MEDSTAR SOUTHERN HOSPITAL CENTER Winter | 2020

Get the Facts on RSV Welcoming Breaking Ground on a new Emergency Gracelynn Department Sarah’s Advanced Heart Failure Clinic Birth Story Coming Soon Tidbits

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Message from the

President 4 Dear Neighbor,

Christine Wray, FACHE, If I were to sum up the theme of particularly for children younger President, MedStar this issue of Health magazine in than two years old. Take a look at Hospital Center one word, it would be “new.” We the article to learn about the signs are launching new services and and symptoms, so you can keep programs – and of course, we’re your family healthy. in the active construction phase of our new expansion and renovation We’re also sharing information project. I hope you’ll take a about new awards and 7503 Surratts Road, Clinton, MD 20735 301-868-8000 or TTY 301-877-4473 moment to read all of the updates accreditations. Our hospital in this issue, but in the meantime, has been recognized as a Blue Kenneth A. Samet, FACHE here is a quick overview. Distinction Center, we’ve been President and Chief Executive Officer, MedStar Health named a top employer in Prince We’re committed to keeping our George’s County, and our cancer M. Joy Drass, MD community members updated program has earned full, three-year Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, MedStar Health throughout the construction and accreditation from the American renovation for our new emergency College of Surgeons Commission Christine Wray, FACHE department and front entrance. on Cancer – an honor that fewer President, MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center and Senior Vice That’s why we have shared a review than one in three cancer programs President, MedStar Health of our progress, from September’s can claim. 1 2 3 4 groundbreaking event to the John W. Rollins, Jr. Chair, Board of Directors opening of the hospital’s new, The heart of MSMHC is its people, CoC Accredited Top Employer Blue Distinction Center New Temporary Entrance temporary entrance. and in this issue, we’re sharing a Cheryl Richardson story of an MSMHC nurse who Director, Marketing and Community Relations MSMHC is proud to Did you know that MSMHC The BlueCross BlueShield We recently opened a February is National Heart Month, takes the phrase “MSMHC family” announce that our cancer was recently recognized Association has named new, temporary hospital and we’re delighted to announce to a new level. We’re also rounding Design: Lorraine Walker, program has received full, as one of the county’s Top MSMHC a Blue Distinction entrance, which patients and the opening of our new Advanced up 2019 with our “Year in Review,” Graphic Designer three-year accreditation by 500 Employers by Prince Center for spine surgery and visitors will use during our Heart Failure Clinic. Led by because looking back is a great the American College of George’s County Economic a Blue Distinction Center+ for construction and renovation Content: Loren Blinde, Writer Surgeons Commission on Development Corporation? hip and knee replacement project. Learn where to go, renowned experts, the clinic will way to see how far we’ve come – Cancer. The hospital received At MSMHC, our dedicated surgery. The Blue Distinction and get helpful parking give patients with advanced heart and to inspire us to set our sights Photo Credits: Mike Morgan not only full accreditation, but associates are what make our Center program is a national information as well, before Photography, Michelyn Boucknight failure convenient, expert care and even higher in 2020. commendations on several hospital special. effort to recognize hospitals your next visit. access to leading-edge therapies, specific standards as well. and healthcare providers that here in Southern Maryland. Kindest regards, Health is published as a community For more information, go to deliver quality specialty care For more information, service for the friends and patrons of For more information, page 14. safely and effectively. go to page 13. MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital go to page 14. Flu season is still going strong, but Center. It in no way seeks to diagnose influenza is not the only virus to or treat illness or serve as a substitute for Christine Wray, FACHE professional medical care. Please see your watch out for. Pediatrician Pedro physician if you have a health problem. Sarmiento, MD shares important President, MedStar Southern Maryland information about RSV, a respiratory Hospital Center and Senior Vice On the cover: Sarah Harris with her virus that can be dangerous, President, MedStar Health daughter Gracelynn

2 MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH | WINTER 2020 WINTERFALL 20182020 | MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH 3 more frequently, fatigue, and “I was so impressed with the care nausea. Blurred vision, which Sarah I was so team in both the labor and delivery experienced, is also a sign. and mother-baby units. The whole impressed with team was amazing, from the Gestational diabetes is treated with secretary to the nursing assistants, close monitoring, diet and exercise the care team in and from the nurses to the changes, and in some cases, doctors,” Sarah said. “I have medication. It’s important to catch both the labor nothing but wonderful things to say this condition, because it can cause about them.” serious complications if left and delivery and untreated. Sarah pricked her finger Sarah and Gracelynn stayed in the four times a day to test her blood mother-baby units. hospital for an extra day while sugar, tracked her levels in a daily Gracelynn’s blood sugar levels log, and watched what she ate. She The whole team stabilized. Today, both mother and also consulted with the high-risk baby’s blood sugar levels are pregnancy specialists at MSMHC. was amazing, from normal, although they will need Her care plan included an induced follow-up glucose testing to make delivery as soon as the pregnancy the secretary to sure they stay that way. Gestational reached full term, to prevent the diabetes raises a woman’s risk of baby from getting too big (a risk the nursing developing type II diabetes in with gestational diabetes). assistants, and the future. Sarah Harris As her due date neared, Sarah Sarah’s advice to women choosing with her husband Ryan learned that Dr. Tiu would be out of from the nurses an OB/GYN provider? “Choose a the country on her induction date. doctor who you would trust not only and her daughter Gracelynn Sarah was disappointed, but the to the doctors. with your life, but with the life of induction plans went forward. “I was your child as well. That’s how I feel uneasy, because I didn’t know any — Sarah Harris about Dr. Tiu – I would trust her with of the providers,” Sarah said. “But my life and my child’s life.” from the time we walked in to the Sarah said. After laboring through time we left, everyone at MSMHC the night, the time came to deliver Gracelynn is a healthy, happy baby, was so personable. They answered the baby. and the Harris family is continuing A FAMILY AFFAIR our questions, and they made sure to honor their connection to my husband felt included. Everyone “Dr. Parker was supposed to go MedStar. “When my husband was a MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center was wonderful.” home at 6:00 a.m., but she stayed little boy, Dr. Pedro Sarmiento, who with me until I delivered two hours practices at MedStar Medical Lives on Through Multiple Generations Sarah Parker, MD was the OB/GYN later,” Sarah said. “She was Group at White Plains, was his on call on the night Sarah’s labor amazing.” Shortly after 8:00 on a pediatrician. And now, Gracelynn started to progress. “I felt really calm bright Saturday morning in June, goes to see him – another arah Harris has known for a OB/GYN Roshiel Tiu, MD and experiencing blurred vision. When when she came into the room,” little Gracelynn was born. wonderful MedStar doctor.” long time that MSMHC is a immediately felt at home. she took a glucose tolerance test – a special place. Her mother routine screening for pregnant has worked at the hospital “I’m a very family-oriented person, women – she learned that she had Sfor nearly 35 years and is currently and Dr. Tiu makes you feel like developed gestational diabetes. MEET OUR PHYSICIANS MSMHC’s director of patient you’re family. When we met her, she experience. Sarah herself is an RN gave both my husband and me the Gestational diabetes affects up to Pedro Sarmiento, MD Roshiel D. Tiu, MD Sarah Parker, MD who works on the hospital’s biggest hugs,” Sarah said. “She sees five percent of all pregnant women. Pediatrician OB-GYN OB-GYN hundreds of patients in her practice, It’s a temporary form of diabetes telemetry unit. But recently, she got MEDSTAR MEDICAL CLINTON CLINTON to experience the hospital from a but when she’s in the room with you, caused by the hormones the GROUP AT WHITE PLAINS 7501 Surratts Road 7501 Surratts Road new perspective – as a patient. she doesn’t rush. She makes special placenta produces as the fetus 4225 Alamont Place Suite 308 Suite 308 time just for you.” develops. The hormones can cause Suite 102 Clinton, MD 20735 Clinton, MD 20735 301-877-7200 301-877-7200 When Sarah and her husband Ryan, the mother’s body to become White Plains, MD 20695 Sarah remained comfortable and 301-235-1769 WALDORF WALDORF a Prince George’s County deputy resistant to insulin, which the body 3500 Old Washington Road 3500 Old Washington Road sheriff, learned that they were energetic throughout her produces to regulate blood sugar. Suite 302 Suite 302 expecting their first child, they were pregnancy. But as she entered her Symptoms of gestational diabetes Waldorf, MD 20602 Waldorf, MD 20602 301-645-8867 301-645-8867 overjoyed. They met with MSMHC third trimester, she began include thirst, needing to urinate

4 MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH | WINTER 2020 WINTER 2020 | MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH 5 f you spend any time around When should my child RSV young children, you know what see a doctor? this time of year brings – lots of “Generally, if symptoms of RSV – runny noses, sniffles, and coughs. fever, coughing, trouble breathing More Than IEach winter, we tend to expect -- last longer than three days, then colds to circulate, and we watch out it’s time to get your child in to see for signs of the flu virus. But there’s the pediatrician to be checked out Just a Cold another virus to watch out for if for tough viruses like RSV,” Dr. you’re the parent or caregiver of Sarmiento said. A pediatrician can young children: respiratory recommend things to do to keep syncytial virus, or RSV. the child comfortable. Pediatrician RSV is one of many viruses that Pedro Sarmiento, MD Because RSV illness is caused by a circulate each year – by age two, virus, not a bacteria, antibiotics will MedStar Medical Group at White Plains most children will have been not be effective. The good news is, exposed to it. For many healthy in most cases, kids recover on their children, RSV symptoms look just own. The illness peaks after three to like any other cold. It comes and A child’s risk of severe RSV also rises five days, then resolves. In severe goes without you ever realizing that with certain environmental factors, cases, small children may need to RSV is the culprit. However, in some including living in a crowded be hospitalized to receive extra cases, RSV can cause more serious household or attending daycare. support while their bodies fight off symptoms. Passive smoking – also known as the virus. exposure to secondhand smoke – is “For adults, RSV is just a cold,” said another risk factor for severe RSV. How can RSV be prevented? Pedro Sarmiento, MD, pediatrician “The main thing to do to prevent at MedStar Medical Group at White What are the symptoms RSV is good hand washing,” said Dr. Plains. “But for children younger to watch out for? than two years, with small lungs Sarmiento. Using soap and very Symptoms of severe RSV include a and small airways, RSV can cause warm water, wash for 30 seconds – fever, cough, and wheezing. You real trouble.” about the amount of time it takes to may notice that the child is irritable, sing “The Alphabet Song.” RSV starts as an upper respiratory agitated, or fussy and isn’t eating or infection, with sniffles, sneezing, a sleeping well. Dehydration is a In addition to washing hands often, runny or stuffy nose, and coughing. concern for young children, so everyone in the household can help After a few days, RSV can progress keep an eye out for a decrease in prevent the spread of RSV – as well to a lower respiratory infection, the number of wet diapers. as the flu and other infections – with which means it can affect the lungs. a few additional practices. Avoid The baby or child may also show In small children, RSV can cause touching your face with your hands signs of respiratory distress, bronchiolitis, an inflammation of and disinfect commonly touched signaling that their bodies are the small air sacs (called surfaces, including light switches, having trouble taking in enough bronchioles) in the lungs. doorknobs, and cell phone screens. oxygen. These include a crackling Finally, teach everyone in your Who is at risk for severe RSV? sound when breathing, a faster family to sneeze or cough into the breathing rate, and retractions, crook of their elbows rather than “The kids we worry about the most which happen when extra muscles into their hands. with RSV are babies who were born along the ribs and breastbone, or premature, babies younger than near the neck, are working to pull in To make an appointment three months, and those with an more air. Nasal flaring is another with Dr. Sarmiento, existing problem with their lungs, sign indicating that the child is please call 301-235-1769. heart, or immune system,” Dr. struggling to breathe. Sarmiento said.

6 MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH | WINTER 2020 WINTER 2020 | MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH 7 It has been a banner year at MSMHC, full of new 2019 MedStar Southern Maryland achievements as we strive every day to provide excellent patient care. Take a look at some of our proudest Hospital Center Accomplishments moments from the past year. 2019 FEB JUNE The lab earned Acquired endobronchial College of ultrasound bronchoscopy American (EBUS) technology, which Pathology enables earlier detection of accreditation – lung cancers by obtaining tissue the gold or fluid samples from the lungs JULY standard and surrounding lymph nodes for labs. without conventional surgery. Earned 2019 Partner for Change award From Practice JULY Greenhealth for exceptional performance in promoting Construction continued on our new Cancer sustainable healthcare. MARCH Treatment Center, which will feature imaging, surgery, chemotherapy, infusion, pathology, Developed best-in-system radiation, oncology, and patient advocates and practice for preventing navigators. safety events with its patient safety triage team.

JULY APRIL Received Get With Adopted S-BIRT in the The Guidelines emergency department Target: Stroke Honor for high-risk patients – Roll Elite Plus Gold screening, brief Plus Quality intervention, and referral Achievement Award to treatment for people from the American struggling with Heart Association. substance use. SEPT SEPT Named one of three hospitals in Construction went underway on a new Maryland to achieve Platinum emergency department and front entrance Status from Washington Regional expansion and renovation, with MAY Transplant Community in groundbreaking in September. recognition of the hospital’s Debuted new halcyon radiation efforts to promote organ and treatment – a new form of AUG tissue donation. OCT radiation therapy for cancer The cath lab treatment that delivers earned 2019 GI suite celebrated radiation more easily, more grand opening, featuring  Maryland Institute efficiently and with quicker AUG for Emergency three fully functional exam results, without compromising The department of cardiology earned Medical Services rooms, three office spaces on quality. three-year IAC echocardiography Systems (MIEMSS) for physicians, and a reaccreditation. accreditation. comfortable waiting area.

8 MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH | WINTER 2020 WINTER 2020 | MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH 9 critical access point for any acute healthcare facility, and A GREAT DAY: so it’s critical that we have high quality healthcare providers in a high quality space,” said Chile Ahaghotu, MSMHC Breaks Ground MD, the hospital’s vice president of medical affairs. As they posed with shovels and enjoyed a continental on Expansion Project breakfast, guests learned more about the project. The expansion will increase ED beds from 28 to 40, and On Thursday, September 19, 2019, under beautiful, sunny create a designated area for people experiencing skies, MSMHC and MedStar Health leaders and behavioral health symptoms. Additional improvements emergency department (ED) staff joined representatives include better access for EMS professionals, a redesigned from Maryland state, Prince George’s and Charles County waiting room, and an assessment area for people who governments, as well as various community leaders, to may have been exposed to pathogens. Outside the ED, formally break ground on the hospital’s ambitious patients and visitors will benefit from a new front expansion and renovation project. entrance, with a 24-hour café in the lobby.

“We’ve been working to bring this project to fruition, “It’s a great hospital. It’s been made great by MedStar pursuing a specific vision: an emergency department that Health,” said Mike Miller, Maryland state senator. “We’re is ideally equipped to meet the needs of the residents of so grateful for everybody being here, to continue to Prince George’s County and the Southern Maryland area, provide quality healthcare to the people of Southern with modern technology and plenty of space to provide Maryland.” efficient, quality care,” said MSMHC President Christine Wray at the event. The renovation is planned to be completed in 2021. We look forward to providing continued updates throughout “This is a great undertaking by this wonderful staff here at the year as the project progresses. MedStar Health,” said Michael Jackson, chair of the Prince George’s delegation to the Maryland House of Delegates. For construction updates, please visit MedStarSouthernMaryland.org/construction. “Our emergency department alone hosts over 47,000 visits annually. The emergency department represents a Tidbits

New Hospital Entrance Opens

, Medical Director, Advanced Heart Failure MSMHC to Open Samer Najjar, MD Lead Advanced Advanced Heart Practice Provider Failure Clinic Cindy Bither, NP

hat is heart failure? symptoms of heart failure include MedStar Heart & Vascular If you’re not sure, fatigue and shortness of breath. Institute has a sophisticated, you’re not alone. While medicine can control the multidisciplinary team of more Heart failure is a type symptoms for a while, the only than 50 heart failure experts, Wof heart disease that happens cure for end-stage heart failure is a including the region’s largest f you haven’t visited MSMHC What will happen when I arrive and a redesigned waiting area. when the heart loses its ability to heart transplant. LVAD program. The institute offers yet this year, we have some at the hospital? There will also be a specialized pump blood well enough to meet outstanding outcomes to patients important news to share. In area for treating behavioral health When visitors enter through the the body’s needs. It’s a chronic But there is good news. This across the region, many of whom December, the hospital’s patients, as well as a dedicated winter, MSMHC is opening an Ientrance – for both the main new entrance, they will have the space for treating patients who condition that can have several come from MSMHC. option to go to the right to the ED causes, and once you have it, it Advanced Heart Failure Clinic hospital and the emergency have been exposed to dangerous waiting area or to the left to the tends to get worse over time. at the hospital. Dr. Najjar and With the Advanced Heart Failure department (ED) – moved. All pathogens. lead advanced practice provider Clinic, the Southern Maryland patients and visitors should now main lobby. In the main lobby, “Many people don’t realize how Cindy Bither, NP will see patients community will have convenient enter through the new temporary visitors will check in at the Patients and visitors can also look serious heart failure is,” said heart whose heart failure symptoms access to advanced heart failure entrance, formerly known as the reception desk and will then be forward to a new 24-hour café. failure specialist Samer Najjar, are no longer well controlled by care. The clinic will bring some of entrance to cardiopulmonary directed to the main hospital. New For more information and MD, medical director of advanced medication. There are a range of MedStar’s renowned heart failure rehabilitation. indoor and outdoor signage will updates as construction heart failure, heart transplantation therapies to support late-stage experts to Southern Maryland, so make it easy for visitors to find progresses, visit our website: and mechanical circulatory heart failure patients, including left patients can have these specialty Why this change? where they need to go. support at MedStar Heart & ventricular assist devices (LVADs) office visits without having to leave medstarsouthernmaryland.org/ After the official groundbreaking What improvements can we Vascular Institute. “It’s on par with and other forms of mechanical home. construction. in September, MSMHC has started expect when the renovation other life-changing diagnoses, like support. Dr. Najjar and Ms. the construction phase of the project is complete? heart attack, stroke, and cancer.” Bither will evaluate patients and “Instead of patients driving up to largest expansion and renovation determine the best treatment plan Washington, DC, we will come project in our hospital’s history. The hospital’s renovated and Heart failure is an epidemic: for each individual. to the patients,” Dr. Najjar said. When it is compete in mid-2021, expanded ED will have an seven million people nationwide “We’re very excited to start seeing MSMHC will have a state-of-the-art additional 18,000 square feet of have been diagnosed with the “The key is to recognize when patients at MSMHC. It will be a ED to provide our community with treatment area, including 50 condition, and an estimated patients are transitioning into great thing.” the best care. percent more treatment rooms 300,000 Americans will die from it end-stage heart failure,” Dr. Najjar this year. Heart failure is also one said. “While you don’t want to For more information of the most expensive conditions start these therapies too soon, about the MedStar Heart & to treat, with three million if you wait too long, the patient Vascular Institute, please visit doctor visits and one million may become too weak for these MedStarSouthernMaryland.org/ hospitalizations every year. Early advanced treatments.” heart.

12 MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH | WINTER 2020 WINTER 2020 | MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH 13 We Did It! MSMHC Is CoC Accredited

ongratulations to MSMHC’s hospital’s cancer committee. cancer program, which received the news of its MSMHC will also be able to Tidbits accreditation by the contribute its own data to the CAmerican College of Surgeons National Cancer Database as well, Commission on Cancer (CoC) in said Christine Wray, MSMHC’s adding our patient outcomes to January. The program received full, president. “This process would not the nationwide picture. “This is three-year accreditation. Fewer than have been successful without the important, because SEER uses this one-third of cancer programs in the leadership of Dr. Chile Ahaghotu, data to update cancer care country are accredited by the CoC. who served as the cancer care guidelines,” Dr. Satinsky said. program administrator, and SEER, which stands for the “A designation like CoC accreditation Dr. Andrew Satinsky, the chair of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and is important when people are our hospital’s cancer committee.” End Results program, is the deciding where to entrust their lives,” National Cancer Institute’s official said MSMHC oncologist Stephen CoC accreditation includes a cancer statistics source. Rubenstein, MD. “To receive your strong focus not only on care at an accredited program means maintaining the program’s current “One thing that is so exciting to that you are getting care at a place level of quality, but on actively me as someone new to MSMHC is that has been evaluated by an raising that level over time. Being the sense that this hospital is independent authority. Because we CoC accredited gives the hospital evolving and moving forward in are CoC accredited, patients can be access to a range of benchmarking every respect,” said Travis Mitchell, assured that we meet certain quality tools, including the National MSMHC’s director of quality. “The standards.” Cancer Database. MSMHC will be CoC accreditation is just another able to compare its outcomes to indication of our commitment to The hospital received not only full national outcomes. serving our community well.” accreditation, but commendations on several specific standards as well. “This is a key tool, because it lets “It’s not that common to pass CoC us know how we’re doing relative accreditation without any “I offer a tremendous and heartfelt to other cancer programs deficiencies, but we did. That is thank-you to everyone who worked nationally,” said Andrew Satinsky, definitely a feather in our cap,” Dr. so diligently to make this MD, clinical director of radiation Satinsky said. “This accreditation is accreditation a reality for MSMHC,” oncology services and chair of the due to the hard work of a lot of committed people.” MSMHC receives Prince George’s County Top Employer award

SMHC is delighted to be distance of both Washington, DC Exceptional patient care is at the Tidbits honored as one of the and , MD, Prince heart of everything we do. We Top 500 Employers in George’s County is full of vibrant work as a team, with a Prince George’s County communities. commitment to work/life balance Mby the Prince George’s County and respect for all. MSMHC offers Economic Development MSMHC is among the largest outstanding compensation, great Corporation. private employers in the county benefits, flexible scheduling with and works closely with county part-time options, continuing Fast-growing Prince George’s leaders as we pursue our goal of education, and employee County is home to more than delivering excellent healthcare. advancement opportunities. 970,000 residents, and more than Our hospital employs more than half a million people work in the 1,000 dedicated associates. Learn more at: county. Located within commuting www.medstarsouthernmaryland. org/careers.

14 MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH | WINTER 2020 Heart&Soul HELPING YOU GET TO THE HEART OF THE MATTER

WINTER 2020 • VOLUME 5 • ISSUE 1

A Message from MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center’s Chairman of Cardiology

Dear Community Member: In honor of National Heart Month, and at the beginning of this new year, I hope you’ll join me in resolving to make a small change that will help your heart stay healthy. Whether it’s parking your car at the far end of the parking lot to get some extra steps into your day, cooking at home one extra night a week, or reducing stress with a few deep breaths, little choices can add up to a healthier you. After all, your heart works hard for you – beating more than 100,000 times each and every day. As we share in the pages of this month’s Health magazine, MSMHC is opening a new Advanced Heart Failure Clinic at the hospital. Heart failure is a chronic condition that William Suddath, MD affects millions of Americans – an estimated 2.5 percent of the population. This clinic, Chairman, Cardiology led by some of the heart failure experts of MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute, will help MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center patients in Southern Maryland whose heart failure is no longer well controlled with medication. In this issue of Heart & Soul, we give you a glimpse into the future of cardiology, with a list of some of the new therapies and technologies on the horizon. We also present new research that suggests that using e-cigarettes may be harmful, not only to the lungs, but to the heart as well.

Sincerely, William Suddath, MD Chairman, Cardiology MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center

Research presented at the 2019 over the past few years. E-cigarettes, Research Links American College of Cardiology which come in many different flavors, annual meeting concluded that are particularly popular among teens E-Cigarettes to people who use e-cigarettes (also and young adults. called “vaping”) are at higher risk of Heart Attack Risk having a heart attack, developing This study, among the largest coronary artery disease, and suffering conducted to date, found that people a stroke, as compared to nonusers. who vape had a 56-percent higher risk of heart attack and a 30-percent The study’s authors called the data higher risk of stroke. They were 10 a “wake-up call” for people who percent more likely to have coronary vape. E-cigarettes are a relatively artery disease and 44 percent more new phenomenon that entered likely to have circulation problems the market in 2007, rapidly gaining like blood clots. The study also found popularity. They work by heating higher rates of depression and anxiety liquid nicotine with solvents, among those who use e-cigarettes. flavorings, and other chemicals, creating a vapor that is inhaled. The study analyzed data from nearly Today, one out of every 20 Americans 100,000 adults. It is one of the first uses e-cigarettes. Originally to establish a clear connection marketed as a safer alternative to between vaping and a range of poor smoking, concerns have multiplied cardiovascular health outcomes. Heart&Soul WINTER 2020 EDITION

FEBRUARY IS

A Look Ahead: Cardiology Advancements in 2020

The field of cardiology is always changing, with new medical advancements each year. So, what techniques and technologies do we expect to see more of in 2020? Here are a few to watch:

1. Digital stethoscopes – A new wave of technology is resulting in sophisticated sensors and chips in stethoscopes, capable of turning a person’s heartbeat into a signal and transmitting it wirelessly to a computer or mobile device, where it can be analyzed. Studies into this technology are underway, and it may soon find its way into providers’ hands.

2. Expanded use of anticoagulant medicines for AFib patients – Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a type of system that can perform tasks that once needed to abnormal heart rhythm that can raise a person’s risk for be done by humans. You use artificial intelligence cardiovascular disease, including stroke. To help reduce every time you give your smartphone an instruction these risks, a new group of anticoagulant medicines, or using your voice, activating its speech recognition “blood thinners,” are becoming more widely prescribed feature. Artificial intelligence can help speed up the for AFib patients. pace of drug discovery, predict future health risks in a population, and gain insights from health data. 3. New vital sign monitoring technology – Researchers have developed a way to monitor important health 6. A better outlook for valve disease – Some major information – heart rate, oxygen level, and blood studies have wrapped up with big implications for pressure – without an upper-arm cuff. The new device patients with heart valve disease or heart failure. New is a small adhesive patch that communicates with a procedures, and updated medication protocols, are smartwatch, delivering constant monitoring. The patch being considered after the success of the COAPT trial, lasts for 10 days. but continuing study is needed.

4. New cholesterol-lowering drugs – Large trials of 7. Echocardiography at the bedside – An several new drugs to lower “bad” (LDL) cholesterol are echocardiogram, or “echo,” is a cornerstone going on. Several of the drugs are delivered by injection of diagnostic cardiology. Patients come to the and work by affecting a certain protein made by the echocardiography suite to have the test, which is liver. Another is in pill form, which aims to offer the a noninvasive ultrasound of the heart, done. But cholesterol-lowering effect of the current statins with a in the future, cardiologists may be able to carry an lower risk of muscle-related side effects. echocardiography machine around in their pocket. A miniature version of the technology is currently in 5. Putting artificial intelligence to work – Artificial development. In the future, the echocardiogram could intelligence is a broad term that refers to any computer come to the patient, rather than the other way around.

MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center is part of the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute- Cleveland Clinic alliance. Ask-the-Doctor Seminar Series Community Healthcare Education

Please join us for an informative, interactive seminar “How to Win the Fight Against Heart Disease” Presented by interventional cardiologist William Suddath, MD

Heart disease is a national problem and a significant health condition seen in southern Maryland. MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center’s cardiology team, which is now part of the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute–Cleveland Clinic Alliance, is committed to educating and treating southern Marylanders experiencing all types of heart conditions.

In this free seminar, interventional cardiologist Dr. Suddath will explain what he does to intervene with heart complications, which includes procedures such as angioplasties and stent installation. William Suddath, MD He will discuss different types of heart disease, risk factors and Chairman, Cardiology prevention, and will also provide information you need to make MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center better decisions about your heart health. Dr. Suddath will take questions at the conclusion of the presentation.

The seminar will be held on: Tuesday, February 25, 2020 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center Multipurpose Room 7503 Surratts Road, Clinton, MD

Registration is free, but required. Space is limited. Register online today at MedStarSouthernMaryland.org/Calendar or call 301-877-5700.

About Dr. Suddath: Dr. William Suddath is MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center’s Chairman of Cardiology. Prior to coming to MSMHC in 2018, Dr. Suddath worked as an interventional cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center for twenty-two years. Dr. Suddath earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate of medicine degrees from George Washington University, and completed an internship in internal medicine and a residency in emergency medicine at UCLA Medical Center. His second residency, also in internal medicine, took place at George Washington University Medical Center, as did his fellowships in cardiology and interventional cardiology. Nondiscrimination Statement MEDSTAR SOUTHERN MARYLAND HOSPITAL CENTER STATEMENT: MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Hospital Center no le proporcionó estos servicios o 683-9048 번으로 전화해 주십시오. Center complies with applicable Federal civil rights lo discriminó de otra manera por motivos de origen laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, étnico, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o Igbo asusu (Ibo) color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. sexo, puede presentar un reclamo a la siguiente persona: Patient Advocate, 7503 Surratts Road, MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center na NOTICE: MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Clinton, MD 20735, Phone: 301-877-4279, Fax: 301- eso usoro iwu federal civil rights. Ha a nakwagi Center complies with applicable Federal civil rights 877-5813, E-Mail: [email protected]. akpachapu onye o bula n’ihe e be o nye ahu si, a laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, Si necesita ayuda para hacerlo, a Patient Advocate gburu ya, colo ahu ya, aha ole onye ahu di, ma o RESOURCE GUIDE color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. MedStar está a su disposición para brindársela. bu nwoke ma o bu nwanyi. Southern Maryland Hospital Center does not For more details on these programs and others, please call the phone numbers listed or visit our website: exclude people or treat them differently because of También puede presentar un reclamo de derechos Ige nti: O buru na asu Ibo asusu, enyemaka diri MedStarSouthernMaryland.org/Calendar. race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. civiles ante la Office for Civil Rights (Oficina de gi site na call 1-844-683-9048. MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center: Derechos Civiles) del Department of Health and Human Services (Departamento de Salud èdè Yorùbá (Yoruba) • Provides free aids and services to people with y Servicios Humanos) de EE. UU. de manera disabilities to communicate effectively with us, electrónica a través de Office for Civil Rights MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center tele CLASSES such as: Complaint Portal, disponible en https://ocrportal. ilana ofin ijoba apapo lori eto ara ilu atipe won SUPPORT GROUPS OTHER PROGRAMS Qualified sign language interpreters hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf, o bien, por correo ko gbodo sojusaju lori oro eya awo, ilu-abinibi, postal a la siguiente dirección o por teléfono a los ojo-ori, abarapa tabi okunrin ati obinrin. Written information in other formats (large números que figuran a continuación: Breastfeeding Support Group Breastfeeding Class Hospital Volunteer Program print, audio, accessible electronic formats, AKIYESI: Ti o ba nso ede Yoruba ofe ni iranlowo One Saturday a month other formats) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services lori ede wa fun yin o. E pe ero ibanisoro yi 1-844- Every Thursday MedStar Southern Maryland 200 Independence Avenue, SW 683-9048. from 9 a.m. to noon. • Provides free language services to people Room 509F, HHH Building from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Hospital Center volunteers make whose primary language is not English, such as: Washington, D.C. 20201 Русский (Russian) (excluding holidays) Hospital Multipurpose Room a difference every day helping 1-800-368-1019, 800-537-7697 (TDD) Qualified interpreters MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Recreation area of 2 North Registration required. to support the health of our Puede obtener los formularios de reclamo en el Information written in other languages Center соблюдает применимое федеральное sitio web http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index. законодательство в области гражданских прав и Cost: FREE Cost: FREE community. Please visit If you need these services, contact a Patient html. не допускает дискриминации по признакам расы, MSMHC-ChildbirthEducation@ MSMHC-ChildbirthEducation@ MedStarSouthernMaryland.org/ Advocate at 301-877-4279. ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición цвета кожи, национальной принадлежности, возраста, инвалидности или пола. If you believe that MedStar Southern Maryland servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al medstar.net medstar.net Volunteer for more information Hospital Center has failed to provide these services 1-844-683-9048. ВНИМАНИЕ: Если вы говорите на русском языке, about volunteer opportunities. or discriminated in another way on the basis of race, то вам доступны бесплатные услуги перевода. color, national origin, age, disability, or sex, you Tagalog (Tagalog – Filipino) Звоните 1-844-683-9048. Diabetes Support Group Baby Basics can file a grievance with: Patient Advocate, 7503 Sumusunod ang MedStar Southern Maryland Fourth Thursday of every month This class focuses on newborn Surratts Road, Clinton, MD 20735, Phone: 301-877- Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) Mall Walkers Program 4279, Fax: 301-877-5813, E-Mail: Sundee.Webster@ Hospital Center sa mga naaangkop na Pederal na (November and December care during the first six weeks medstar.net. If you need help filing a grievance, a batas sa karapatang sibil at hindi nandidiskrimina MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center tuân St. Charles Towne Center Patient Advocate is available to help you. batay sa lahi, kulay, bansang pinagmulan, edad, thủ luật dân quyền hiện hành của Liên bang và không moved to third Thursday because of life. The class provides Supervised, all-weather walking kapansanan o kasarian. phân biệt đối xử dựa trên chủng tộc, màu da, nguồn gốc You can also file a civil rights complaint with the U.S. quốc gia, độ tuổi, khuyết tật, hoặc giới tính. of holidays) education on newborn health, with FREE blood pressure Department of Health and Human Services, Office PAUNAWA: Kung nagsasalita ka ng Tagalog, maaari for Civil Rights, electronically through the Office for kang gumamit ng mga serbisyo ng tulong sa wika CHÚ Ý: Nếu bạn nói Tiếng Việt, có các dịch vụ hỗ trợ from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. milestones, home safety and monitoring. Civil Rights Complaint Portal, available at https:// nang walang bayad. Tumawag sa 1-844-683-9048. ngôn ngữ miễn phí dành cho bạn. Gọi số 1-844-683- ocrportal.hhs.gov/ocr/portal/lobby.jsf, or by mail or 9048. Hospital Multipurpose Room basic newborn care. Cost: FREE Arabic) Cost: FREE One Thursday a month 301-374-9098) ةيبرعلا :phone at አማርኛ (Amharic) .from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m 5560-877-301 يلتزم U.S. Department of Health and Human Services MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center بقوانين الحقوق المدنية الفدرالية المعمول بها وال يميز على أساس العرق أو اللون أو األصل Independence Avenue, SW 200 የፌደራል ሲቪል መብቶችን መብት የሚያከብር ሲሆን ሰዎችን በዘር፡ Hospital Multipurpose Room Women and Newborns الوطني أو السن أو اإلعاقة أو الجنس. Room 509F, HHH Building Washington, D.C. 20201 በቆዳ ቀለም፣ በዘር ሃረግ፣ በእድሜ፣ በኣካል ጉዳት ወይም በጾታ ማንኛውንም ሰው ኣያገልም። Prostate Cancer Registration required. Center Tours ملحوظة: إذا كنت تتحدث اذكر اللغة، فإن خدمات المساعدة اللغوية تتوافر لك بالمجان. (TDD) 800-537-7697 ,1-800-368-1019 اتصل برقم 8409-386-448-1. Complaint forms are available at ማስታወሻ: የሚናገሩት ቋንቋ ኣማርኛ ከሆነ የትርጉም እርዳታ Support Group MSMHC-ChildbirthEducation@ Hospital Solarium (first floor) http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/office/file/index.html. Français (French) ድርጅቶች፣ በነጻ ሊያግዝዎት ተዘጋጀተዋል፡ ወደ ሚከተለው ቁጥር Second Tuesday of every month medstar.net ይደውሉ 1-844-683-9048 Cost: FREE Español (Spanish) MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. respecte les lois fédérales en vigueur relatives aux MSMHC-ChildbirthEducation@ STATEMENT: MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital (Urdu) Hospital Multipurpose Room Prenatal Childbirth medstar.net و ُد ر ُا Center cumple con las leyes federales de derechos droits civiques et ne pratique aucune discrimination MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center Cost: FREE Class & Tour ِقابل civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de basée sur la race, la couleur de peau, l’origine اطالق وفاقی شہری حقوق کے قوانین کی تعمیل کرتا ہے اور یہ کہ نسل، رنگ ، .raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. nationale, l’âge, le sexe ou un handicap قومیت، عمر، معذوری یا جنس کی بنیاد پر امتیاز نہیں کرتا۔ NOTICE: MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital ATTENTION: Si vous parlez français, des 301-374-9098 One Saturday a month Weight Loss Surgery Seminar from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Support Group Meeting خربدار: اگر آپ اردو بولتے ہیں، تو آپ کو زبان کی مدد کی خدمات مفت میں دستیاب Center cumple con las leyes federales de derechos services d’aide linguistique vous sont proposés ہیں ۔ کال کریں civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de gratuitement. Appelez le 1-844-683-9048. 1-844-683-9048 raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. NAMI/Mental Health Support Hospital Multipurpose Room Tools, resources and non- MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital no excluye a las personas Deutsch (German) हिंदी (Hindi) ni las trata de forma diferente debido a su origen Group for Family Members Registration required. judgmental support for battling étnico, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center लागू and Caregivers MSMHC-ChildbirthEducation@ sexo. Center erfüllt geltenden bundesstaatliche होने योग्य संघीय नागरिक अधिकार क़ानून का पालन करता है obesity. Seminar conducted by Menschenrechtsgesetze und lehnt jegliche और जाति, रंग, राष्ट्रीय मूल, आयु, विकलांगता, या लिंग के First Tuesday of every month medstar.net bariatric surgeon John Brebbia, MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center: Diskriminierung aufgrund von Rasse, Hautfarbe, आधार पर भेदभाव नहीं करता है। Herkunft, Alter, Behinderung oder Geschlecht ab. from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. MD, MBA, FACS, CNSC. • Proporciona asistencia y servicios gratuitos a ध्यान दें: यदि आप हिंदी बोलते हैं तो आपके लिए मुफ्त में las personas con discapacidades para que se ACHTUNG: Wenn Sie Deutsch sprechen, stehen भाषा सहायता सेवाएं उपलब्ध हैं। 1-844-683-9048 पर Hospital Multipurpose Room Smoking Cessation Class Both seminar and support group comuniquen de manera eficaz con nosotros, Ihnen kostenlos sprachliche Hilfsdienstleistungen कॉल करें। como los siguientes: zur Verfügung. Rufnummer: 1-844-683-9048. Cost: FREE This course will help educate are on the first Monday of Farsi) and support participants in their) یسراف .Intérpretes de lenguaje de señas capacitados 繁體中文 (Chinese) 301-429-0970 every month. Información escrita en otros formatos (letra MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center quest to take control of their MedStar Health at Brandywine تبعیضی بر اساس نژاد، رنگ پوست، اصلیت ملیتی، سن، ناتوانی یا grande, audio, formatos electrónicos MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center Stroke Support Group health and quit smoking now. Lower Level جنسیت افراد قایل نمی شود. accesibles, 遵守適用的聯邦民權法律規定，不因種族、膚色、民 .Last Thursday of every month Every Wednesday Seminar: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m توجه: اگر به زبان فارسی گفتگو می کنید، تسهیالت زبانی بصورت 。otros formatos). 族血統、年齡、殘障或性別而歧視任何人 .from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m رایگان برای شما فراهم می باشد. با 1-448-386-8409 تماس بگیرید. Proporciona servicios lingüísticos gratuitos a 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援 • personas cuya lengua materna no es el inglés, 助服務。請致電 1-844-683-9048.。 Registration required. como los siguientes: Hospital Multipurpose Room MedStar Health at Brandywine Support Group: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Intérpretes capacitados. 한국어 (Korean) Registration required. Community Room Walk-ins welcomed. Información escrita en otros idiomas. MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center 은(는) 관련 연방 공민권법을 준수하며 인종, 피부색, 출신 국가, 연령, 장애 또는 성별을 이유로 차별하지 Cost: FREE Registration required. Cost: FREE Si necesita recibir estos servicios, comuníquese con 않습니다. Patient Advocate at 301-877-4279. 301-877-5858 Cost: $10 one time fee 301-774-8828 Si considera que MedStar Southern Maryland 주의: 한국어를 사용하시는 경우, 언어 지원 서비스를 무료로 이용하실 수 있습니다. 1-844- 301-374-9098

18 MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH | WINTER 2020 WINTER 2020 | MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center HEALTH 19 7503 Surratts Road Clinton, MD 20735

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Medical Director Samer S. Najjar, MD, Top Doctor brings Advanced Heart Failure Clinic to MSMHC r. Najjar is the medical “I am passionate about heart failure,” director of advanced heart Dr. Najjar said. “It’s a condition that failure, heart transplantation has reached epidemic proportions and mechanical circulatory in this country – more than seven Dsupport at MedStar Heart & Vascular million people have it – and it comes Institute and a professor of Medicine along with high morbidity and at Medical mortality rates. It’s so important to Center. This winter, he joins the educate everyone about the risks of MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital heart failure.” Center family, seeing patients in the new advanced heart failure clinic. You Before joining MedStar, Dr Najjar held can read about the clinic in this issue. dual appointments at the National Institutes of Health and at Johns Dr. Najjar graduated magna cum Hopkins University. He served as laude from Harvard College, then the director of the heart failure clinic earned his medical degree from at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Yale University. He performed his Center in Baltimore, and as the head internship and residency training in of the Human Cardiovascular Studies For an appointment with Dr. Najjar, internal medicine at Johns Hopkins Unit in the Intramural Research please call 202-877-4698. Hospital, where he also pursued a Program of the National Institute on fellowship in cardiovascular diseases, Aging, NIH. He has authored over 100 with subspecialty training in advanced peer-reviewed research articles and heart failure and heart transplantation. book chapters.