Maryland`s Health Matters - St. Joseph Medical Center

Maryland’s
SUMMER 2015 • stjosephtowson.com
TM
U M S T. J O S E P H M E D I C A L C E N T E R
M E D I C I N E
O N
A
M I S S I O N
Special
Delivery
UM SJMC’s Perinatal and
Obstetrics team helps a
uniquely high-risk patient
have a bouncing baby girl
7 SKILLS TO HELP
YOU LIVE LONG
AND PROSPER
PAGE 4
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A ‘BRAIN PACEMAKER’
THAT HELPS PATIENTS
WITH PARKINSON’S
FITNESS FOR ALL!
Our exclusive new video offers
workout ideas for everyone. Go
to stjosephtowson.com/mhm.
PAGE 10
7/9/15 9:09 AM
IN THIS ISSUE
4
HEALTHY
FOR THE
LONG HAUL
H
E
Seven steps to living well with a
chronic condition.
10
BRAIN
POWER
Deep brain stimulation helps many patients with
Parkinson’s disease and other
movement disorders.
COVER STORY
6
D E PA R T M E N TS
A MIRACLE IN TOWSON
UM St. Joseph’s Perinatal and Obstetrics team
helps a uniquely high-risk patient have a beautiful
baby girl.
3
HONORED
FOR
EXCELLENCE
Cancer Institute receives
national Outstanding
Achievement Award.
13
AT A GLANCE
14
HEALTHY AT HOME
15
NEWS AND EVENTS
EDITOR’S NOTE
In the spring 2015 issue of Maryland’s Health Matters, we
mistakenly misnamed nurse practitioner Mary Rackson.
We apologize to Mary and our readers for the error.
Maryland’s Health Matters is published by the Marketing and Communications
Department at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. This
publication is not intended to provide professional medical advice. It is to provide
general health and wellness information.
B E A PART O F S OMETHING GR EATER .
STAY CONNECTED WITH US
President and CEO
The Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum
Professor of Radiation Oncology,
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA
Vice President of Business Development
Walter J. Furlong
Designed by McMURRY/TMG, LLC
Visit our Facebook page to learn about the latest events
and happenings at UM St. Joseph Medical Center.
facebook.com/StJosephMedicalCenter
Watch our doctors discuss prenatal care, joint replacement
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youtube.com/SJMCTowson
Get daily, real-time health information and updates
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WE WOULD LIKE
TO HEAR FROM YOU
Please send us your comments,
information requests, change
of address or opt-out request
to umsjmatters@umm.edu or
7601 Osler Drive, Jordan Center,
Suite 163, Towson, MD 21204.
Or call 410-337-1700.
2 MARYLAND’S HEALTH MATTERS
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Honored for
Excellence
Cancer Institute receives national
Outstanding Achievement Award
T
he Cancer Institute of University of Maryland
St. Joseph Medical Center has been honored
with an Outstanding Achievement Award by the
Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American
College of Surgeons (ACS).
This award makes UM St. Joseph’s Cancer Institute one of
a select group of only 75 U.S. health care facilities to receive
this national honor in 2014.
QUALITY COUNTS
The award recognizes excellence in providing quality care to
cancer patients and raises awareness of the importance for
Cancer programs were further evaluated on seven commendation standards. Award recipients must have received
commendation ratings in all seven commendation standards,
in addition to receiving a compliance rating for each of the
27 other standards.
health care facilities throughout the country to provide first-
COMMITMENT YOU CAN COUNT ON
class cancer care.
“The Outstanding Achievement Award is a true recognition
“This award reflects the tireless efforts of the Cancer
and testimonial to the dedication and unwavering commit-
Institute staff to provide the highest quality cancer care to
ment of the faculty and staff at the Cancer Institute to our core
every patient we treat,” says radiation oncologist Stephen
values as a patient-centered and mission-driven organization,”
Ronson, MD, cancer liaison physician. “We will continue our
says Nader Hanna, MD, medical director of the Cancer Insti-
pursuit of excellence as the CoC continues to introduce new
tute at UM SJMC and professor of surgery at the University of
ER.
program standards and raise the bar
Maryland School of Medicine. “We strive to exceed expectations
for consideration of commendation on
in providing our cancer patients and their families with timely,
existing standards.”
effective and efficient comprehensive multidisciplinary care that
A RIGOROUS REVIEW
s,
enhances the quality of and extends their lives.”
The Cancer Institute at UM St. Joseph Medical Center is a
To qualify for the award, cancer centers
recognized affiliate of the University of Maryland Marlene and
were evaluated in four program activ-
Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center. ity categories that included 34 program
standards:
■ Cancer committee leadership
r,
■ Cancer data management
■ Clinical services
■ Quality improvement
 Get all UM SJMC news at stjosephtowson.com under “About Us.”
FdUMSU1505_StJoseph_Ver2.indd 3
EXPERTISE MATTERS
To learn more about the Cancer Institute of
University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center,
visit stjosephtowson.com/cancer.
stjosephtowson.com | Summer 2015 3
7/9/15 8:53 AM
Healthy
for
the
Long Haul
7 steps to living
well—even with a
chronic condition
I
t’s not unusual for people suffering from a chronic
disease to feel isolated, embarrassed, depressed, angry, anxious or in denial. They feel like they’re forced
to grieve their previous lifestyle before being able
to adjust to a new life.
A chronic disease is a long-lasting condition that can
be controlled but not cured. It often progresses slowly,
and sometimes isn’t noticed until symptoms appear or
there are abnormal test results. Examples include conditions such as heart disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, arthritis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Even though a number of chronic conditions may
seem as if they have nothing in common, the truth is
that many carry the same symptoms. Pain, anxiety,
fatigue, physical limitations, shortness of breath and
4 MARYLAND’S HEALTH MATTERS
FdUMSU1505_StJoseph_Ver2.indd 4
 Get tons of health and wellness informa
7/9/15 8:53 AM
MAKE A DATE FOR BETTER HEALTH
Beginning Sept. 28, join UM St. Joseph for
a six-week workshop, Living Well with
Chronic Conditions. Call 410-337-1337 for
more information or to register.
a new gym. Making a list of pros and cons for
each decision can be helpful in organizing your
thoughts.
3. SET GOALS. Whether it’s to lose 10 pounds
or to be able to walk down five flights of stairs to
get the mail on your own, everyone has something
they want to achieve. Be as specific as possible
about your goal and how you’re going to achieve
it. Having a plan of action holds you accountable
and allows you to track your progress.
4. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT. Having a
chronic disease may mean that you need to modify your physical activity level and your diet. Some
chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes
can be triggered by weight gain or an increase of
fatty foods, sugar and salt. Being underweight can
increase the risk for osteoporosis and weaken the
immune system. Talk to your doctor about what
a healthy weight is for you and before you start a
new physical activity, diet or vitamin supplement.
You might even want to start a daily exercise log
or food diary.
5. MANAGE YOUR MEDICATION. Over half of
all medications are not taken as prescribed. If
you have trouble remembering to take yours, set
an alarm, ask someone to remind you, or put the
poor sleep are all barriers that can be overcome
medication or a note next to something that is
with time.
routine for you. Keep a list of all medications (pre-
And the best way to do that? Take action. By
empowering yourself to cope with your condition,
you can learn skills to help you adjust to a new
lifestyle. Start by following these seven steps.
1. COMMUNICATE. One of the easiest things
scribed and over-the-counter) and dosages and
review it with your doctor yearly.
6. RELAX. Your body heals as you rest. Try
techniques that reduce stress and quiet your mind
like going for a walk, reading a book, listening to
to do is to pull away from friends and family. But
classical music, meditating, or spending time with
communicating honestly is an important part of
a friend.
helping your loved ones understand what you
7. GET EDUCATED. You can only manage your
need to cope and how they can be supportive.
disease as well as you know it, so learn as much as
2. MAKE DECISIONS. You make a lot of choices
you can. Your doctor is a great referral source to
already—from treatments to medications to which
programs such as chronic disease self-management
doctor to see. But don’t forget about everyday
classes, support groups, literature, nutritionists,
decisions like attending a family reunion or joining
disease-specific rehab centers and more. wellness information at stjosephtowson.com/mhm.
FdUMSU1505_StJoseph_Ver2.indd 5
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6 MARYLAND’S HEALTH MATTERS
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 Learn about all of the birthing services offered at UM SJMC. Go to st
7/15/15 3:17 PM
MIRACLE
IN TOWSON
UM SJMC offers
the building blocks
for a rare birth
K
im Lord has a lot in common with Jen Arnold
and Bill Klein, the stars of TLC’s reality show The
Little Couple. Not only is Lord a little person,
but she also met the Kleins as children when all
three had reconstructive orthopaedic surgeries
performed by Steven Kopits, MD, the world-renowned expert
on dwarfism, at University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical
Center in the 1980s.
So when Lord watched the TV episode in which the couple
returned to Towson to consult board-certified perinatal
specialist Judith Rossiter, MD—head of obstetrics and gynecology at UM St. Joseph, who is a board-certified genetic
specialist and an obstetric consultant to Little People of
America—she knew what she needed to do.
About to be married and longing to be a mother, Lord
arranged a prepregnancy consultation with Dr. Rossiter to
assess whether she could have a baby. It was Lord’s destiny
to find an expert, compassionate team at UM St. Joseph
ready to take on this unique challenge.
M SJMC. Go to stjosephtowson.com and click “Women & Children.”
FdUMSU1505_StJoseph_Ver2.indd 7
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EN
Neona
T
Re
tal
rat
spi
ory
A ONE-OF-A-KIND PREGNANCY
Lord, who is 3 feet 9 inches tall, has a type of rare
dwarfism called Morquio syndrome, which is the
result of two recessive genes inherited from each
parent. Morquio dwarves are smaller than dwarves
with achondroplasia, a dominant and more common
form of dwarfism. There are many successful cases of
women with achondroplasia having babies, according
to Dr. Rossiter, who is one of only two physicians in the
U.S. specializing in pregnancy and dwarfism.
“But there were no known documented cases of
women with Morquio syndrome having babies,” Dr. Rossiter says. “Kim is very strong-willed. She is really one of
a kind. I was impressed with her determination to have
a successful pregnancy. Her husband, mother and sister
were very supportive and fully engaged.”
“The staff understood my desire and dream to have a
baby,” says Lord, who is a social worker and lives with her
husband in St. Mary’s County. But the journey was only
beginning once she was pregnant.
Kim Lord with her husband, Adam, daughter Aubree
and Judith Rossiter, MD.
THE CHALLENGE
“Kim has a very small trunk,” Dr. Rossiter says. “We didn’t
because we couldn’t use IV medication due to her
know what impact that could have on her respiratory
condition and the safety of the baby. It took time to get
capacity. She had the most challenging of both worlds.
all the resources in place for her delivery, but the stars
She’s had numerous orthopaedic surgeries, including on
aligned thanks to our careful planning,” he says.
her neck, and has no mobility there. We were concerned
about establishing an airway for anesthesia because
of her known need for a cesarean section.”
Lord also met with board-certified anesthesiologist Charles Rizzuto, MD, at UM St. Joseph,
who ruled out spinal and epidural anesthesia.
“General anesthesia was the only option,”
Dr. Rizzuto explains. “Ear, nose and throat
specialist Michael Rodrigues, MD, and I
te
Obs
tric
s
worked together. We numbed her airway
8 MARYLAND’S HEALTH MATTERS
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PREPPING FOR DELIVERY
Lord’s delivery took a tremendous amount of cooperation among many departments—obstetrics, ENT, anesthesia, the nurses, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and
the Respiratory Department. “We had to schedule Kim’s
delivery to avoid an emergency and minimize the risks
involved in delivering the baby,” Dr. Rizzuto says.
Dr. Rossiter and the neonatal specialists determined the baby would be mature enough to deliver
† Get birthing and new baby tips and more online! Go to stjoseph
7/9/15 8:53 AM
Ane
at 34 weeks, and Lord was checked
sthe
sia
weekly to ensure her respiratory
function wasn’t compromised by the baby pressing on
her lungs. “I had a very healthy pregnancy,” she says.
Before the delivery date, the entire team met for a
walk-through of the delivery.
“This was a unique, high-risk birth,” says Dr. Rizzuto,
“but Kim did amazingly well and didn’t have any issues
during pregnancy. She continued to work until close
to delivery.”
A BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL ARRIVES
For two days before her scheduled delivery date, Lord
stayed at the comfortable Hackerman-Patz guest house
on the UM St. Joseph campus. This enabled her to
receive steroids at the medical center to help the baby’s
lungs mature.
On Jan. 7, as scheduled, Lord delivered a beautiful
baby girl, Aubree Lucille. Twelve staff, including six physicians and two nurses, were present at the birth. After
three weeks in the UM St. Joseph Level IIIB Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit and two weeks in a hospital closer
to St. Mary’s County, Aubree came home and is healthy.
BUILDING FOR
OUR FUTURE
MOTHER BABY UNIT
RENOVATION AND UPGRADE
Whether a birth is routine or quite complicated, there
is nothing more important to us than caring for our
new babies and their families!
Our Mother Baby Unit needs renovations and upgrades to build on the outstanding reputation of our
Perinatal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
A $2 million project, funded solely through philanthropy, will support the following changes to our
Mother Baby Unit:
■ EXPANSION AND RENOVATION OF THE
LABOR AND DELIVERY TRIAGE AREA
■ RENOVATION OF POSTPARTUM ROOMS
■ NEW MOTHER BABY UNIT WELCOME CENTER
■ IMPROVED WAYFINDING SIGNAGE AND
ENHANCED PRIVACY
“Without a doubt, this is one of the most memorable
and reportable births from a medical journal perspec-
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
tive that I’ve been involved in,” says Dr. Rizzuto. “To be
able to do this incredibly unique delivery in a commu-
For information about how to donate to the
nity hospital speaks volumes about the quality of
Building for Our Future campaign, call
UM St. Joseph Medical Center.”
410-337-1397 or visit stjosephtowson.com/
“Having practiced OB for 27 years, this is one
buildingforourfuture.
of those deliveries that I will always remember,”
says Dr. Rossiter. GET THE CARE YOU NEED
At the Perinatal Center at UM SJMC, we’re devoted
to providing comprehensive care for high-risk
pregnancies. To schedule an appointment, call
410-337-4480.
e! Go to stjosephtowson.com/mhm and search under “Healthy Insights.”
FdUMSU1505_StJoseph_Ver2.indd 9
Nur
ses
stjosephtowson.com | Summer 2015 9
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SPOTLIGHT:
Brain
POWER
‘‘I
Deep brain stimulation helps many patients with
Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders
After
deep brain
stimulation
surgery and
treatment,
Supereena
Kapoor was able
to walk again.
She’s pictured
with Howard
Eisenberg, MD,
left, chair of the
Department of
Neurosurgery at
UMMC, and Paul
Fishman, MD,
PhD, professor
of neurology at
the University of
Maryland School
of Medicine.
t can’t be true—they’re wrong,” Super-
dystonia, a neurological disorder characterized
eena Kapoor thought after doctors
by involuntary muscle spasms. She also had
diagnosed her with Parkinson’s dis-
trouble moving around at home and at her job
ease. Kapoor was barely in her 30s and
for a biotechnology company.
a mother of two young children. Didn’t
Parkinson’s occur only in “old people”?
Kapoor also didn’t have the tremors often asso-
wrong with you,” she says. “But you could be
walking one minute and frozen the next. That’s
ciated with the disease—but the Arnold resident
devastating to most young-onset patients, because
had difficulty writing, and the sensation of a heavi-
you’re right smack in the middle of everything.”
ness on one side of her body. “My whole right
In 2007, eight years after her diagnosis, Kapoor
left her job to minimize stress and to focus on
side seemed like it was dying,” she says.
Researchers estimate that 10 to 20 percent of
home life and her children. Her disease contin-
patients with Parkinson’s disease are younger
ued to progress, though, and by 2011 she was in a
than 50, like Kapoor. Doctors prescribed medica-
wheelchair and taking medication every half-hour.
tions to manage her symptoms, which helped.
“I couldn’t drive anymore. All my independence
But over the years, the disease took a cumula-
had been taken away,” she says. “And I had two
tive toll, physically and mentally. She developed
kids to raise.”
10 MARYLAND’S HEALTH MATTERS
FdUMSU1505_StJoseph_Ver2.indd 10
Q
“Physically, you don’t look like there’s anything
 Parkinson’s disease occurs when an important area of the brain stops produci
7/9/15 8:53 AM
FORGING THE FUTURE
OF TREATMENT
While treatment is available for those
Kapoor turned to the Maryland Parkinson’s
Disease and Movement Disorders Center at the
with Parkinson’s disease, specialists
University of Maryland Medical Center for help.
at the Maryland Parkinson’s Disease
The center is a national leader in diagnostic,
and Movement Disorders Center are
medical, surgical and rehabilitative services
working around the clock to find new
for patients with Parkinson’s and other move-
advances in the field.
Trials examine everything from
ment disorders.
Neurologists and neurosurgeons at the cen-
Lisa
Shulman, MD
ter recommended that Kapoor receive deep
brain stimulation (DBS), a procedure used to
new medications to if and how
exercise can improve some memory
function in patients. Researchers are
also looking at how genetics affect
treat patients with Parkinson’s, severe dystonia
or essential tremor, a movement disorder that
the disease, says Lisa Shulman, MD, the center’s direc-
causes uncontrollable shaking. DBS uses elec-
tor and a professor of neurology at the University of
trical currents to “jam” abnormal brain signals,
Maryland School of Medicine. About 25 different genes
which can help patients who have tremors,
are associated with Parkinson’s but have yet to be tied
slowed movements or walking problems.
to symptom patterns, she says. Eventually, researchers
may be able to break the disease into subtypes based
“At least 80 percent of patients who receive
on these genetic differences.
deep brain stimulation moderately improve,”
Advances are also being made in treatment technol-
says Paul Fishman, MD, PhD, professor of neurology at the University of Maryland School of
ogy. University of Maryland Medical Center is one of
Medicine and chief of neurology at the Mary-
only a few hospitals nationwide testing focused brain
land VA Health System. Many see even dramatic
ultrasound for essential tremor, and the next phase of the
improvement, he says, with significant and
study will include Parkinson’s patients.
“It’s important for Parkinson’s disease patients to have
consistent relief of tremors and other movement-
a sense of hope,” Dr. Shulman says. “We have so many
related symptoms.
new options now that we didn’t have before.”
Kapoor liked her odds. But before committing
to the surgery, she had questions.
Q
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF DBS
IS RIGHT FOR A PATIENT?
DBS is an option “when a patient’s
quality of life is really impaired, in spite of the
best medical therapy,” says Dr. Fishman. Medica-
Q
WHAT HAPPENS
DURING DBS SURGERY?
DBS is like a “brain pacemaker” that
delivers electrical charges to restore regular brain
tions can be extremely helpful, he says, but their
activity, which leads to more normal movements,
benefits are not always consistent and the effect
says Howard Eisenberg, MD, professor of neuro-
of each dose can fluctuate. “Oral medication
surgery at the University of Maryland School of
goes from your mouth to your gut to your blood-
Medicine and chair of the Department of Neuro-
stream, and then all over your brain,” he says.
surgery at UMMC.
“DBS focuses directly on a particular brain area.”
Just before the initial procedure, patients
Still, DBS is not for everyone, he cautions. The
undergo an MRI scan, in which physicians capture
procedure can make symptoms worse in patients
images of the brain to help surgeons calculate the
with dementia, for example, and also can be chal-
best target areas for DBS. Surgeons then guide a
lenging for patients with anxiety or depression.
pacemaker-like wire with an electrode to the brain
in stops producing dopamine. (To learn more about dopamine, see page 13.)
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SPOTLIGHT:
through a small hole in the skull, and the team
tests the electrode to see whether its placement is
accurate and effective.
About a week later, patients return for an outpatient appointment in which surgeons place a
battery-operated neurostimulator in the chest and
hook the brain up to the electrode.
Q
ARE PATIENTS AWAKE
DURING THE PROCEDURE?
Patients are awake when electrodes
are placed, receiving only local anesthetic and
occasional sedation. This allows the surgical team
to check patients’ speech and voluntary movement during the procedure. “Patients are a player
in this,” says Dr. Eisenberg. “They have to give their
input or else we’re in the dark.”
Q
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER SURGERY?
Patients visit their neurologist to have
the neurostimulator turned on. “It’s
much more complicated than turning on a switch,”
Dr. Fishman says. Programming the device with
the correct voltage can take about an hour. Once
the range is set, patients receive a mini-control
box so they can turn the neurostimulator on and
off or tweak the voltage. Patients need to return
for follow-up care only every few months.
After discussing the information with her family,
Kapoor opted to proceed with DBS in 2011. Within
a few days, she says, she noticed dramatic improvement; over time, her dystonia subsided and she was
able to walk again. “I always had a weight on my
body,” she says. “It was as if someone lifted it off.”
Parkinson’s disease can’t be eliminated, but
Kapoor, now 48, says DBS helps make any mental
or physical struggles more manageable. Studies
indicate that she could reap the benefits for at
least 10 years. “It doesn’t take it away or make it all
better,” she says. “But it does make it easier. I wish
I’d done it earlier.” THERAPIES
IMPROVE QUALITY
OF LIFE FOR
PARKINSON’S
PATIENTS
Parkinson’s patients can improve their quality of
life with physical (PT), occupational (OT) and
speech therapy (SLP). As part of the University
of Maryland Rehabilitation Network, the Rehabilitation Department at UM St. Joseph Medical
Center offers a multidisciplinary approach to help
strengthen Parkinson’s patients’ muscle control,
maximize function to prevent falls, and restore
speech and swallowing skills.
PT: “Our therapy is very patient specific,”
explains physical therapy lead Sarah Merkle, PT,
RN, CLT. “We focus on gross motor skills such as
walking, large arm movements, balance and flexibility. Parkinson’s patients have difficulty initiating
movement, and once they start, they have trouble
stopping. We incorporate music and the use of a
metronome into our therapy to help the patient
move more fluidly.”
OT: “Occupational therapy focuses on teaching
strategies to patients and family members that
allow patients to participate in home and recreational activities at their highest level of function. As the disease progresses, we can suggest
adaptations, modifications and equipment,” says
occupational therapist Laurel Bragg, OTR/L.
SLP: This type of therapy focuses on challenges
such as speech and swallowing. “Once our patients’
voices become softer and harder to understand,
we work on increasing loudness and clarity through
exercises, including respiration,” says speech
pathologist Claire McMillan, MS, CCC/SLP.
MORE FACTS, ONLINE
HERE WHEN YOU NEED US
To discover more about the
Maryland Parkinson’s Disease and
Movement Disorders Center, head to
umm.edu/parkinsons.
To arrange an outpatient appointment with
rehabilitation services, call 410-337-1336.
12 MARYLAND’S HEALTH MATTERS
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 Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neuroge
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AT A G L A N C E
MAPPING THE MIND
■ Taste the
difference
between
tomatoes and
turnips
The brain is the body’s most amazing puzzle.
It’s made up of miraculous pieces called
lobes that, when they work together,
control every movement and thought,
from the complex to the mundane. Some major regions, and
what they help you do:
■ Transform
thoughts
into words
■ Argue about
why you don’t
like Brussels
sprouts
■ Move across
the room
■ Make
decisions
■ Read
PARIETAL
LOBE
FRONTAL
LOBE
■ Process
memories
TEMPORAL
LOBE
OCCIPITAL
LOBE
■ Tell the
difference
between
40 degrees
and 80 degrees
■ See
■ Recognize your
neighbor’s face
■ Know whether your
friend is angry or happy
■ Complete
math problems
CEREBELLUM
SPINAL
CORD
■ Interpret
shapes and
pictures
MICROSCOPIC MESSENGERS
Biological chemicals called neurotransmitters carry messages that bring about actions or feelings.
They tell your heart to beat, your eyes to blink. (And when they’re out of whack, bad things can happen.)
Three to know:
SEROTONIN
DOPAMINE
GLUTAMATE
PLAYS A
ROLE IN:
Mood, appetite,
sleep.
Movement, flow of thoughts and emotions,
relaxation, brain’s reward system.
Memory, cognition.
WHAT
CAN GO
WRONG:
Low levels can result
in depression.
When the brain produces too little dopamine
or isn’t able to correctly use the amount it
does make, it can lead to Parkinson’s disease
or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder;
dopamine may have a role in schizophrenia.
People whose brains have trouble
making or using glutamate run the
risk of a number of mental disorders,
including autism and obsessive
compulsive disorder.
GOOD
TO
KNOW:
Exposure to bright
light and exercise are
two natural ways to
boost your serotonin
levels.
This reward transmitter has been linked to
obesity. One study found higher dopamine
activity in the habit-forming region of the
brain in overweight participants, compared
with those who were at a healthier weight.
The most common neurotransmitter,
glutamate is known as an excitatory
transmitter because when it’s
involved, it ups the chances that
things will happen.
ommon neurogenerative disease in the U.S., after Alzheimer’s.
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HEALTHY AT HOME
vaccinated, that sets up the entire population to be vulnerable. When parents decide
not to vaccinate their children, they rely
on their neighbors’ vaccinations to prevent
outbreaks. Suddenly, large groups of children are not protected.”
Dr. Brocato says she tries to debunk
parents’ concerns about measles’ vaccinations. “Their fears are based on a study
by a British scientist who admitted that
Ruth Brocato,
MD
he falsified data about childhood vaccinations being linked to autism. He lost his medical license.”
SERIOUS, NOT JUST ITCHY
Before measles vaccinations, 2.6 million people died annually from the disease, says Dr. Brocato. And chickenpox is yet
another serious infectious disease, she points out. “Besides
The Great
Vaccination
Debate
Measles, mumps and
chickenpox outbreaks aren’t
a thing of the past … yet
L
having miserable symptoms, people can die of chickenpox.”
Thanks to modern advancements, vaccinations are available for many childhood (and adult) diseases, including the
HPV vaccine. It has been available for the past 10 years for
adolescent girls and boys and helps prevent cervical cancer
and certain types of oral cancers.
BOOSTERS AND SCHEDULES
Dr. Brocato encourages parents and adults to check with
their doctors about the recommended vaccination schedules because the schedules can change year to year and are
based on individual health concerns.
“This year, Maryland required seventh-graders to have
the pertussis (whooping cough) booster because of recent
outbreaks. And pregnant mothers are required to have a
pertussis booster because young babies are at high risk of
ast December, a large measles outbreak began at
getting whooping cough. Babies need a series of five doses
Disneyland California, which spread to a half-dozen
of pertussis vaccine before they are fully protected. We now
states, Mexico and Canada, and lasted until mid-
recommend all adults get a pertussis booster because the
April. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
illness has become much more of an issue.”
believes that a foreign tourist with an active case of
It is recommended that everyone (except babies younger
measles introduced the outbreak, which affected 147 people in
than 6 months) get the flu vaccination every fall. And for adults,
the U.S., many of whom had either chosen not to be vaccinated
the pneumonia vaccine is suggested at age 65 and up, and the
or were too young for the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine.
shingles vaccine is recommended at age 60 and up. In Canada, 159 people got measles—most were members of a
tight-knit religious community with a low vaccination rate.
PROTECTING THE HERD
“Vaccinations provide herd immunity, which protects a population,” says board-certified family physician Ruth Brocato, MD,
of the UM St. Joseph Medical Group. “If groups are not
HELP PREVENT OUTBREAKS
For more immunization information, visit
baltimorecountymd.gov and search “immunization
requirements.” Call the Baltimore County Health Department at 410-887-2243 to schedule vaccinations.
14 MARYLAND’S HEALTH MATTERS
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NEWS AND EVENTS
HEALTH SCREENINGS AND CLINICS
WALK-IN FLU SHOT CLINICS
No appointment needed. For questions,
call 410-337-1479.
Greetings & Readings, Hunt Valley Town
Centre, 118 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley
• Tuesday, Oct. 20, noon–7 p.m.
Shops at Kenilworth
800 Kenilworth Drive, Towson
• Wednesday, Oct. 21, noon–7 p.m.
St. Joseph Parish Cockeysville
100 Church Lane, Cockeysville
• Thursday, Oct. 22, noon–7 p.m.
White Marsh Mall
8200 Perry Hall Blvd., Baltimore
• Wednesday, Oct. 28, noon–7 p.m.
Our Lady of Grace
18310 Middletown Road, Parkton
• Thursday, Oct. 29, 3–7 p.m.
Orokawa Family Center Y
600 W. Chesapeake Ave., Towson
• Wednesday, Nov. 4, 4–7 p.m.
BREAST CANCER SCREENING
For women 40 and older who have not
had a mammogram within the past year
and do not have breast cancer. Includes
clinical breast exam, screening mammogram and risk. Appointment required. To
register, call 410-337-1479.
• Saturday, Oct. 10. Appointments begin
at 8:30 a.m.
BONE DENSITY SCREENING
For adults who want to know how lifestyle
affects bone density and those with
certain risk factors such as family history,
small body frame, inactivity, excessive
alcohol consumption, and low calcium or
vitamin D intake. Consists of a quick, painless ultrasound test of the heel bone (not
diagnostic). For those who have not had a
DEXA scan or ultrasound bone test in the
past year. Appointment required. Call 410337-1337 or visit stjosephtowson/events.
• Thursdays, Sept. 24 and Oct. 22,
9:30–11:30 a.m.
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
Schedule a lifesaving donation. For
medical and eligibility questions, call 866236-3276 before scheduling your appointment and call 410-337-1479 to make an
appointment.
• Thursday, Nov. 19, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Influenza (Flu) Vaccinations | Oct. 14–18
For those ages 9 years and older. Please bring a nonperishable
food item. Donations will be given to a local food bank. Reservations required. 410-337-1337 or stjosephtowson.com/events.
• Wednesday, Oct. 14,
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 16, 4–7 p.m.
BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS
To identify your unique body makeup
and associated health risks. The
Tanita SC-331S professional scale
uses Bioelectric Impedance Analysis
(BIA) to determine weight, body fat,
BMI, total body water, muscle mass,
metabolic rate and more. Appointment required. Call 410-337-1337 or visit
stjosephtowson/events.
• Tuesday, Aug. 18, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
• Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2–4 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 3, 4–6 p.m.
PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING
For men ages 50–70; African-American men; and men with a father or
brother diagnosed before age 65
should consider screening starting at
age 40. Consists of digital rectal exam
(DRE) and prostate-specific antigen
(PSA) blood test, which in combination can detect prostate cancer at an
early and potentially curable stage.
Appointment required. To register, call
410-337-1479.
• Wednesday, Sept. 16, 5–7 p.m.
 Need a health class or screening? Go to stjosephtowson.com/events.
FdUMSU1505_StJoseph_Ver2.indd 15
• Saturday, Oct. 17,
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
CLASSES
LIVING WELL WITH CHRONIC
CONDITIONS (6-WEEK WORKSHOP)
• Mondays, Sept. 28–Nov. 2,
12:30–3 p.m., Irwin Center
Self-management program for coping
with chronic conditions such as diabetes,
heart disease, COPD, arthritis and stroke.
Topics include proper nutrition and exercise, communicating with physicians and
family members and relaxation techniques.
To register, call 410-337-1337 or go to
stjosephtowson/events.
“STEPPING ON” (7-WEEK WORKSHOP)
A program for older adults aimed at
reducing the risk of falling. Topics include
strength and balance exercises, medication
management, home safety and footwear.
Registration required. Call 410-337-1337.
• Tuesdays, Nov. 3–Dec. 15, 1–3 p.m.
WEEKLY YOGA CLASSES
$5 donation per class. To register, call
410-337-1479.
• Thursdays, 4–5:15 p.m.
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