by Helene King
The Baltimore Orioles have some stiff competition when it comes to die hard fans. When the softball teams from Courtland Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital took to the field at Old Court Middle School recently, they received rousing cheers from elated admirers in the stands.
Their annual tournament brought out the big bats and golden gloves from both LifeBridge Health centers. After a hard fought contest and lots (and lots) of laughs, Levindale claimed victory, extending its winning streak to three in a row.
The pre-game festivities were very special because the outgoing president of both facilities, Ron Rothstein, threw out the ceremonial first pitch to the incoming president, Aric Spitunik.
“Everyone had a blast,” said Aric, who besides being president, was calling the balls and strikes. “We all work together everyday to make sure that our residents and patients are healthy and happy, so it’s great to play together at our annual softball game.”
What would a game be without hot dogs? Fortunately, no one had to find out because Kym Farmer and Richard Coleman from Courtland Gardens had the grill going, not only for the players, but for the “cheerleaders” watching.
Joy Curbean, from Courtland Gardens, said that everyone at the game was a winner, but then with a smile, she quickly added, “Wait ‘til next year, Levindale!”
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Organ Donors Save Lives
Did you know there are nearly 2,000 people waiting for a life-saving organ transplant in Maryland?
There's never been a better time to sign up to become an organ donor, or to celebrate the accomplishments of transplant recipients. While the opening ceremony of the U.S. Transplant Games might be nearly a year away, Maryland transplant recipients are on the track, basketball court, in the pool, and on the course getting ready for next summer's games in Madison, Wisc.
As one of the world’s largest gathering of organ transplant recipients, the U.S. Transplant Games allows athletes – kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas and bone marrow recipients – to compete for medals in 12 sports, including bicycling, bowling, golf, racquetball, swimming, tennis and track and field events.
Last year, hailing from every corner of the state, Team Maryland athletes garnered 12 medals in total at the 2008 U.S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh.
“The games are a real-life demonstration of the determination and courage transplant recipients possess,” says Latrice Price, Team Maryland manager. “The event also draws attention to the critical need for organ donation in this country and inspires others to take the first step towards saving a life by becoming a designated organ, eye and tissue donor.”
Nationally more than 82 million people are designated as organ and tissue donors. In addition to the nearly 2,000 people waiting in Maryland, there are more than 100,000 waiting nationally for their life-saving donation. The need for designated organ donors grows every day.
In 2008, Sinai Hospital had eight donors, adding to Maryland’s total of 119 organ donors and 373 tissue donors. From this generosity, 443 members of our community received the gift of life through an organ transplant.
“And as much as the games are an athletic event, they are also a celebration of life among recipients, donor families and physicians, allied professionals, and friends,” adds Price.
Team Maryland is always looking for new team members. Are you a transplant recipient and interested in competing at the games? The next meeting is July 13, 2009. Contact Latrice Price, Team Maryland Manager at lprice@thellf.org or 410-242-7000 for more information.
There's never been a better time to sign up to become an organ donor, or to celebrate the accomplishments of transplant recipients. While the opening ceremony of the U.S. Transplant Games might be nearly a year away, Maryland transplant recipients are on the track, basketball court, in the pool, and on the course getting ready for next summer's games in Madison, Wisc.
As one of the world’s largest gathering of organ transplant recipients, the U.S. Transplant Games allows athletes – kidney, liver, heart, lung, pancreas and bone marrow recipients – to compete for medals in 12 sports, including bicycling, bowling, golf, racquetball, swimming, tennis and track and field events.
Last year, hailing from every corner of the state, Team Maryland athletes garnered 12 medals in total at the 2008 U.S. Transplant Games in Pittsburgh.
“The games are a real-life demonstration of the determination and courage transplant recipients possess,” says Latrice Price, Team Maryland manager. “The event also draws attention to the critical need for organ donation in this country and inspires others to take the first step towards saving a life by becoming a designated organ, eye and tissue donor.”
Nationally more than 82 million people are designated as organ and tissue donors. In addition to the nearly 2,000 people waiting in Maryland, there are more than 100,000 waiting nationally for their life-saving donation. The need for designated organ donors grows every day.
In 2008, Sinai Hospital had eight donors, adding to Maryland’s total of 119 organ donors and 373 tissue donors. From this generosity, 443 members of our community received the gift of life through an organ transplant.
“And as much as the games are an athletic event, they are also a celebration of life among recipients, donor families and physicians, allied professionals, and friends,” adds Price.
Team Maryland is always looking for new team members. Are you a transplant recipient and interested in competing at the games? The next meeting is July 13, 2009. Contact Latrice Price, Team Maryland Manager at lprice@thellf.org or 410-242-7000 for more information.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Volunteers Make The Difference
LifeBridge Health volunteers provide a bridge between health care providers and visitors, all the while building relationships in the community. Whether you’re a high school senior or a senior citizen, there are a variety of ways to volunteer.
At Sinai Hospital, David Lebson is one of its beloved volunteers. Last week, “Mr. David's" Sinai friends surprised him with a birthday party to ring in his 95th year. Mr. David, pictured above with Workforce Development Coordinator Anita Hammond, works three mornings a week in the Human Resources Department, with duties that include assembling books and materials for training courses, helping with large mailings, creating electronic documents from original documents, working on quality assurance of scanned documents, and much more.
“You don't make it to my age without have meaningful work to still do and a purpose to life,” Mr. David says. Sinai, he added, helps him achieve that.
To learn more about volunteering, call 410-601-WELL (9355).
Monday, July 6, 2009
Breast Care Center Medical Director Begins at Northwest
Breast surgeon Dawn Johnson Leonard, M.D., pictured here with Northwest Hospital President Erik Wexler, is the new medical director of the Herman & Walter Samuelson Breast Care Center at Northwest Hospital. Dr. Leonard is a fellowship-trained breast surgeon and is certified by the American Board of Surgery. Her appointment follows the grand reopening of the center a month ago in a more expansive, spa-like space near the hospital’s main entrance.
Prior to joining the staff at Northwest Hospital, Leonard was founder and chief executive officer of Leonard Surgical Care Associates in Frederick, Maryland. She was the first medical director of the Coordinated Breast Services Program at Frederick Memorial Hospital and was a clinical instructor in the Division of General Surgery at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Leonard received her medical degree from Howard University. She completed a residency in general surgery there and a breast surgical oncology fellowship at Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. In addition, Leonard trained in plastic surgery.
To facilitate the best approach to treating breast cancer, the new center has a dedicated room for weekly multi-D cancer conferences so oncologists, radiologists and cancer surgeons arrive at an ideal treatment plan for each patient. The center provides a continuum of care through LifeBridge Health’s Alvin and Lois Lapidus Cancer Institute, with chemotherapy offered at Northwest’s Infusion & Cancer Therapy Center and radiation therapy at Sinai Hospital or the Radiation Oncology Center at Owings Mills.
To learn more about the breast care center and Dr. Leonard, click here or call 410-601-WELL (9355).
Friday, July 3, 2009
Remember Fireworks Safety This Weekend
What would the Fourth of July be without fireworks?
But if you’ve ever shuddered at seeing a 5-year-old waving a sparkler with abandon, you have good cause to be scared – according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sparklers accounted for one-third of the injuries to children less than 5 years of age. In 2006, 11 people died and an estimated 9,200 were treated in emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries in the United States.
Sandra Garrett, Sinai ER-7 nurse manager, says it’s not uncommon to see children with fireworks' injuries on this holiday weekend. A child's skin tends to be thinner and damages more easily from fire, she says.
“It’s important to remember that burns can be prevented,” Garrett says.
The National Council on Fireworks Safety recommends that only children over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers. Other tips for firework safety include never relighting a “dud” firework, always having water handy, not allowing anyone intoxicated to handle the pyrotechnics, and never making your own fireworks. All children and pets should be kept at a safe distance from fireworks.
In the event of a problem, Garrett says the first step is to stop the burning process.
Then, “put water or ice on the burn, not an ointment,” she says.
But if you’ve ever shuddered at seeing a 5-year-old waving a sparkler with abandon, you have good cause to be scared – according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sparklers accounted for one-third of the injuries to children less than 5 years of age. In 2006, 11 people died and an estimated 9,200 were treated in emergency departments for fireworks-related injuries in the United States.
Sandra Garrett, Sinai ER-7 nurse manager, says it’s not uncommon to see children with fireworks' injuries on this holiday weekend. A child's skin tends to be thinner and damages more easily from fire, she says.
“It’s important to remember that burns can be prevented,” Garrett says.
The National Council on Fireworks Safety recommends that only children over the age of 12 should be allowed to handle sparklers. Other tips for firework safety include never relighting a “dud” firework, always having water handy, not allowing anyone intoxicated to handle the pyrotechnics, and never making your own fireworks. All children and pets should be kept at a safe distance from fireworks.
In the event of a problem, Garrett says the first step is to stop the burning process.
Then, “put water or ice on the burn, not an ointment,” she says.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Sinai Atrium Open
Sinai Hospital of Baltimore officially opened its green building expansion at noon today. The 87,000-square foot, four-story addition includes an atrium, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Intermediate Care Unit (IMC).
“In an effort to support our community and reduce our environmental footprint, Sinai Hospital strives to be a corporate leader in green development,” said Neil Meltzer, president and COO of Sinai Hospital. “This building expansion is a wonderful example of how hospitals can achieve a high level of patient care and incorporate environmental responsibility.”
A highlight of the new building is the 8,000-square-foot atrium. The large common area provides lots of natural light, vegetation and a waterfall feature, which provides a peaceful environment for patients, visitors, and staff. The waterfall feature is over 40-feet-tall and includes water cascading over stone slabs that is lit with integrated LED lighting.
The new building features two new patient care areas, a 29-bed ICU located on the fourth floor, and a 36-bed IMC unit, located on the sixth floor. Both new units incorporate enhanced ergonomics for the patient care staff. Improvements include patient beds designed to reduce the need for lifting; raised outlets for a decreased need for bending and stretching; special flooring to support long periods of standing; and a pod-like setting with all medical supplies in close proximity. Also, each of the private patient rooms has sleeping space for families and computers at every bedside.
The new building also boasts the area’s first hospital roof garden, which can be viewed from the 4th and 6th floors. This “vegetecture,” or vegetated architecture, is a form of building
design that using vegetation as a part of construction. The garden is comprised of a green roof system consisting of low maintenance sedum plants. The plants are expected to mature in two to three years and will require little maintenance from the hospital.A helipad is located on the rooftop. This will allow for transport of patients to the emergency department, operating rooms and the cardiac catheterization labs.
The expansion also has many green features including:
- Fundamental refrigerant management to reduce ozone depletion.
- Thermal comfort design and verification to meet minimum standards for insulation.
- Use of low-emitting materials, adhesives and sealants; paints and coatings; carpet systems; composite wood products; systems furniture and seating. These products reduce the environmental impact of construction.
- Incorporation of high performance energy saver glass and frames at curtain walls and ribbon windows.
- Incorporation of recycled content and low volatile organic compounds (VOC) in building finishes and furnishings.
- Use of low energy consumption LED lighting.
- Installation of local lighting controls utilizing multiple lighting scenes to reduce energy consumption and provide varying lighting effects for evening, overnight and daytime conditions.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Sinai President Leads American Heart Association
Neil M. Meltzer, M.P.H., president and chief operating officer of Sinai Hospital, began today as the new national chairman of the board of the American Heart Association. He will be responsible for the association’s business affairs, public relations and fund raising, and will preside over all Board of Directors and Administrative Cabinet meetings. Meltzer has been an American Heart Association volunteer since 1995. He chaired the association’s Advocacy Coordinating Committee from 2006 to 2008 and is a board member with the association’s Mid-Atlantic Affiliate.
The American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases — America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers — it funds cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or click here.
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