1MedStar Harbor Hospital

WIN

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2019

Walking Strong Again Innovative Ankle Replacement Provides Solution

A Residency Program That Benefits AllCommunity Focus Enhances Continuity of Care

Treating Thyroid DiseaseSpecialist’s Expertise Gets Patient Back on Track

HEALTHY HABITSStart the Year Off Right: Get a Checkup

2 3MedStar Harbor HospitalWaterfront | WINTER 2019

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Happy New Year! The beginning of a year is always an exciting time … a time to look to the future and envision what’s ahead. Many of us also find it a good time to pause and reflect on the past.

I have had the honor and privilege of serving as president and

chief medical officer of MedStar Harbor Hospital for just a year and a half. During this short time, I have developed a profound appreciation for the spirit of compassion and empathy that each member of the team here brings to our patients, colleagues, and the community.

We exist to provide the safest, highest quality health care and the best experience possible to each and every patient. Being part of an organization that works so hard to deliver on this promise is an extraordinary feeling.

In this issue of Waterfront, you’ll read about some of the innovative ways we are striving to address the diverse needs of all our patients and the communities we serve. You’ll meet a woman who suffered with ankle pain from arthritis for years until she turned to the experts at MedStar Orthopaedic Institute, who are now seeing patients at MedStar Harbor.

You’ll learn how a program initially designed to provide hands-on experience to recent medical school graduates is now enabling us to provide better continuity of care to area residents out in the community. Another article focuses on thyroid disease, a common condition with a multitude of causes and symptoms that we are treating successfully here at MedStar Harbor. And there’s more.

I am proud to be able to share so many positive stories and articles with you and hope you find them informative. Each one epitomizes the depth of our commitment to providing patient-centered care that is truly focused on you. As your community hospital, we look forward to continuing to serve your healthcare needs for many years to come.

In good health,

Stuart M. Levine, MD, FACP President and Chief Medical Officer, MedStar Harbor Hospital Senior Vice President, MedStar Health

After more than a century of healing, MedStar Harbor Hospital is a mainstay in the community, serving patients from Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Howard counties. Our convenient waterside location combines the services of a large, regional medical center with a smaller, more personal environment. From general medicine and surgery, obstetrics, orthopaedics and geriatrics, to behavioral health, cardiology, gastroenterology and urology, our team of caring physicians and associates professionally serves the unique needs of every patient.

Waterfront is published by the Marketing and Communications department of MedStar Harbor 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 855-546-0862. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2019.

MedStar Harbor Hospital complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

On the cover: Tina Burd is back to her active self after the specialists at MedStar Orthopaedic Institute replaced her ankle using an innovative procedure.

WINTER 2019

[CONTENTS] [WHAT’S new]

FEATURES

4 Walking Strong Again Innovative Ankle Replacement Provides Solution

8 A Residency Program That Benefits All Community Focus Enhances Continuity of Care

10 Treating Thyroid Disease Specialist’s Expertise Gets Patient Back on Track

DEPARTMENTS

3 WHAT’S NEW

7 HEALTHY HABITS

12 STAYING ACTIVE

13 CARING FOR YOU

14 CLASSES AND EVENTS

Access to Healthy Food NEW PROGRAM IMPROVES

Join Us in Congratulating 2018’s Top Doctors!

E ach year, the November issue of Baltimore magazine spotlights doctors in and around our

community who are recognized by their peers as the “best of the best.” We are pleased to

announce that 86 MedStar Health doctors were again included on this prestigious listing.

Among those on the list from MedStar Harbor Hospital were: Fouad Abbas, MD, for gynecologic surgery/gynecologic oncology; Kristen Fernandez, MD, for breast surgery; and Elias Shaya, MD, psychiatry.

Giving our patients access to close and convenient, yet high-quality care, is one of our priorities. MedStar has more than 2,000 doctors, from primary care to specialists, who work in our hospitals, multispecialty centers, physician offices, and MedStar PromptCare locations throughout the Baltimore region.

At MedStar, we’re proud of all our doctors. We hope you’ll join us in congratulating those who were selected as Top Doctors in 2018.

To learn more about our top doctors, their areas of expertise, and locations, call 855-213-9394, or visit MedStarHealth.org/TopDocs.

F ood plays a huge role in a person’s overall ability to be healthy. Yet in many urban areas, access

to fresh produce and supermarkets is limited. MedStar Harbor Hospital is doing its part to

change this in the South Baltimore area with the launch of Food is Medicine—Harvest RX.

Under the program, patients are identified as being in need of food assistance through a screening conducted while in the hospital. They can then be signed up to receive free home delivery of a box of healthy food twice a week for eight weeks. Provided by a group called Hungry Harvest, a typical box contains fresh vegetables, fruits and grains, and is enough to build four to eight meals. The goal of the program is to help fill gaps in nutrition and food access that may impact the overall health of these patients.

The Food is Medicine—Harvest RX project was funded in part by a $25,000 grant from the PNC Foundation and will enable 350 patients to join the program at MedStar Harbor. Several other healthy food programs are available for those with longer-term needs.

Visit MedStarHarbor.org/Waterfront to learn more about the Community Health programs offered at MedStar Harbor Hospital.

4 5MedStar Harbor HospitalWaterfront | WINTER 2019

DID YOU KNOW? Ankles, and by extension feet, are challenging to repair due to how complex they are. Composed of 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles, ligaments, and tendons, they can move up and down, side to side, twist to various angles, absorb shock, and navigate uneven surfaces.

Walking Strong Again Innovative Ankle Replacement Provides Solution

FOR MORE THAN TWO decades, Tina Burd hobbled around in a boot and didn’t do much of anything without first considering how much it would hurt. Diagnosed with severe ankle arthritis in her mid-30s, pain and her big ugly boot were part of everyday life.

Also part of her everyday life was Burd’s personal mission to find a solution. She wanted to take and teach fitness classes at her gym

Walter Hembree, MD

without constant pain and frustrating limitations. And she wanted to do her best in her job as a nurse, minus the throbbing pain that sometimes shot through her entire body.

She did a lot of research. She attended orthopaedic conferences to learn about the latest treatment options and connect with people who might be able to help her. Over a period of ten years, Burd scheduled appointments with more than ten surgeons,

all of whom told her the same thing: “you are far

too young for ankle replacement surgery, but we can try some more physical therapy or a series of cortisone shots to help relieve your pain.”

Then Burd came across an online video featuring Lew Schon, MD, an orthopaedic

surgeon with MedStar Orthopaedic Institute

in Baltimore, who is internationally known

for his expertise in foot and ankle reconstruction. The video focused on a new ankle replacement that was available, and the many advancements that are being made in this field to help patients who are suffering. Since he was not far from her home in York, Pennsylvania, she made an appointment and crossed her fingers.

“At my first appointment, Dr. Schon listened to my whole story, looked me in the eye and told me I shouldn’t have to live in pain. He said I was a perfect candidate for a new ankle replacement procedure he and his colleagues had recently developed,” Burd recalls. “It was the first time I ever heard what I needed, and it made me cry tears of happiness.”

While most people would be nervous about a procedure like this, Burd found herself counting down the days to her surgery with anticipation. She looked forward to wearing fancy shoes, walking on the beach, taking her dogs for walks, and enjoying family vacations, without having to

Burd suffered with severe ankle pain for a decade before getting the help she needed at MedStar Orthopaedic Institute.

Lew Schon, MD

bring along the boot and a bottle of pain relievers.

It’s stories like this that have motivated Dr. Schon to devote his life’s work to foot and ankle specialty care, and the development and patenting of new, state-of-the-art ankle replacement devices such as the one Burd received. He estimates that since he began practicing medicine in the early 1990s, he has treated nearly 30,000 patients, who have come from all across the United States as well as Europe, Africa, and Asia.

“It’s a testament to the world-class, cutting-edge work we are doing at MedStar Orthopaedic Institute, which combines the

best of clinical care with product development, research, education, and academic medicine,” says Dr. Schon. “We are developing new ideas, new techniques, and new products in our biologics and biomechanics labs that eventually get approved and introduced to patients. This revolutionary work is positively changing patient outcomes and patient lives.”

One of Dr. Schon’s current priorities is researching the role stem cells can potentially have in preventing and correcting orthopaedic issues. While this level of research is more common in fields such as neurology and cardiology, Dr. Schon and his team are carefully analyzing how tendons, ligaments, and bones

Waterfront | WINTER 20196 MedStar Harbor Hospital 7

D id you know that people who see their primary care provider annually generally

experience better health? That’s because, over time, you and your provider form

a relationship. You get to know each other and that makes it easier to talk about

things that may be bothering you, physically and emotionally.

“Most people know they should see their primary care provider for regular checkups,” says Robert Dart, MD, an internal medicine physician with MedStar Medical Group, the provider organization for MedStar Health. “But it’s especially important as we get older due to the fact that the risk of developing a variety of health conditions increases. A primary care clinician who has seen you for many years—in sickness and in health—can sense changes that may signal a problem.”

Here are a few other good reasons to schedule an annual visit with your primary care provider:

• Seeing a primary care provider regularly results in higher quality care—care that is individualized and comprehensive.

• Some serious conditions don’t have obvious symptoms, especially in the early, more easily treatable stages—for example, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. A routine checkup will include basic screenings for these issues.

• Our immune systems weaken over time. This makes it easier to develop complications from common illnesses such as colds and the flu. The immunizations that are most important for you, based on your age, will be recommended during an annual checkup.

• Many individuals suffer from chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. If not managed properly, these can quickly lead to problems that are much more difficult to treat. Regular visits to a primary care provider help ensure that those living with these conditions get the care they need, when they need it.

• Having a primary care provider you can rely on opens up the door for ongoing communication. So, if you need a referral to a specialist or have an unexpected health issue, you have someone to turn to who you can trust. And that means easier access to care, which reduces stress.

• Your long-term healthcare costs will likely be lower if you get regular physicals and routine screenings. Most health conditions are less expensive to treat when they are diagnosed early.

“By getting the right health services, screenings, and treatments, you are taking steps that improve your chances for living a longer, healthier life,” Dr. Dart adds. “We encourage you to schedule an annual checkup today.”

Robert Dart, MD

Don’t have a primary care provider? Visit MedStarNow.org to search for a provider convenient for you.

Start the Year Off Right: Get a Checkup

[HEALTHY habits]

7MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center

The ankle and spine specialists with MedStar Orthopaedic Institute are now seeing patients at MedStar Harbor Hospital, making access to care even more convenient. For more information or a physician referral, visit MedStarHarbor.org/Waterfront or call 855-546-0862.

respond to stem cells. Their findings could impact the future of diabetic care, arthritis treatment, and much more.

Additionally, the demand for specialized foot and ankle care is on the rise and has led to the expansion of the team of providers working with Dr. Schon. Five foot and ankle specialists are now on board, rotating among MedStar Health’s facilities to provide comprehensive, accessible care to patients throughout the Baltimore and Washington regions.

Walter Hembree, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon fellowship-trained in foot and ankle surgery, is one of the newest members of the team. “People don’t realize how much they need their feet until they cannot fully use them,” he notes.

Dr. Hembree sees patients with a wide range of foot and ankle injuries and conditions, from bunions and hammer toes to flat foot deformities, ankle instability, cartilage and tendon tears, tendinitis, and ankle arthritis, just to name a few.

“Sometimes physical therapy, a special brace, or medications are the answer. In other cases, surgery is necessary,” he says. “Our goal is to find a solution for each patient that will allow them to live the highest quality life. That’s one of the things MedStar Orthopaedic Institute is known for. And it’s one of the many reasons why I came here to practice medicine.”

Dr. Schon notes that his new colleague is recognized as a rising star in foot and ankle

care. “Dr. Hembree has brought compassion, intelligence, and well-honed technical skills to our team. He has a vast depth of experience handling challenging cases with outstanding results.”

Today, Burd tells anyone who asks that the care she received has absolutely restored her quality of life. Every Monday and Friday morning, she can be found leading a group of people through an intense, fast-paced spin class at her local gym. Now she can get through a 60-minute cycling class, or her standard 12-hour work shift, with no pain.

“I am thankful for my ankle replacement every day,” says Burd, mom to five adult-aged children and six grandchildren, all under the age of six. “Finally, I’m free!”

FAST FACT: The ankle joint bears approximately five times a person’s body weight with every step. This is at least two times as much as the knee or hip joints with only one-third the surface area.

Now pain-free, Burd is able to comfortably lead an intense spin class at her local gym.

8 Waterfront | WINTER 2019 9MedStar Harbor Hospital

FAST FACT: MedStar Health has one of the largest graduate medical education programs in the country, training more than 1,000 medical residents annually.

Dr. Detterline and Dr. Baez-Sosa review a patient’s medical records.

More importantly, through their work in the community clinics, the medical residents get to really understand, and deliver, continuity of care. In some cases, when a patient is seen by a resident at the clinic and then admitted to

A Residency Program That Benefits All

IT’S A LITTLE AFTER 6:00 AM, and the internal medicine residents at MedStar Harbor Hospital are already hard at work. The hospital currently has 38 residents on board—individuals who have earned their medical degrees who are now getting the hands-on training required to practice medicine.

While many can be found in various units of the hospital gaining valuable, practical experience, some are preparing for busy days in the community-based primary care clinics that partner with MedStar Health located in areas surrounding the hospital.

“Everyone benefits from a program like this,” says Stephanie Detterline, MD, director of the MedStar Health Internal Medicine Baltimore Residency Program. “The physicians here at the hospital and in the community clinics get extra support and patients are being cared for by an extended team of providers.”

the hospital for treatment of a more complex issue, they may see the same doctor.

“Being out in the community gives us the chance to help monitor and manage our patients’ health conditions and try to

Several of the medical residents at MedStar Harbor Hospital, pictured with Dr. Detterline, fourth from left, prepare for the day ahead.

Community Focus Enhances Continuity of Care

prevent them from getting worse or requiring care in the hospital,” notes Valentina Baez-Sosa, MD, chief resident in the Department of Internal Medicine at MedStar Harbor. “But when a patient’s condition does require care in the hospital setting, we are here to provide integrated care.”

Dr. Baez-Sosa joined the hospital’s residency program in June 2016, after completing her medical degree at Universidad Central de Venezuela. She says residency training is helping her build new skills as she helps provide care for patients with a wide range of medical needs.

“The residents who are training at this hospital and out in the community clinics are here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days per year. They are all learning while making valuable contributions to the patient care process,” said Dr. Baez-Sosa. “We have a very robust academic program which is helping us all become the best physicians we can be.”

Under Dr. Detterline’s leadership, the residency program has evolved to offer a truly comprehensive training experience. Through collaborating and partnering, the residents who rotate between all of the Baltimore-based MedStar Health hospitals have more diverse opportunities and access to a more comprehensive

network of resources. In total, there are 156 residents who are part of the program.

“Each MedStar Health hospital has a few key clinical strengths that it’s known for specifically,” says Dr. Detterline. “As our residents practice at each hospital, they are exposed to different things. This process enables them to meet more people, broaden their skills, and develop new clinical interests, while they are in training.”

Dr. Detterline notes that all doctors, regardless of how experienced they are, learn new things each and every day through almost every single patient encounter.

“Medicine changes all of the time,” she says. “As doctors, we face new challenges constantly. The presence of a robust residency training program allows

us to learn from one another, while also elevating the level of care MedStar Harbor is able to provide our patients by leaps and bounds. It is rewarding to know that the next generation of great doctors is getting its start here.”

Dr. Baez-Sosa, who intends to build her career around hematology and oncology care, agrees, and stresses how much she values the opportunity to be part of MedStar Harbor, and the interactions she has with her patients.

“Patients are the whole reason I’m here,” she says. “I enjoy sitting down with each one to go over their progress and help them understand what will come next. But I also take a few extra minutes to get to know my patients on a personal level. I want them to know I care, and that I am here to help them as much as I can.”

10 11MedStar Harbor HospitalWaterfront | WINTER 2019

Rani Kulkarni, MD

developed a red bumpy rash on his legs that was unbearable. Realizing he could no longer put off the inevitable, Redlinger went to the Emergency department at MedStar Harbor Hospital, where it quickly became clear that something was very wrong.

“My blood pressure and heart rate were dangerously high. A whole bunch of doctors rushed into my room, and tried to bring my numbers down, but couldn’t,” says Redlinger, who was then admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit. “After more tests and blood

was justifiably concerned. But he kept hoping that by exercising and eating well, his health would improve.

“I was weak and losing a lot of weight, but I didn’t know why,” recalls Redlinger. “It got to the point that I could barely walk out to the mailbox or up a flight of steps. I assumed I had cancer. But I was scared to see a doctor, so I avoided it.”

Then his weight fell to 118 pounds and he found himself struggling to breathe. He also

ONE IN EVERY 200 AMERICANS is affected by Graves’ disease, the most common form of hyperthyroidism according to the National Institutes for Health. Caused by an overproduction of thyroid hormones, it can result in a wide range of health problems including unexplained weight loss, muscle weakness, extreme fatigue, excessive sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, anxiety, tremors, and more.

When August (Gus) Redlinger, Jr., began experiencing some of these symptoms in 2016, he

Treating Thyroid Disease Specialist’s Expertise Gets Patient Back on Track

Redlinger is thankful to again have the stamina to keep up with his two granddaughters, Aleigha Makaylan Dubroc and Kali Ahmya-Cate Dubroc.

FAST FACT: Graves’ disease usually affects people between ages 30 and 50 but can occur at any age. It is more common in women than men and a person’s chance of developing it increases if other family members have the disease.

Visit MedStarHarbor.org/Waterfront or call 855-546-0862 for more information or a physician referral.

draws, I was diagnosed with Graves’ disease.”

Immediately activating and overseeing Redlinger’s treatment plan was Rani Kulkarni, MD, an endocrinologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease and disorders.

“When I first saw Gus, he was very ill due to chronically high thyroid levels. He needed emergency treatment to save his life,” says Dr. Kulkarni, who sees patients at MedStar Harbor Hospital, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital, and MedStar Health at Federal Hill.

She notes that there are three primary ways to treat hyperthyroidism.

“We typically prescribe a series of anti-thyroid drugs first,” says Dr. Kulkarni. “If the medications aren’t tolerated, the second option is a radioactive iodine pill designed to painlessly destroy the thyroid gland. The third and

final resort is surgery to remove the thyroid gland. The last two treatment options render the patient dependent on thyroid hormone replacement.”

Fortunately for Redlinger, the right mix of medications did the trick. Just a few weeks after leaving the hospital, his lab work confirmed his health was improving. His blood pressure and heart rate were in check, the irritating rash began to fade, and he began regaining some weight. The man who once avoided seeing a doctor began seeing several on a regular basis … a primary care physician and a cardiologist in addition to Dr. Kulkarni.

“You hear stories about people who were given a second chance at life, and I can honestly say I am one of those people,” says Redlinger. “I no longer take my health for granted. I keep my doctor appointments. I check my blood pressure daily. I am focused on being healthy and strong.”

Dr. Kulkarni says the data points to a rising incidence of autoimmune disorders such as Graves’ disease. Environmental factors, stress, and infections are among the suspected reasons for this. More recently, specific drugs used in the treatment of certain infections and cancers have been thought to trigger Graves’ disease.

“About 60 percent of those with thyroid disease are unaware of their condition. People who have

a thyroid disorder that progresses very slowly may not notice the early signs and symptoms, and in the meantime, their bodies are gradually declining,” she explains. “Once a patient is diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which means their thyroid isn’t producing enough hormones, or hyperthyroidism, like Gus, there is a lot we can do to help them control their disease, feel better, and get back to their normal lives.”

She notes that individuals with a family history of thyroid disease or other autoimmune diseases such as lupus, type 1 diabetes, psoriasis, or celiac disease, should have their thyroid levels checked regularly.

Normal life is something Redlinger no longer takes for granted. Being able to go out for a night on the town again and having the energy to keep up with his two granddaughters are among his greatest joys.

“I have gone through a lot, and it certainly hasn’t been easy, but it’s changed my life in every way,” Redlinger says. “I am thankful and blessed.”

13MedStar Harbor Hospital12 Waterfront | WINTER 2019

[STAYING active] [CARING for you]

It makes workouts safer. Having a partner to spot you or look at your

form from a different angle can prevent you from developing bad habits. If you prefer an outdoor workout, having someone with you is always beneficial.

You can share your successes. When you achieve something you are proud

of, celebrating alone isn’t very gratifying. With a partner, you will likely share similar goals. Once you achieve them, you can take pride in your accomplishments together.

It makes exercising fun. A little chit chat on the treadmill will make the

time fly and take your mind off how much you’re sweating. You can talk about evening plans or what you’re making for dinner instead of counting down the seconds until you are finished.

“The majority of the population is not active enough. We are seeing alarming rates of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes. Those are all conditions that are linked to a lack of exercise,” notes Dr. Mayer. “If you want to improve your health, a workout partner can make a difference by encouraging you to take that next step, run that extra mile, and, ultimately, achieve your goals more rapidly.”

We Can Help

Pam Trombero

According to Pam Trombero, a tobacco treatment specialist at MedStar Harbor Hospital, the answer is absolutely. “Your body has an amazing ability to heal itself, and it happens quicker than you think—less than half an hour after you put out that last cigarette,” she says. “But you’re more likely to succeed if you have a plan to handle those cravings, especially in the first few weeks.”

Trombero, a lung cancer survivor, shares these tips to help you kick the smoking habit:

SET A QUIT DATE Pick a date within the next two weeks to quit. That gives you enough time to get ready, but not so long that you will lose your will to quit. Circle the date on your calendar, and make a strong, personal commitment to quit on that day.

SHARE YOUR PLANS Quitting is hard, but it is easier with support. Share your quit date with family, friends, and co-workers. Tell them how they can help you, especially when you are tempted to give up.

EXPECT CHALLENGES The first few months will be difficult. It’s important to figure out what triggers your urge to smoke and plan how you will resist. You may also experience withdrawal symptoms as a result of giving up nicotine. This is normal and will pass with time.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR Quitting cold turkey isn’t your only choice. Your doctor, dentist, or pharmacist can also direct you to sources of support. For example, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) may help with withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine gum, patches, inhalers, sprays, and lozenges are all types of NRT that replace the nicotine you are no longer getting from cigarettes. Some require prescriptions, while others are over-the-counter.

TRY A QUITTING PROGRAM Many people benefit by participating in individual or group sessions, or telephone quit line counseling. These can assist you by:

• Helping you better understand why you smoke

• Teaching you how to handle withdrawal and stress

• Providing ways to resist the urge to smoke

“Quitting smoking is the single most important step you can take to improve the length and quality of your life,” stresses Trombero. “As soon as you quit, your body begins to repair the damage caused by smoking. Even someone who quits later in life will improve his or her health.”

READY TO Kick the Habit?

MedStar Health offers free smoking cessation programs throughout Baltimore. Visit MedStarHealth.org/StopSmoking for dates and locations or call 410-933-2030.

N ow is the time of year when individuals full of good intentions resolve to get

more exercise to improve their health. It’s an admirable goal. But it’s harder

to do than most people think. We all have days, especially during the cold

winter months, when we don’t feel like doing much of anything.

Five Good Reasons to Exercise With a Partner

When that happens, do you think you’d be more motivated to work out if you had someone urging you to stick with it? If you answered yes, you may benefit from having a workout partner.

“Exercise is important in so many ways,” says Jeffrey Mayer, MD, a primary care sports medicine specialist at MedStar Harbor Hospital. “It prevents health problems, builds strength, boosts energy, and can help reduce stress. It can also help you maintain a healthy body weight and curb your appetite. But many people struggle to keep up a regular routine. That’s when a workout partner can help.”

Here are five good reasons why having a workout partner makes sense:

It can motivate you. It’s one thing to cancel workout plans with yourself—

it’s another to cancel on a friend who is expecting you to show up. If you have someone you are accountable to, it will motivate you, and you will motivate your partner in return.

You get a better workout. Studies have shown that when you exercise

with a partner, you exercise significantly harder. Just as a workout partner motivates you to exercise, that individual can also help push you to achieve more.

Jeffrey Mayer, MD

For more information, visit MedStarHarbor.org/Waterfront or call 855-546-0862.

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A lot of people who have been smoking for a while question if quitting’s even worth

it. For some, just thinking about the cravings and withdrawal symptoms turns

them off to the whole idea. They wonder, “The damage is done, so does it really

make a difference?”

14 15MedStar Harbor HospitalWaterfront | WINTER 2019

[CLASSES and events][CLASSES and events]

COMMUNITY LECTURES AND CLASS SCHEDULESAt MedStar Harbor 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, support services, and screenings. Join us, and learn how you can stay healthy for life.

WELLNESS AND PREVENTION

Life Balance Weight Management This one-year program is based on the National Diabetes Prevention Program, designed for individuals who are at risk to develop type 2 diabetes and those who have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes. With the help of a lifestyle coach, participants are supported in their journey toward making positive changes related to nutrition, exercise, problem-solving, and coping skills.

Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 13th 2:30-3:30 p.m. Cherry Hill Library 606 Cherry Hill Rd. Baltimore

Prepared Childbirth ClassTaught by a registered nurse who is also a certified childbirth educator, mothers-to-be and their support person will learn the basics of childbirth, comfort measures, and techniques to help cope with labor. A tour of the labor and delivery unit is included. Breaks are provided throughout the day.

Participants are encouraged to bring their partner or a guest as well as a blanket or yoga mat and pillow. Snacks and refreshments provided. Lunch will be on their own. For questions about the class, call 410-350-2234.

Sundays: Jan. 13, Feb. 10, March 10, April 14, May 5, June 23, July 14 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MedStar Harbor Hospital – Teleconference Room

Fee: $75 per couple, but some insurance plans cover part or all of the fee.

To register, visit MedStarHealth.org/Waterfront, or call toll-free 855-218-2435 unless otherwise noted. Many classes are free; however, a few have a fee that will be discussed when you call to register.

Live Well with Diabetes and HypertensionThis seven-week, free workshop is designed for people living with diabetes and hypertension. Week one focuses on ways to manage and prevent hypertension. Weeks two through seven provide a variety of goal-oriented approaches to help individuals manage the day-to-day problems of diabetes. Topics include nutrition and carbohydrate counting, managing blood sugar, foot care, communication, problem solving, and complications of diabetes.

Wednesdays, Feb. 27 to April 10 11:30 to 2 p.m. MedStar Harbor Hospital Outpatient Center

Freshstart® Smoking Cessation ProgramFreshstart, a free, four-week program, is designed to help smokers plan a successful quit attempt by providing essential information, skills for coping with cravings, and group support.

Wednesdays: March 6 to 27; April 17 to May 8; May 29 to June 196 to 7:30 p.m.MedStar Harbor Hospital Ground Floor Cancer Center

Overdose Prevention and Narcan TrainingCommunity members are encouraged to attend public trainings to learn the history and prevalence of drug overdose locally and nationally. Participants will also learn how to administer naloxone (Narcan), a lifesaving medication that rapidly reverses opioid-related overdose. This training is offered in partnership with the Baltimore City Health Department.

Tuesday, February 5, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.Brooklyn Homes Community Center4140 10th Street, Baltimore 21225

Thursday, February 7, 1 to 2 p.m.Drink at The Well4710 Pennington Avenue, Baltimore 21226

MATERNAL HEALTH

Prenatal BreastfeedingTaught by an Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultant and Registered Nurse. Mothers and their partners will learn the basics of breastfeeding their newborn, how to resolve common issues, and tips for returning to work. Snacks and refreshments provided.

Tuesdays: Jan. 15, Feb. 5, March 5, April 2, May 7, June 4, July 9 6 to 8:30 p.m. MedStar Harbor Hospital – Teleconference Room

These classes are free, but you must register to attend. Participants are encouraged to bring their partner or guest.

MENTAL HEALTH

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Peer-to-Peer Free, 10-session educational program for adults with mental illness who are looking to better understand their condition and journey toward recovery. Taught by a trained team of people who’ve been there, the program includes presentations, discussions, and interactive exercises.

Peer Class #1Wednesdays, Feb. 6 to March 276 to 8 p.m.

Peer Class #2Wednesdays, May 1 to June 196 to 8 p.m.

To register for either of these classes, call the NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore Helpline at 410-435-2600.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Bereavement Support GroupFor anyone going through the grief process after the loss of a loved one. Find some support from others who are going through the same situation, as well as from a hospice representative.

Monthly, second Wednesdays7 to 8:30 p.m.MedStar Harbor HospitalConference Room B

To register or for more information, call 888-523-6000 or email maikins@seasons.org.

Sponsored by MedStar Harbor Hospital and Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care

CANCER PREVENTION

Breast and Cervical Cancer ScreeningsFree mammograms, clinical breast exams, and pap tests are available for women:

• Age 40 or older

• Uninsured or underinsured

• Limited income

• Resident of Baltimore City metropolitan area

Call 410-350-2066 to see if you qualify and schedule an appointment.

Colon Cancer ScreeningColon cancer is one of the most common, yet preventable, cancers. To detect colon cancer early, when it is easier to treat, free colonoscopies are available for eligible individuals:

• Women and men age 50 and older

• Under age 50 with symptoms or a family history of colon cancer

• Uninsured or underinsured

• Limited income

• Resident of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, or Anne Arundel County

Call 410-350-8216 to see if you qualify and schedule an appointment.

Lung Cancer ScreeningLung cancer has no symptoms in early stages. But early detection is possible with a low-dose CT scan. Free screenings are available for individuals meeting the following criteria:

• Women and men age 50 and older

• Uninsured

• Limited income

• Resident of Baltimore City or Anne Arundel County

Call 410-350-8216 to see if you qualify and schedule an appointment.

When it comes to your health, we know you want top-notch physicians, nurses, and staff, as well as personalized, comprehensive, and convenient care. That’s why we promise to get to know you through meaningful conversations about your healthcare needs, values, and goals.

We offer one-stop, personalized, expert care.

It’s all right here, close to home:

• Full range of specialties:– Behavioral health– Cardiac, cancer, and diabetes care– Diagnostic services– Pediatrics– Primary care – Sports medicine, joint replacement,

and spine– Specialized women’s care and obstetrics– And more

• Emergency experts ready 24/7 for any accident, illness, or emergency

• Easy access off I-95 and I-895 with plenty of free parking

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID Baltimore, MD

Permit No. 9306

3001 South Hanover St. • Baltimore, MD 21225MedStarHarbor.org/Waterfront855-546-0862

Looking for a dependable neighbor?MedStar Harbor Hospital is closer than you think.

Visit MedStarHarbor.org/Waterfront to learn more.

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