<p class="article-body"> Dr. Howard Birenbaum, Director of Neonatology at GBMC, went on Midday Maryland to talk about exciting updates happening in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). <br> <br> GBMC's NICU is a 30 bed, Level III provider of tertiary newborn services. The NICU team provides complex and compassionate medical and general pediatric surgical care for newborns of all birth weights and gestational ages from birth to discharge. <br> <br> The NICU is undergoing new renovations, including single family rooms so parents and loved ones can stay with their baby in a nurturing and comfortable environment and become a valued part of the care team. <br> <br> <a href="https://www.wmar2news.com/lifestyle/midday-maryland/gbmc-nicu" target="_blank">Click here to watch the interview!</a> </p> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<p class="article-body"> The most vulnerable patients at GBMC aren’t always in the cancer unit or Emergency Department. Think again. The most fragile (and tiniest) patients are cared for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, best known as the NICU. <br> <br> Here you will find babies born prematurely (as early as 23 weeks), along with babies with respiratory problems, organs that aren’t fully formed, neurological issues and many other potentially devastating realities. <br> <br> </p> <blockquote> With pre-term babies, everyone is involved with every decision. We meet with the families. We're a team. </blockquote> “It’s an awesome responsibility that we’re entrusted with to care for these sick and pre-term babies,” explains Dr. Howard Birenbaum, a neonatologist and director of the Division of Neonatology at GMBC. “I’m not just talking about the baby; we are working with the whole family. With pre-term babies everyone is involved with every decision. We meet with the families. We’re a team.” <br> <br> For a bit of background, a neonatologist is a pediatrician with three additional years of training focused on newborn medical care. He or she cares for newborn babies, sick babies and premature babies in a regular hospital setting or in a specialized area like the NICU, which is designed for critical-care scenarios. <br> <br> GBMC is home to a Level 3 NICU, which is capable of caring for very small or very sick infants, says Kristin Trawinski, MSN, RN, and clinical manager of the GBMC NICU. <br> <br> “Level 3 NICUs have a wide variety of staff available including neonatologists, neonatal nurses and respiratory therapists available 24 hours a day,” she says. The NICU staff members also include neonatal nurse practitioners and neonatal physician assistants who also provide care and perform needed procedures. “A common challenge in the NICU is making sure our communication with the families and multidisciplinary team is consistent and accurate. In order to have the best plan of care, we need to be on the same page with our families and each other.” <br> <br> In addition to their low birth weight (some as little as a pound or less), pre-term babies typically have many obstacles to overcome. <br> <br> “The smallest babies often have lungs that don’t work yet,” explains Birenbaum. “Some require oxygen, others require more support with Bubble CPAP [a noninvasive ventilation strategy for newborns with infant respiratory distress syndrome], and some require endotracheal intubation [placing a breathing tube in the baby’s windpipe] and mechanical ventilation and surfactant replacement therapy.” <br> <br> Another struggle is nutrition. “There is no way to match what the babies would be getting if they were still inside their mother. That is a major challenge,” explains Birenbaum. “By using mom’s own milk, we can help prevent infection and certain gastrointestinal illness. We also have a milk bank on site that we depend on.” <br> <br> Other challenges include risk of infection, brain hemorrhage, visual problems, and long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Every decision along the way is made with the family. “We always make sure we have the involvement of the families,” says Birenbaum. “It’s something we try to do from the very beginning. We want the parents to be part of the team. Examples are skin-to-skin care and routine daily care such as taking temperatures and giving baths.” <br> <br> Trawinski is also extremely proud of the family involvement. <br> <br> <blockquote> "We share so much with these families and rejoice in their infants as they grow and thrive" </blockquote> “We also sympathize and share in the grief of the families that go through some tough times,” she says. <br> <br> Successes in the NICU come on a daily basis — everything from sending babies home with their parents to avoiding complications of prematurity to working with parents on a successful plan of care. For the NICU staff, it ends with sending the family home and eventually seeing the babies and their families at the annual NICU reunion and other events, like the Father’s Day 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk, which benefits GBMC’s NICU. <br> <br> “It always amazes me how these tiny, fragile infants are incredibly resilient,” says Trawinski. “I enjoy working with the families in order to help them cope with the highs and lows of having a premature infant. I really respect the multidisciplinary team that care for these infants.” <br> <br> Birenbaum says the job is rewarding for a number of reasons. <br> <br> “We are able to help babies in need and watch them grow and thrive,” he says. “But neonatology is still a young field, and there are a lot of questions still to be answered about the best way to manage babies’ care in order to provide the best possible outcomes. We’re just beginning now. There have been some major advances, which has significantly increased their survival. It’s a field that is ripe for ongoing clinical research.” <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ugjZorjTRqM" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> The GBMC Domestic Violence program provides medical and advocacy services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Colleen Moore is the coordinator of the program, which works closely with the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) program. <br> <br> Domestic violence affects men, women, and children of all ages and from all social backgrounds. Each patient has the opportunity to meet with a Domestic Violence Program counselor for additional resources like legal services, education programs, and area shelters. The program also offers safety planning, danger assessments, emotional support, and domestic violence and sexual assault education. <br> <br> The Domestic Violence Program has counselors and forensic nurses available round the clock, and anyone admitted to GBMC who has been a victim of domestic violence or sexual assault can take advantage of the program services. <br> <br> Ms. Moore feels that victims are becoming more empowered to speak up for themselves and take advantage of the resources the GBMC Domestic Violence Program provides. “It’s a great step forward, and we want to be there to assist them.” <em>Day in the Life is produced by WMAR - ABC2 Baltimore</em> </p>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fPpyIWv2ZI0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> The GBMC Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) program offers quality care to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. <br> <br> The 18 SAFE nurses and 5 advocates are specially trained in forensics and the program provides examinations, resources, care, and comfort to patients free of charge. <br> <br> “We see patients in trauma and it can be hard to separate” says Valerie Weir, a nurse with the program. The SAFE nurses find comfort in each other and making a difference in their patient’s lives. “Seeing what our work can do for someone makes it worth it,” says Ashley McAree. <br> <br> The SAFE program has support through both GBMC and the Baltimore County Police Department. SAFE works closely with the BCPD and SVU detectives to gather evidence and advocate for victims. <br> <br> The SAFE Program also offers community outreach with programs about internet safety and dealing with violence in relationships. <em>Day in the Life is produced by WMAR - ABC2 Baltimore</em> </p>
<h4> "Ava” Is The Most Popular Girl’s Name For Second Consecutive Year; “Logan” Again Regains Top Spot For Boys </h4> Several new baby names proved popular for infants born in 2017 at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) in Towson, with eight new boys names and eight new girls names cracking this year’s Top 10 list. On the male side, Charles, Samuel and Henry and five others are all new members of the “most popular names” list, while baby girls named Claire, Savannah and Caroline along with five other names are all newcomers to the top 10 list for 2017 as well. <br> <br> There were approximately 4,000 infants born in 2017 at GBMC, whose public relations staff tallied the hospital’s baby names and reported the most popular choices for the 11th consecutive year. <br> <br> Topping the GBMC list for girls is Ava, for the second year in a row, and for the most popular boys' name, for a second consecutive year, was Logan. The names Ava and Logan have been ranked among the Top 10 in respectively nine and seven of the last of 11 annual GBMC surveys. <br> <br> <strong>Top 10 Baby Boy Names at GBMC</strong> <br> Logan* (25) <br> Carter, Ryan and William (21) <br> Owen and Mason (20) <br> Lucas (19) <br> Charles and Alexander (18) <br> Benjamin and Noah (17) <br> Samuel, James, Henry and Aiden (16) <br> Daniel, Jackson, John, Wyatt, and Michael (15) <br> Jack and Ethan (14) <br> Dylan, Jacob, and Liam (13) <br> <br> <strong>Top 10 Baby Girl Names at GBMC</strong> <br> Ava* (24) <br> Charlotte (23) <br> Harper (22) <br> Olivia* (19) <br> Emily and Emma (16) <br> Nora (15) <br> Elizabeth (14) <br> Claire, Avery and Abigail (12) <br> Natalie, Savannah, Sophia, Caroline, Grace and Isabella (10) <br> Ella, Aria, Amelia, Skylar, Scarlett, Madison & Zoey (9) <br> <br> <em>(*notes most popular name in 2016)</em> <br> <br> Six of the Top 10 most popular boy’s names nationwide and five such girl’s names - according to the parenting website BabyCenter.com <a href="https://www.babycenter.com/top-baby-names-2017.htm" target="_blank">(https://www.babycenter.com/top-baby-names-2017.htm )</a> “100 Most Popular Baby Names of 2017” – were also among the most popular at GBMC. <br> <br> GBMC has averaged more than 4,000 births during the last 10 years, making the hospital the busiest for births in Baltimore and among the top four statewide each of those years.
<p class="article-body"> Every day, Kristine Baker, RN, known as Kris, comes in to the GBMC Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to care for the hospital’s tiniest and most vulnerable patients, premature babies. These infants are living in an environment that they're wholly unprepared for and they need constant care and attention — some are born so sick that they can’t eat or breathe on their own. They are sensitive to light and sound, and their skin may not even be able to tolerate being gently stroked or rubbed. <br> <br> In the NICU, helping parents cope with their baby's condition is just as important as caring for the baby. No one plans for a child to end up in the NICU, so parents often find themselves unprepared and fearful of the future. Kris works to educate them about their baby's condition and helps them understand how he or she is developing. <br> <br> Kris has been working in NICUs for the past 12 years and she forms strong bonds with the families of her patients, especially when they are there for extended stays. While this is incredibly fulfilling, it can be difficult when the family is struggling or the baby's health isn't improving as well as everyone had hoped. Kris makes sure to keep a positive focus, celebrating even the smallest of victories. "Being able to sit with families and comfort them is so rewarding," says Kris. <br> <br> She never hesitates to give hugs or say prayers with a family; it's important to her that she meets every family where they are. One patient's family member described her this way: "She is able to face a distraught mother with just the right amount of empathy and respect for space." Like many NICU nurses, Kris cares so deeply about "her" families in the NICU that she maintains relationships with them well after their babies are healthy enough to go home. <br> <br> This year, the proceeds from the <a href="http://gbmc.healthcare/5k/" target="_blank">Father's Day 5K</a> benefit the new NICU unit being built at GBMC! The renovations will allow for increased privacy, more space for equipment, and refrigerated drawers for storing breast milk within patient rooms. Please join Kris and the rest of the NICU team as they run or walk to raise money for GBMC’s tiniest patients on Sunday, June 17, 2018 at the 30th annual Father’s Day 5K and Fun Walk. <a target="_blank" alt="Register for the Father's Day 5K" href="http://gbmc.healthcare/5k/">Click here to register or to support the event!</a> </p> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<p class="article-body"> Laura Clary, BSN, RN, FNE-A/P, SANE-A, CFN, CPEN, has a job that most people can't imagine. The mother of two is manager of GBMC’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) & Domestic Violence Program, which means she cares for patients on the worst day of their lives – the day they were raped, assaulted, or abused. She and her busy team of 17 forensic nurses and 5 victim advocates see more than 400 cases a year; they have dedicated themselves to caring for and re-empowering victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. <br> <br> Laura always knew that she wanted to be a nurse, but she was also very interested in forensics. Unsure of how to combine the two, Laura started her career as an emergency nurse and later trained for pediatric emergency care. In 2010, she transferred to GBMC to join the SAFE program — it was the combination of nursing and forensics that she had been looking for. It can also be an incredibly stressful job. "We often see the worst thing that a person can do to another person," says Laura. <br> <br> Despite the injuries she sees and the horrific accounts she hears from patients, Laura treats each person without judgement and makes it her mission to establish a rapport, no matter how long it takes. She meticulously performs physical exams on each patient, explains the process, answers questions, and collects evidence that law enforcement will use to prosecute her patient’s abuser. When her exam is finished, Laura ensures that each patient is given the opportunity to bathe and put on fresh clothes (at no cost) from a supply of donated toiletries and clothing. After the patient leaves, there is still work to do. Laura frequently testifies in her patients’ court cases, attends community outreach events, and works to fundraise for the SAFE program. She is a tireless advocate for her patients and prevention efforts. <br> <br> When she moved into her management position, the SAFE program only treated patients ages thirteen and up, and it didn't have a forensic program for domestic violence cases. Laura realized two whole populations were being overlooked. She took it upon herself to change this and worked with GBMC’s leadership team to make it happen. Laura earned her certification in pediatric forensics while working full-time and raising her family, then trained to become an instructor on the subject. She has cross-trained her entire team and now the SAFE program can treat patients at any stage of life. Additionally, she broadened the program to include forensic nurses for victims of domestic violence. <br> <br> When asked about the best part of her job, Laura says "getting a guilty verdict or a DNA hit feels great, but what is most rewarding is seeing the transformation that our patients go through from when they first come see us to when they leave. Getting a hug from them and hearing them say 'thank you' is what keeps me coming back every day." <br> <br> She was named America's Most Amazing Nurse by <em>Prevention</em> magazine and <em>The Doctors</em> TV show in 2017. She was also honored as Baltimore County's 2018 Woman of the Year by the Baltimore County Commission for Women and was recently recognized by the Governor's Office of Crime Control & Prevention for her work. </p> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
March 30 is an annual celebration of all physicians as part of National Doctors’ Day, and we know we have a lot to celebrate here at GBMC. GBMC's medical staff is consistently comprised of many of Baltimore's best doctors, covering primary care and an array of medical specialties. Physicians are proud to be at GBMC because it encourages these outstanding clinicians to provide the best and most advanced care, including cutting edge clinical research, while still maintaining personalized and compassionate care of the individual patient. Baltimore magazine’s "Top Doctors" listings for 2017 recognized 139 GBMC physicians in 76 unique specialties, including Dr. Robert K. Brookland, chairman of the Department of Radiation Oncology, who was one of six eminent doctors from a pool of more than 700 physicians in the Baltimore area selected to be profiled. It just goes to show we have the best of the best. You know this because they take care of you! This Doctors’ Day, we are giving you the opportunity to say thank you to the leaders of these teams. Make a donation to GBMC in honor of a physician that touched your life and let us know about it! We love to hear from you and we want them to know their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you in advance for joining us in honoring our doctors and thank you for choosing GBMC! Please visit www.gbmc.org/https://www.gbmc.org/doctorsday for more information.
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BxvlcBWJzhI" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<figure class="image-right"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/5992652ad094cb9fee2ff796c0dc29dd.jpg"> <figcaption> Sara Hein, BSN, RN, FNE-A/P </figcaption> </figure> Sara Hein, BSN, RN, FNE-A/P likes to listen more than she likes to talk. This comes in handy when her patients who have been sexually assaulted or abused finally get a chance to express themselves. “Many times, this person has been isolated, controlled, with no one to talk to because of their abuser,” she said. “When someone is brought to the hospital, they may want to go through their thoughts and feelings. They aren’t necessarily looking for verbal response. It’s important to be really patient with them during this life-changing event.” <br> <br> It was listening to a heartbreaking patient story as a staff nurse on the child and adolescent psychiatric unit that got Sara interested in becoming a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) nurse. She was asked to sit in on an FBI interview with a 16-year-old girl who was a victim of human trafficking, a form of modern slavery in which humans are transported illegally from one country to another, often for the purpose of forced sexual exploitation. The young girl was exhausted, underfed, and badly bruised from being beaten with a pistol. Sara was struck by the sadness in her eyes and touched by her story. “She really believed that her “pimp” cared about her and loved her unconditionally,” Sara said. <br> <br> <blockquote> It only takes one person to recognize that something is not right with a patient and to step in and make a difference </blockquote> Soon after that interview, Sara joined GBMC’s SAFE team and now makes it her responsibility to educate others on how to intervene to reduce human trafficking. “It’s important to learn the signs of trafficking so that we can help end suffering as soon as possible,” she said. “Victims of trafficking typically only receive healthcare when they have a very serious condition. At that point, they are usually accompanied by someone who keeps them from reporting the crime, maybe even their abuser. It only takes one person to recognize that something is not right with a patient and to step in and make a difference.” <br> <br> Sara is passionate about breaking “the vicious cycle” of sexual abuse and domestic violence, too. She sees patients who have been assaulted repeatedly by the same perpetrator but are too afraid to file a police report. Though it’s rewarding when she provided patients with a sense of safety, even for just a short period of time in the hospital, she prefers working as a team with law enforcement and bringing suspects to justice. <br> <br> According to Sara, reducing these crimes and getting abusers sentenced begins with spreading knowledge and awareness throughout the community to reduce the stigmas associated with rape, sexual abuse, and intimate partner violence. “Someone you know may have been a victim,” she says. “But these issues aren’t talked about, so it can be hard for people to know how to make a difference.” <br> <br> Join Sara and the rest of the SAFE team as they march against rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and intimate partner violence on April 21, 2018 at GBMC’s third annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®. <a target="_blank" href="http://gbmc.healthcare/walkamile/">Click here to register and fundraise. </a> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<figure class="image-right"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/55a146c862d14a822e9851394bc7fb5c.jpg"> <figcaption> Lisa Brengle, BSN, RN, FNE-A/P </figcaption> </figure> Early in her career, Lisa Brengle, BSN, RN, FNE-A/P was working in the OR when a young patient came in. The little girl, no more than 3 or 4-years-old, had a hand fracture, the second one in two weeks. Despite being a new nurse, this set off some red flags for Lisa. Little did she know that her sharp instincts would lead her to become a member of the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) team. <br> <br> Sure enough, as Lisa and her team examined the small patient under anesthesia, several other injuries were discovered. A SAFE Nurse was called in and it quickly became evident that the girl had been physically and sexually abused. “Her injuries were above and beyond what one would expect for such a young child,” Lisa said. “I realized the importance of having people to advocate for kids because they can’t always speak up for themselves. It’s tough to interview a child; they want to please you and say what they think you want to hear.” <br> <br> After seeing how the SAFE nurse on call that day interacted with the girl, socializing with her during the exam, chatting about her hobbies to distract her, Lisa joined the SAFE program at GBMC. Program Manager Laura Clary, RN, FNE-A/P, SANE-A, CPEN, knew she would be a great fit for working with pediatric patients. Though she’s always had a knack for getting along with children, Lisa wondered how she’d be able to handle dealing with kids in such traumatic situations. “They are so young and vulnerable. It’s hard to imagine something like this happening to someone I love,” she said. “I try to put the emotion aside and advocate for them as best as I can.” <br> <br> It’s not always easy for Lisa to go home after work and forget about her SAFE patients. “It’s frustrating, but the reality of our world is that there are monsters out there,” she said. “When I think about the kids, I try to focus on how I’m helping them grow and flourish. I like thinking about what they might be when they grow up.” <br> <br> When things do get difficult, Lisa counts on her teammates and can reach out to them for empathy. Venting to them can be a real stress-reliever. “Laura has created a team that feels like a true support system, and we know we can use each other as an outlet,” she says. “They often help me realize when I’ve done as much as I can do to help. At a certain point, it is out of our hands and that can be difficult to accept.” <br> <br> The SAFE nurses even support each other in court, as going to a sentencing can be nerve-racking. Getting cross-examined by the defense can be particularly scary. “It’s the fear of the unknown – not knowing what you’ll be asked, worrying about your phrasing, not victimizing, and trying to keep the focus on the heinous crime,” she says. “It’s worth it once you see a perpetrator get a deserving sentence. Of course, we always think they should have gotten more time, but seeing that person convicted is extremely rewarding. Getting justice is always the goal.” <br> <br> <em>Join Lisa and the rest of the SAFE team as they march against rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and intimate partner violence on April 21, 2018 at GBMC’s third annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®. <a target="_blank" href="http://gbmc.healthcare/walkamile/">Click here to register and fundraise.</a></em> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<figure class="image-right"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/359574759cea24f0a0d6c5bffe43c25b.jpg"> <figcaption> Amanda Hindle, RN, BSN </figcaption> </figure> Amanda Hindle, RN, BSN, worked in many different fields – oncology, gynecology, otorhinolaryngology and more – before settling into her “forever home” in GBMC’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). After her clinical trials, which she did in her native Australia, she had the chance to work in pediatrics at a women’s and children’s hospital. Though she was petrified on her first day, she felt that working with young patients was her destiny. <br> <br> In addition to caring for newborns, Amanda prides herself on being able to calm families in scary moments. “I just love when I can allay the fears of the family,” she says. “Their bubble has just been burst. They’ve had this ideal pregnancy and birth all planned out, and then something goes wrong. The patients are just thinking, ‘Will he survive?’” <br> <br> In those moments, Amanda makes it her priority to go above and beyond in making sure the family is well-informed and updated frequently. She uses her medical background to make sure the parents understand in layman’s terms what’s wrong with the child, which can be very reassuring. “I just love it, making the parents feel calm and letting them know that their baby will be ok. It’s a lot of patience and listening,” Amanda says. <br> <br> When graduation day finally comes, and the baby gets to go home, Amanda gets a sense that she’s fulfilling her purpose. “Celebrating that joy and happiness with the family is amazing. On one hand, it’s bittersweet because I’ve become a NICU auntie, especially for long-term babies,” she says, “But I know that my ultimate goal has been achieved, because the baby is finally well enough to go home.” <br> <br> Many of these babies keep in touch via the NICU’s online private support group and participate in the annual Father’s Day 5K and Fun Walk, which benefits the NICU. Amanda is captain of the NICU 5K team and loves being reunited with her patients at the race each year. “It’s amazing to see the kids, who were once so little and in critical condition, just thriving,” she says. “Their parents teach them who we are and tell them about how their life was started in the NICU. It makes up for the heartbreaking moments, knowing that we are saving lives every day.” <br> <br> This year, the proceeds from the 5K benefit the NICU unit being built at GBMC! The renovations will allow for increased privacy, more space for equipment, and refrigerated drawers for storing break milk within patient rooms. Please join Amanda and the rest of the NICU team as they run or walk to raise money for GBMC’s tiniest patients on Sunday, June 17, 2018 at the 30th annual Father’s Day 5K and Fun Walk. <a target="_blank" alt="Register for the Father's Day 5K" href="http://gbmc.healthcare/5k/">Click here to register or to support the event!</a> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<p class="article-body"> Join a day in the life of GBMC's residents and the Internal Medicine Residency Practice. The clinic's innovative design maximizes residents' relationship with patients while also protecting them in their inpatient duties. The Internal Medicine Resident will spend one week in clinic every six weeks. This unique structure allows patients robust follow up and promotes the resident's longitudinal relationship with their patients. </p>
<p class="article-body"> GBMC’s Oncology Support Services team consists of two experienced social workers, a patient resource navigator, a community outreach coordinator, and a survivorship coordinator. <br> <br> Through their familiarity and expertise with a world of available services, our team may make it possible to access a range of assistance programs such as: </p> <ul> <li> Financial Assistance Through Independent Non-profit Organizations </li> <li> Pharmaceutical Company Financial Assistance Programs </li> <li> Referrals to Support Groups </li> <li> Home Care </li> <li> Hospice </li> <li> Palliative Care </li> <li> Patient Education Materials </li> <li> Social Security Disability </li> <li> Transportation Programs </li> <li> Complementary Therapies (such as massage or acupuncture) </li> </ul> We offer counseling to patients, their caregivers, and their families to help in dealing with emotional strains. We offer access to support groups to help our patients deal with depression and uncertainty about the future, and we offer a variety of options to help with financial issues associated with cancer treatments. <br> <br> Our Patient Resource Navigator is available to help patients and their loved ones access and utilize resources available to help cope with, and overcome, logistical barriers to treatment. <br> <br> Once an individual completes cancer treatments and transitions into a “new normal” life, there can potentially be new issues to face that can impact quality of life. Survivorship Services are also available to offer programs and resources to address specific issues facing cancer survivors after they complete their treatments. <br> <br> GBMC’s Boutique Salon and Wellness Center provides image recovery services in private rooms to meet emotional and aesthetic needs. It carries wigs, prosthetics, clothing, corrective make-up, and skin care products and offers services that include styling and make-up application techniques. Patients may also attend one of our Look Good, Feel Better sessions (made possible in part by the American Cancer Society). This program helps women who are undergoing cancer treatment to cope with appearance-related side effects of treatment (including hair loss and changes in complexion and fingernails) and to regain a sense of self-confidence. <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer-related cause of death in this country. (Lung cancer tops the list.) Overall, there were 135,000 people diagnosed with colorectal cancer last year. Of this group, 40,000 had rectal cancer. Historically, surgical treatment of rectal cancer was associated with high morbidity, and a permanent colostomy was the rule rather than “the exception.” Fortunately, there has been an historical progression toward more precise surgical technique and the addition of therapies like radiation and chemotherapy, as well as new diagnostic devices and techniques to better stage our patients upon diagnosis. As a result, patients today have more options and better outcomes, and a permanent colostomy has become the exception rather than the rule. At GBMC, there is a system-wide commitment to providing high quality care, from initial diagnosis to survivorship, using the latest research, techniques, and technology. Since GBMC graduated its first colorectal fellow in 1974 under the guidance of Jack Rosin, MD, our program remains the only accredited colorectal surgical residency in Maryland. Robotic surgery: At GBMC, the majority of rectal cancers are removed using this technique. Endoscopic mucosal resection: This endoscopic procedure uses advanced instruments to remove polyps and tumors that would otherwise require major abdominal surgery. Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS): This is a technique that allows more advanced tumors to be removed from inside the rectum. TAMIS for total mesorectal excision: This hybrid surgical approach uses minimally invasive techniques to remove lower rectal cancers, which allows for precise division of the bowel below the tumor. Short course radiotherapy: This course of radiotherapy is given before surgery for one week, as opposed to five weeks. Surgery follows one to two weeks later. This shortened course of radiation for locally advanced cancers provides accelerated care and is widely adopted in Europe. Sphincter preservation: A variety of techniques are used by our surgeons to avoid permanent colostomy whenever possible
