One of Daffodil Baez’s secrets to success has always been holding herself to a standard of excellence. Today, she is busy infusing excellence into southern Prince George’s County, where her biggest aspiration as the new president of Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center is to make the hospital a trusted choice for exceptional care.
Daffodil – a rst-generation immigrant from the Dominican Republic and native Texan –began her career as a nancial analyst before transitioning to practice management. She worked in Texas, New York and Arizona prior to joining Adventist HealthCare in 2023.
COMMITMENT TO A NEW HOSPITAL CAMPUS
As Fort Washington Medical Center president, Daffodil is advancing a collaborative strategy with the local business community and residents. She is asking for their support, including philanthropic gifts, to help bring a new hospital to their area of the county and ll a need for more community-based medical services.
“We’re absolutely committed to the vision of a new medical center campus. It’s not about the buildings on the campus; it’s the people in those buildings,” Daffodil said. “People who are delivering care as well as the folks who are receiving care.”
MAINTAINING A CULTURE OF EXCELLENCE AROUND PATIENT SAFETY
Fort Washington Medical Center received Gold Seal of Approval® accreditation from The Joint Commission earlier this year, thanks to the hospital’s unwavering dedication to safe and effective care. In 2024 and again this year, national healthcare watchdog The Leapfrog Group bestowed an ‘A’ safety grade on Fort Washington Medical Center, the only hospital in Prince George’s County to earn the distinction.
“The breadth and depth of clinical expertise and compassion that this team delivers is truly a force to be reckoned with,” Daffodil said. “We’re embarking on an exciting journey, and I believe our collective commitment to excellence will continue to shape a future where both our patients and community thrive.”
See the services that Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center offers in Prince George’s County at AHCYou.com/S25NearYou.
Reimagining CANCER TREATMENT
A leader in radiation oncology, the Center for Advanced Radiation Oncology at the Shady Grove Aquilino Cancer Center provides patients access to some of the most innovative and precisely targeted radiation therapies available. These state-of-the-art advancements in cancer treatment provide patients with shorter and more effective treatment regimens while minimizing the risk of side effects. Radiation oncologist Neha Bhooshan, MD, breaks down how new technology can improve the patient experience.
Q: WHAT IS RADIATION ONCOLOGY?
Dr. Bhooshan: Radiation oncology is a specialized type of targeted cancer treatment used to destroy cancer cells through radiation. It works by targeting the DNA within the cancer cells, stopping them from multiplying and causing the cells to die. This is one of many different treatments available for cancer.
Q: WHAT TREATMENTS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE AQUILINO CANCER CENTER?
Dr. Bhooshan: At the Aquilino Cancer Center, all our treatments use the Varian TrueBeam®, the most advanced treatment machine and cutting-edge system for photon radiation therapy. Photon radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation beams to target a speci c area of the body and kill the cancerous cells in that area. These are the same X-rays that are utilized in diagnostic imaging but used at a higher energy level to ensure effective treatment for cancerous growths. This summer, an additional treatment machine, Halcyon, will be available providing another option for ef cient and high-quality treatments to patients.
Q: HOW HAS TREATMENT ADVANCED?
Dr. Bhooshan: Radiation treatment has become more precise, allowing cancerous cells to be targeted directly while avoiding healthy, normal tissue located around the cancer. The machine and equipment we use allow the radiologist to target the precise location of the cancer, limiting the amount of healthy tissue that is destroyed. It ensures a more accurate setup every day, so the treatments are faster, and we have more con dence that the radiation is going where it’s supposed to go. Speci cally for breast cancer patients, the machines provide the ability to utilize deep inspiration breath hold and have prone position capabilities to protect the heart and lungs from radiation.
Q: HOW DOES THIS IMPROVE PATIENT CARE?
Dr. Bhooshan: Not only are treatments more targeted and effective, but it also creates an improved patient experience. Some of the advantages patients can expect are:
• Tattooless treatment, eliminating the need for permanent markers of their treatment journey
• Limited side effects, for a smoother experience during and after treatment
• Tailored approaches to radiation therapy that account for their unique needs
Overall, as treatment options continue to advance, they will have fewer side effects on patients. Even now, there are better cure rates and survival rates, and people are able to enjoy life during and after cancer treatment. Quality of life after treatment has improved because post-treatment side effects are minimal, giving patients more time to focus on healing.
Visit AHCYou.com/S25Technology to learn more about radiation oncology and find a doctor near you.
MOVED TO SERVE: Exceptional Care Inspires Two Hospital Careers
VETERAN FINDS A NEW MISSION IN NURSING
Dwaine McClough arrived at Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center in 2020 during the height of COVID-19. At the time, joining the Security team as a contract of cer seemed like the right t. Serving others was always something he enjoyed.
“I wanted to help as much as possible but over time, I realized that I wasn’t good with policing,” Dwaine chuckled. “It’s just a job I kind of fell into after serving in the military for 10 years.”
The Army veteran distinguished himself on the Security team, always willing to learn and assist with department duties. Over two years, he became the go-to person for assistance with just about anything. He also expressed an interest in patient care. His manager encouraged him to enroll in Adventist HealthCare’s training academy for certi ed nursing assistants (CNA).
“I just saw there was a need for help in the hospital,” Dwaine said. “A CNA’s job translates so much across the board, especially in the actual nursing system. Here at Fort Washington Medical Center, the family atmosphere is what made all the difference for me.”
Dwaine completed the CNA Academy in May 2022, in the second cohort of the program. He said the Academy was a wonderful learning experience, thanks to instructors who offered varying perspectives and explored an in-depth curriculum.
Dwaine shined among his peers. He impressed the program facilitators with his skillfulness, leader-like mentality and natural ability to take initiative, according to Fort Washington education specialist Karen Graham
Karen added that Dwaine’s stellar performance in the CNA Academy led to bigger opportunities. He went on to graduate from the hospital’s Preceptor Academy, and is now teaching, mentoring, supporting and coaching new nurses about safe clinical practices.
“All the preceptees love being with him. He always exempli es Adventist HealthCare’s RISES Values and is just a joy to work with,” Karen said. “I don’t know what his strategy is, but he always understands what is asked of him and does whatever necessary to make it happen.”
Dwaine doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. He’s juggling a busy schedule these days, navigating nursing school while working both at Fort Washington and as a contract phlebotomist at Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center.
“It’s taking a long time, but I’m knocking out class by class and getting on track to where I can eventually focus on my clinicals,” Dwaine explained. “Once I do that, I should be a nurse soon.”
“I am sure that this is only the beginning,” said Skip Taylor, the Fort Washington leader who encouraged Dwaine to enroll in the CNA Academy. “His dedication and commitment to Adventist HealthCare’s Mission and Values are traits that will serve him well throughout his career – no matter what discipline he chooses to work in. I consider Dwaine an Adventist HealthCare success story.”
“All the preceptees love being with him. He always exemplifies Adventist HealthCare’s RISES Values and is just a joy to work with.”
– Karen Graham, Fort Washington education specialist
A FULL-CIRCLE JOURNEY,
FROM PATIENT TO PHARMACY TEAM
WHEN EUNAE JEONG and her family relocated to Maryland from Texas in 2021, they had no idea how quickly their lives would change. On the day they arrived, Eunae unexpectedly went into labor. Her daughter, Sophia, was born at just 24 weeks gestation at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center and spent 129 days in its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It was a time of uncertainty, fear and hope – a journey that would ultimately shape Eunae’s career and passion for patient care.
During those months with a newborn in the NICU, Eunae found herself in an unfamiliar place, facing one of the hardest experiences of her life without family or friends nearby. COVID-19 made an already isolating experience even more dif cult. But she was never alone. The NICU nurses and care navigators became her greatest source of comfort, offering her unwavering support with their expert medical care for Sophia.
“They provided emotional support and practical guidance when I needed it most,” Eunae said. “They became a vital part of our journey.”
They explained every procedure, answered every question and included her and her husband in every major decision. When the weight of the situation became overwhelming, they encouraged her to take breaks, rest and to trust that Sophia was in the best hands. The nurses and care navigators became more than caregivers – they became friends.
The experience left a lasting impact. Having witnessed rsthand the dedication and compassion of the medical team, Eunae felt drawn to a career where she could make a difference in the lives of others in similar situations. With a background in pharmacoeconomic research, she initially considered opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry. But when an opening arose at Shady Grove Medical Center, she knew exactly where she was meant to
“I wanted to give back to the hospital that had provided such exceptional care to me and my family during our NICU journey.”
– Eunae Jeong
be. The hospital wasn’t just a workplace – it was the place that had saved her daughter’s life.
“I wanted to give back to the hospital that had provided such exceptional care to me and my family during our NICU journey,” Eunae said.
Today, Eunae is a clinical pharmacist at Shady Grove Medical Center, rotating through the NICU, Pediatrics, Labor & Delivery and the hospital pharmacy. Every morning as she drives past the hospital, she’s reminded of her journey – rst as a mother ghting for her child’s survival, now as a caregiver ensuring other families receive the same level of compassion and support.
“I often see my own child in the tiny patients I care for,” Eunae said. “When I see a baby struggling to breathe, I’m reminded of my own child during that time. When I see a baby unable to cry due to intubation, I recall the months my child spent intubated. And when I see a mother in distress, feeling guilty about giving birth too early, I am reminded of my own experience, sitting in that chair.”
For Eunae, working at Shady Grove isn’t just a job. It’s a way to give back to the hospital that gave her family so much – and to stand beside other families on the same journey she once walked.
Explore Adventist HealthCare’s job openings at AHCYou.com/ S25Careers and discover rewarding ways to use your skills. Ready to launch your healthcare career? Learn more about our free CNA Academy at AHCYou.com/S25CNA.
‘PART OF A MIRACLE’
Quick action by heart care teams helped save a College Park dad.
LABOR DAY 2024 had a relatively uneventful start for College Park, Maryland, resident Will Doyle and his family. Will spent the afternoon with his 10-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son at the neighborhood pool before it closed for the season. Around 9:30 p.m., Will put the children to bed and quickly fell asleep himself.
The next time Will regained consciousness was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center, with his wife and his mother standing over him. Will would later learn that he had been unconscious for nearly a day after experiencing a serious cardiac event.
AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE
Will’s wife, Rachel, remembers the harrowing and uncertain days that followed all too well. She arrived home on Labor Day to nd Will collapsed against the bed, his knees on the oor and his face buried in the mattress. Unable to rouse her husband, Rachel called 911.
Rachel, who had worked in hospice, realized Will was exhibiting end-of-life breathing patterns. As an EMS crew arrived, Will stopped breathing altogether. The crew performed CPR and
administered ve shocks from an automated external de brillator on the way to White Oak Medical Center. Will arrived at the hospital’s Emergency department in cardiac arrest. The hospital’s emergency team sprang into action and quickly stabilized Will. He was then transferred to the ICU.
Care teams estimate that Will was unable to breathe on his own for approximately 40 minutes. Rachel said she will never forget the ambulance ride to the hospital, “thinking that I would be a widow raising the children alone.” Fortunately, that was not the case.
A FULL RECOVERY
After being hospitalized for a week, Will walked out of White Oak Medical Center with no lasting effects from his cardiac event. Will’s doctors attribute this to the outstanding CPR he received on the way to the hospital, ensuring his brain received the necessary blood and oxygen while his heart was not beating on its own.
Will experienced ventricular brillation arrest, a dangerous and life-threatening irregular heartbeat that occurs when the heart’s lower chambers, or ventricles, quiver instead of pumping blood normally. With no blockages of Will’s coronary arteries or family
history of heart disease or high blood pressure, doctors attribute Will’s incident to a disruption of the electrical activity in his heart.
Will received an implantable cardioverter de brillator, a small, battery-powered device that monitors the heart’s rhythm and delivers a shock if it becomes dangerously fast or irregular, should he ever experience another ventricular brillation episode. The device also downloads data to Will’s phone monthly, and that data is then sent to his electrophysiologist, Omar Shams, MD
A NEW START
Will noted that his heart and life have undergone a “reboot” since the incident, and said it is a “brand new world” for him. He recently completed cardiac rehabilitation at the Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation facility in Silver Spring and has made it a priority to eat healthy and exercise regularly. Rachel gave him a smart watch, which gathers health data to share with Dr. Shams.
Michael Chen, MD, Will’s primary cardiologist, could not be more pleased, noting there is only a 10% survival rate for what Will experienced. Will and Rachel give much of the credit to the nurses and medical staff at White Oak Medical Center.
“The ICU nurses were phenomenal and so kind,” Rachel noted. “They were compassionate, always asking us how we were doing. They even thanked us for being so kind to them! You can tell that the nurses’ hearts are really in it and that Adventist HealthCare has a culture where patients and their loved ones are truly treated like family.”
Will and Rachel recently returned to White Oak with their family to express gratitude for the Emergency and ICU teams. During the visit Rachel said, “I know you don’t always get to know your patient’s outcomes. I want you folks to know that you were part of a miracle!”
When asked what they would like to share about their experience, Will noted: “It’s important to take the time to care for yourself because by the time you nd out something is wrong, it may be too late.” Rachel added, “Remember to be a good citizen and pull over for ambulances. As I can attest, every second matters for the person riding in the back.”
Learn about the full range of heart care offered through the Adventist HealthCare Heart & Vascular Institute at AHCYou.com/S25Heart.
KNOW THE SIGNS OF A HEART ATTACK
Call 911 right away if you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms of a heart attack.
Chest pressure, squeezing, aching or burning, or a strange feeling in the chest that typically lasts longer than 20 minutes and may go away and come back
Feeling of fullness
Sudden weakness, excessive fatigue or lightheadedness
Nausea or vomiting
Anxiety or nervousness
Pain in the jaw or back or that travels down one or both shoulders or in the arms
Shortness of breath
Learn more at AHCYou.com/S25Signs.
CLASSES NOW OFFERED ONLINE
LIVING HEALTHY
Adventist HealthCare offers classes, events and activities to support a healthy body, mind and spirit. For the most up-to-date information about our classes, visit AHCYou.com/S25Calendar.
PRENATAL, FAMILY AND WOMEN’S HEALTH
Prenatal Classes
Adventist HealthCare offers pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding classes so that you can prepare for the arrival of your baby. To learn more, visit AHCYou.com/ S25Calendar or call 800-542-5096.
When: Four-week series. Class is offered in person and online.
Cost: $150
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/S25Childbirth for more details.
Gestational Diabetes Class
When: Two-hour online class offered bimonthly. Free. Preregistration required. Info: Visit AHCYou.com/S25Gestational for more details.
Clase Educativa Sobre la Diabetes
Gestacional
Cuándo: Dos veces al mes
Donde: vía Zoom
Para Obtener Información: Llame al 301-315-3276, o envíe un correo electrónico a DiabetesEducation@ AdventistHealthCare.com.
Prenatal Yoga
When: Two-week series. Class is held online. Preregistration required. Cost: $60
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/S25Yoga for more details.
Understanding Breastfeeding
When: 2.5-hour online class.
Preregistration required.
Cost: $25 per couple
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/S25Breastfeeding for more details.
Support Groups
Adventist HealthCare offers several support groups for parents and caregivers. To learn more, visit AHCYou.com/S25Calendar or call 800-542-5096.
BEST: Breastfeeding Education, Support and Togetherness
When: Weekly one-hour group. Free and offered in-person and online. Preregistration required.
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/S25Best for more details.
Discovering Motherhood: Adjusting to Your New Role
When: Weekly one-hour group. Free and offered in-person and online. Preregistration required.
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/S25Moms for more details.
Pregnancy and Early Infant Loss
When: Six-week online series.
Preregistration required.
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/S25Pregnancy for more details.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT GROUPS
Virtual support groups are available and open to patients, families and community members. Visit AHCYou.com/S25Support for more information.
Grief & Loss Support
When: Ongoing series. Six weekly sessions on Thursdays from 4–5 p.m. Preregistration required.
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/S25Grief for more details.
CPR CLASSES
Adventist HealthCare Life Support partners
with the American Heart Association (AHA) to provide convenient CPR and rstaid courses. Visit AHCYou.com/S25CPR for course schedules, locations and registration.
AHA Heartsaver First Aid and CPR/AED
The AHA’s Heartsaver course is designed for individuals with little or no medical training who need rst aid and CPR training for a job, regulatory or other requirements. This ve-hour combined program is for teens and adults who want to be prepared to act in an emergency. Class is offered in-person. Cost: $100 per attendee
When: Monthly; Please visit AHCYou.com/ S25CPR.
American Heart Association: Infant
Safety & CPR
This class teaches safety, choking management and CPR for newborns through age 1. An AHA Family & Friends CPR attendance card will be given to each
participant upon completion. NO BABIES PLEASE.
Cost: $100 per attendee. One guest allowed.
When: For upcoming dates, please visit AHCYou.com/S25CPR.
American Heart Association: BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP
We offer the full suite of AHA clinical courses. If you are a healthcare professional needing basic or advanced CPR certi cation, please visit AHCYou.com/ S25CPR for details about class schedules and pricing.
COMMUNITY HEALTH
Adventist HealthCare offers programs for diabetes, healthy eating, stroke and more. For information on available programs, visit AHCYou.com/S25Calendar.
Diabetes Management: Nutrition
When: Two-part online class, offered
.
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/S25Diabetes for more details.
Diabetes Workshop: Nutrition
When: Free monthly workshop. Preregistration required. Class is held in person.
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/S25Diabetes for more details.
REHAB SUPPORT GROUPS
Aphasia Group
When: Meets every Tuesday from 1–2 p.m. Info: Visit AHCYou.com/S25Aphasia.
Brain Injury Support Group
When: Meets every second Thursday of the month from 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/S25Brain for more information. Family members are welcome.
Grupo de apoyo de daño cerebral en español
Le invitamos al grupo de apoyo en español para personas que han tenido un derrame cerebral.
Cuándo: Nos reunimos el tercer martes de cada mes a las 6:30 p.m. via Zoom y también en persona.
Donde: Nos reunimos en la clínica Adventista en el White Oak Medical Pavilion, tercer piso 11886 Healing Way en Silver Spring, Maryland.
Para Obtener Información: Comuníquese con Amelie Bail: ABail@AdventistHealthCare. com. Familiares y amistades que brindan apoyo también quedan invitados.
Limb Loss Support Group
When: Meets every second Thursday of the month from 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/S25Limb.
Parkinson’s Disease Support Group
Our support group welcomes individuals and care partners living with Parkinson’s disease. We invite you to connect with others facing similar challenges in a safe, comfortable and supportive environment. Activities include guest speakers, networking and sharing of resources. This virtual group is facilitated by a physical therapist and speech-language pathologist.
New members are always welcome.
When: Meets every second Thursday of the month from noon to 1 p.m.
Info: Visit AHCYou.com/S25Parkinson.
CANCER SUPPORT
At Shady Grove Aquilino Cancer Center and White Oak Cancer Center, our care goes beyond treatment as we focus on
whole-person care, providing comprehensive wellness programs completely free of charge. We ensure every patient and their family can stay active, reduce stress, nd emotional healing and nourish their bodies through a variety of classes, including yoga, exercise programs, mindfulness classes, oneon-one Cancer Coaching and integrative nutrition sessions. To register for upcoming classes, visit AHCYou.com/S25Cancer.
A Towering Legacy: Gaithersburg Business Leader
Gives
$1 Million to Shady Grove Medical Center
When the new care tower at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center opens its doors next year, the Robert V. Aschenbach Emergency Department will continue to set the gold standard for emergency care.
JUST outside, patients and loved ones will sit in the beautifully appointed Lois Aschenbach Waiting Area. The naming acknowledges the transformational gift of $1 million that Conrad V. Aschenbach gave to Shady Grove Medical Center earlier this year in memory of his wife, Lois.
Conrad and his family have a long-standing relationship with Adventist HealthCare. They have frequently turned to Shady Grove Medical Center for care, including the birth of Conrad’s numerous great-grandchildren. The family also has generously supported the hospital with substantial gifts over the years.
The Aschenbachs have been well-respected leaders in the Montgomery County business community for decades. Today, Conrad continues as president of King Automotive Group. He and Lois also led the way in turning personal tragedy into a gift of healing for the community. In 1983, their son Robert died at age 29. In 1993, Conrad and Lois gave Shady Grove Medical Center a signi cant gift to help expand its Emergency department.
At the dedication ceremony for the expansion, Lois said she wanted her son’s love and God’s protection to be with everyone who came to the Emergency department. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, in a letter to the hospital marking the occasion, wrote: “It is wonderful to know that this expansion was made possible largely through the generosity and philanthropic gifts of community individuals.”
Giving is in the Aschenbach family’s DNA. In 2018, Conrad and Lois provided funding
1993 grand opening
Grove Medical Center’s renovated Emergency department, named in honor of their son. The Aschenbach family has again given generously to help modernize the hospital’s emergency spaces, this time in memory of Lois.
to the Robert V. Aschenbach Emergency Department for LifePak de brillators. This critical equipment enables caregivers to provide lifesaving interventions to cardiac patients and monitor their progress.
Now, as Shady Grove’s Emergency department undergoes its latest expansion, Conrad is again stepping up. The construction of a six-story patient tower under way at the hospital will create more privacy for emergency patients and more ef ciency for care teams. The tower also realigns critical care functions for faster times to diagnosis and treatment.
“Shady Grove Medical Center is beyond grateful for the extraordinary generosity of the Aschenbach family,” said Daniel Cochran, president of Shady Grove Medical Center. “This gift will ensure that Montgomery County residents have access to exceptional care in an environment designed to accelerate the healing process and promote health and well-being.”
“The Aschenbach family has enjoyed considerable success over the years,” a family spokesperson said. “It’s a privilege to give back to the community that has given us so much and to help ensure the Gaithersburg area continues to have the highest quality healthcare through the services provided by Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center.”
Learn how your gifts make a difference to Adventist HealthCare. Visit AHCYou.com/S25Give .
At left, Conrad and Lois Aschenbach at the
of Shady
A MOM’S RECOVERY: From Golf Cart Accident to Rehab Triumph
When Sarah Dieringer of Ellicott City, Maryland, visited family last summer with her husband and 6-month old son, she never expected that her trip to the beach would land her in an Intensive Care Unit.
Alife-changing golf cart accident fractured bones in Sarah’s arms, legs and face, leaving her unable to walk or use her arms. Sarah spent several weeks in the ICU, where her doctors explained that inpatient rehabilitation was the next step before she could return home. She knew it was going to be one of the most important parts of her recovery.
AN EASY CHOICE
While reviewing their options for inpatient rehabilitation, Sarah and her husband were looking for a hospital close to home and noticed Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation on the list.
“I worked at Adventist HealthCare in the past and immediately knew this was where I wanted to be because of my experience working there,” Sarah shared. “Knowing the kind of care they provide and the Mission, it felt like a no-brainer to me to be on the other side as a patient myself.”
A clinical liaison from Rehabilitation worked with Sarah and her husband to prepare them for her stay, from receiving insurance approval to answering all their questions. Sarah was nervous, but ready to begin rehabilitation and eager to get home to her family. She knew Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation in White Oak was the place to help her.
INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT CARE
Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation personalizes each patient’s recovery journey, and that starts with the rst conversation. Care teams get to know a person and create an individualized plan designed to help them get back to their daily life and the activities they love.
The care teams at Rehabilitation use a multidisciplinary approach. Patients see a variety of team members during their stay depending on their needs. Sarah’s days at Rehabilitation consisted of physical and occupational therapy.
When Sarah was at a point in her recovery where she was able to walk, her care team was there to help her push past the physical and mental hurdles. They helped her gain the con dence to walk and were always supporting her.
“At rst, when I took ve or six steps, they really made me feel like that was such a big accomplishment,” she explains. Soon, she was walking the hallway to her therapy sessions.
RELEARNING THE BASICS
While every aspect of Sarah’s care played a crucial role in her recovery, occupational therapy was particularly instrumental to her progress. Occupational therapists help patients relearn everyday skills and tasks, such as dressing, getting in and out of a bed or chair, cooking, and personal hygiene activities.
Prior to her accident, Sarah enjoyed cooking and used it to relieve stress. Her care team planned several sessions in the hospital’s mock apartment. They found new ways for Sarah to return to cooking at home, and spent a session baking cookies to share with her family when they visited.
A SUPPORTIVE CARE TEAM
Sarah’s entire care team lifted her spirits during her stay, at a time in her life when she didn’t feel like herself. They recognized how tough her physical recovery was and acknowledged the added pressure Sarah felt as a mom of an infant. They often asked her about her family and to see photos of her son. During her stay, once Sarah was strong enough, she was able to spend time with her son in the lobby of White Oak Medical Center.
Just over a week after she arrived at Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation, Sarah was able to return home to her family. Less than a year after her accident, Sarah is back to chasing around her 1-year-old son, thankful for her time at Adventist HealthCare.
“From my nurses to certi ed nursing assistants, therapists, case manager, housekeeping, food services and facilities, they were all so kind,” she shared. “They all genuinely cared about my wellbeing and progress.”
To learn more about Adventist HealthCare Rehabilitation, visit AHCYou.com/S25Sarah .
WHITE OAK MEDICAL CENTER OPENS NEW UNIT
INFebruary, Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center boosted its ability to care for the growing healthcare needs of its community by opening a new unit on the hospital’s eighth oor. The 20,620-square-foot unit includes 30 beds to accommodate patients from the Emergency department or recovering from medical or surgical procedures.
“The need for medically necessary services has been consistently higher than our inpatient capacity since White Oak Medical Center opened in 2019,” said Anthony Stahl, president of White Oak Medical Center. “This addition allows us to streamline patient ow by moving patients more quickly from the Emergency department to inpatient units to receive the specialized care they require.”
The hospital also converted existing rooms on its seventh oor to create a larger, 34-bed Intermediate Care Unit. This unit is designed to provide specialized care for patients with a higher acuity of need for medical monitoring and treatment.
White Oak Medical Center serves patients from Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland and their surrounding areas. As the population of these areas continues to grow, the hospital’s ability to care for more patients will help address increasing demand for medically necessary healthcare services.
“The opening of this new unit is an important step in the long-term plans for the robust growth of White Oak Medical Center and the other acute care facilities within the Adventist HealthCare system,” said John Sackett , Adventist HealthCare president and CEO. “Adding capacity at White Oak Medical Center aligns with Adventist HealthCare’s Mission to extend God’s care through the mission of physical, mental and spiritual healing.” Explore the services available at White Oak Medical Center at AHCYou.com/S25WhiteOak .
In Assisted Living Garden, Nature Nurtures Mental Health
When you think of mental healthcare, do you picture a garden? The image is familiar to residents at The Manor assisted living facility in Takoma Park, Maryland. In 2003, Lavella Steven, a dedicated supervisor at The Manor, began creating a lush sanctuary and an added sense of purpose for residents by using his gift of growing plants.
THE Manor is an assisted living facility for adults with chronic and severe mental illness who are unable to live independently. The Adventist HealthCare facility provides a safe, supportive residential environment as an alternative to long-term psychiatric hospitalization.
Lavella’s vision was simple yet profound. He began by planting tulips, daffodils, roses and shrubs around the building, taking advantage of fertile soil. Every spring, the vibrant owers would bloom, transforming the yard into a tapestry of colors. However, deer in the area had different plans. They often turned The Manor’s garden into their personal buffet. So, Lavella fenced in the garden, protecting the owers and preserving their beauty for the residents and team members to enjoy.
Lavella introduced a variety of vegetables – tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, sweet peppers, bell peppers, spring onions, hot peppers, okra and scallions. He also expanded the garden to include herbs and leafy greens such as kale, collard greens, leeks, jute leaves and cassava leaves. The garden not only provides nourishment but also fosters a sense of community and purpose for residents, who assist with growing plants.
A SOURCE OF PRIDE AND JOY
Last year, The Manor’s expanding gardens received a boost with the help of Lavella’s colleagues from Adventist HealthCare Shady
The recently added pear tree at The Manor is a favorite of clinical manager LaCresha Mitchner.
Grove Medical Center. The hospital’s Vice President of Behavioral Health Services Kandy McFarland, Director of Therapeutic Services Nyree Price and Director of Facilities Odell Hall took time to upgrade the garden fences. Lavella said the gesture is something he deeply appreciates and will always remember.
“This garden was meant to be a haven for anyone feeling stressed,” he explained. From spring through summer, residents and team members visit the garden, nding peace in observing the plants and practicing deep breathing.
This spring, Lavella and his team will add new soil, aiming to yield another harvest of fruits and vegetables. The Manor has a steamer, which allows residents to quickly cook and enjoy their homegrown produce. This year, Lavella said, a tree is stealing the show among the garden of delicious vegetables. “Our favorite plant this year is the pear tree.”
GIAMBOTTA: A SOUP FRESH FROM THE GARDEN
He added that the bene ts of the garden extend beyond the therapeutic and nutritional advantages to residents. It’s a source of pride for team members and brings joy to visitors. Every plant is a testament to growth, resilience and the healing power of nature – a living symbol of the hope and renewal that The Manor’s care team provides.
Learn more about Adventist HealthCare’s comprehensive mental health services and programs at AHCYou.com/S25Grow.
Summer is near, meaning a bounty of fresh vegetables to enjoy. Toss summer squash, tomatoes and other garden favorites together to create a comforting Italian vegetable stew. This recipe is a favorite of The Manor’s clinical manager, LaCresha Mitchner
INGREDIENTS
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
1 white or yellow onion, nely chopped
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon red pepper akes
2 large potatoes, unpeeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium eggplant, unpeeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium yellow squash, cut into 1-inch pieces
DIRECTIONS
1 large red, green or yellow bell pepper, seeds removed and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 28-ounce cans crushed tomatoes
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
½ cup chopped fresh basil
1 8-ounce bag fresh spinach
Finely grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Cooked orzo or toasted baguette slices toasted with olive oil, for serving.
1. In a large pot over medium heat, add olive oil, garlic, chopped onion, salt, pepper and red pepper akes. Stir and let brown.
2. Add potatoes, eggplant, zucchini, squash and bell pepper to the pot, in order. Add the crushed tomatoes and broth, stirring until combined. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Once the vegetables are soft enough to pierce with a fork, add the cherry tomatoes, basil and spinach. Stir to combine and let simmer, uncovered, for 2 to 3 more minutes, until the tomatoes and spinach are slightly wilted.
4. Taste your stew and add more salt, pepper or red pepper akes as needed.
5. Serve hot or cold with orzo or toasted bread. Top with cheese.
Adapted from: Dan Pelosi/Food52
Lavella Steven shares his passion for gardening with residents at The Manor, a mental health assisted living facility in Takoma Park.
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EMERGENCY CARE MADE EASIER
Two new technologies are helping Adventist HealthCare patients.
TOhelp minimize time in the waiting room, patients with non-life-threating conditions now can hold their place in line at the Adventist HealthCare Germantown Emergency Center. Using an online scheduling tool, patients can choose the time and wait comfortably at home until their time as the care team plans for their arrival. Parents with children 17 and under can save a spot at the Pediatric Emergency department at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center in Rockville.
While emergency teams always prioritize the most critically ill patients as they arrive, the online scheduling tool helps reduce the time that patients in Germantown or parents of children in Rockville will spend in Emergency department waiting rooms.
ENHANCING TRIAGE SAFETY AND CONSISTENCY
Meanwhile, arti cial intelligence is helping to enhance the safety and consistency of the triage process at Adventist HealthCare’s three hospitals. Emergency teams at Shady Grove Medical Center, Fort Washington Medical Center and White Oak Medical Center are using a tool called KATE to help verify care plans for patients who are at higher risk or who have more complex conditions. KATE complements the training and expertise of emergency nurses, supporting and validating their decision-making skills. The technology can analyze symptoms against deidenti ed historical medical records data and immediately provides information about the appropriate level of care. While KATE assists with triage, the caregiver remains the ultimate decision maker. The hospitals nd KATE has many bene ts for care teams and patients. The tool can
Adventist HealthCare’s three hospitals are the first in Maryland to use KATE AI to support the emergency triage process.
help increase the accuracy of triage and ensure patients receive the right hospital services from the right care teams at the right time. This enhanced clinical ef ciency can help reduce emergency wait times as well as the days patients might spend if they are admitted to the hospital. The technology also helps ensure greater health equity by identifying and eliminating systemic biases in triage, including those based on race, age and gender.
Always call 911 in a life-threatening emergency. Visit AHCYou.com/ S25Emergency to explore Adventist HealthCare’s nationally recognized emergency services or to hold your spot for non-lifethreatening care in Germantown or Rockville’s Pediatric Emergency department.
