Therapy Dog Fathom Reports In

We asked Jamie Dean, Dankmeyer Patient Services Representative located in the Eastern Shore office, to interview Fathom for an update. Fathom is Jamie’s therapy dog who used to make regular visits to the Linthicum office for Fathom Friday. Fathom has been home with her human family and folks have been curious as to what the friendly, treat loving, sweet girl has been up to. Jamie scheduled an interview and submits it here.

Hi Everypawdy!

It’s me, Fathom! Due to COVID-19, I unfortunately have been unable to come into the office to help the employees and patients of Dankmeyer de-stress. The last time I was there it was March and here are some pictures of me with some of my Dankmeyer friends: Stacy and Abi, Bryan, Cindy and Courtney.

I thought I would give you an update on what I have been up to these past couple of months. My brother, Tarpon and I, have been enjoying all this extra family time.  My mom, Jamie Dean, has been working from home two days a week which has been great! I mean, what dog wouldn’t love four full days with their human?!

I have definitely been enjoying the extra cuddles, evening walks, extra games of ball and I have to say, Tarpon and my bird chasing abilities have greatly improved! We never catch one but I am definitely faster than Tarpon. I have started to really like the newest member of our family, my human brother, Rhett. I am really enjoying the food droppings he is providing; I foresee a great relationship between us brewing.

My doggie advice to all my friends struggling, is to try your best to enjoy this extra family time while you can. When will be the next time you’ll be able to sit and really enjoy Mother Nature, listening to her whispers in the trees or lay in the grass?  I truly cannot wait to come back into the office and see everyone, but in the meantime I am going to keep pawing my mom and dad for extra belly rubs.

Stay healthy & safe!

Fathom

April Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month

Each year, the Amputee Coalition (AC) designates April as Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLAM). Throughout the month, amputee support groups across America hold events to “Show Your Mettle”. They hold walk/run/roll events in their cities to help educate and empower people with limb loss differences to rise up and reach their potential. 

We were very fortunate that Governor Larry Hogan was able to sign the petition we made to make April Limb Loss Awareness Month in Maryland.

Dawn Miranda, our Prosthetist Assistant, who is an amputee herself, created a campaign for patients who wanted to share their amputee experience as part of the AC “Show Your Mettle” specified day on April 25, 2020. You can see those stories by visiting our Patient Stories page, by clicking here.

Dawn and CPO Marlies Beerli-Cabell have also attended a number of webinars this week hosted by the AC featuring Advocacy issues. If you are interested in the AC Advocacy program, click here for more information.

Limb loss is much more common than many people realize, and sadly the numbers are growing. By educating yourself, family and friends - you can have a meaningful, fact-based discussion if this touches your life. The Amputee Coalition is a great resource for anyone with limb loss and limb difference. Did you know:

•There are currently 2.1 million people living with limb loss in the USA, and the number is expected to double by 2050.

•185,000 people have an amputation each year. This means that 300-500 amputations are performed every day.  

•There are more than 1 million annual limb amputations globally- one every 30 seconds.

•1,588 military personnel lost a limb as a result of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

•Approximately 30% of people with limb loss experience depression or anxiety. 

If you want more information about limb loss and the health conditions that can lead to limb loss, you can visit their website by clicking on this link.   Here is a great graphic:

Dankmeyer hosted We Wear Orange Wednesdays at Dankmeyer, encouraging Dankmeyer team members to wear items of orange clothing, ribbons and in these days of COVID-19 - orange face coverings. Whether we were telecommuting, at the office, or outside, we did it! Here is a gallery of Orange Wednesdays!

And outside, with appropriate social distancing for COVID-19, we support Limb Loss Awareness Month!

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UPDATE! COVID-19 Statement from The Dankmeyer Team

UDPATE 4/27/2020

To read all updated and new information, click here for our page dedicated to COVID-19.

UPDATE 04-08-2020

As an essential business, we remain open and working following all CDC precautions for the safety of our clients and staff. However, during the pandemic, we will be restricting our hours, and we we will see patients by appointment only. Please call the office to confirm or make your appointment.

In addition, we ask anyone coming into our offices to wear a mask to protect themselves and our staff. If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please call us to discuss before coming in.

The CDC has published guidelines concerning the use of cloth face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19. It includes instructions on how to make several different kinds of cloth masks. You can open that document by clicking here. If watching a video is more helpful, JoAnn’s Fabrics has posted a helpful video on YouTube, which you can watch here.

UPDATE 3-23-2020

Pursuant to Maryland Governor Hogan's updated restrictions announced yesterday, and as an essential business, we remain open and working following all CDC precautions for the safety of our clients and staff. Please call with questions or to inquire about an appointment or need for service. We are able to help via phone and video conference as needed to limit visits.

Dankmeyer Prosthetics and Orthotics has been a part of Maryland communities for over 65 years.  Our mission is to take the best care of our patients and our team members, in uncertain times and the best of times!  You are our friends and family, and your concerns are important to us.  We are taking the precautions necessary to protect the safety and health of our communities using the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the State of Maryland, and we monitor these sites for any changes in recommended procedures.

We continue to maintain our regular hours to provide the services you need.  However, if you are unsure, or uncomfortable coming in for your appointment, please call us, and we are happy to accommodate any change of schedule.  If you or a family member are not feeling well, please reschedule.   If you have completed any recent travel abroad or to a region of the United States experiencing a high volume of COVID-19 cases, please reschedule. You can call us at 410-636-8114 or 800-879-1245.

Every single member of our staff will continue to give the best orthotics and prosthetics care and support possible. If anything changes about our hours or policy, we will notify you promptly.  Together, with open hearts and calm minds, we can make a difference to keep our communities healthy.

For your convenience, we have included some reference material from the CDC.

To access the CDC’s information page on COVID-19, click here.

For a PDF from the CDC concerning facts you might need to know about COVID-19, click here.

For a PDF from the CDC concerning what to do if you are sick with COVID-19, click here.

Be well,

The Dankmeyer Team

Dankmeyer clinicians are committed to serving you along with the rest of the Dankmeyer Team.

Farewell, Jed Newhardt!

Today, the Dankmeyer family says goodbye to Jed! Easton clinician Jed Newhardt, CPO is leaving Dankmeyer for a new adventure. Jed has been a valuable member of the Dankmeyer team for over six years. We appreciate all his hard work and the contributions to the Easton community. We will miss him and wish him all the best!

Goodbye, Sharon!

Sharon Idleman has been with Dankmeyer for twenty three years, and this last work day of February 2020 will be her last day at Dankmeyer. Sharon started with Dankmeyer in Patient Services and has been an Accounting Assistant for the last six years.

When we first started our Dankmeyer Facebook page, we did a monthly post where we featured Dankmeyer staff members. Sharon doesn’t like for the “spotlight” to be shining on her, but she finally agreed to be the first employee that we featured. This is what we posted about Sharon six years ago:

Many of our patients recognize her warm, soothing voice when she speaks to them on the phone.  A native of Pasadena, MD, Sharon attended Northeast Senior High.  After graduation, she went to work in a chiropractic practice, where she became a licensed Chiropractic Assistant.  A family member was one of Dankmeyer's patients, and Sharon eventually decided to switch gears and become a part of the patient administration team at Dankmeyer, eventually working in patient funding and accounting.  At home, her two sons keep her very busy with their year round football, wrestling and basketball activities.  In quiet moments, Sharon likes a good book and her Kindle is never far from her at lunch.  Sharon is a dedicated member of our Dankmeyer team, and works hard to help meet our patients' needs.

Sharon still has that magical phone voice and her two sons are older and busier than ever. She has probably read a hundred books since that post (or more!) and been a valuable member of our Dankmeyer team. We are going to miss her, and wish her well in her new adventures!