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Paragon of gynecologic oncology retires from Meritus
December 20, 2024
Dr. Neil Rosenshein started with the health system in 2000 When Victoria Giffi, M.D., was a medical student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, part of the training was for students to spend time in the operating room with Neil Rosenshein, M.D. “He would go around the room asking students question after question after question,” recalled Dr. Giffi, who is an oncologist with Meritus Hematology & Oncology Specialists. “We were all scared of him. His questions were tough.” Finally, after being in the operating room with him for days, Dr. Rosenshein asked her a question that she answered correctly. “He looked up at me, as if he was a little surprised I’d answered correctly,” she said. “And to this day, I still remember the question and answer.” Dr. Rosenshein is retiring after nearly 25 years with Washington County Hospital and Meritus. Dr. Giffi began working with him a decade ago at Meritus and said that “he is just so supportive and approachable.” He graduated from University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, Florida, in 1969. He then did his residency in gynecology and obstetrics at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, as well as a fellowship in gynecologic oncology and a fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. During Dr. Rosenshein's extensive career, he has authored books, published articles, conducted medical research and won numerous awards. Most recently, he has been the director of Meritus Gynecologic Oncology Specialists. Known nationally and locally as a champion of women's health, his passion has been to educate women outside major urban areas about ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancer. “I think the reason his patients adore him is because he listens,” Dr. Giffi said. “He also listens to his colleagues. And he has a mind like a steel trap. He remembers patients he met decades ago.” Dr. Rosenshein’s patients have been sad to hear the news of his retirement, but many, like Sarah Thomas, say they are grateful to have had him as their doctor. “He saved my life,” Thomas said. She had cancer that was at stage 1-A — the earliest form — when it was discovered. Her gynecologist referred her to Dr. Rosenshein, who saw her within a week and performed surgery to remove the growth by the next week. It was at stage 1-B when he removed it. “That was six years ago,” Thomas said. “Every year I’ve been to him since then, he’s just been a sweetie.” At her last visit, she asked to take a photo of him. He insisted she be in the picture, too. “So we ended up taking a selfie of both of us. I’ll treasure that always.” For his part, Dr. Rosenshein is humble when talking about himself. The Smithsburg resident took the opportunity of his retirement to thank all those who have supported him in his quest to advance women’s health in the tristate region. “I've been honored to be part of the health system, first at Washington County Hospital, and at Meritus Health,” he said. “It has been a rewarding experience for me to deal with such wonderful patients and superb support staff throughout the hospital.” Dr. Rosenshein’s final day at Meritus was Dec. 19.
Lend-a-Hand meal project at Meritus set for Christmas Eve deliveries
December 20, 2024
Nearly 4,000 meals are expected to be delivered this year Meritus Health’s annual Lend-a-Hand meal project is set for its 23rd year on Christmas Eve. The original project was organized by emergency room physicians and staff at Washington County Hospital. That first year, 300 meals were delivered to families in need in Washington County. The project is now organized by a committee of Emergency Department physicians and providers, the Nutrition Services Department and the Meritus Health Foundation. “While Lend-a-Hand is a reminder of the challenges some in our community face, it is a testament to the devotion of our team members and our community volunteers that the project has continued for more than two decades in Washington County,” said Meritus Health Foundation Director Geordie Newman. Names of families in need of the holiday meals are gathered from social services organizations, hospital staff recommendations, the public school system and other nonprofit groups in the area. Both the Emergency Department physicians and the Meritus Health Foundation contribute money and resources to the program. The food is prepared and cooked on-site at Meritus Medical Center by Nutrition Services. Meals are assembled and delivered Christmas Eve day each year. More than 100 volunteers support the project, including meal packers and drivers. Robinwood Professional Center’s atrium is the location for assembling meals and for volunteer check-in. Volunteer drivers receive delivery routes at check-in and have help loading the number of meals they will need before heading off to deliver throughout Washington County. Meals are delivered all over Washington County. Local ambulance crews, police and fire departments offer members of their staff and buses to help deliver meals. In addition to residential deliveries, Lend-a-Hand meals are provided to local homeless shelters, transitional homes, senior apartments and other group homes in Washington County. The record number of meal deliveries was in 2019 at 4,100. This year, the program is expecting to deliver nearly 4,000.
Holidays have you stressed out? Here are some tips to get through
December 18, 2024
While the holidays can bring fun, joy and merriment, they can also bring stress, depression and anxiety. What can one do to navigate the stressors brought on by year-end celebrations so folks can actually celebrate? Karley Hensley, Ph.D., LCPC, NCC, the director of outpatient services at Brook Lane Health Services, says there are several ways to help deal with stress, depending on the cause. As a general method to tackle stress and anxiety, Hensley advises patients use grounding techniques. That includes recognizing your senses and asking yourself, “What can I touch, hear, smell, taste, etc.?” “You do this to bring yourself back to a focal point, instead of allowing the thoughts in your head to ruminate,” she said. Another technique is belly breathing. This is when you take a deep breath and, as you do, you try to push your belly button out as far as you can. This allows you to fill your lungs more deeply, using your whole diaphragm to take the breath. “If you’re only breathing with your chest, sometimes that can lead to an anxiety attack,” Hensley said. But what about specific stressors? “A lot of times, we’ll hear that there is stress related to grief, that a person has lost a significant person in their life and this is the first holiday without them,” Hensley said. To help combat these feelings, Hensley says she tells patients to encourage a positive celebration of that person’s life, or suggests doing something with people who are just as impacted by the person’s passing as they are. “Do this instead of allowing yourself to sit there in that grief,” she said. What if stress comes from your financial situation? Aside from using grounding techniques, Hensley said she tells patients to look at their resources and only spend money on that which is important. She said there are alternatives to buying presents when cash is tight, such as making a craft, or relying on a charity to help put presents under the tree. “We try to get them over that hump and reflecting on what’s most important at the holidays,” she said. How about one of the most common stressors during the holidays — family gatherings? Grounding techniques help out a lot here, but Hensley also suggests setting definitive boundaries for conversations, and having a support person, such as a significant other, there to help maintain those boundaries. If a patient hears a comment that induces anxiety, Hensley suggests going outside and using belly breathing and grounding techniques until the moment has passed. “It’s about minding your boundaries and having a good support system,” she said. Did you know that Meritus Health and Brook Lane have a mental health walk-in care center? The facility on the Meritus campus off Robinwood Drive serves as a behavioral health urgent care for ages 6 and older. To learn more, visit www.meritushealth.com/mentalhealth.
U.S. News: Meritus a maternity care high-performing hospital
December 12, 2024
The hospital is also one of 118 to provide maternity services in underserved areas Meritus Medical Center is pleased to be named a High Performing hospital in Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) by U.S. News & World Report. The publication’s annual Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ratings also recognized Meritus as one of 118 Maternity Care Access Hospitals, which provides maternity services in areas that would otherwise lack access to such care. “This designation is a testament to the dedication of our skilled team members in our Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum unit,” said Carrie Adams, Pharm.D., Meritus chief operating officer. “Their commitment to our patients truly reflects our mission of improving the health of our community.” U.S. News asked hospitals to provide data for certain procedures and conditions related to maternity care. Hospitals that scored well on multiple measures were recognized as High Performing. High Performing hospitals had fewer C-sections, fewer severe newborn complications than other hospitals, had a low episiotomy rate, had higher rates of breast milk feeding, and more, according to the publication. This is the second year that Meritus has been designated a Maternity Care Access Hospital. To qualify, U.S. News included hospitals that were the only ones providing maternity care in their counties, and that had fewer than 60 obstetric providers per 10,000 births. In addition, the publication included hospitals that were the only hospital within a 15-mile radius in a county with fewer than 128 obstetric providers per 10,000 births.
Wash your hands, Meritus infection prevention experts say
November 22, 2024
How vigilant are you when it comes to washing your hands? As we shuffle farther into cold and flu season, handwashing is even more vital, according to Cathy Ware and Tommie Blalock, infection prevention specialists at Meritus Health. To better understand why, think of your hands as a vehicle, like a bus, Blalock said. “Germs need a vehicle, and one of the vehicles they like to ride are our hands,” he said. And there are all sorts of bad bugs sitting on things we touch, waiting for a ride. “One of our biggest culprit are respiratory viruses,” Ware said. “They’re all sort of lumped together. Rhinovirus, flu, etc.” But stomach bugs also get transmitted a lot, especially at this time of year when we gather together to share meals. “At Thanksgiving, we tend to see an uptick in stomach flu,” Blalock said. “People are sharing spatulas and spoons, so germs can be passed that way.” And while the viruses might not make you sick, they are still hitching that ride and could make someone else sick, such as an older family member or an infant, Ware and Blalock said. How do you wash your hands? So, you’re convinced you need to step up your handwashing game. Do you know the proper motions? The World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and numerous other health organizations generally recommend these steps: After getting your hands wet with water and adding soap, rub your palms together. Put your right palm over the back of your left hand, then rub in between your fingers. Repeat with your left palm over the back of your right hand. Put your palms together and rub between your fingers again. Put your right-hand fingertips overtop of your left-hand fingertips, then make a fist with both hands so your fingers interlock. Rub the backs of your fingers in your palms. Wrap your left thumb with your right hand, then rotate back and forth, like you’re revving a motorcycle. Repeat with the right thumb and left hand. Scrub your fingernails of your right hand on the palm of your left hand. Repeat, switching hands. Rinse your hands with water and dry your hands thoroughly with a single-use towel. Use that same towel to turn off the water before you throw the towel in the trash. Ware and Blalock said the order doesn’t necessarily matter, and the water can be hot or cold, “though for comfort, I’d imagine they’d prefer warm,” Ware said. What’s the difference between soap and water and hand sanitizer? “The most important thing is the mechanical moving of your hands that moves the germs off,” Blalock said. “Water washes the germs away. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer kills the germs, well, most of them.” That’s why soap and water is more effective than using hand sanitizer, they said. But, if that’s all you have, follow the same steps and make sure the sanitizer is at least 60% alcohol. And while hand sanitizer is good at killing most respiratory viruses, there are some gastrointestinal germs that are resistant to alcohol. “It’s still better than nothing,” Blalock said. For those who unfortunately find themselves in the hospital, there are things you can do beyond washing your own hands to help prevent the spread of germs. Throughout Meritus Medical Center there are “cough stations,” which include hand sanitizer, masks and tissues, Ware said. Also, there are many hand sanitizer pumps throughout the hospital, positioned at the entrance to patient rooms. The hospital also has a commitment to hand hygiene, meaning every healthcare provider is to wash their hands before visiting with a patient. “Question your caregivers,” Blalock said. “Did you do your hand hygiene? And encourage any visitors you might have, too.” For the latest, up-to-date information on the flu season, viral illnesses, testing, treatment, and vaccination options, please visit MeritusHealth.com/Viralillness.
2 Meritus physicians named to Washingtonian Top Doctors list for 2024
November 22, 2024
Seemal Awan, M.D., and Arish Noor, M.D., were among the peer-chosen list Two Meritus doctors were recently named among Washingtonian Magazine’s Top Doctors for 2024, based on recommendations from other physicians. Seemal Awan, M.D., with Meritus Allergy & Asthma Specialists, and Arish Noor, M.D., with Meritus Hematology & Oncology Specialists, were among more than 2,100 doctors on the D.C.-area magazine’s annual list. The magazine creates the list based on expert referrals. It sent ballots to more than 13,000 physicians and asked which of their peers they’d choose for their own family’s healthcare. The physicians were not allowed to name themselves or their practice partners. “It is an honor to be selected by my peers as a Top Doctor,” Awan said. “This is a reflection of the quality care we strive to give at Meritus Allergy & Asthma Specialists.” “This distinguished listing means a lot, knowing other doctors nominated those on the list,” Noor said. “I believe it is an example of living out the Meritus mission, which is to improve the health of the community.” Washingtonian compiles the annual list as a “resource to help make any medical odyssey a little easier to navigate.” “If your husband needed back surgery or your child suddenly had allergies or you noticed a suspicious mole, you’d want a good physician you could trust,” the magazine staff wrote in an introduction to the list. “To find that person, you might ask your primary-care doctor for a recommendation. After all, physicians see one another’s work and hear feedback from patients.” To learn more about Dr. Awan and Meritus Allergy & Asthma Specialists, visit www.meritushealth.com/allergies. To learn more about Dr. Noor and Meritus Hematology & Oncology Specialists, visit www.meritushealth.com/HematologyOncology.
Meritus Medical Center earns 4th ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade
November 15, 2024
New grade from Leapfrog for fall 2024 is a national recognition for commitment to patient safety Meritus Medical Center earned its fourth straight “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them. “At Meritus Health, being dedicated to our community means prioritizing patient safety," said Chief Operating Officer Carrie Adams, Pharm.D. "Earning our fourth consecutive ‘A’ in Hospital Safety Grade reflects the commitment of our team members to safeguard our patients and enhance community health.” “Achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade is a significant accomplishment for Meritus Medical Center,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “It reflects enormous dedication to your patients and their families, and your whole community should be proud. I extend my congratulations to Meritus Medical Center, its leadership, clinicians, staff and volunteers for their tireless efforts to put patients first.” The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade stands as the only hospital ratings program focused solely on preventable medical errors, infections and injuries that kill more than 500 patients a day in the United States. This program is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring. To explore Meritus Medical Center’s full grade details and to find valuable tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. To learn more about Meritus and its mission, vision and values, go to www.meritushealth.com, and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Classes focused on diabetes, prediabetes management improve lifestyles
November 11, 2024
November 14 is World Diabetes Day, a day set aside by the International Diabetes Federation, the World Health Organization and the United Nations to raise awareness of those in diabetes care. The day was chosen because it’s the birthday of Sir Frederick Banting, who, along with Charles Best, discovered insulin in 1922. An estimated 537 million people worldwide are living with diabetes, according to the International Diabetes Federation, and 1 in 3 people nationally have prediabetes. In the tri-state area, Meritus Health offers diabetes and prediabetes classes to help folks manage the disease or prevent it. And there’s good reason for that, too, said Karessa Cameron, RN, BSN, CDCES, diabetes class educator, and Cindy Missling, diabetes prevention educator. In 2022, the Community Needs Health Assessment conducted by Healthy Washington County, of which Meritus Health is a part, found that while diabetes prevalence at 10.3 percent is similar to the rest of the state, Washington County has the second-highest rate of death as a result of diabetes at 32 percent. The assessment also noted: “Given the higher than average rates for physical inactivity, and being overweight and obese in our community, residents are at higher risk for prediabetes and developing diabetes in the future.” "These findings are a wake-up call for our community,” Cameron said. “Promoting physical activity and healthy weight management isn't just about prevention; it's about saving lives." What are prediabetes classes? You can enroll in Meritus classes that focus on preventing type 2 diabetes if you are overweight and your A1C is between 5.7 and 6.4. There are 26 classes over one year that teach you how to change your lifestyle. This includes building healthy habits and eating healthier without giving up foods you love. It also reviews how to add exercise to your daily routine, how to deal with stress and how to cope with the challenges of prediabetes. “Prediabetes classes offer more than just information — they build a supportive community, helping participants create lifelong habits that reduce the risk of diabetes,” Missling said. “Guided by trained coaches and shared goals, these programs at Meritus empower people to make lasting, healthy changes.” What are diabetes classes? Meritus Diabetes Self-Management Education is a comprehensive resource for people diagnosed with diabetes. It requires a provider referral. The program can offer a one-on-one session with a diabetes educator, a medical nutrition therapy appointment with a dietitian and up to 10 hours of individual or group education in the first year. Patients are eligible for two hours of follow-up education each year indefinitely. “The goal for diabetes education is to teach individuals how to self-manage their diabetes and have access to needed resources and support,” Cameron said.” The diabetes education classes and one-on-one sessions teach ways to manage diabetes with topics such as healthy eating, meal planning, physical exercise, screenings, blood sugar monitoring, to avoid complications of diabetes and maintain healthy living.” This ties in with “Breaking barriers, bridging gaps,” which is the theme of World Diabetes Day. That includes putting a spotlight on mental health and well-being for those in diabetes care. “Meritus’ mission is to improve the health of the community, and that means whole health — body and mind,” Missling said. “Having these classes available allows us to support our community members living with diabetes and have a healthy life.” To learn more about Meritus diabetes education, visit www.meritushealth.com/DiabetesEducation.
Meritus leaders' book shows how to be steward of community health care
October 29, 2024
“Healthcare Transformation: A Guide for the Health System Board Member” provides advice on governance responsibilities in an everchanging industry Two Meritus healthcare professionals have written the book on how members of a health system board of directors can be successful in their roles. Maulik Joshi, Dr.P.H., and Aaron George, D.O., penned the second edition of “Healthcare Transformation: A Guide for the Health System Board Member” to offer health system board members an actionable, concise guide on their role, as well as provide updates on key changes in health care delivery, including evidence and contemporary examples. "In the evolving landscape of health care, board members must not only navigate complexity but also drive meaningful change,” said Joshi, President and CEO of Meritus Health. “Our aim is to equip every Board member with the knowledge and tools necessary to govern a system that works better for everyone." It is often difficult for board members in the healthcare industry to keep up with performance and strategy. Surveys continue to show that this is often not in their comfort zone, given healthcare complexity and the rate of recent change and targets for transformation. "Board members play a vital role in ensuring the mission of healthcare organizations is fulfilled, particularly when it comes to quality and safety,” said George, Associate Dean for Clinical Education for the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. “This book provides the necessary guidance to help them navigate their fiduciary responsibilities, with key decision-making functions that enable them to contribute to meaningful healthcare improvements." The book, a second edition published by Routledge, includes updated resources and more contemporary examples and lessons for both new and seasoned board members. This edition updates all chapters and provides three new transformers/chapters to consider from the first printing in 2009. The book is available for order at routledge.com as well as on Amazon.
Upcoming senior expo chance to highlight offerings for older patients
October 25, 2024
Meritus Health will be hosting an event for seniors next month. The Fall Into Better Health Senior Expo is planned from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 9 in the Atrium and Room 142 in the Robinwood Professional Center, 11110 Medical Campus Road. And while the free expo will offer folks health tips and information, let’s not detract from the many programs and activities Meritus has in place year-round designed to help those 55 and older live their best lives. “We want seniors to be able to age healthily,” said Beth Fields Dowdell, DNP, CRNP, director of Community Health and Outpatient Care Management. “We want people to live a long healthy life.” Meritus is part of the 20% of the nation's hospitals to have joined in the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative, Fields Dowdell noted. That means the health system focuses on important ways to keep older patients safe and supported. For example, Meritus offers a safe place to walk in the Robinwood Professional Center, she said. Anyone, not just seniors, can use the hallways of the building to get in exercise out of the weather and away from vehicles. The assistance provided to older patients isn’t just passive, though. Meritus offers diabetes and prediabetes education. The classes are a comprehensive resource for people diagnosed with diabetes, prediabetes, of for those who want nutritional assistance. To learn more about the classes, visit www.meritushealth.com/DiabetesEducation. Meritus also offers a quarterly gathering for those 55 and older, known as Your Health Matters. The setting offers lunch, an activity and a speaker meant to offer older patients tips on living. “The program offers tips on many aspects of aging such as meal prep, how to perform chair exercises, and many other things that can help improve quality of life,” Fields Dowdell said. The next gathering has not been scheduled, but keep an eye on the calendar at www.meritushealth.com/about/events. Probably one of the farthest-reaching programs Meritus offers is its Care Callers. Though not exclusive to older patients, they tend to make up the majority of participants. Loneliness and social isolation have been shown to impact life expectancy as much as smoking, obesity and physical inactivity. To combat this, Care Callers uses 81 volunteers and two staff to call 350 health system patients who have indicated they are lonely. Each week, the patient and caller converse for 15 minutes to a half hour. Since its inception in November 2021, more than 700 patients have participated, and 95% of the patients in the program report feeling less lonely after four months. To learn more about the program, visit www.MeritusHealth.com/carecallers.
Health Equity Summit focus: ‘Building quality care in our communities’
October 24, 2024
Meritus Health Leadership in Diversity and Equity Council holds event to highlight the role of diversity, equity, inclusion in healthcare The Leadership in Diversity and Equity Council at Meritus Health recently held its first Health Equity Summit, “Building Quality Care in our Communities.” The Oct. 23 summit focused on the efforts by various organizations throughout Maryland to address health disparities, foster diversity in the workforce, and provide responsive care that recognizes the different backgrounds and experiences of patients. “The commitment to promote equitable practices and to eliminate disparities ultimately results in the core work of improving quality and patient safety,” said Chante Richardson, Ph.D., MBA, the associate dean of health equity, diversity and inclusion at the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine, which is set to open in 2025. High-quality and equitable healthcare plays a pivotal role in achieving health equity, Richardson said. “It is crucial for healthcare providers to address systemic, avoidable, predictable, and unjust differences in access, treatment, and outcomes among individuals and populations,” she said. The summit was meant to facilitate collaborative learning among diverse professionals, speakers, and presenters, enabling the exchange of innovative ideas and recommendations, fostering collaborations, and guiding future initiatives to create a society where everyone can lead a healthy life. The day’s objectives included catalyzing systemic change for diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare, exploring actionable strategies to tackle health disparities, and building a cohesive community to address disparities in care. To learn more about Meritus’ efforts at diversity, equity and inclusion, visit www.meritushealth.com/DEI.
Managing chronic lower back pain gets Chambersburg woman back on court
October 21, 2024
Vickie Group just wanted to play pickleball. That’s what the 66-year-old Chambersburg, Pa., resident told Chiemeka Onyima, M.D., D.ABA, with Meritus Pain Specialists. But her chronic lower back pain sidelined her from the game — and many other activities, including going to work. She started with physical therapy, but “it didn’t do much,” she said. “And then I finally got ahold of someone with Meritus,” Group said. “Once I got ahold of Dr. Onyima, he went through the process and helped me considerably.” The first step was trying to figure out the cause of her pain, Dr. Onyima said. “I conducted ‘diagnostic blocks’ to confirm the cause of her pain,” he said. Group said that involved getting a few shots in her back to help locate the source of the pain. “Once the diagnosis was obtained, she underwent radiofrequency ablations to provide her with long term relief for her chronic back pain,” Dr. Onyima said. “She did great with the procedure and reported a significant improvement of her quality of life and overall daily functionality.” Group complimented Dr. Onyima’s bedside manner and the thoroughness of the procedures. “He told me everything that was going to happen,” she said. “For every step, whenever he was doing anything, he told me what was about to happen.” Once the procedures were done, she was able to do most things without experiencing pain. “It made life a lot easier, that’s for sure,” she said. Dr. Onyima said making it easier is his main objective. “The main goal of pain management is to not only treat pain, but to allow individuals to re-engage with society from a social, mental, physical, and often times economic standpoint, despite their current ailment,” he said. As for Group, she’s just thankful she could get back to doing what she enjoys, playing pickleball. “I play almost every day,” Group said, “for like three hours a day.” If you would like to learn more about how to better manage your pain, visit Meritus Pain Specialists online at www.meritushealth.com/painspecialists.