YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WELL FALL 2022 &CLASSESEVENTSPAGE8 THEHEALINGMIND Through thePageArts11
PODCAST BRINGS OUR HEALTHCARE TEAM TO YOU
Adventist HealthCare in May added a new orthopedic office in Fort Washington, Maryland. Offering a full range of orthopedic services, the office is conveniently located next to Fort Washington Medical Center. The addition complements services from Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation, which recently opened its first outpatient physical therapy office in the area. Several new specialties and physician practices have opened in Fort Washington, including primary care, general surgery, vascular surgery and bariatric surgery. The new offices continue Adventist HealthCare’s commitment to bring additional healthcare options to the Fort Washington community.
Adventist HealthCare has launched a new podcast. Listen to our expert caregivers as they discuss the healthcare topics important to our community. Adventist HealthCare & You podcast episodes are brief, allowing you to listen on the go – wherever you may be!
ORTHOPEDISTS ADD TO FORT WASHINGTON SERVICES
To find care near you, visit AHCYou.com/F22Locations.
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Find episodes at AHCYou.com/F22Podcast and subscribe.
Did you know that the beautiful care and healing environment at Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center in Silver Spring was also designed for energy efficiency and environmental stewardship? White Oak Medical Center was recently recognized with Healthcare Gold certification by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The U.S. Green Building Council, a nonprofit that promotes sustainability in design and construction, developed LEED, the most widely used green building rating system in the world. To become LEED certified, a building earns points across multiple measurements of green building excellence, from sustainable site development to energy efficiency and water savings. The certification is making a real difference in our community’s conservation efforts: White Oak Medical Center saved enough energy in 2021 to power 310 homes!
NEWS BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 Battling Breast Cancer Better 4 Celebrating 60 Years of Heart Care for Our Community 7 Young Stroke Survivor Plays On 8 Living Healthy 11 Mental Healing Through Expressive Therapies 12 Leaning on Faith to Find a Purpose 13 Next Level Care Under Construction 14 Healthy Muffins from Your Orchard Haul 15 Cared for Like Family in the ICU 16 After Devastating Accident, Triathlete Triumphs 117 154
WHITE OAK MEDICAL CENTER EARNS LEED GOLD
BreastBattlingCancer BETTER
The Shady Grove Breast Center team with the new ABUS imaging technology.
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Early detection is the best protection. Schedule your mammogram today at AHCYou.com/F22Mammogram
HE 3D Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) makes early detection easier for women with dense breasts. The technology is now available in our community for the first time thanks to a generous donation to the Shady Grove Medical Center
WomenFoundation.withdense breasts are four to six times more likely to develop breast cancer, so early detection is essential for them. Often, it’s harder for doctors to identify cancer in these patients using mammography alone. Dense breasts are simply when a woman has more fibrous breast tissue. On a normal mammogram, this dense tissue appears white. Masses or lumps look similar and may be masked by the tissue. ABUS imaging is better able to distinguish between the two.
“Women come in all shapes and sizes and about 40% of women have dense breasts. You can’t tell by looking, and it’s detected through mammography only. You are given a report after your mammogram that will let you know if you have dense breasts,” stated Sonya Kella, MD, director of Women’s Imaging at Adventist HealthCare.
Your doctor may recommend ABUS as an additional screening option for breast cancer if you have dense breasts.
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Adventist HealthCare has a new tool to help women with dense breasts detect cancer.
Including the ABUS screening as part of your annual mammogram can increase the ability to detect any breast cancer by 35%. Dr. Kella added: “This is not a replacement for your mammogram. It’s an additional screening tool for women with dense breasts. Mammograms are still the best tool for detecting breast cancer for all women over the age of 40.”
Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Breast Center in Rockville, Maryland, is the only location in Montgomery County to offer ABUS.“Adding the ABUS to the comprehensive breast imaging program at Adventist HealthCare will help detect breast cancer in more women, increasing their treatment options and survival rates. I encourage you to talk with your doctor about your breast cancer risk and what options are available to you,” said Dr. Kella.
Region’s first coronary artery bypass (CABG)graft
Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center performed the first heart surgery in the Washington, D.C., region in 1962. It was then that Adventist HealthCare’s commitmentlong-standingtoinnovationandclinicalexcellenceinheartcarebegan.
Region’s programheartcomprehensivefirstcare
Region’s programcardiaccomprehensivefirstrehab
• Region’s first open heart surgery
First heart valve surgery in D.C.,Washington,thearea
Region’s first balloon mitral valve repair
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• First catheterizationheart
Providing 60 years of nationally recognized, comprehensive and compassionate heart care services to the community is a privilege and an honor. You can be assured that whenever you need heart or vascular care that you’ll get the latest, most comprehensive care close by at any of our hospitals. In recognition of this expanded commitment and our growing offerings, we have named our program across all our locations the Adventist HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute. Our highly experienced teams are always advancing heart and vascular care so that you’ll have the latest medication, technologies, and treatments for a healthier body, mind, and spirit.
CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF HEART CARE for Our Community
ANNOUNCING THE ADVENTIST HEALTHCARE HEART & VASCULAR INSTITUTE
4 FALL 2022 CARECARDIAC
1987
1962 1972 1986
INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENTS AND CARE
Being a trusted source for heart care starts in our cardiologists’ offices and continues throughout diagnosis and treatment at all Adventist HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute locations. Our commitment to our patients is to listen, help to educate and offer individualized care.
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Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center in Rockville and White Oak Medical Center in Silver Spring are recognized by the American College of Cardiology as accredited Chest Pain Centers because of our team’s exceptional ability to diagnose and treat chest pain and heart attack patients, when every minute matters. In spring 2022, both hospitals again earned awards from the American Heart Association recognizing their high-quality, rapid and life-saving heart attack treatment.
“The most common critical illness is heart attack. Over the last few decades we’ve developed one of the most experienced and cohesive heart attack teams in the region,” said Dennis Friedman, MD, cardiologist and medical director for the Adventist HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute.
Notably, White Oak Medical Center, the Adventist HealthCare hospital that performs heart surgery, again achieved the highest quality rating from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons in 2021 for excellent outcomes and patient care in three main types of heart surgery. The recognition places our program among the top 10% of U.S. hospitals.
INNOVATION AND RESEARCH
ODAY, our trusted care teams throughout the Adventist HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute continue to bring the very best in heart and vascular care to our community.
2003 2005 1997 2011 2015 2018 2022 2010 1988 19921995 Region’s first Dor procedure, where a patch bovine pericardium is used to remodel a heart First in the D.C. area to earn the highestlevel Chest Pain Center accreditation Nation’s revascularizationtransmyocardialfirst Region’s first MRI-safe pacemaker implanted replacementaortictranscatheterfirstCounty’sMontgomeryTAVR,valve replacementmitraltranscatheterMitraClip,County’sMontgomeryfirstvalverepair procedureWATCHMANfor AFib patients added as a treatment option establishedprogramsurgeryheartinvasiveMinimallyvalveWorld’s first use of bypasscardiopulmonarypercutaneoussupport Region’s first carotid artery stent procedure Region’s first accredited Chest Pain Centers continued on page 6 5AHCYOU.COM /F22 CARECARDIAC
“Our community benefits today from the advancement of medical science, an active Adventist HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute clinical research program that brings new medication, technologies and treatments to our patients and an insistence on innovation and providing new and advanced heart treatments,” added Fayaz Shawl , MD, cardiologist and medical director of Interventional Cardiology. Many of Adventist HealthCare’s heart treatments use minimally invasive approaches through small incisions that mean an easier recovery and quicker return to normal activities for patients.
HEART SURGERY IN TOP 10% NATIONWIDE
UNPARALLELED HEART ATTACK CARE
Anees Ahsan, MD, cardiologist, chair of Cardiology, adds that over the program’s history there has always been a genuine focus on doing what’s best for the patient. “I’ve been part of this team for more than 30 years and the heart and compassion of our people to care for our patients is extraordinary.”
Adventist HealthCare has been on the forefront of innovation since that first surgery. White Oak Medical Center is credited with many regional firsts in heart care, including the first heart bypass surgery, first carotid artery stent procedure and first comprehensive heart program in the region.
“Heart surgery is so much different than it was in 1962. It’s dramatically safer and much more sophisticated,” said Steven W. Boyce, MD, heart surgeon and chief of Cardiac Surgery.
“After the WATCHMAN procedure, a patient’s quality of life can improve,” Dr. Mofrad said. “With WATCHMAN you don’t experience the limitations or restrictions you do with other treatment options.”
“We not only have one of the best cardiac teams, but we also have one of the most robust cardiac rehabilitation programs in the state,” Dr. Friedman explained.
The program offers supervised exercise, education for a heart-healthy life including nutrition, smoking cessation and stress and weight management. Many rehab patients choose to continue exercising at Shady Grove for ongoing monitoring and support from the caregivers and other people they’ve met through the program.
HEN left untreated, AFib can dislodge a blood clot and cause a stroke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AFib causes about 1 in 7 strokes, and they’re often more severe than strokes from other causes.
The WATCHMAN procedure is very safe and takes less than an hour.
of the heart and prevents a blood clot from forming and escaping, traveling to another part of the body and blocking blood supply to the brain, causing a stroke.
W
CONNECTING PEOPLE TO HEART - HEALTHY LIVING
A New, InvasiveMinimallyTreatmentforAFib
Susan Glover, vice president for the Adventist HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute, added, “The quality, excellence and compassion provided to our patients has helped hundreds of thousands of people in our community over the last 60 years get back to their lives and on a path toward heart-healthy living.”
The cardiologist uses a sliding tube, called a catheter, to place the WATCHMAN implant, which looks like a little umbrella, into the left atrial appendage of the heart, where blood clots can form in people with AFib. The device closes the left atrial appendage
Blood thinners are frequently used as a long-term treatment option for AFib. However, the expert heart care team at Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center now offers a new treatment for AFib, the WATCHMAN™ heart implant. The implant is placed during a one-time, minimally invasive procedure and lowers the risk of bleeding and stroke in AFib patients.
TREATING AFIB
“We’re giving patients a new option to manage their AFib and take control of their lives,” said Pirooz Mofrad, MD, medical director of Electrophysiology at White Oak Medical Center.
HOW WATCHMAN WORKS
More than 6 million Americans are affected by atrial fibrillation, or AFib. It’s one of the most common irregular heartbeat conditions that causes a person’s heart to beat too fast.
WATCHMAN patients often stay overnight at the hospital for observation and return home the next day.
WHY CHOOSE WATCHMAN
Anyone on blood thinners for AFib for an extended time is aware of the bleeding risks that come with this treatment, and the limitations the risks can place on their lives. With a minimally invasive treatment option, such as WATCHMAN, patients often experience a faster recovery and can more quickly return to the activities they love.
Find a cardiologist near you. Visit AHCYou.com/F22Heart .
continued from page 5 6 FALL 2022 CARECARDIAC
Our Cardiac Rehabilitation program, which is a comprehensive, accredited exercise program to help prevent or treat heart problems and improve cardiovascular fitness, has long been a vital part of our heart care in Silver Spring and Rockville. Shady Grove Medical Center’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program started in 1986, soon after the hospital opened and its heart care program began.
To learn more about WATCHMAN and whether it’s an option to treat your AFib, visit AHCYou.com/F22Watchman .
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Musician Michael Sinni performs in June, just three months after stroke treatment at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center.
Shady Grove also earned the American Stroke Association’s Gold Plus Achievement Award with Elite Plus Honor Roll in 2022 –the ninth consecutive year the hospital has earned top recognition for applying the most up-to-date stroke treatment guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes.
YOUNG STROKE SURVIVOR PLAYS ON
Neurologist Perry Smith, MD, medical director of Shady Grove’s stroke program, said Michael’s case is one of the most memorable in his 10 years at the hospital and shows how vital having advanced care close to home is for patients.
Visit AHCYou.com/F22BeFast to see a day in the life of Michael’s doctor, Shady Grove neurologist and stroke medical director Perry Smith, MD, and hear how Michael’s case impacted him.
M
That evening, Michael remembers regaining the feeling in his hand and leg while recovering in the Intensive Care Unit. He was walking the next day, with a caring nursing team carefully pacing his recovery.“Thenurses were great,” he said. “They were very attentive to me and what needed to be done.”
The hospital’s nationally recognized stroke care team quickly went to work. Doctors discovered a large blood clot had formed in a previously undetected hole in Michael’s heart. Using Shady Grove’s advanced biplane imaging technology, skilled interventional neurosurgeons performed mechanical thrombectomy, a minimally invasive procedure that retrieves and dissolves clots to restore blood flow to stroke patients.
This summer, The Joint Commission certified Shady Grove as a Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center, recognizing its commitment to rigorous standards in advanced endovascular stroke treatments like Michael’s.
His progress was fast and miraculous. Michael, who plays and teaches the viola and jazz piano, was discharged just two days after his stroke. He missed only one weekend of gigs. Days later, he was performing in church for Good Friday and Easter services.
When professional musician Michael Sinni of Germantown, Maryland, woke up early on April 5 with a numb right hand and leg, he thought he’d slept in an awkward position. He felt unwell and couldn’t hold his cellphone, so he went back to bed. When he woke again a few hours later, his mom saw him limping and the signs were unmistakable: Just 30 years old, Michael was having a stroke.
ICHAEL’S mom called 911. An ambulance brought him to the Emergency department at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center in Rockville.
“When he came in, I saw how serious this was and I was just very relieved we would be able to get him a thrombectomy, and get him a thrombectomy fast, because I knew that was the only chance he had of getting better,” Dr. Smith said.
”Shady Grove is really excited to be able to offer thrombectomies to the people of Montgomery County. It’s definitely a great way to treat strokes, and this certification says that we’re good at doing it,” Dr. Smith said.
Looking back, Michael said he never thought his stroke would limit his ability to play music. He was always confident things would work out. He also said that other than a rare bout of fatigue, he feels healthy and has a new perspective on enjoying what each day holds: “In that way, I think, I’ve been very fortunate.”
Adventist HealthCare offers classes, events and activities to support a healthy body, mind and spirit. Many of our classes and seminars are now being offered online. For the most up-to-date information about our classes, visit AHCYou.com/F22Calendar.
When: Noon–1:30 p.m. Preregistration is required. Where: Visit AHCYou.com/F22Dads for more details.
PRENATAL, FAMILY AND WOMEN’S HEALTH
When: Mondays from 10:30–11:30 a.m. Preregistration is required. Where: Visit AHCYou.com/F22Moms for more details.
Brazos Vacíos
MORE OR REGISTER
When: Dates TBD from 7–8:30 p.m. Preregistration is required.
Where: Visit AHCYou.com/F22Support for more details.
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CLASSES NOW BEINGONLINEOFFERED
Adventist HealthCare offers several online support groups for parents. To learn more, visit AHCYou.com/F22Calendar or call 800-542-5096.
Discovering Motherhood: Adjusting to Your New Role
Navigating Fatherhood Meets one Saturday a month; check website for dates.
• ToBreastfeedinglearnmoreand register,
This six-week support group for those who have experienced a loss related to pregnancy is run by an experienced perinatal loss specialist.
Support Groups
LEARN AT AHCYou.com/F22Calendar.
BEST: Breastfeeding Education, Support and Togetherness
Para mas información o, para confirmar tu asistencia, favor de llamar al: 240-637-5265.
Info: Call 800-542-5096 for dates and more information.
Adventist HealthCare offers online pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding classes so that you can prepare for baby in the comfort and safety of your own home. Classes include: & Infant Care visit AHCYou.com/ F22Birth.
Cuándo: Martes as las 7 p.m. por Zoom
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUPS
Perinatal Loss Support
• Childbirth
Virtual support groups are available and open to patients and their families, community members and employees. Visit
When: Wednesdays from 10:30–11:30 a.m. Preregistration is required. Where: Visit AHCYou.com/F22Best for more details.
Grupo de apoyo para el duelo de perder un bebé o embarazo, para ayudarte a navegar tu pérdida.
LIVING HEALTHY
Cost: $125 for one attendee, discounts for multiple registrants.
When: Monthly; please visit AHCYou. com/F22CPR.
When: Monthly; please visit AHCYou. com/F22Home.
Child & Babysitting Safety (CABS)
AHCYou.com/F22Support for more information.
This class teaches safety, choking management and CPR for newborns through age 1. An AHA Family & Friends CPR attendance card will be given to each participant upon completion. NO BABIES PLEASE.
skills and knowledge to be safe and responsible when home alone for short periods of time. This course is intended for children ages 8 to 12 who are ready to take their first steps toward independence and being without adult supervision.
AHA Heartsaver CPR/AED and First Aid
We offer the full suite of AHA clinical courses. If you are a healthcare professional needing basic or advanced CPR certification, please contact us for details about class schedules and pricing.
Post-Op Weight-Loss Surgery Support Group
When: Monthly; please visit AHCYou. com/F22Babysitting.
Info: Call 240-826-2673; LifeSupport@AdventistHealthCare.com.email
Cost: $75/individual, discounts available for multiple registrants.
Adventist HealthCare Life Support partners with the American Heart Association to provide convenient CPR and First Aid courses. Visit AHCYou.com/ F22CPR for course schedules, locations and registration.
Info: Call 240-826-2673; LifeSupport@AdventistHealthCare.com.email
Info: Call 240-826-2673; LifeSupport@AdventistHealthCare.com.email
Learn about the life-changing weightloss surgery options offered at Adventist HealthCare.
NUTRITION, FITNESS AND WEIGHT LOSS
Call 240-826-2673 or forLifeSupport@AdventistHealthCare.comemailmoreinformation.
Info: Call 240-826-2673; LifeSupport@AdventistHealthCare.com.email
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/F22WeightLoss.
Weight-Loss Program
American Heart Association: Infant Safety & CPR
CoreLife and Adventist HealthCare’s unique program combines medical expertise, nutrition, fitness and behavior modification under one roof to empower patients to live healthier lives. Schedule your first appointment by calling 800905-3261 and learn more by visiting us at AHCYou.com/F22CoreLife or on Facebook @CoreLife.
Adventist HealthCare’s Home Alone Program provides children with the
Cost: $75 for main registrant, discounts for additional registrants. When: Monthly; please visit AHCYou. com/F22CPR.
Home Alone Class
Cost: $50/individual, discounts available for multiple registrants.
CPR CLASSES
The AHA’s Heartsaver course is designed for individuals with little or no medical training who need first aid and CPR training for a job, regulatory or other requirements. This five-hour combined program is for teens and adults who want to be prepared to act in an emergency.
Info: Class is offered in-person.
LEARN MORE OR REGISTER AT AHCYou.com/F22Calendar. 9
Weight-Loss InformationalSurgerySeminars
Child & Babysitting Safety is an education program from the American Safety & Health Institute for children ages 12 and older who are planning to provide babysitting services for young children and infants. This fourhour course will help students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to effectively supervise and manage children in their care.
Info: Call 240-826-5278 for more information.
This group provides ongoing support for those who have had weight-loss surgery at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. Registration is not required.
American Heart Association: BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP
When: Second Wednesday of the month from 6–7 p.m.
Donde: Nos reunimos en la clínica Adventista en el White Oak Medical Pavilion, tercer piso 11886 Healing Way en Silver Spring, MD.
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/F22Cancer for more information.
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/F22Cancer for more information.
When: Meets every second Thursday of the month from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Info: Visit AHCYou.com/F22Rehab for more information. Family members are welcome.
Cuándo: Nos reunimos el tercer martes de cada mes a las 6:30 p.m. via Zoom y también en persona.
When: Second Thursday of the month Info: Call 240-637-6040 or visit AHCYou.com/ F22Rehab.
Our expert-led educational seminars cover a wide range of topics about your health and well-being as a cancer patient. We bring you the information you need for all aspects of navigating cancer including: How to Talk to Kids About Cancer, Financial Strategies for Life with Cancer and more! Visit AHCYou.com/ F22Cancer for more information on all programs available.
Cooking with Patty and Nick
This professionally facilitated monthly support group provides a safe space for young women diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 or younger to find friendship, information and mutual support. Shared concerns may include relationships, career, sexual health, body image, fertility and more.
When: Second Tuesday of the month from 12–1 p.m.
Para Obtener Información: Comuníquese con Amelie Bail: ABail@ AdventistHealthCare.com. Familiares y amistades que brindan apoyo también quedan invitados.
Good Nutrition for Cancer Care
Learn to thrive in survivorship by making wise eating choices and coping with post-treatment concerns. Join oncology nutritionist Dorcas Lwanga for this new workshop.
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/F22Cancer for more information.
Brain Injury Support Group
When: Meets the last Thursday of each month from 5–7 p.m. Info: Visit AHCYou.com/F22Rehab.
Our support group welcomes individuals and care partners living with Parkinson’s disease. We invite you to connect with others facing similar challenges in a safe, comfortable and supportive environment. Activities include guest speakers, networking and sharing of resources. This virtual group is facilitated by a physical therapist and speech-language pathologist. New members are always welcome.
Managing side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy can help avoid breaks in treatment. Examples of possible side effects are taste changes, diarrhea, constipation, nausea and more. Learn how to reduce the common side effects with oncology nutritionist Dorcas Lwanga. When: First Friday of each month from 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/F22Cancer for more information.
Ask a Dietitian
REHAB SUPPORT GROUPS
LEARN MORE OR REGISTER AT AHCYou.com/F22Calendar.10
Each month our oncology nutritionist, Patricia Guay-Berry, and Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center Executive Chef Nick Haller show you how to make delicious and healthy recipes. Each class will relate to the topic for the month.
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group
COMMUNITY HEALTH
Grupo de apoyo de daño cerebral en español Le invitamos al grupo de apoyo en español para personas que han tenido un derrame cerebral.
When: Third Thursday every other month from 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/F22Cancer for more information.
Young Women with Breast Cancer
Nutritional Management of Side Effects of Treatment
Amputee Support Group
Healthy Eating After Treatment
Oncology nutritionist Patricia Guay-Berry helps patients and their families thrive during treatment and beyond. Learn how to lessen side effects, maintain a healthy weight and avoid breaks in treatment. When: Fourth Wednesday of the month from 2–3:30 p.m.
CANCER SUPPORT
When: Second Tuesday of the month from 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Adventist HealthCare offers programs for diabetes, healthy eating, stroke and more. For information on all programs available, visit AHCYou.com/F22Calendar.
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/F22Cancer for more information.
Each month, patients and caregivers can bring any question on nutrition. The session starts with a short talk on a new focus topic. Next, a nutritionist answers your questions on diet, cancer, wellness and more!
John Kuykendall
“Art for me is creativity and imagination at work. Art gives shape and visible communication to our internal experiences,” said Shady Grove’s art therapist Shantel Elessie. “Sharing my love for art as a tool for healing is my hope and driving force for why I became an art therapist. Not only is it expression, but art also leaves a tangible snapshot to assess where you began and how far you have come on the journey of healing.”
Music therapy uses sounds, instruments, song writing, listening and discussion to support patients on the path to recovery and wellness.
Art therapy uses a variety of materials and therapeutic directives
S
RECREATIONAL THERAPY
Benefits: Helps with self-control, expressing feelings, developing curiosity and the motivation to learn
ART THERAPY
Recreational therapy utilizes activity-based interventions to challenge patients to maintain physical, mental and emotional well-being.
HADY GROVE patients participate in different expressive therapy groups throughout their mental health treatment, giving them opportunities to share their feelings through constructive and creative outlets.
MUSIC THERAPY
Learn more about the mental health programs at Shady Grove by visiting AHCYou.com/F22Therapy
Benefits: Gets patients back to doing the activities they want to do
Benefits: Increase in self-awareness, self-expression, self-esteem, self-regulation and the development of healthy communication skills
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Services include an expressive therapies program to help patients on their healing journeys.
“Musicskillsis such a powerful way to reach and communicate with people,” said Shady Grove music therapist John Kuykendall “Music therapy harnesses this power to help people heal and flourish physically, mentally and emotionally.”
11AHCYOU.COM /F22 HEALTHMENTAL
Pet therapy is based upon the unique ties between human beings and animals, and the therapeutic qualities these ties provide. Shady Grove patients interact with animals physically and emotionally in a supportive and safe environment.
PET THERAPY
Benefits: Complements treatment by providing an outlet for patients to share their thoughts, emotions and experiences in safe, non-verbal ways
Benefits: Reduces depression, stress and anxiety, recovers basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities, and builds confidence and social skills
Dance/movement therapy uses motion to explore and further the emotional, social, physical, cognitive and spiritual aspects of mental health treatment. Patients find the freedom to safely express themselves in activities that include large energetic movements, small gentle movements or meditation. There’s no need to be able to “dance” and the therapy is customizable for all ages and abilities.
to gain insight, resolve distress and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Occupational therapy focuses on daily activities to improve a patient’s engagement with healthy habits, roles and routines.
“The creative process is healing,” said Persha Gregg, clinical manager of the program. “There are many messages intertwined in the music, art, movement or activity. Our expressive therapists have the amazing opportunity every day to help patients creatively and safely let those messages out, while becoming more self-aware on their journey toward wellness.”
MENTAL HEALING THROUGH Expressive Therapies
Benefits: A holistic impact on health, including reduced stress and anxiety, improved memory and cognitive skills, reduced physical pain and impact from emotional trauma, and improved social
DANCE/MOVEMENT THERAPY
“I love connecting with patients and finding ways to share my own love of movement with patients in all of their unique expressions,” said Shady Grove’s dance/movement therapist Rachel Baker
AN
“In stage 2 breast cancer, cells that are cancerous have not spread beyond the breast or lymph nodes, allowing treatment to be more effective,” Dr. Sen Gupta said.
ultrasound and biopsy confirmed what the radiologist saw was Brendacancer.wasreferred to Surupa Sen Gupta, MD, a breast surgeon at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center and Shady Grove Adventist Aquilino Cancer Center. Dr. Sen Gupta diagnosed Brenda with stage 2 breast cancer and reassured Brenda this was the best type of cancer to have.
“The nurses and technicians came in to chat with me as I waited, and I prayed to God knowing that He will guide the hands of my
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Brenda’s husband was not able to accompany her, but she noted the many angels surrounding her as she waited for her surgery.
JOURNEYING WITH FAITH
Brenda Akstulewicz of Gaithersburg, Maryland, always scheduled an annual mammogram with her friend. In 2020, she delayed her mammogram twice for fear of exposing her elderly father to COVID-19. She kept her third rescheduled appointment in September 2020, and a few days after her mammogram, she received a phone call asking her to return to the office.
LEANING ON FAITH to Find a Purpose
Brenda’s family members are her biggest supporters on her cancer journey.
As part of her treatment, Brenda would need surgery and chose to have a double mastectomy. In November, Dr. Sen Gupta successfully performed the procedure.
A few weeks after surgery, Brenda met with Shannon O’Connor, MD, a medical oncologist with Maryland Oncology Hematology at the Aquilino Cancer Center. Dr. O’Connor recommended a MammaPrint, a genomic test that analyzes a piece of the tumor to determine the likelihood of early-stage breast cancer recurring throughout the body. It also helps determine if further treatment like chemotherapy is needed. Brenda’s results showed a probability of high recurrence and favored chemotherapy.
Brenda says the love and support she had through treatment reminds her how blessed she is. Her husband tended to Brenda, his part-time business and her elderly father as she had treatment. The day before her first chemo treatment, Brenda’s daughter organized a drive-by
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surgeons and the eyes and the hearts of the people working on me,” Brenda said. “I prayed Psalm 23 – ‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want’ – and by the time Dr. Sen Gupta walked in, I had found great peace.”
Next Level Care
Brenda explained, “Fighting breast cancer was something God and I did together. I never wondered ‘Why me?’ The statistics show 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, so my thought was always, ‘Why not me?’”
The new hospital tower will also:
part of a shift toward providing whole-person cancer care, free resources are available to help with the nutritional, emotional, spiritual and financial needs of patients and their families. Lindsey shared that “ensuring everyone, including family members, has access to these resources is part of what makes the Aquilino Cancer Center
COMMUNITY OF CARE
Brenda’sspecial.”goal is to share God’s message of her experience, encourage women to get screened and support other women going through a similar situation.
As Brenda sat for her first infusion treatment, she prayed. She asked God and the Holy Spirit to guide the medication to kill the cancer so she could do God’s work through this experience. She says she felt God’s grace come upon her and He gave her the thought, “I will be the victor, not the victim.”
REWS will begin constructing the hospital’s new 150,352-square-foot, six-story tower in front of Shady Grove Medical Center’s existing Emergency department entrance. During construction, patients seeking emergency care at Shady Grove will use a dedicated doorway at the hospital’s main entrance. Patients will undergo an initial evaluation in a triage room off the main lobby. Then, caregivers will escort patients to the Emergency department or another area of the hospital for care.Theconstruction will create a more modern replacement for Shady Grove’s Emergency department, which serves nearly 90,000 patients per year in Rockville. Shady Grove also provides emergency care to the community at its full-service, freestanding Germantown Emergency Center.
• Provide greenspace and patios for patients, their loved ones and caregivers to find respite outdoors.
• Reposition critical care, observation and emergency mental health units to allow caregivers to work more efficiently. The tower is anticipated to open in 2024.
Lindsey is not the only support at the Aquilino Cancer Center. As
Early detection is the best protection. Take our free, online health risk assessment to learn your risk for breast cancer at AHCYou.com/ F22KnowYourRisk .
Community members will see changes at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center campus in Rockville, Maryland, this fall as the hospital breaks ground on its new patient care tower.
• Move the hospital’s helipad to the rooftop
• Add a new medical-surgical unit to complete the hospital’s transition to all-private patient rooms
Keep up with the latest on Shady Grove’s tower construction and learn how you can make a financial gift to support the project. Visit AHCYOU.com/F22Tower .
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parade with family, friends and – most special to her – former and current poms squad members that she coaches with her daughter at Gaithersburg High School.
C
Soon after treatment, Brenda started to become anxious about recurrence. She discussed her concerns with Dr. Sen Gupta, who made the introduction to Lindsey Wise, oncology social worker at the Aquilino Cancer Center. Now, a year after treatment, Brenda meets with Lindsey to find purpose and understanding in her diagnosis.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
• Create a state-of-the-art, replacement Intensive Care Unit
cup melted coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil
INGREDIENTS
7. Place the muffin tin on a cooling rack to cool. If you have leftover muffins, store them covered and at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze leftover muffins for up to 3 months.
DIRECTIONS
½ cup pure maple syrup
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
5. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups. Sprinkle the tops of the muffins with raw sugar.
½ teaspoon baking soda
Apple-picking season has arrived!
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2 eggs, room temperature
1 cup grated apple
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon raw sugar, for sprinkling on top
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
MuffinsHealthy FROM ORCHARDYOURHAUL
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a spoon until combined. A few lumps are to be expected.
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt. Blend well with a whisk. Add the grated apple (if it is dripping wet, gently squeeze it over the sink to release some extra moisture) and chopped apple. Stir to combine.
To hear more about healthy eating from an expert at CoreLife Adventist HealthCare, check out our podcast on nutrition by visiting AHCYou.com/ F22Eat
½ teaspoon salt
HEALTHY APPLE MUFFINS
6. Bake muffins for 13 to 16 minutes or until the muffins are golden on top and a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean.
Nonstick cooking spray, for greasing muffin tins
. 14 FALL 2022 LIVINGHEALTHY
Serves 12
½ cup applesauce
1 cup apple, diced into ¼ inch cubes
1¾ cups whole-wheat flour
UR registered dietitians at CoreLife Adventist HealthCare love these apple muffins. They are packed with flavor and are a great way to use extra seasonal apples. Whole-wheat flour and natural sugars make them a healthy choice for breakfast or a snack.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the oil and maple syrup and beat together with a whisk. Add the eggs and beat well, then add the yogurt, applesauce and vanilla and mix well. If the coconut oil solidifies in contact with cold ingredients, gently warm the mixture in the microwave 30 seconds at a time until the oil liquefies.
Tracy D. Matthews-Kelton of Fort Washington, Maryland, scheduled a colonoscopy to uncover the cause of internal bleeding. Then, the bleeding became worse.
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“When kind letters, gifts of appreciation and snacks come into the unit, delivered from a family or a former patient, it is a loud statement,” Trakina said. “It keeps me very conscious of the hard work and dedication from the group I know and am proud to lead. I am very warmed by the supportive feedback from our community that recognizes the team’s great job.”
Cared for Like Family IN THE ICU
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“The experience was very, very scary,” Tracy said. “But after being in [the ICU] for the first couple of days, it got a little better, and it was a little more comforting because of the nurses. They comforted me and told me that things were going to work out. And they explained to me everything that was being done.”
GRATITUDE IN ACTION
She sought care near her home, at Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center, where she was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit for 10 days.
Tracy remains grateful for the nurses who stood in and treated her like family during her hospital stay.
Trakina Hogan, ICU nurse manager, says her team found creative ways to connect patients like Tracy with their families.
At the time, a surge in COVID-19 cases from the omicron variant required the hospital to restrict visits by family and friends. But Tracy wasn’t alone. Her team of Fort Washington Medical Center nurses cared for her, helped her bathe when needed, continuously checked on her and reassured her that she was in good hands.
“Due to the challenges of COVID-19 and restrictions of visitors, initially we would use cellphones to Facetime families or place the call on speaker for those who could not hold a phone,” Trakina said. “We updated our unit processes to make focused times to call and update family members.” She says nurses also used detailed processes to introduce themselves to loved ones over the phone and take notes during conversations.
During her stay, Tracy was so impressed by the team, she decided to make a list of every nurse who took care of her and make gifts for them. “When they came in, I was like, can you write your name on this paper? I’m going to do something really nice for you guys. I really appreciate you,” she said.
“I still say that they deserve probably more than what I could give them, but I just wanted to let them know that I’m so appreciative and I will never, ever forget it.”
To learn more about the growing medical services available in Fort Washington, visit AHCYou.com/F22Care .
For 16 nurses, Tracy bought self-care items and put together individual pouches monogrammed with each of their names. She also wrote a memo of recognition and appreciation to the ICU team members. She delivered the items to Fort Washington Medical Center in March.
it was scary. It was,” Tracy said. “I honestly thought that I wasn’t going to make it.”
GRATEFUL PATIENT
NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 830 M A I LEDFROM Z IP CODE 24 5 0 6
After Devastating Accident, TRIATHLETE TRIUMPHS
Adventist HealthCare complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. For more information, see link on our homepage at AdventistHealthCare.com.
“H
ERE I was, an athlete, an active, engaged husband and father, a busy professional and involved member of my church and community, but I couldn’t be any of those things,” said Denny. “All those things that you take for granted like seeing the sky, breathing fresh air, taking a bath unassisted weren’t possible that first week.”
ADVENTIST HEALTHCARE, INC. 820 W. DIAMOND AVE, SUITE 600 GAITHERSBURG, MD 20878 This publication does not serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.
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But quit is not in Denny’s vocabulary. Within a week, he was ready to transfer to inpatient rehabilitation to continue his recovery. He took the advice of a close friend who knew of the amazing team of physicians and therapists at Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation and headed to its Rockville hospital for care. The Rehab team helped Denny change his perspective.
“Every single member of the clinical and support team at Adventist was so positive,” he said. “They kept me positive.”
After a wrong turn and a sudden downpour, triathlete Dennis “Denny” Snyder was finishing a 50-mile bicycle ride and heading home. The driver of a dump truck didn’t see Denny in the rain and knocked him off his bike. The truck ran over Denny’s legs, and as he fell, the weight of his broken bike crushed his left hand. He was taken to Baltimore for trauma care.
Denny said because everyone in the facility had such a can-do spirit, he believed he could, too. When negative thoughts crept in, the Rehab team chased them away.
“To have that kind of care and support from your clinical team, as well as the care and love from my family and friends and my church family is everything,” he said. “Today, I am so thankful to have my life and health. I ask myself what can I do today? What does God have for me today? Whether it is improving myself or helping someone else or accomplishing something to further benefit my company or my family, whatever it is, I want to be able to do that.”
To learn how you can help people like Denny live their best lives, visit AHCYou.com/F22Give or call 240-864-6154 .
