In this 10-minute video, viewers are introduced to Baltimore City resident Dwight Bolden, a participant in the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center’s Violence Intervention Program (VIP). The program, which was developed by Dr. Carnell Cooper in 1998, focuses on ending the cycle of violence that doctors and nurses in the Shock Trauma Center witness everyday.

Throughout the interview, Bolden discusses how he became involved in the VIP, including his first impressions of the program, how he grew to rely on the support and motivation he received from others in the group and how the program helped him turn his life around for the better. Thanks to the positive reinforcement Bolden received from the VIP, he is now on the road to continuing his education and looking forward to a brighter future with his family.

By Stacey Mann
Executive Director, Promises for Parkinson’s

“Dad, did you have too much coffee this morning?”, I hesitantly inquired. Something was wrong – he knew it and I knew it. But he ended the conversation quickly, “Yeah, something like that.”

A month went by before I noticed it again. Three more months went by and finally the diagnosis came. Even though we had an inclination of what it could be, hearing the words “Parkinson’s disease” made us all stop and reevaluate.

That was almost five years ago. Each day, Parkinson’s poses a new challenge for my father, as it does for over one million Americans. Building model rockets for his grandchildren, creating beautiful furniture out of pieces of wood and capturing the world around him in breathtaking photographs have all been shelved due to Parkinson’s.

Determined to help my father with his battle, I began researching Parkinson’s. I had no idea that Parkinson’s affects more people in the United States than multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and ALS combined. Why could I not find walks and runs supporting Parkinson’s? Where were the silver ribbons on people’s lapels? Something needed to be done. Something that would bring hope to my father — take the camera and woodworking tools from the shelves and put them back into his hands — remove the fear that he was now seen only as someone with Parkinson’s, instead of the incredible man he is.

Summoning the courage and strength I inherited from my father, I began the journey that is Promises for Parkinson’s. A non-profit dedicated to bringing hope to Parkinson’s disease patients, Promises for Parkinson’s supports scientific research that aims for a cure and a better way of life for those living with the disease by planning various public events that incite others to help make a difference.

I am excited about our first big event: Hike the Park for Parkinson’s. I feel that we will make a positive impact on the lives of those living with Parkinson’s. Hike the Park for Parkinson’s is set to take place on September 4, 2010 in Oregon Ridge Park. Participate with us in one of two ways. Hike the James Campbell trail, a 2.9 mile trek including the famous Oregon Ridge ski slope or register as a Loop Walker, which takes you around a paved, fairly flat .5 mile path. Special activities on hike day include motivating music, artists painting scenes of the day and a children’s area with carnival style games and prizes. Promises for Parkinson’s is proud to donate the proceeds raised by Hike the Park for Parkinson’s to Maryland’s Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center.

Join us, won’t you? Register to hike today by visiting www.hikethepark.org and help me conquer Parkinson’s disease one hiking boot at a time!

By Matthew R. Weir, M.D.
Head, UMMC Division of Nephrology

When my son Ryan and I started talking about climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa’s tallest mountain, it was last December, and I thought then — as I do now — that it sounded like a thrilling kind of “bucket list” idea. While we are both avid sportsmen and runners, neither of us has ever taken on a challenge this big.

Getting ready for a trip is almost as fun as the trip itself. The mountain guides have sent us emails and lists upon lists of things we can and cannot carry with us. Hiking boots, waterproof pants, two pair of socks, parkas, gloves, hats, gloves and rain gear. Check. Check. CHECK. Anti-diarrheal meds, bug spray, malaria pills, more bug spray, sunscreen, and typhoid meds. Check. Check. CHECK. High altitude pulmonary edema: Diamox. CHECK!

Now, the countdown has begun. Today, only about a week from leaving, my excitement is now combined with some trepidation and anxiousness. I have worried about everything from cell phone and e-mail access to rechargeable solar batteries. And now, a bath towel. Seriously, we need to carry our own bath towel? I am hoping for a chance to bathe, especially after climbing through a 90-degree plus rainforest. But a towel? Why doesn’t the mountaineering team provide that? Should I bring my own soap, too? Shampoo? Now, I am worried if I need to pack a roll of toilet paper! A little anxious, yes — we are allowed only ten kilos to carry on our back.

We decided we would challenge ourselves even more and raise money to help support research at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Eighteen months ago, a dear friend’s daughter was medivacked to the UMMC Joslin Diabetes Center, where she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 14. Talk about a lifetime challenge for her and her family! We are deeply touched by how well she has managed her disease with maturity and responsibility, so Ryan and I decided JRDF needed a hand.

These tough economic times have hurt the financial coffers of all charities, so for every foot we climb, we hope to raise $1. Our goal is to summit at 19,341 feet, with $20,000 raised being our ultimate target. We hope to drum up a whole lot of excitement back home to help us reach our goal.

If you are reading and following us on our climb, we hope that you will make a contribution to us at: http://jdrfevents.donordrive.com/event/cureatopmtkilimanjaro/. You can also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cureatopkili.

This should be an interesting two weeks testing both my resolve to climb Kilimanjaro and to live with my son for two weeks in a tent. Wish me luck!

By Richard Colgan, M.D.
Director of Medical Student Education
Department of Family and Community Medicine

Editor’s Note: Dr. Colgan is the author of “Advice to the Young Physician: On the Art of Medicine.” Also, get more tips from Dr. Colgan on this topic by listening to this podcast.

Choosing a primary care doctor can be difficult these days, largely because there are relatively few of them available. Those doctors who are serving their communities are often being stretched thin while trying to meet the demands of running a practice, answering to insurance companies and seeing more patients in less time. But you are the patient, and you deserve to be well served. So, here a few tips on how to choose a primary care doctor.

A smart way to choose a primary care doctor is to ask trusted family members or friends who they see, and whether or not they are happy with that person. If so, you may be pleased seeing them as well. Doctors are often chosen by patients who find them to be available, affable and able. This time honored tradition of choosing a doctor based on the three A’s still applies today.

Most practicing physicians have also gone through residency training in their specific fields. This allows these physicians to sit for specialty boards, and while board certification does not guarantee that you “have a good one,” it does lend that physician a certain stamp of approval by his or her respective specialty board.

Because access to primary care physicians is becoming increasingly difficult, a good question to ask is what is your doctor’s policy for urgent visits. Does your physician have a process in place that allows him or her to fit you in for a bad cough or other acute needs? This process could include the doctor having several empty spots in his or her schedule each half day, or being a member of a group practice in which one of the physicians is always available for walk-in appointments.

But perhaps the best way to choose a primary care doctor is by seeing that physician in the office for a consultation. Does the doctor seem to have time for you? Does he or she seem truly interested in you, or do you feel like you are being rushed out the door? At a minimum, the doctor you choose should be kindly, civil and show you respect. I recommend giving the physician-patient relationship a few visits to see if you and the doctor are compatible. After seeing a primary care doctor a few times, you will likely be able to tell if the two of you are “hitting it off.” If not, it’s probably best to keep searching for someone who you believe can meet your needs.

Previous Posts by Dr. Colgan

• Teaching Medical Students to Focus on the Patient

By Jailene Reyna
Pediatric Cancer Survivor

Editor’s Note: In April 2009, Jailene Reyna was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer diagnosed most often in children and young adults. After beginning chemotherapy to treat her illness, Jailene lost all of her hair. In an effort to regain her self-image, Jailene visited the UMGCC Center for Image Renewal with her mom. Her experience there is one she says she will never forget. Read her letter of thanks.

In this interview, Dr. Laura Finkelstein, a general pediatrician for the University of Maryland Hospital for Children and the new Pediatrics at the Harbor (PATH) clinic, provides an overview of the clinic’s history and the services offered to patients. She also explains the clinic’s mission, and talks about the features that make this new clinic unique in the Baltimore region.

By Malissa Carroll
Web Content Developer

Editor’s Note: Both Mallow Munchies and Max’s Empanadas are featured in the August 2010 edition of Baltimore Magazine. Pick up a copy at a local retailer or visit the magazine’s Web site for more information and to see all of “Baltimore’s Best.”

Great things are happening at the University Farmers’ Market!

You might remember meeting Roy Skeen, the Charm City Farmer who was recently featured on CNN. He’s one of over a dozen vendors participating in the second annual University Farmers’ Market held every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. in Plaza Park. Now, two other Farmers’ Market vendors are making headlines of their own.

Baltimore Magazine has named both Mallow Munchies and Max’s Empanadas among “Baltimore’s Best” when it comes to serving customers like you fantastic food and delicious desserts.

Voted Baltimore’s “Best Sweet Snack,” Mallow Munchies serves up a one-of-a-kind twist on the standard rice crispy treat. The marshmallow is made from scratch with all natural ingredients, and with names like CaraMallow Munch, Marble Munch, and Crunch Munch, who wouldn’t want to indulge in one of these tasty treats?

Joining Mallow Munchies among the ranks of “Baltimore’s Best” is Max’s Empanadas, which has been named Baltimore’s “Best Lunch (Casual).” Not only are the savory empanadas available each week at the Farmer’s Market, they can also be found at Max’s Empanadas in Baltimore’s Little Italy, a restaurant located at 313 S. High Street, where customers can enjoy a variety of fresh, authentic Argentine-inspired empanadas, paninis and desserts.

So, what are you waiting for? Stop by the University Farmers’ Market and sample some of the “best” Baltimore has to offer.

By Chris Lindsley
Blog Editor

In 2006, Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts wanted to create a unique family-friendly event to benefit the University of Maryland Hospital for Children (UMHC). Roberts, who had open-heart surgery as a child, is passionate about giving back to kids, and has been a regular visitor to UMHC throughout his Orioles career.

The event he created is Brian’s Baseball Bash, and he is hosting his fifth Bash on August 22 at Dave & Buster’s in the Arundel Mills Mall. Attendees get to mingle with Brian, other Orioles’ players and local sports stars while enjoying a night of games, great food and silent auction. What makes it stand out from other such events, though, is Brian’s passion for the event, and the cause.

On the family focus: “A lot of the events really feature adults raising money. I wanted to do something with our love for the kids and passion for the hospital that involved families, that families could do together.”

On his desire to interact with attendees: “The best part is that you get to have personal interaction with anybody that comes to the Bash and wants to come up and say hi. Most of the time I sign autographs for a long, long time and take pictures and try to communicate with the people that are taking time out of their day and taking money out of their pocket to support this event.”

On having raised $450,000 at previous Bashes: “It’s amazing to think that people would give their own money to something that has my name on it and supports the [UM Hospital for Children]. It really is humbling; I never would have thought I’d be in a position to be able to do something like that.”

Tickets to this year’s Bash are available here, or call Whitney Reeves at 410-328-3637.

By Bob Paff
UM Hospital for Children Board Member
Host of CBS Radio Show “Communicating to Win”

Editor’s Note: Bob Paff will interview Dr. Keyvan Rafei, UMMC’s head of pediatric emergency medicine, on his radio show “Communicating to Win” on 105.7 FM from 7-8 a.m. on Sunday, August 8.

As a father of 6 it’s not hard to understand why and how I would come to support the University of Maryland Hospital For Children (UMHC). My role as a UMHC board member came at the suggestion of a friend, who wondered if I had any volunteer activities in my life. After the first meeting I was committed to the cause!

I met Dr. Keyvan Rafei at a board meeting. He was giving a clinical presentation with a spin toward the “business of medicine.” As a consultant, motivational speaker and CBS Radio show host I have a talk I give on that exact title! Clearly I was intrigued. After Dr. Rafei stopped speaking I told the Chairman of Pediatrics, Dr. Steven Czinn, that it was the best presentation I had heard since being on the board.

I decided he should be a guest on my radio show, “Communicating To Win,” which airs on 105.7 FM on Sunday mornings from 7-8 a.m. Tune in on Sunday, August 8 to hear what Dr. Rafei has to say.

By Kathy Schuetz
UMGCC Web Site Editor

The University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center hosted a Hawaiian-style celebration for cancer survivors on June 27, 2010. Watch a video of the uplifting event, including survivors sharing their perspectives on what it means to be a cancer survivor.