Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center

03/27/2026

We recently celebrated the people behind the exceptional care at our annual Heroes in Health Care event. Staff honored include:

⭐ Heroes in Health Care: The ICU Care Team
⭐ Physician of the Year: Savyasachi C. Thakkar, M.D.
⭐ Heroes in Philanthropy: Elizabeth Rendón-Sherman, Mark Sherman and LG-TEK

Thank you to our dedicated staff and everyone who joined us to celebrate.

And congratulations to all of this year’s honorees. Your impact is truly life-changing. 💙

03/25/2026

Today is a proud day for our medical center! 🎉

We’re happy to announce that we’ve received our first Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This honor belongs to our nurses and to every team member who supports them in delivering outstanding care each day.

This achievement is a reflection of our commitment to our patients and families, our collaborative culture and the passion our teams bring to their work every single day.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who made this possible. 💙

03/21/2026

This month, we celebrate the more than 20 social workers who play a vital role at JHHCMC across many departments.

Social workers are employed in health care settings for a variety of reasons:

⭐To assess adjustment to illness and hospitalization
⭐Safety planning
⭐Resource allocation
⭐Connection with community resources
⭐Adherence with medical treatment plans

Social workers comprise the largest group of mental health professionals in the nation.

03/21/2026

“Less commonly, there can be underlying systemic conditions that need consultation with other medical specialties like dermatology and rheumatology,” Dr. Lee Guo explained. “These conditions include skin cancer, connective tissue disease and immunologic conditions like cicatrizing conjunctivitis.”

Some 22 million Americans suffer from eye allergies and the spring season has just begun

03/21/2026

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine graduating medical students gathered with family, friends and mentors in a celebration that culminated with students simultaneously opening their envelopes to discover their matching school and specialty program where they will continue their medical training.

03/19/2026

“Our findings show that subtle changes in real-world activity patterns captured by wearable devices can signal future disability progression and brain atrophy in MS,” Dr. Fitzgerald said.

Decreases in daytime activity among adults with MS, indicated via accelerometers worn on their wrists, indicated later development of worse disability and brain atrophy, according to data published in Neurology.Changes in circadian rhythm patterns preceded worse disability and brain atrophy as well,...

03/19/2026

High blood pressure is bad for your heart, but did you know if can also affect your eyes and even your mind? Find out what changes you can make at home to lower your blood pressure naturally.

Ready to take action to lower your high blood pressure? Start with these lifestyle changes.

03/18/2026

Register today! The Nurses Run is back for a second year to raise funds for nursing scholarships, training and continued education.

The 2026 Nurses Run is a non-timed 5K on May 9 at 8:30 a.m. Whether you run or walk, it’s a great way to show your support: bit.ly/2026-nurses-run

03/18/2026

Does the idea of a good night’s sleep feel like it’s just a dream? The secret to a better rest might lie in your mattress.

Choosing the Right Mattress: Making a Smart Investment Sleep Sleep Science Sleep Better Does the idea of a good night’s sleep feel like it’s just a dream? The secret to a better rest might lie in your mattress.  And because you’re (hopefully) spending the recommended eight hours per night on ...

03/17/2026

Energy drinks continue to climb in popularity among children and teens. Studies have found that almost one-third of teens ages 12 to 17 drink energy drinks regularly, and there are growing concerns that an increase in consumption by kids will lead to increased health issues.

Energy drinks are popular among children and teens. Our pediatric doctors provide insight into this trend and how they can affect children's health.

03/16/2026

"We know 80% or more of cardiovascular disease is preventable and elevated LDL cholesterol, sometimes referred to as 'bad' cholesterol, is a major part of that risk," wrote Dr. Roger Blumenthal.

The test can help assess your lifetime risk for cardiovascular disease. That, along with earlier treatment for high cholesterol, is part of new doctors' guidelines.

03/15/2026

Congratulations to Rachel Ricketts-Uy, Director of Development, Foundation, for being named the January 2026 Employee of the Month! ⭐

Rachel exemplifies our values in her work every day, helping build a strong community and productive workplace. She has launched new philanthropic initiatives that highlight key areas of the medical center and created engaging opportunities for donors to give.

Clinical and administrative colleagues alike say Rachel’s positivity has helped foster strong, collaborative relationships across the medical center.

Please join us in congratulating Rachel! 👏

03/15/2026

Is colon cancer screening really necessary? For most people over 45, yes. When it comes to testing for colon cancer, there are several options. A gastroenterologist answers common patient questions on the difference between colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy and other tests for colon cancer, what you can expect with each, and which option may be the best for you.

This is a 429 error. Try accessing this page directly or wait a few minutes and try again. Everyone has their limits, and we're getting too many requests right now.

03/14/2026

Staying active as you age is important to living the life you want. Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center geriatrician Dr. Alicia Arbaje shares some tips on how to keep your energy levels up so you can continue to do things you love for years to come.

Discover how to get more energy and feel your best every day with these tips from a Johns Hopkins expert.

03/14/2026

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month 💛 Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women and can cause chronic pelvic pain, severe periods, fatigue, and fertility challenges. Yet many patients wait years for a diagnosis.

To help increase understanding and support, Johns Hopkins Medicine is hosting a free consumer webinar: Endometriosis Explained: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Real-Life Management 📅 Thursday, April 9 🕛 12 PM EST

Join minimally invasive gynecologic surgeons Dr. Anja Frost and Dr. Harold Wu as they discuss:
• How endometriosis is recognized and diagnosed
• Common symptoms and causes • Treatment and management options
• Fertility considerations
• Live Q&A with attendees

If you or someone you love has questions about endometriosis, this webinar offers expert insight and the opportunity to ask questions in real time.

🔗 Register here:

Gynecological Conditions Featured Experts Anja S. Frost, MD 4.8/out of5 45 reviews Harold Y. Wu, MD 5/out of5 56 reviews Dates: April 09, 2026 Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM About: Endometriosis is a complex condition that can affect daily life in significant ways and is often difficult to diagnose. Many....

03/14/2026

Ultra-processed foods may be convenient, but they are linked to serious health risks.

🔍 Watch to learn:
🧬 Links to colorectal, pancreatic and breast cancer
⚖️ How adults consume most of their calories from these foods
🍭 Why kids crave sweet and salty ultra-processed snacks — and how it fuels childhood obesity

03/13/2026

In recognition of Patient Safety Awareness Week, we asked our staff what patient safety means to them. 🏥❤️

03/13/2026

Be part of a day filled with fun and community spirit at our first-ever JHH & JHBMC Nursing Fun Run & Walk on Saturday, May 16 at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center.

This casual, untimed event is perfect for all ages and fitness levels. Run, walk or stroll alongside friends, family, colleagues and community members. While there are no bibs or timing chips, you’ll receive a commemorative race T-shirt and enjoy a festive race-day atmosphere featuring music and vendors. Proceeds support nurses at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, advancing professional growth, leadership and high-quality patient care. Your participation helps invest in education and innovation that empower nurses to deliver exceptional care every day.

Register here:

The Johns Hopkins Nursing 5K Fun Run & 1 Mile Fun Walk 2026 is on Saturday May 16, 2026. It includes the following events: 5K Fun Run-Independently Timed, 1 Mile Fun Walk-Independently Timed, and Virtual Fun Run with T-Shirt.

03/12/2026

Happy National Safe Sleep Awareness Week! ✨🌙

Creating a safe sleep environment helps reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and other sleep-related infant deaths.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends remembering the ABCs of Safe Sleep for every nap and every night:
⭐ Alone – Baby sleeps without blankets, pillows, toys, or bumpers.
⭐ Back – Always place baby on their back to sleep.
⭐ Crib – Use a firm mattress in a crib, bassinet, or play yard with only a fitted sheet.

Additional safe sleep tips:
✨ Room share, not bed share for at least the first 6 months.
✨ Use a wearable blanket/sleep sack during sleep and avoid overheating.

💙 Every sleep. Every nap. Every caregiver. Safe sleep matters.

03/11/2026

In recognition of Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week, we celebrate the life-changing impact of pulmonary rehab for people living with chronic lung disease. Through supervised exercise, education and personalized support, pulmonary rehab helps patients breathe easier, build strength and improve quality of life.

Thank you to our dedicated exercise physiologists, nurses, respiratory therapists and care teams who empower patients every day to live fuller, more active lives. 💙

03/09/2026

The JHHCMC Foundation’s Honor a Hero Program recognizes dedicated staff and physicians who have been honored by Foundation donors for their excellence and compassionate care. When someone makes a gift in honor of a staff member or physician, they are given a “I’m a Health Care Hero” badge reel and a certificate signed by President Shafeeq Ahmed, M.D., and VP of Development Kirsten Baier.

On March 6, we honored ED Nurse Linda. The donor stated, "Nurse Linda is my ER Nurse Hero. She was friendly, efficient, and performed a thorough assessment and evaluation. She became my advocate to ensure my continued excellent care. She is an exceptional nurse and demonstrates the epitome of nursing excellence."

03/07/2026

Amid a nationwide blood shortage, we’re grateful to everyone who rolled up their sleeves at our recent blood drive. With 39 units collected, we exceeded our goal!

Here’s what that means:
🩸 One unit can save up to three lives. Yesterday's drive could impact 117 lives.

🙌 39% of donors were first-time donors.

➡️ Missed it? Join us for the next one on Friday, June 26: hopkins.org/jhhcmc-blood-drive26

Thank you for showing up for our community!

03/05/2026

Happy National Hospitalist Day! 🎉

Thank you for the expertise, compassion and dedication you bring to our patients every day.

03/04/2026

Welcome to Speak with Shafeeq!

Each month, JHHCMC President Shafeeq Ahmed, M.D., connects with teams across the hospital to discuss updates, priorities and what’s ahead. In February, he visited our Pediatric ED.