The first thing I said was ‘I can see,’” Mr. Chambers said. “It was like a miracle. Before the surgery I could only see the outline of Dr. Burke’s body, I couldn’t see him. After I woke up he introduced himself. I recognized the voice, but I had never seen him.”

Added Dr. Burke, “Typically patients with pituitary tumors do well, but that his vision came back so quickly given the severity —that was unusual. We were very pleased with the results.”

Now back at work as a recruiter and trainer, Mr. Chambers continues to wear glasses, which he did before the discovery of his pituitary tumor. Several visual eye exams have all come back with normal results.

“Dr. Burke was so instrumental to me,” Mr. Chambers said. “I’m just so grateful.”

– Jenny Steffens

Pituitary tumor removal is among the many minimally invasive procedures AAMC neurosurgeons can perform. For information about headaches, our specialists or when to seek medical attention, call the nurses at AskAAMC, 443-481-4000.

Miracle Mile

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:20:41 -0400

After suffering a near fatal heart attack in March, Jeremy Blackstone of Annapolis exercises on an elliptical machine as part of his cardiac rehabilitation program at AAMC. Monitoring his health are, from left, Terri Harding, R.N., cardiac rehabilitation nurse; Carol Frazer, exercise physiologist; and Dianne Walters, R.N., cardiac rehabilitation nurse.

Scholar-athlete Jeremy Blackstone planned to spend his free time this summer exercising and playing video games before beginning his freshman year at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Instead, the tall, athletic 18-year-old spent three afternoons a week at AAMC’s cardiac rehabilitation program after suffering a near fatal heart attack in late March.

While playing basketball with friends in Pasadena, Jeremy – a recent co-captain of the Annapolis High School track team – collapsed, lost consciousness and went into cardiac arrest. Bystanders rushed to help, performing cardiac pulmonary resuscitation until paramedics arrived and restored the young man’s heart rhythm using an automated external defibrillator. Doctors soon discovered an undiagnosed congenital heart defect.

Several weeks after surgery to repair his heart, Jeremy, under the care of cardiologist Barbara Bean, M.D. began a 36-session regimen of cardiac rehabilitation at AAMC, consisting of strengthening exercises and aerobics -- such as walking on a treadmill and cycling -- all while his heart rate, pulse and blood pressure were monitored by his care team.

“I’m very pleased with the care,” said Beverly Blackstone, Jeremy’s mother. “The (therapists) have been excellent, and I’m completely confident in the cardiac rehab program.”

This fall, Jeremy plans to study computer science on a full academic scholarship. He also hopes to get back to where he was athletically before the heart incident occurred.

One of Jeremy’s goals—jogging—has already been accomplished in cardiac rehabilitation. “I want to run for leisure,” he said. “I want to run a mile.”

– Jenny Steffens

AAMC’s New Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Center

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:43:36 -0400

The many important and life-changing rehabilitative services offered at Anne Arundel Medical Center now are housed in one convenient, new location under the umbrella of the new AAMC Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Center.

To read how AAMC's Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center helped one young man get back on track, click here.

The 15,000-square-foot facility, located on the fourth floor of the Health Sciences Pavilion at 2000 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, includes specialized patient treatment rooms and three central gym areas equipped with exercise machines, therapeutic aids and other rehabilitative technology. On any given day, patients are walking the indoor track, gliding along a treadmill, learning to speak again and controlling lymphedema.

“Providing coordinated care in one, convenient location is what sets us apart,” said Jenn Gurka, M.P.T., manager of Rehabilitation Services. “Our therapists are trained in the latest and most effective rehabilitation techniques to provide excellent quality care.”

The Outpatient Rehabilitation team includes expert clinicians in cardiac, pulmonary, speech-language pathology, sports medicine, orthopedics, lymphedema, physical medicine, occupational therapy, neurological and vestibular conditions and women’s health therapy. All AAMC therapists treat adolescent and adult clients, with speech-language pathologists also treating pediatric clients.

Having a range of experts practicing in one facility benefits patients with multiple challenges, such as those recovering from a stroke.

“It’s a bonus for our patients to be able to schedule one-on-one clinical time with different specialized therapists,” said Gurka. “It is especially important for people who may need more than one type of treatment, such as neurological and complex medical patients.”

The rehabilitation team ensures continuity of a patient’s care by meeting monthly to discuss cases and evaluate patient needs. Besides the many services already offered, the new space provides room for expansion. “The facility is beautiful and we are excited about opportunities for growth,” Gurka said.

– Paula Novash

To participate in any of these rehabilitation services, patients must have a physician order. Please check with your insurance company to determine if a referral from your primary care physician or pre-authorization is required.

Highlights of the new AAMC Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Center:

Individualized programs for all patients.
A training kitchen, bathroom, driving simulator and ATM to help people re-learn and practice tasks of daily living.
Private speech therapy rooms to support the needs of patients with voice, speech or swallowing impairments, head and neck cancer, neurological injury/disease, or developmental speech and/or language delays.
Nationally certified cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs with an emphasis on cardiopulmonary fitness, nutritional and behavioral counseling, and education.
State-of-the-art exercise and sports equipment.
Balance training and electrical nerve stimulation devices.
Pediatric speech therapy conducted in a child friendly, private room with a one-way mirror and a speaker system, so parents can observe a therapist working with their child.
Women’s health physical therapy provided by a certified clinician and in a private area.
Lymphedema-certified clinicians who provide physical therapy to assist with controlling edema occurring from damage to the lymphatic system.

From the AAMC Heritage Society*

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:55:33 -0400

How’s Your Will Power?

In our community, the “will power” of people like you makes a difference in AAMC’s ability to accomplish our mission to enhance the health of the people we serve – now and in the future. After you take care of your loved ones, including a simple provision in your will or trust for the AAMC Foundation says a lot about you, your “will power,” and your “good will.” Bequests in any amount are encouraged and appreciated. The AAMC Heritage Society welcomes your consideration.

Thank you.

Suggested Bequest Language

“I give, devise, and bequeath to the Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation, a tax-exempt organization (Tax ID # 52-1331298) located at 2001 Medical Parkway, Sajak Pavilion, Ste 240, Annapolis, MD 21401, the sum of $_______________ dollars or _____% percent of the residue of my estate or other personal or real property (appropriately described) in support of AAMC’s mission.

For answers to your questions, please contact Bob Harrison at 443-481-4745, rharrison@aahs.org, or go to www.aahs.org/Bequests. Thank you.

*The Heritage Society welcomes and recognizes those who have included the AAMC Foundation in their will or trust, or who have made other planned gifts in support of our mission to enhance the health of the people we serve.

Food for Thought

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:10:10 -0500

Tips to Maximize Nutrition During Cancer Treatment

Eat frequent small meals throughout the day
instead of three larger ones.

Drink between meals,
not with them, to avoid filling up on liquids.

Increase your protein intake
with peanut butter crackers, yogurt, eggs, cheese and hummus.

Fresh ginger about 30 minutes before eating
can take the edge off nausea. Ginger flavoring common in many sodas does not work as well. Ginger capsules also may work.

Foods high in fat or fiber take longer to digest
and can make nausea last longer.

White, bland foods tend to help with nausea,
e.g., cream of wheat, mashed potatoes, cottage cheese, crackers and breads.

Medications, particularly painkillers, cause constipation
so maintain fiber in your diet whenever the nausea passes. High-fiber cereals are often the easiest way to obtain the needed fiber.

High-protein, high-calorie milkshakes and supplements
can provide additional calories, helping patients achieve their calorie goals.

Staying hydrated; eating foods moistened with sauces helps dry mouth.
Doctors can also prescribe artificial saliva.

Foods that once tasted good can now taste metallic.
Citrus sometimes counters that, i.e., suck on lemon drops, drink lemonade, or use a citrus flavored marinade.

Complementary Medicine

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:13:46 -0500

Reiki Helps Cancer Survivor in Healing Process

Bill Millios used Reiki to complement his prescribed cancer treatment and help restore his overall health and well being.

Bowie resident Bill Millios had never heard of Reiki, a Japanese relaxation technique that also promotes healing, when he began chemotherapy to combat multiple myeloma. But after several rounds of the powerful drug treatment, Mr. Millios’ spirits ran low and he began searching for complementary treatment to supplement his prescribed medical procedures.

“I was pretty down when I started,” said Mr. Millios, 67. I was going through tons of treatment and I wasn’t seeing the results that I wanted. It felt like I wasn’t going anywhere.”

While reading an issue of AAMC magazine, Mr. Millios learned that Reiki was offered through the hospital’s Wellness department. After his first appointment he noticed an immediate difference, so much so that he began coordinating Reiki sessions with his December 2008 chemotherapy treatments.

“Reiki has helped my body participate more fully in the recovery,” Mr. Millios said. “It has given me the strength I needed to battle cancer.” Two years after his initial diagnosis, Mr. Millios is in partial remission with less than 5 percent of myeloma cells, an astoundingly low count. Whenever he feels sluggish, he schedules a session with AAMC Reiki Master Sharon Cameron, E-R.Y.T, R.M.T.

“It’s like a burst of energy,” Mr. Millios explained. “It helps my body with the total healing process.”

Donor Profile

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:14:38 -0500

The Beall Family & Ledo Pizza
Annapolis, Md.

Members of the Beall family include Rob, Bob, Peggy, Sarah, Jamie and Garth.

WHO:The Beall Family, owners of LEDO Pizza System, Inc., Annapolis, $100,000 gift

WHY THEY GAVE: To support an organization that exemplified their family values – commitment to community and caring for others.

IMPACT: Garth Beall: “Our family alone has had eight grandchildren born at AAMC, and when my father had a heart-related emergency, our experience with the Urgent Care Center on Kent Island and then the ER was as positive an experience as it can be.” Jamie Beall: “We are especially pleased to see the new community health center opening on Forest Drive.”

Harbor Hills Meets the Challenge

The Davidsonville neighborhood of Harbor Hills couldn’t agree more with the Beall Family. When Charlie Moore told his neighbors he would donate $50,000 to the “Care Like no Other” Campaign if they would match his pledge, they opened their hearts with gifts from $50 to $17,000, demonstrating the true meaning of community, commitment and caring for others.

“If any one of those gifts, of any size, had not been made, we never would have reached our goal,” says gift challenge leader Mr. Moore. “It just goes to show that every dollar makes a difference.”

If you are wondering, “what is a meaningful gift to AAMC?”

Yours.

Portable EKG Monitors help AAMC, Emergency Medical Systems Improve Patient Care

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:34:15 -0500

James Loor, center, survived a heart attack thanks to the quick action of Prince George’s emergency medical technicians and the AAMC heart care team.

Fast Facts

Outfitting Our EMS

AAMC is proud to have purchased portable Lifenet 12-Lead EKG monitors for the emergency medical systems (EMS) in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, and Queen Anne’s County. This allows the EMS personnel to send EKG to the hospital in advance of a patient’s arrival, allowing the hospital staff to activate the Cath Lab team, if necessary.

Warning Signs of a Heart Attack

chest discomfort

discomfort in other areas of upper body

shortness of breath

cold sweat, nausea, lightheadedness

To listen to a podcast on heart attack warning signs, visit www.aahs.org/podcasts

When Bowie resident James Loor retired from the Prince George’s County Fire Department last spring after 34 years of saving lives, he never imagined he would be the center of emergency just three months later.

Thursday, Aug. 19, 2010 had been a typical day for the Loors. Mr. Loor, 56, fell asleep next to his wife Marlene, as he had every night for the past 32 years. When he woke in the middle of the night with a headache, he took aspirin and went back to bed. After the sun came up, he complained of heartburn, but attributed it to spicy food he ate the day before.

As he headed to the shower, the pain in his chest increased. Mr. Loor’s son called 9-1-1.

When Prince George’s County first responders arrived at the Loor home, they were surprised to see their old friend and colleague. Evaluation and diagnostic tests indicated Mr. Loor was having a S-T Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), a serious heart attack. The medics immediately notified the Emergency Department at AAMC they were on the way with a patient in critical need of emergency cardiac care.

At AAMC, the emergency team arranged for Mr. Loor to be seen immediately by the Cardiac Catheterization team.

Meanwhile, Mr. Loor’s condition went from bad to worse – he lost consciousness and had an abnormal heart rhythm. The medics used a defibrillator to restore his heart to its normal rhythm, but time was of the essence.

Cardiologist Scott Katzen, M.D., led the cardiac team, clearing the blockage and inserting a stent to support the artery and prevent further blockage. Within minutes, Mr. Loor was in recovery.

These days, a fully recovered Mr. Loor is grateful for the successful procedure that is allowing him to thoroughly enjoy his retirement.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome,” he said. “The staff was very professional in everything they did. AAMC is a wonderful place that I’d highly recommend to anybody.”

New Community Health Center

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:22:18 -0500

Fast Facts
WHAT: AAMC Community Health Center
LOCATION: 1419 Forest Drive, Annapolis, Md., 21403, across from Clock Tower Place
SERVICES: primary care, acute, chronic and preventive
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: Annapolis City bus lines covering Forest Drive, West Street, Route 2 and Hilltop Lane
MEDICAL DIRECTOR: Dr. Scott Eden
FEES: Charges based on Medicaid fee schedule. Sliding scale for uninsured patients, based on income. Service not intended for commercially insured patients.
LANGUAGES: English, Spanish

Anne Arundel Medical Center has established a new Community Health Center to provide accessible and affordable primary care for uninsured and under-insured residents of all ages and reduced rate referrals for specialty care. Fees for medical services will be based on a sliding fee schedule proportionate with income.

Scott Eden, M.D., medical director of the AAMC Community Health Center
“We want this center to encourage trust between patient and physician and assure the care they need to prevent chronic illness and debilitating disease before it occurs,” said Scott Eden, M.D., medical director. “Our services will provide preventive care and case management that will lessen emergency care for conditions that can be managed or avoided.”

A Hole-in-One Event

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:23:17 -0500

More than 130 golfers enjoyed a beautiful day on the links at Chartwell Golf & Country Club on Oct. 18, 2010. Thanks to their support, the 2010 Golf Classic raised more than $207,000 for the new Hospital Pavilion-South opening in April.

Above: Cheers echoed across the fairways as Brian Goff (second from left) won the hole-in-one prize of $25,000. He is pictured with Insurance Solutions teammates Vince Trasatti, Larry Ulvila and Dr. Dwight Fortier.
Above: Special thanks to our Title Sponsors Whiting Turner and E-Landscaping. Pictured from E-Landscaping (l to r) are Eric Drenner, Harlan Budowski, Lanie Gibson, Dan Foley; AAMC’s CEO Chip Doordan; E-Landscaping’s Rook Rogers, and Tournament Chairman Dr. Sandy Robbins.

Just for Kids

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:40:53 -0500

New Pediatric Emergency Room Opens in April

Perhaps the most anticipated element of the expansion of Anne Arundel Medical Center is the new, dedicated Pediatric emergency room. This carefully designed unit is built exclusively for the care of ill and injured children 17 and younger. Bright, beautiful and fun, this dedicated unit will help our young patients feel right at home in a comforting, child-focused and reassuring environment.

Right: Dr. Michael Clemmens, medical director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, comforts a young patient and her mother.

AAMC's New Pediatric Emergency Room

Features

an emergency room just for children

an inpatient unit just for children

a dedicated team of doctors, nurses and other health care providers who have a special interest and training in caring for infants, children and teens

A SNEAK PEEK A rendering of the new pediatric emergency room, designed with a nautical theme, opens this spring.

Envisioning the Future

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:41:32 -0500

A Message From Anne Arundel Health System Leadership

TO BE THE DESTINATION HEALTH SYSTEM IN OUR REGION – Vision 2010 Concludes

More than 25 years ago, it was clear that Anne Arundel Medical Center would outgrow our downtown Annapolis location before the end of the 20th century. Many people with foresight began planning for the explosive population growth that was to occur. Service by service, we relocated to what is now known as Medical Park. The final move was opening the acute care pavilion in December 2001.

It didn’t take long before we were back to expansion mode. Vision 2010 was an ambitious undertaking that resulted in the doubling of our Annapolis campus and the creation of a new community-based center at Kent Island. We now have extraordinary facilities for the latest, proven, and advanced technology. Even more importantly, we have built programs with doctors and medical specialists who are recognized leaders in their fields.

Vision 2010 is coming to a close. A new patient tower, pediatric emergency room and expanded operating rooms open this spring. Later in the year, our much needed emergency department expansion will be complete. I am proud of the tremendous efforts of our teams through this exciting time.

AAMC will be here to serve you and your families for decades to come.

LIVING HEALTHIER TOGETHER – Our Vision 2020

What’s ahead? AAMC will have even greater outreach into the communities we serve. We will be guided by Vision 2020 – Living Healthier Together. The plan was developed by nearly 100 people who are deeply dedicated to our health system—community and hospital leaders, physicians, nurses and employees … your neighbors and friends.

Vision 2020 is our roadmap for a new kind of health care—personalized with you at the center. Including closer relationships with your health care providers. Partnerships with community organizations. Greater connectivity through electronic medical records.

Patients, physicians, and the hospital will share responsibility and accountability. And, we will work towards making health care more affordable and more focused on wellness and prevention.

AAMC’s vision is filled with promise and possibility.

Martin L. Doordan, Chief Executive Officer

Victoria W. Bayless, President and Chief Operating Officer

A Tiny Miracle at The Safe, Smart Place

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:42:28 -0500

TEN TEENY TOES Born three months premature on June 1, 2010, Allie Nichols arrived weighing a mere 15.3 ounces. Her care spanned 89 days in AAMC’s Level IIIB Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. (photo by Chona Hamrock, R.N.)

AN ADORING MOM Leigh Nichols never missed a day visiting Allie in the NICU. Her high-risk pregnancy included bed rest and a hospital stay. Allie’s slow growth in her mother’s womb caused by lack of blood flow from the umbilical cord lowered her chance for survival. (photo by Cheryl Briggs, R.N.)

READY TO ROLL Despite the odds, and thanks to advanced care, Allie thrived. “Allie is definitely a miracle,” said maternal-fetal medicine specialist William Sweeney, M.D., who oversaw Mrs. Nichols’ pregnancy. (photo by Cheryl Briggs, R.N.)

HOME SWEET HOME At 7 pounds 13 ounces as of Dec. 1, 2010, Allie continues to grow and enjoy her surroundings. “We’ve been so blessed,” Mrs. Nichols said. “She’s our little miracle. And not a day goes by that I don’t think of everyone who cared for her.” (family photo)

Staying Ahead of Prostate Cancer

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 12:55:46 -0500

Vigilance Pays Dividends

Regular monitoring of prostate disease helped AAMC patient Jerry Wadley stay ahead of prostate cancer.

Jerry Wadley of Bowie, Md., is an evangelist for vigilance, early detection and awareness of prostate cancer. Not only did he witness the prostate cancer deaths of his father and grandfather, he, too has been treated for the disease.

Mindful of his elevated risk, Mr. Wadley began monitoring his prostate health at age 40, regularly talking with his physician and undergoing PSA exams, which measure prostate-specific antigen levels—proteins that can act as a “marker” signaling disease development. For years, Mr. Wadley’s PSA tests and clinical exams were fine – until the winter of 2009, when, at age 54, he was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer.

“Mr. Wadley was vigilant in staying ahead of this disease, which allowed us to catch his cancer early, while it was still contained and before it extended past localized disease,” said Robert Hanley, M.D., a urologist with Anne Arundel Urology. “He understood that being African-American and having a significant family history he needed to follow up with regular PSA screenings and stay educated on all his options.”

After conversations with his physician and his family, Mr. Wadley elected to undergo a robotic prostatectomy: complete removal of the prostate. The minimally invasive procedure spared sensitive nerve areas around the prostate, eliminating many of the side effects associated with traditional surgery.

“My hat’s off to Dr. Hanley for being so willing to discuss my options and keep me educated,” said Mr. Wadley. “I think what keeps a lot of men from dealing with prostate cancer is misinformation and an ignorance of the facts. The first thing [men] think about is the side effects, but with all the technology and the treatment options, what we should really be thinking about is how to deal with the disease.”

Thanks to Bosom Buddies

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:15:42 -0500

The fifth annual Bosom Buddies Ball at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club in January raised more than $180,000 for the Breast Center at AAMC Health Services – Kent Island and other services. This popular event was led by co-chairs Deidre Wilson and Donna Moran. Special thanks to lead sponsors Chesapeake Bay Beach Club, CNB, PNC, and Queenstown Bank.

Pictured are event committee members (bottom l to r): Bosom Buddies founder Susan Ponchock, event honoree Terry Friedl, Donna Moran and Deidre Wilson; and (top l to r) Cathy Adelman, Pat Mager, Biana Arentz, Karen White, Kristy Mirando, Bryanna Schafer, Jean Barry, Dawn Sherwood, Deb Zussman, Ellen Bell, Roni Haggart and Anne Joyner. Committee members not pictured are Diane Jones and Susan Kreamer.

Technology

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:44:00 -0500

Introducing: Rapid Access Lung Program

Lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer in the United States and the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in Maryland. The AAMC Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Cancer Institute has an arsenal of weapons ready to help patients with screening, diagnosis, treatment and survivorship. Our newest weapon, the Rapid Access Lung Program, assures that patients with suspicious chest nodules get the best care quickly.

Our patients have “Rapid Access” to:

Immediate support throughout diagnosis and treatment with our nurse navigator.

Our team of experts who review each case and present treatment options.

Minimally invasive biopsies with the new, superDimension’s i Logic bronchoscope, which allows physicians access to formerly hard-to-reach areas of the lung.

Precise, accurate, image-guided radiation treatment with the Novalis TX radiosurgery system. Robotics and image guidance spares healthy tissue.

Visit www.aahs.org/thoracic to watch a videocast on the Rapid Access Lung Program by Stephen Cattaneo, M.D.

Our Quit Line Counselors can help you quit smoking. Call 443-481-5366.

Revolutionary PET/CT Scanner

Anne Arundel Diagnostics Imaging (AADI) has added a revolutionary scanner designed specifically for early cancer diagnosis that provides physicians with added detail, image quality and diagnostic confidence. The GE Discovery PET/ CT scan allows physicians to pinpoint malignancies, which enables precise diagnosis and efficient treatment planning for patients. The scanner is located in the AADI suite on the first floor of the Sajak Pavilion, 2002 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, Md.

Your Tech Tour

Get An Up-Close Look at the New AAMC Novalis Tx

The Novalis Tx radiosurgery platform represents a new standard in radiosurgery, offering advanced technologies that deliver highly precise, fast treatment. In the hands of our cancer specialists, this powerful new technology offers you and your family the chance for fast treatment and the best possible outcomes.

Visit www.aahs.org/novalis to take an online tour of our new Novalis Tx radiosurgery platform.

Dave Brandt

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:03:49 -0500

We can help you get back in the game, too. To find an orthopedic surgeon, call the nurses at askAAMC at 443-481-4000.

Dave Brandt Navy men’s soccer coach and AAMC total hip replacement patientNavy men’s soccer coach Dave Brandt ended his 2010 season with a 7-5-4 record. He also closed out the year with a new left hip, thanks to a total hip replacement performed at AAMC in April by orthopedic surgeon Marc Brassard, M.D.

Brandt, 47, a storied soccer coach and former player who ranks as the third winningest soccer coach in NCAA history, knew it was time for joint replacement when the pain took a turn for the worse, affecting both his sleep and everyday life.“ It feels great now,” Brandt said. “There is no pain at all.”

Medical Staff and Employees Set Records for Campaign Giving

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:16:42 -0500

Tayma McHenry (L) and Anita Smith (R), co-chairs of the employee campaign, with Dr. Doug Mitchell, co-chair of the medical staff campaign. Not pictured are medical staff campaign co-chairs Aimee Yu, M.D. and Thomas Ducker, M.D.
Members of the medical staff and AAMC employees are setting new records for giving with unprecedented support of the Care Like no Other Capital Campaign. More than 350 have contributed to this effort. AAMC medical staff members pledged $6,010,000 and employees another $1,463,000.

“We have chosen to build our practices and our careers at AAMC because of the quality of our facilities, the vision of our leadership, and the people who make up this community,” said Doug Mitchell, M.D., president of the Medical Staff, hospitalist and co-chair of the Medical Staff Campaign.

The medical staff and employees have contributed 18% of the total funds raised in this historic campaign. This is double the national statistics.

“I was honored to be a leader of the employee portion of the campaign because this is my family’s hospital—this is where we choose to come for care,” said Anita Smith, R.N., manager of the Wound Center.

These treasured donors will be honored on a Medical Staff Donor Wall and an Employee Donor Wall on the first floor of the hospital expansion.

Donor Profile

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:17:40 -0500

CDR Albert Vittek
USN Ret. Annapolis, Md.

WHO: Decorated WWII Veteran, retired United States Navy Commander and retired Investment Advisor Albert Vittek - $500,000 gift to the Care Like no Other Campaign, $1,000,000 Lead Trust to benefit AAMC Nursing.

WHY HE GAVE: Commander Vittek has a high regard for AAMC, with a genuine respect for the nursing profession. His daughter Mary Spicer was a nurse here for more than 30 years. Commander Vittek endowed a fund to support the ongoing education and advancement of our nurses. “It thrills me to know that those hardworking nurses benefit each year from the Vittek Fund.”

IMPACT: Commander Vittek has been a generous donor to AAMC since his first contribution in 1987. Since then, he has donated more than $1.5 million to support a variety of building initiatives, as well as the Vittek Fund to support Nursing Education.

A LEED Leader

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:18:13 -0500

Resource Efficient and Environmentally Responsible

Green Awards

On target to be the first Maryland hospital to be LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council

Maryland Trailblazer Award for commitment to pollution prevention and demonstration of environmental leadership

Recognized by USGBC for “Leeding the Way for Healthcare”

Since 1902, when AAMC was founded as an emergency hospital in downtown Annapolis, we have been a leader in health care. We have brought the latest and best treatments, options, and conveniences to our patients.

Our history of innovation was instrumental in our commitment to include environmentally safe and smart practices in our expansion project. As a result, AAMC is the first hospital in Maryland to be LEED certified (see Green Awards box).

It’s not easy for a hospital to be “green.” By doing what we do, we generate significant waste. Key to our achieving LEED certification is successfully improving energy savings, water efficiency, and indoor environmental quality, as well as reducing carbon dioxide emissions and recycling materials. “It’s a better environment for our patients,” said Carolyn Core, senior vice president of corporate services.

Architect C.R. Goodman Associates and construction manager Whiting-Turner Contracting Company kept green features in mind during design and construction. These firms must achieve rigorous follow up in assuring all the specified materials are documented appropriately throughout construction.

Two green rooftops are installed on the roofs of the second-floor. Green roofs are believed to reduce energy demands for cooling by 50 percent compared to a typical flat roof, in buildings less than three stories in height. Some studies show storm water runoff can be reduced by up to 95 percent following one inch of rain, lowering the impact of a building on storm drainage and the surrounding watershed.

Visit our LEED sustainability exhibit, sponsored by The Brick Companies, in the first floor waiting room of the hospital expansion.

How We’ve Grown Our New, Greener Space

Renewable, reusable, recyclable, remarkable
Many of the materials and resources used to create our building came from re-used or renewable resources. Of the 1,280 tons of waste generated during the building’s construction, 1,185 tons were diverted to recycling centers. That’s a recycling rate of 92.6%.

Slowing the flow
From low-flow fixtures and dual-flush plumbing systems, our outdoor irrigation uses recycled water and plants that thrive with little water. These innovative features save 33% in water usage.

A “mean machine” for chemical-free clean
Our chemical free water treatment system reduces our environmental footprint by eliminating potential health problems while reducing microbial particles. Chemical free is the ultimate green choice—another credit to innovation for AAMC.

The energy to LEED
Our new building is designed to reduce consumption of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging mass transit and bicycle use. We have a convenient bus stop, a bike path that absorbs rainfall, secure bike racks and preferred parking for hybridfueled vehicles.

Scrap is beautiful
A solid 87% of the steel in our beams and columns is pure scrap, recycled and delivered by a world-class steel company just a short drive from our eco-friendly parking lot.

‘Scary’ Not Allowed!

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:19:09 -0500

Our New Pediatric Emergency Room: Just for Young Patients

Artist’s images of the new Pediatric Emergency Room at AAMC.

Hospitals can be a scary place for a young patient. We don’t want it to be that way!

Our new pediatric emergency room was carefully designed with our young patients in mind. Bright, beautiful and fun, this dedicated unit will help our young patients feel right at home in a comforting, child-focused and reassuring environment. They’ll love the nautical theme and re-creation of downtown Annapolis.

Pediatric Unit Highlights

an emergency room just for children (under age 17)

an inpatient unit just for children

child-friendly nautical theme

a playroom with games and toys

a child life therapist

a dedicated team of doctors, nurses and other health care providers who have a special interest and training in caring for infants, children and teens

Our Patient & Family Think Tank

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:19:56 -0500

Christa Grim is helping review visiting hours.
There used to be a time when 8 o’clock in the evening at a hospital arrived with an announcement that “visiting hours are now over.” With few exceptions, friends and loved ones were encouraged—strongly—to go home and let the patient rest.

In the last decade, as research has shown that the well-being of patients is enhanced when they are surrounded by loved ones, a more flexible trend is emerging. That trend—patient and family-centered care—includes what the patients and their families have to say about everything from visiting hours to signage to loved ones being present during procedures.

Nurse Katie Boston, senior director of nursing who oversees AAMC’s busy operating rooms, is one of the leaders in the hospital’s expanded effort to include patients and family in decision-making. “We have numerous stories about our staff going ‘above and beyond’ for patients and their families,” she said. “But we have come to learn that there are so many needs of families and patients that are unmet.”

These needs can range from reviewing their medication list to having patients directly involved in their care plans.

Keep reading to see two examples of advocates in action.

A Mother’s Voice

Providing Comfort, Compassion

Isabel’s Gift provides canvas comfort bags to NICU families, filled with tissues, bottled water, a notebook and pen, lip balm, hand cream, gum, and a NICU parent advice guide.

Christa Grim is on a committee reviewing the hospital’s visiting hours on each unit. “I’m happy to be part of the process that would make things easier for the patients and their families,” she said.

As a two-time breast cancer patient and the mother of an AAMC “NICU baby,” Christa knows about the comfort care patients and families need. In 2002, when her daughter Isabel was born with a heart condition and spent five days in the neonatal intensive care unit, she was grateful for the loving support of family and friends.

“But there were families with no one to help,” she recalled. “I wanted to help them.” She created Isabel’s Gift, an organization that provides comfort bags to NICU families. When she was treated twice for breast cancer, Christa’s AAMC connections deepened. One nurse thought Christa would be a perfect patient advisor. Christa gladly accepted an invitation to join the Patient Advisory Team.

Learn more about Isabel’s Gift at www.isabelsgift.org.

A Different Perspective
An Inclusive Approach to Signage

Patient Advocate Kathy Whittaker with Richard Ay, who is helping review signage.

Richard Ay of Severna Park is no stranger to Anne Arundel Medical Center. Over the past three decades he has had 11 surgeries to correct his spinal column. Today, he spends the majority of his time in a wheelchair, giving him a different vantage point as he navigates the grounds.

With many patients in the same position as Richard, AAMC recognized the value he could bring to the Wayfinding Workgroup. He has worked with others to provide feedback on the signage throughout the hospital, which helps direct patients where they need to go.

Richard explained the importance of having signs at eye level. “We visited the existing locations and I pointed out what signs I could and couldn’t see and determined the signs that were most easily identifiable,” he said.

Richard also told the team that patients need clarity beyond emergency situations. In his case, he comes to the hospital regularly for tests, appointments and rehab. “We look at the signage from a new visitor’s standpoint and from a patient’s.”

Have an Idea? Become an Advisor!

Have you been a patient or visitor at Anne Arundel Medical Center? You may have recommendations on how we can improve our facilities, signs, visiting hours and more. How can you help us improve? It’s easy. Become an AAMC advisor by calling us at 443-481-1688 or email to advisor@aahs.org.

Urgent Care, Emergency Teams Protect Teen Athlete

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:21:07 -0500

Last spring, a 15-year-old high school lacrosse goalie on Kent Island prepared to take a shot on goal, which bounced off the ground and hit him in the groin. “It was a hard shot, and he went down,” said his mother. “The protective gear wasn’t strong enough to protect him from that hit.”

The team trainer, concerned about the impact of the blow, told the mother to take her son to the Johns Hopkins Physicians urgent care at AAMC Health Services—Kent Island for evaluation. As the mother of two active, athletic teenagers, she was very familiar with the urgent care practice.

The physician who examined the youth was concerned he might have testicular torsion, a condition that causes a loss of blood flow to the testicle. If left untreated, this painful condition could result in loss of the testicle. The physician called the AAMC Emergency Department, and a team was waiting for the athlete when he arrived.

Following a series of tests, non-surgical treatment, and directions for follow up care, the boy was discharged. “Every step of the way everyone was wonderful,” said the boy’s mother. “Everyone had my route mapped out for me. I didn’t have to deal with any hassles. Our experience was as wonderful as can be, given the situation.”

CPORT-E: A Patient’s perspective

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:22:30 -0400

Shirley Bishop of Annapolis has a history of coronary artery disease, including successful heart bypass surgery. Earlier this year, at her annual checkup with her cardiologist of 17 years, Dr. Jonathan Altschuler, she shared that she was experiencing chest pain (angina).

After examining Ms. Bishop, Dr. Altschuler suggested that she consider participating in the CPORT-E research trial, sponsored by the AAHS Research Institute and conducted in AAMC’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab.

“I didn’t understand much about what was involved,” Ms. Bishop recalls. But after talking to Dr. Altschuler and the research nurse, she wanted to learn more. Of Dr. Altschuler, she says, “He truly cares about his patients. I have a good rapport with him which makes a big difference when you are ill.”

The CPORT-E trial is a two-year research study in which patients who qualify may have their non-emergency angioplasty performed at AAMC.   (Patients may also be randomized and treated at another medical center in the region.) This care is available through a waiver from the Maryland Health Care Commission for hospitals without heart surgery on site.

The biggest risk to participation in the trial is that in the event that the patient needs emergency bypass surgery (0.2% risk), he or she would need to be transferred to a tertiary care facility.
“AAMC’s participation in the CPORT-E trial has the potential to provide tremendous benefit to our community,” says Dr. Jonathan Altschuler, Medical Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab.    “The fact that over 700 patients have chosen to participate since we started the trial last year speaks volumes about our community’s desire to stay close to home.”

Ms. Bishop says she was comfortable participating because she believes in the high quality of the services AAMC provides. “We have a wonderful facility and wonderful doctors here in our community,” she says.
On April 23, 2010, Ms. Bishop had a stent placed in one of her bypass grafts. The procedure was performed in AAMC’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab. “Everything ran smoothly (in the Cath Lab),” Ms. Bishop recalls. “That staff is full of wonderful, caring individuals.”

These days, Ms. Bishop says, she feels as though she has her life back. She no longer has angina and is attending cardiac rehabilitation, which she enjoys because the staff keeps her very motivated.
“We look forward to the completion of the trial and the publication of the findings of the study,” Dr. Altschuler says. “We hope to expand the depth and breadth of the cardiac services available to our community.”

Ms. Bishop echoes his sentiment: “The more services we can provide here, the better,” she says. “There is a difference when you can trust everyone who is caring for you. You are always more comfortable close to home.”


	TEN TEENY TOES Born three months premature on June 1, 2010, Allie Nichols arrived weighing a mere 15.3 ounces. Her care spanned 89 days in AAMC’s Level IIIB Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. (photo by Chona Hamrock, R.N.)
AN ADORING MOM Leigh Nichols never missed a day visiting Allie in the NICU. Her high-risk pregnancy included bed rest and a hospital stay. Allie’s slow growth in her mother’s womb caused by lack of blood flow from the umbilical cord lowered her chance for survival. (photo by Cheryl Briggs, R.N.)
	READY TO ROLL Despite the odds, and thanks to advanced care, Allie thrived. “Allie is definitely a miracle,” said maternal-fetal medicine specialist William Sweeney, M.D., who oversaw Mrs. Nichols’ pregnancy. (photo by Cheryl Briggs, R.N.)
HOME SWEET HOME At 7 pounds 13 ounces as of Dec. 1, 2010, Allie continues to grow and enjoy her surroundings. “We’ve been so blessed,” Mrs. Nichols said. “She’s our little miracle. And not a day goes by that I don’t think of everyone who cared for her.” (family photo)

	Renewable, reusable, recyclable, remarkable Many of the materials and resources used to create our building came from re-used or renewable resources. Of the 1,280 tons of waste generated during the building’s construction, 1,185 tons were diverted to recycling centers. That’s a recycling rate of 92.6%.
	Slowing the flow From low-flow fixtures and dual-flush plumbing systems, our outdoor irrigation uses recycled water and plants that thrive with little water. These innovative features save 33% in water usage.
	A “mean machine” for chemical-free clean Our chemical free water treatment system reduces our environmental footprint by eliminating potential health problems while reducing microbial particles. Chemical free is the ultimate green choice—another credit to innovation for AAMC.
	The energy to LEED Our new building is designed to reduce consumption of fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging mass transit and bicycle use. We have a convenient bus stop, a bike path that absorbs rainfall, secure bike racks and preferred parking for hybridfueled vehicles.
	Scrap is beautiful A solid 87% of the steel in our beams and columns is pure scrap, recycled and delivered by a world-class steel company just a short drive from our eco-friendly parking lot.

http://www.aahs.org/rss_media/aamc_mag_rss.php

Uncanny Timing

Home for the Holidays, Illinois Mom has Unexpected Delivery

The Safe, Smart Place to Deliver Your Baby

Bayside Beacon Now Open

Rare Neuroendocrine Tumor Removed Surgically

Be Well

Sleep an Important Part of Health and Wellness

AAMC's New, Expanded Breast Center

Fellowship-Trained Breast Surgeons

A Celebration of Memories

National Cancer Survivors Day

Life After Detox

Outpatient Therapy Important in Overcoming Addiction

The Earls Gift Keeps the Genius of da Vinci in Capable Hands

fit. healthy. and fab.

Photos from the AAMC Women’s Health Summit — Saturday, February 20, 2010

Your Gift Touches Lives

The Gift of Peace of Mind... Priceless

A Gift That Gives Back

New Bowie Laboratory Site

Outpatient Infusion Center

New Practices on Campus

Grand Opening!

AAMC Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Center

Unobstructed Care

Minimally Invasive Procedure Restores Blood Flow, Relieves Pain

The AAMC Foundation Announces

Comcast Makes Million Dollar Commitment to Challenge the Community to Support Improved Health Services

The Comcast Health Challenge

Conceiving After Cancer

Fertility Preservation Possible Even with Cancer Diagnosis

About the Care Like no Other

The Care Like no Other campaign is an opportunity to reaffirm AAMC’s future.

Your Gift Touches Lives AAMC Foundation Events

2010 Gala Supports AAMC’s Pediatric Program

Fourth Annual Bosom Buddies Ball

Stepping Out for Breast Cancer Donates $50,000

Helping Hands

AAMC Surgeons Care for Haiti Earthquake Victim

More Gain, Less Pain

AAMC Surgeons Offer New Approach to Hip Replacement

Imaging Gently, and Safely

Wishful Thinking About Indoor Tanning

AAMC Innovations

New Magnetic Resonance Software

CREST Study Results

Vision Restored

Scarless Surgery Removes Pituitary Tumor

Miracle Mile

AAMC’s New Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Center

From the AAMC Heritage Society*

How’s Your Will Power?

Suggested Bequest Language

Food for Thought

Tips to Maximize Nutrition During Cancer Treatment

Complementary Medicine

Reiki Helps Cancer Survivor in Healing Process

Donor Profile

The Beall Family & Ledo Pizza Annapolis, Md.

Harbor Hills Meets the Challenge

Yours.

Portable EKG Monitors help AAMC, Emergency Medical Systems Improve Patient Care

New Community Health Center

A Hole-in-One Event

Just for Kids

New Pediatric Emergency Room Opens in April

AAMC's New Pediatric Emergency Room

Envisioning the Future

A Message From Anne Arundel Health System Leadership

A Tiny Miracle at The Safe, Smart Place

Staying Ahead of Prostate Cancer

Vigilance Pays Dividends

Thanks to Bosom Buddies

Technology

Introducing: Rapid Access Lung Program

Revolutionary PET/CT Scanner

Your Tech Tour

Dave Brandt

Medical Staff and Employees Set Records for Campaign Giving

The Beall Family & Ledo Pizza
Annapolis, Md.