Keep Your Cool With red hot Mamas

Good Health
A publication from MedStar good samaritan hospital
SUMMER 2016 MedStarGoodSam.org/GoodHealth
Keep Your
Cool With Red
Hot Mamas®
COMPLETE KIDNEY
CARE FROM DIALYSIS
TO TRANSPLANT
Safety, Comfort,
Teamwork Helps with
Successful Aging
contents
Departments
3 Hepatitis Clinic Cures 90 Percent of
Patients with Newer Medications
7 Gardening is Good for Your Health
12 Good Health on the Go
14 News from Around MedStar Health
Features
4 Keep Your Cool with Red Hot Mamas®
8 On Both Sides of Caring:
Complete Kidney Care From
Dialysis to Transplant
10 Safety, Comfort, Teamwork Helps
with Successful Aging
On the cover: Christine Fields credits the health education
she received at Red Hot Mamas® with helping her to lose
13 pounds.
MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, located at the corner of Loch Raven
Blvd. and Belvedere Ave., is minutes from Towson and parking is free.
Since 1968, MedStar Good Samaritan has provided compassionate care
to the community. Recognized as a specialty center for orthopaedics and
rehabilitation, our services also include geriatrics, diabetes care, cancer
care, emergency care, vascular care, wellness, and wound healing.
Good Health is published by the Marketing and Communications Department of
MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital. The information provided in this publication is
intended to educate readers about subjects pertinent to their health and is not a
substitute for consultation with a personal physician. For more information,
call 855-546-1995. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2016.
2 Good Health MEDSTAR good samaritan HOSPITAL Summer 2016
LetteR FRom tHe PReSIdeNt
MedStar Health remains
committed to providing our
neighbors with options to seek
the most convenient medical
care possible, as we continue to
experience changes in how
health care is delivered.
One of those options is
providing various locations for
care throughout the communities
we serve. Recently, MedStar opened the Bel Air
Medical Campus, a 100,000-square-foot, state-of-theart medical center offering quality, comprehensive
care in one convenient location. This “one-stop
shop” gives our patients access to many of the
MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital and MedStar
Union Memorial Hospital physicians they have come
to know and trust for services such as cancer care,
cardiology, diabetes care, gastroenterology, imaging
and laboratory services, orthopaedics, primary and
preventive care, rehabilitation, sports medicine,
vascular surgery, women’s health, and urgent care.
A similar campus opened in Federal Hill last year.
Another option is to seek medical care at specific
sites for specific conditions. MedStar Good
Samaritan’s Center for Successful Aging recently
opened a new, innovative suite that is a model for
providing geriatric care. Now, seniors can see multiple
providers in one convenient location for chronic and
complex conditions—with the goal of helping them
stay independent for as long as possible. And, for
our congestive heart failure patients, we are working
together to provide inpatient care at MedStar Union
Memorial Hospital while providing outpatient followup care at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital.
By providing our communities with coordinated
care in convenient locations, we are advancing our
vision to be the trusted leader in caring for people
and advancing health.
In good health,
Bradley S. Chambers
President, MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
President, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
Senior Vice President, MedStar Health
Healthy Habits
HEPATITIS CLINIC CURES
90 PERCENT
OF PATIENTS WITH NEWER MEDICATIONS
Baby Boomers at Risk for this Silent Disease
M
ost people who have hepatitis C, a viral
infection of the liver, have no symptoms
until the disease has caused significant liver
damage. That’s why it’s important for those at higher
risk—including Baby Boomers, people born between
1945 and 1965—to be screened. Left untreated,
hepatitis C can put you at higher risk for cirrhosis
(scarring) of the liver and eventual liver cancer. The
good news is that new treatments are available that
involve only swallowing pills for two to six months,
with a 90 percent cure rate. The oral medication
has almost no side effects.
MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital’s new
Hepatitis Clinic makes it easy for patients who
have hepatitis C to get these effective new
treatments. Open every Wednesday morning
in the Good Health Center, the clinic offers
experienced care, a comfortable setting and
convenient parking.
Lawrence Mills, Jr., MD, chief of
Gastroenterology at MedStar
Good Samaritan Hospital,
explains, “The new treatments
are fabulous. In March 2016, the
FDA approved a new treatment
geared to those on dialysis and
by late June of this year, a new
medication will be available that
treats all of the different types of
Lawrence Mills, Jr., MD hepatitis C.”
He adds, “I evaluate people who are positive
for hepatitis C and send their data to a specialty
pharmacy that contacts their insurance company
to see if they will pay for the new therapies.
The good news is that insurers will pay for
the vast majority of patients with chronic
hepatitis C.”
MedStar Health’s liver disease specialists also offer
comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for all types of
acute and chronic liver disease.
In addition to Baby Boomers, people at higher risk
for hepatitis C include those with: tattoos, HIV and
intravenous drug use, as well as patients on dialysis
and healthcare providers. Ask your doctor about
getting screened for this ‘silent’ disease.
Visit MedStarGoodSam.org/GoodHealth
or call 855-546-1995 for a referral to the
Hepatitis Clinic.
Signs of Chronic Hepatitis C
While you may have no symptoms, common ones
include:
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Itching, skin rash
• Loss of appetite
• Jaundice (yellowing)
Even if you don’t have symptoms, you’re still
contagious and may pass the virus on to
other people.
Good Health MEDSTAR GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL Summer 2016
3
KEEP YOUR COOL WITH
RED HOT MAMAS
®
Getting Support During Menopause
Makes It a Breeze
Meals on Wheels volunteer Christine Fields
hasn’t let age slow her down. Red Hot
Mamas® gave tips to help her stay active
and eat healthier.
4 Good Health MEDSTAR good samaritan HOSPITAL Summer 2016
I
f you’re a woman in your mid 40s to mid 50s
and experience one or more of the following
symptoms—irregular periods, intermittent hot
flashes, forgetfulness, diminished libido, or sleep
problems—you may be experiencing menopause.
“Menopause, defined as going
a year without a period, is a
natural stage that occurs when
your body produces less estrogen
and progesterone,” explains
Michelle Germain, MD, FACOG,
chief of the Division of Gynecology,
director of Women’s Health
Services, and director of
Urogynecology at MedStar
Michelle Germain, MD, Good Samaritan Hospital and
FACOG
MedStar Union Memorial Hospital.
“Estrogen used to be called the ‘umbrella hormone’
because it affects so many parts of a woman’s body,”
she notes. “Fluctuating estrogen levels and levels of
follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) from the pituitary
gland cause the hot flashes that many women
experience during this time.”
Red Hot Mamas® to the Rescue
A great way to keep your cool during this time of
transition is to have fun, share your experiences with
other women and get the latest medical information at
Red Hot Mamas®, a free menopause education series
sponsored by MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital. The
national chapter of Red Hot Mamas® was founded by
Baltimore native Karen Giblin in 1991 after she learned
that women undergoing menopause got conflicting
information and little support. Red Hot Mamas® is the
perfect recipe for leading a full life during menopause.
I also drink lots of water and exercise at least three
days a week. I couldn’t believe how fast the weight
came off! My eating habits have really changed.”
Fields, who keeps busy volunteering for a Meals on
Wheels program and acting as a ‘chauffeur’ for many
friends and neighbors who don’t drive, heard about Red
Hot Mamas® through Senior Network of North Baltimore,
one of MedStar Good Samaritan’s community partners.
Great Advice and Healthy Activities
“Red Hot Mamas® is an excellent resource for women to
understand the latest information about what’s going
on in their bodies as they age,” Dr. Germain observes.
“Menopause doesn’t have to be a downer. Embrace it
and enjoy the journey in this new stage of your life.”
Deborah Bena, MA, RN, community education and
health ministries coordinator who oversees Red
Hot Mamas® at MedStar Good
Samaritan, says, “Normally, we
hold about six events each year,
although this spring we held
one major event that offered
screenings along with tons of
great healthcare advice. We’ve
offered everything from medical
treatment options to diet,
exercise, acupuncture, yoga,
and zumba.”
Deborah Bena, MA, RN
She continues, “We’re lucky that Karen Giblin herself,
who’s such a dynamic presenter, often comes back
to speak. All of the information in the program is well
researched and women have a chance to mingle as
well as listen to a speaker, ask questions and even get
in some exercises or breakout sessions with tai chi or
massages. We often have 50 to 100 women attending.”
Baltimore resident Christine Fields credits the
education she received at Red Hot Mamas® with
helping her to lose 13 pounds. At age 73, she’s past
menopause but she learned about the importance of
exercise and eating right for women of any age. She
also shared information about managing menopause
with her 52-year-old daughter.
One Red Hot Mamas® session offered strategies to
cope with overactive bladder, a common problem
during menopause, while other sessions have taught
stress reduction techniques or discussed how to
manage being in the ‘sandwich generation’.
She recalls, “I stopped eating processed foods and
juices, and started eating more fruits and vegetables.
Another regular Red Hot Mamas® participant was
Maria Montenegro, a Lutherville resident who recalls,
Coping with Hot Flashes
Good Health MEDSTAR GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL Summer 2016
5
“Our participants tell us that
the program has made a huge
difference in their lives,” states
Bena. “One woman said that it
had turned the corner for her—she
started exercising for the first time
in her life and felt less dependent
and more energized.”
Although menopause is a normal
stage that all women go through,
it can be uncomfortable and can
increase your concerns about
cardiovascular disease, bone
loss and other disorders. Getting
regular screenings, including a
pelvic exam, pap smear, breast
exam, mammogram, and bone
density test, can help you detect
problems early, when they are
easier to treat.
More Treatment Options
Christine helps to pack up meals for
home-bound elderly.
“I saw my mother suffer through
terrible hot flashes and mood
changes and knew I didn’t want
that. I didn’t have hot flashes myself
but I shared the information I
learned at Red Hot Mamas® with
others and it helped them a lot.”
Montenegro adds, “I learned
a great deal. One woman was
sweating but laughing and
continuing like nothing was
happening. She accepted that
menopause was something normal
and that it doesn’t have to stop her
from living a full life. To see that
others have worse problems than
you—and are dealing with it—gives
you hope that you can handle it.”
The good news is that there are
far more treatment options today
than were available in the past.
Dr. Germain comments, “Hormone
replacement therapy (HRT) works,
but women may also benefit
from antidepressants and
anti-anxiety medications.”
She adds, “I tell women what their
options are and may recommend
HRT if they don’t have risk factors.
I recommend that they take the
lowest dose for the shortest time
possible, and re-evaluate their
needs periodically with their
primary care doctor. If you’re
experiencing mood swings,
know that these are common and
don’t be afraid to ask your doctor
for medication.”
Alternative Approaches
“Evidence-based medicine
supports cognitive behavioral
therapies, and weight loss may
6 Good Health MEDSTAR good samaritan HOSPITAL Summer 2016
have benefit, but there is as yet
no evidence to support exercise,
yoga or diet as a way to control
menopause symptoms,” Dr. Germain
cautions. “Women can try these
approaches but they should be
mindful that there is no quick fix.”
She continues, “Research studies
have not demonstrated that herbal
remedies are effective, although
there is a new Swedish flower
pollen extract that has anecdotal
benefits. I offer it if patients really
don’t want other treatments. It has
no side effects but can be costly.”
Montenegro was pleased to find
that some simple lifestyle changes
can ease the symptoms. “At Red
Hot Mamas®, we learned that
wearing light clothing at night,
wearing layers, avoiding coffee,
drinking alcohol in moderation,
and getting plenty of exercise
really help.”
Dr. Germain notes that a common
misperception among women is
that hot flashes disappear. “They
do lessen but may not go away,”
she observes. “After menopause,
women continue to have hormonal
surges, but eventually they may
not perceive them.”
Visit MedStarGoodSam.org/
GoodHealth or call 855-546-1995
to register for Red Hot Mamas®,
for a free tote bag and to hear first
hand how cool menopause can be.
Staying Active
Gardening
is Good for Your
Health
A
s the weather gets warmer, getting back in
shape can be easier with lots of fun outdoor
activities from which to choose—whether
walking, biking, swimming, or golf. Many common
summer ‘chores’ also can be great for your health—
from mowing the lawn to raking, cleaning house,
washing your car, and even gardening.
Karen Kansler, RN
“Many of us know that gardening
can help you relax and lower
your stress hormones by
getting you out in the fresh air
and away from technology,”
says Karen Kansler, RN, nurse
wellness coordinator in the Good
Health Center at MedStar Good
Samaritan Hospital. “You’re ‘off
the grid’ and able to smell and
feel the earth.”
She adds, “Gardening also is considered a moderate
cardiovascular exercise, burning between 150 and
300 calories per hour. This is especially true if you’re
weeding, digging or planting—activities that take more
energy than watering flowers. To get the best workout,
you should switch sides when using your hands so you
aren’t just getting exercise on one side of your body.
“It’s a great way to get moving, plus it helps with your
flexibility, your balance and your sensory perception,”
Kansler explains. “As you bend your knees, you’re
exercising your quads and glutes (your thigh and
buttock muscles).”
Kansler notes that—as with most activities—it’s good to
take the proper precautions. “Don’t overdo it and make
sure you stretch before, during and after your activity,
especially early in the season. Also, be sure to wear
sunscreen and protect your knees. If you have arthritis,
gardening can be good for your hands, but there are
also many adaptive tools, such as stools on wheels,
etc., for those with limited flexibility. Just remember
to balance rest with periods of activity. Please don’t
garden for a two- to three-hour stretch without a break.”
An added health benefit of gardening is enjoying
the fruits and vegetables you planted. For people in
urban areas or those who can’t kneel down to garden,
containers can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors
and ‘reap’ the other rewards you’ve ‘sown’.
Visit MedStarGoodSam.org/GoodHealth or
call 855-546-1995 to get a free pair of gardening
gloves and an online list of local community
gardens in Baltimore.
How Many Calories are You Burning?
Here’s an approximate count of the calories you
can burn:
Activity
Time
Calories
Gardening
1 hr.
150 to 300
Washing/drying the car
1 hr.
330
Dancing
30 min.
230
Leisurely biking
1 hr.
280
Cleaning house
1 hr.
330
Sleeping
8 hrs.
300
Good Health MEDSTAR GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL Summer 2016
7
ON BOTH SIDES OF CARING:
Complete Kidney Care From
Dialysis to Transplant
Leslie O’Donnell benefited from the excellent kidney dialysis care at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital and now awaits a transplant.
L
eslie O’Donnell has been on both sides of the
wonderful care at MedStar Good Samaritan
Hospital’s kidney dialysis center. After her
mother received dialysis in its outpatient
dialysis center for 20 years, O’Donnell ended up
working there and then becoming a patient herself.
O’Donnell, 45, suffers from the same hereditary
condition that her mother had—polycystic kidney
disease (PKD). The condition causes fluid-filled cysts
to grow in the kidneys that eventually lead to kidney
failure. Diagnosed at the age of 13, her first kidney
was removed in 2013 and the second one in 2015.
“I was so pleased with the care that they gave my mother
for years that I decided to give up being a hairdresser
to become a renal technologist,” she recalls. “I ended
up working at the center for 13 years.”
Kidneys are critical organs, removing waste,
electrolytes, and fluid from the blood. People can
function with only one kidney, but need dialysis
or a kidney transplant when both kidneys fail.
8 Good Health MEDSTAR good samaritan HOSPITAL Summer 2016
“I just started kidney dialysis in
May of last year at MedStar Good
Samaritan,” she recollects. “After
receiving excellent care there
for a few months, I got access to
peritoneal dialysis, which I can
do every day in the comfort of
home. I can take my supplies
with me—there’s no machine,
just a pole, a bag, solution, and
a sterile environment. It gives
me more freedom.”
She credits Luis Gimenez, MD, her
nephrologist (kidney specialist) at
MedStar Good
Samaritan, with
saving her life.
“With PKD,
I was at high
risk for a brain
aneurysm
and had five
of them. I
had a severe
headache, and
Luis Gimenez, MD
Dr. Gimenez
found that one of my aneurysms
was ready to burst. I underwent
a craniotomy, then had a second
brain surgery in 2013.”
Dr. Gimenez, who is also chief,
Renal Medicine, notes, “Our kidney
services have repeatedly won
awards. We have a long history
of superb patient care, providing
more than 46,000 high-quality
dialysis treatments each year.”
Everything You Need
“Good Sam has an exceptional
dialysis unit,” exclaims O’Donnell.
“The facility is one of the largest in
Maryland and the doctors are right
there on site. You have everything
you need. And my peritoneal
dialysis nurse from Good Sam is
very attentive. She came to my
O’Donnell talks with Donna
Hairfield, RN, about her dialysis
care and finding a match for
her kidney transplant.
home when I started and taught
me how to do home dialysis.”
Kidney transplantation is the
treatment of choice because
it offers people a longer and
better quality of life than dialysis.
However, especially for certain
rare blood types, the shortage
of available kidneys means that
many people must wait years for
a transplant. For her transplant,
O’Donnell selected the MedStar
Georgetown Transplant Institute.
Matthew Cooper, MD, its
director of Kidney and Pancreas
Transplantation, explains, “We
evaluate patients right at MedStar
Good
Samaritan’s
Good Health
Center twice
a month,
where our
team carefully
assesses
patients to
clear them for
a transplant.”
Matthew Cooper, MD
He adds, “In addition to our
groundbreaking treatments and
technology, our program provides
individualized attention to each
patient. Our providers treat
patients like part of the family.”
O’Donnell explains, “I got to meet
the whole transplant team right
here—the social worker, dietitian,
transplant nurse, and doctor. One
month later the social worker
called me and told me I was on the
waiting list. With my blood type,
I likely will wait three to five years
until they find a match.”
Dr. Cooper and his team encourage
people to become more informed
about living donation of kidneys.
“Even people with diabetes or
kidney disease can donate a kidney
if they take care of themselves.”
While waiting to find a matching
kidney donor, O’Donnell will
benefit from the ongoing care at
MedStar Good Samaritan. “They
have everything I need,” she says
with a smile.
Visit MedStarGoodSam.org/
GoodHealth or call 855-546-1995
for more information about kidney
dialysis and transplant options.
Good Health MEDSTAR GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL Summer 2016
9
George Hennawi, MD, and nurse practitioner Pam Mahoney (standing) advise Esther Headley and her daughter Denise Noll about the Life Plan.
Safety, Comfort, Teamwork
Helps with Successful Aging
Center’s New Space Optimizes Care
for Older Adults and their Caregivers
T
aking care of an aging parent or other loved
one gets more challenging over the years, as
66-year-old Denise Noll is finding out. As an
only child, the responsibilities of caring for
her 91-year-old mother, Esther Headley, have fallen
solely on her shoulders.
Fortunately, in addition to having a wonderfully
supportive group of friends and a caregiver who
comes to the home while she’s at work, Noll also
can lean on the compassion and expertise of staff
at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital’s Center for
Successful Aging. Led by George Hennawi, MD, chief,
Geriatrics, Pam Mahoney, RN, nurse practitioner, and
10 Good Health MEDSTAR good samaritan HOSPITAL Summer 2016
other members of the team offer the kind of medical
and emotional support that can be hard to find.
George Hennawi, MD
“I started seeing Dr. Hennawi last
May after I felt that my mother’s
internist wasn’t providing as much
time or attention as she needed
as she aged. To me, Dr. Hennawi
walks on water. He’s such a
wonderful person and physician.
He and Pam provided a thorough
assessment and then worked
closely with Mom’s caregiver
and me,” recalls Noll.
But then Headley had a bad fall
last Thanksgiving. After a stay
in an acute care hospital, she
recuperated in MedStar Good
Samaritan’s subacute unit for
three weeks. Throughout that
time, the Center’s team provided
their care and support.
“They emphasize that they’re
here for us,” exclaims Noll. “They
invite us to call them rather than
taking her to an urgent care center.
Physicians often talk just to the
son or daughter, and ignore the
patient, or they talk just to the
patient. At the Center, however,
it’s always a discussion involving
both of us. They look at the person
as a whole and ask what could be
done differently.”
A Space Tailored
for Older Adults
To accommodate the growing
demand for its services, the Center
for Successful Aging moved to a
larger, new space in the Russell
Morgan Building in early March
2016. Dr. Hennawi notes, “Wider
doors accommodate wheelchairs,
floors are not shiny or slippery, and
handrails are everywhere.
The new space was made possible
thanks to the significant generosity
of the Arthur E. Landers and
Hilda C. Landers Charitable Trust.
Their support was instrumental
in bringing Dr. Hennawi’s vision
to life. “We are so grateful to the
Landers Trust for their philanthropic
support, which has afforded us the
opportunity to carefully design
every aspect of the Center to meet
the needs of older patients,” says
Dr. Hennawi.
A bright, welcoming entrance also
offers cool colors with a modern
design, and chairs with arms to
help patients sit and stand safely.
Dr. Hennawi remarks, “In the large
exam rooms, which comfortably
accommodate family members, the
exam tables can be lowered and
raised so that patients with physical
limitations don’t have to worry
about falling. We always make sure
that the patient and provider are
face to face.”
In the comfortable consult room—
designed to feel like a living
room—patients and families can
meet with social workers and staff
in a relaxing setting to discuss
psychosocial issues. They can
also develop Life Plans, which are
treatment plans that evolve with
the patient’s changing needs.
This care continues wherever
the patient may be, including
home, hospital and long-term
care facilities.
Dr. Hennawi explains, “So that
the team can work together
efficiently, we created pods where
the doctor, nurse practitioner,
medical assistant, and social worker
can communicate.” An on-site
lab provides convenience for
patients who need blood work and
urinalysis—all in the same location.
“The lovely new space also features
a caregiver and community resource
room, generously supported by the
France-Merrick Foundation, that
helps people use technology to
support safety and independence,
and offers a space where the public
can learn about aging.”
Noll adds, “The Center’s holistic team
approach has been a godsend.”
Visit MedStarGoodSam.org/
GoodHealth to take our virtual
tour or call 855-546-1995 for
more information or to make
an appointment.
Noll and Headley get advice from social worker Adrienne Kilby at the Center for Successful Aging.
Good Health MEDSTAR GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL Summer 2016
11
Good Health on the Go
Community Events and Class Schedules
At MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, we care about the health and wellness of our community. One of the ways we try to keep you
healthy and active is by offering special classes, events and screenings. Join us, and learn how you can stay healthy for life.
Heart Health
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Program
Our Phase II cardiac
rehabilitation program
provides an individualized
carefully monitored
combination of exercise
therapy and education
for those recovering
from a heart attack,
coronary artery bypass
graft, angioplasty or
coronary stenting, heart
valve replacement/repair,
or heart or heart-lung
transplant.
Three hourly sessions
per week, Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays
9 or 11 a.m.
Good Health Center
Call 443-444-3874
to register.
Chair Exercise
An exercise program
consisting of aerobics,
strength training and
flexibility done while
sitting in a chair.
Every Friday, 10 a.m.
St. Mary’s Roland
View Towers
3939 Roland Ave.,
Baltimore
Exercise and Fitness
Phase III Exercise
Program
An exercise program
(physician referral
required) for those
suffering from chronic
illnesses such as arthritis,
diabetes, hypertension,
and high cholesterol.
Program includes access to
our on-site fitness center.
On-site fitness facility open
Monday through Friday
from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Good Health Center
Call 443-444-3881
for information and
orientation appointment.
Fee: $20 per month or
$90 for six months.
Gentle Yoga
A one-hour chair yoga
class to help improve
balance and strength.
Mondays, July 11 to
Sept. 26 (no class Sept. 5)
3:30 p.m.
Parker Center
Fee: $65 for 11 weeks
Yoga
This one-hour yoga class
can improve flexibility
and stamina, as well as
alleviate stress. Beginners
to advanced participants
welcome.
Mondays, July 11 to
Sept. 26 (no class Sept. 5)
6 to 7:15 p.m.
Parker Center
Fee: $80 for 11 weeks
12 Good Health MEDSTAR good samaritan HOSPITAL Summer 2016
Tai Chi
This ancient form of
exercise can help lower
blood pressure, ease stress
and improve sleep.
Class limited to
25 participants.
Tuesdays, June 28
to Aug. 9
5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Good Health Center
Fee: $25 for six weeks
Gentle Tai Chi
These gentle exercises
can help lower your blood
pressure, ease stress and
improve sleep.
Class limited to
15 participants.
Fridays, July 22 to Aug. 26
1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Good Health Center
Fee: $25 for six weeks
Lung Care
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation
is a monitored exercise
training and education
program for those with
lung diseases, including
COPD, asthma and
chronic bronchitis.
For more information,
call 443-444-3397.
Support Groups
MedStar Stroke
Support Group
A support group for
stroke survivors and their
caregivers.
Thursdays, July 7 and
Aug. 4
1 to 2:30 p.m.
July meeting will be held
in Conference Room G at
MedStar Franklin Square
Medical Center; August
meeting will be held at
the Good Health Center,
Conference Room B, at
MedStar Good Samaritan
Hospital.
Aphasia Support Group
A support group for
individuals with this
language disorder
Mondays, July 11 and 25;
Aug. 8 and 22
1 to 2 p.m.
Good Health Center,
Conference Room B
Caregiver Support Group
A new support group
designed for those who
care for an aging adult.
Thursdays, July 14,
Aug. 11 and Sept. 8
3:30 to 5 p.m.
Russell Morgan Bldg.,
Suite 502
For more information,
call 443-444-4720.
Diabetes Support Group
Guest speakers will discuss
topics related to diabetes
management.
Third Monday of
each month
2:30 to 4 p.m.
Good Health Center
Amputee Support Group
A support group offering
different topics and guest
speakers each month.
Fourth Wednesday of
each month
6:30 to 8 p.m.
Good Health Center
For more information,
call 443-444-3955.
Wellness and
Prevention
Massage Therapy or
Integrative Reflexology
Provided by licensed
massage therapists at our
Good Health Center. Day
and evening appointments
are available.
Call 443-444-4663
for more info.
Fee: $30 for 30 minutes
or $55 for an hour.
Acupuncture
Ancient therapy provided
by a licensed acupuncturist
that promotes healing for
those with chronic pain
and other conditions.
Appointments available
every Friday from 1:30
to 5:30 p.m. by calling
443-444-4663.
Good Health Center
Fee: $150 for initial
two-hour evaluation
and $85 for additional
appointments.
Life Balance/Weight
Management Program
This 16-week program
is designed to help you
make real lifestyle changes,
such as eating healthier,
starting a daily exercise
routine, losing weight, and
improving problem-solving
and coping skills. The
information for this series
comes from the National
Diabetes Prevention
Program and is targeted at
reversing pre-diabetes.
Tuesdays, June 28 to Oct. 4
1 to 2 p.m.
Keswick Multi-Care Center
700 W. 40th St., Baltimore
Blood Pressure
Screenings
Monday through Friday
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Good Health Center
No appointment necessary.
Migraine Clinic
If you suffer from frequent
headaches, you may be
a candidate for a special
treatment designed to
ease the pain.
For more information,
call 410-823-3600.
Hepatitis Clinic
This new clinic offers
treatment options for those
with Hepatitis B and C.
For more information,
call 443-444-1817.
Brain Fitness:
Use It or Lose It
Learn the six pillars for
a brain-healthy lifestyle
and what you can do for
good mental fitness as
you age. These sessions
are offered in cooperation
with the Baltimore County
Department of Aging.
Class limited to
15 participants.
Wednesday, Sept. 21
10:15 a.m.
Bykota Senior Center
611 Central Ave., Towson
Better Health
by the Book
A social book club focused
on helping you live vibrantly.
Ask for book information
when you register.
Tuesday, Sept. 13
7 p.m.
Greetings & Readings,
Hunt Valley Towne Centre
To register, visit MedStarGoodSam.org/GoodHealth or call 855-546-1995.
All classes are free unless noted otherwise.
Good Health MEDSTAR GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL Summer 2016
13
News from Around MedStar Health
CANCER
Knowing Your ABCDEs Can Help You Catch
Melanoma Early
Checking your skin from head
to toe each month can help you spot
changes that could be symptoms of
skin cancer. When looking for signs
of melanoma, the most serious type
of skin cancer, it helps to know your
ABCDEs. Here’s what you should
check for:
• Asymmetrical shape: Check
for moles where the shape or
appearance of one half doesn’t
match the other.
• Border irregularity: The borders
of non-cancerous moles are usually
smooth and even. Moles affected by
melanoma have irregular borders
that are ragged, notched or uneven.
• Color: Non-cancerous moles are
usually a single shade of brown or
tan. Check for moles that contain
listed above, see
a dermatologist
right away.
When detected
early, malignant
melanoma is highly
treatable.”
more than one color or have
an uneven distribution of color
within the mole. Melanomas can
also be red, blue or white.
• Diameter: In melanoma, moles
are usually one-quarter inch or
larger in diameter. That’s about
the size of a pencil eraser.
• Evolution: Be on the lookout for
changes in the size, shape or
color of any moles. Other signs
to watch for include moles that
bleed, itch, become tender, or
crust over.
Michael Radowsky, MD
“Most skin cancer deaths are
from melanoma,” says Michael
Radowsky, MD, a dermatologist at
MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital.
“If you discover any of the changes
Call 877-715-HOPE (4673) for
more information or assistance
with making an appointment.
To lower your risk of all types of
skin cancer, use sunscreen yearround, wear a wide-brimmed hat,
limit exposure to the sun between
10 a.m. and 4 p.m., don’t use
tanning beds or sun lamps, and
protect your eyes with sunglasses.
HEART
Clinical Trial Gives More Patients Access
to Minimally Invasive Valve Replacement
Usually, when you need
aortic valve replacement due
to aortic stenosis, you undergo
open-heart surgery. But, for people
who are too ill or weak for openheart surgery, a minimally invasive
procedure called transcatheter
aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has
been available for several years.
In TAVR, a very small catheter is
inserted into the femoral artery.
The physician then positions the
new heart valve, which is mounted
on a stent, into the location of the
damaged valve. Once the stent
that contains the new heart valve
is expanded, it pushes the old
John Chung-Yee
Wang, MD
valve out of the
way and the new
one starts working
immediately,
restoring normal
blood flow to
the body.
Now, through a clinical trial at
MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute
at MedStar Union Memorial
Hospital, lower-risk, healthier
patients have an opportunity to
undergo TAVR. MedStar Union
Memorial is one of a select
few hospitals in the Baltimore
metropolitan region participating
in this trial, which is being
14 Good Health MEDSTAR good samaritan HOSPITAL Summer 2016
conducted at 80 centers around
the world.
“There are many benefits to TAVR,
including a much quicker recovery
and no need for major open-heart
surgery,” explains John Chung-Yee
Wang, MD, chief of the Cardiac
Catheterization Laboratory at
MedStar Union Memorial and
scientific director for MedStar
Baltimore Cardiovascular Research.
“For this trial, there is no upper or
lower age limit to participate.”
To see if you may be a candidate
for the trial, contact Judith
Raqueno, at 443-278-9170, ext. 1.
ORTHOPAEDICS
You Don’t Have to Be an Athlete to Benefit
From Sports Medicine
Just because you’ve never
run a marathon or scored a
touchdown doesn’t mean you
don’t need a sports medicine
specialist. If you’ve got a problem
with your muscles, ligaments,
joints, or tendons, a physician
who’s fellowship-trained in sports
medicine can evaluate your
condition, diagnose
your problem
and provide
treatment, from
physical therapy
and medications to
surgical repairs.
Derek Papp, MD
Sports medicine physicians treat
patients of all ages and activity
levels and can provide care
for a wide range of problems,
including injuries and pain
in your:
• Hand and
• Shoulder
wrist
• Knee
• Elbow
• Ankle
• Back
• Foot
• Hip
“We treat people of all ages,
from those who’ve been injured
while participating in a sport to
those who are experiencing
pain caused by wear and tear,”
explains Derek Papp, MD, boardcertified orthopaedic surgeon and
director of Sports Medicine
at MedStar Good Samaritan
Hospital. “Our interdisciplinary
team of sports medicine
specialists includes experienced
physicians, nurses and physical
and occupational therapists.
Sports medicine fellowship
training gave me invaluable
experience that I use every day
to help my patients. We offer
the latest treatment options,
including minimally invasive
surgical treatment, so our
patients can get back to
doing what they love.”
To make an appointment,
please call 877-34-ORTHO
(877-346-7846).
We Now Offer Voucher-Free Wi-Fi
Access for Patients and Visitors
While on any MedStar hospital campus,
simply select “MedStarGuest” under
your Wi-Fi settings to get started.
Good Health MEDSTAR GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPITAL Summer 2016
15
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Permit No.
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855-546-1995
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Extraordinary Care.
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Bel Air Medical Campus is
NOW OPEN
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