University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center

01/26/2026

At UM St. Joseph, our Catholic identity informs our daily work in our mission of providing loving service and compassionate care to those who entrust us with their lives. We approach the care of our patients from a holistic perspective — we believe the well-being of the patient may be helped through conversation, prayer, meditation, music, ritual and spiritual care services. One of our spiritual care team members, Father Joseph, shares this why he was called to serve at UM St. Joseph:

01/24/2026

In the early 1900s, measles was a common problem. Most children had the disease by the time they were 15. Hundreds of people died, and thousands experienced severe measles complications. By 2000, the United States had declared that measles was no longer a threat, thanks to widespread vaccination and education. But now the virus is quickly returning.

Check out this article about five measles myths and how to stay protected: https://health.umms.org/2025/10/23/5-measles-myths-busted/

01/23/2026

UM St. Joseph Medical Group is pleased to welcome Colleen Diering, DNP, CRNP, to UM SJMG – Neurology. She specializes in the diagnosis and management of headache disorders such as chronic migraine, occipital neuralgia, new daily persistent headache (NDPH), tension headache, cervicogenic headache and trigeminal autonomic cephalgias (TACs).

For an appointment, please call 410-321-6055. To learn more, visit: https://www.umms.org/find-a-doctor/profiles/colleen-l-diering-crnp-1982722153

01/22/2026

We've Picked a DAISY: Congratulations and heartfelt gratitude to Observation Nurse Javell Watson, RN, who was recently presented with the DAISY Award from the DAISY Foundation! A grateful patient recognized Javell for her unfailingly upbeat disposition, her compassionate communication skills and her efficient and kind care: “I hope everyone who enters the doors of any hospital gets to experience someone like Javell. Thank you so much, Javell ... You are a treasure.”

With her impressive demonstration of caring, Javell brought UM St. Joseph’s mission to life, putting into daily action our commitment to loving care and compassionate service … and we couldn’t be prouder!

The DAISY Award celebrates nurses who provide extraordinary, compassionate and skillful care every day. Read more about Javell’s achievement, see past winners and nominate a deserving nurse today at umstjoseph.org/DAISY.

01/20/2026

Your nervous system health – which includes your brain, spine and the body’s nerves – is important to your entire well-being. UM St. Joseph Medical Center neurologist Dr. Alexandru Olaru, along with other national experts, provides advice about hidden neurological symptoms you should never ignore.

People often brush off neurological symptoms for too long.

01/19/2026

Today we honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a man who is often regarded as one of the most inspiring leaders in history. At UMMS, we’re dedicated to honoring his legacy by providing compassionate, high-quality care to every person in our community—because dignity and respect belong to everyone. Together, let’s continue the work toward a more equitable future.

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is: 'What are you doing for others?’” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

01/17/2026

UM St. Joseph gastroenterologist Dr. Joshua Forman was quoted in this Washington Post article discussing the beneficial effects of ginger for upset stomach. “We live in a world where there’s this gigantic box of options for our patients and so many of them are costly and have side effects,” says Dr. Forman. “It’s interesting how sometimes the simplest things fly under the radar.”

Ginger, available at almost any grocery store and often used as a spice, has properties that can relieve mild to moderate nausea, experts and studies say.

01/15/2026

Meet Our Doctors: Dr. Kenneth DeFontes, an orthopedic surgeon at Towson Orthopaedic Associates, specializes in foot and ankle surgery and lower extremity sports medicine. Dr. DeFontes offers expertise in diagnosing and treating a full range of foot and ankle conditions including ankle sprains, ankle fractures, ankle instability and Achilles tendon tears and ruptures.

Check out Dr. DeFontes’ videos:

Meet Dr. Ken DeFontes - a foot and ankle surgeon at Towson Orthopaedic Associates and UM St. Joseph Medical Center.

01/13/2026

Congratulations to Michelle Lucas, Observation, on being recognized as a Sunflower Award recipient!

This award recognizes our team members who go consistently above and beyond, having a positive impact on all those around them. Michelle embodies our High-Reliability Organization principle of commitment to resilience, showing up with a positive attitude and compassion each and every day.

Thank you, Michelle, for your dedication to being a compassionate, caring and supportive team member!

01/12/2026

At UM St. Joseph, our Catholic identity informs our daily work in our mission of providing loving service and compassionate care to those who entrust us with their lives. We approach the care of our patients from a holistic perspective — we believe the well-being of the patient may be helped through conversation, prayer, meditation, music, ritual and spiritual care services. One of our spiritual care team members, Theresa, shares on this why she was called to serve at UM St. Joseph:

01/08/2026

You know your heart’s pumping away, but have you ever really paid attention to your heart rate? It’s important to know what a normal heart rate is — and what could be a cause for concern. Learn more: https://health.umms.org/2025/09/11/normal-heart-rate/

01/07/2026

Congratulations to Dana Meehling, RN, 4 East, for being recognized with the Josie King Patient Safety Award!

Dana was honored for her exceptional vigilance and advocacy when she quickly recognized signs of life-threatening bleeding based on the patient’s deteriorating status and lab results. Her diligence and expertise were instrumental in getting the patient the care they needed.

Her dedication reflects our High-Reliability Organization principle of preoccupation with failure — where every team member plays a role in speaking up and keeping patients safe.

Thank you, Dana, for your steadfast commitment to excellence and patient safety! Safety