Wellness House of Annapolis Announces New Executive Director

Wellness House of Annapolis Announces New Executive Director

Wellness House of Annapolis Announces
New Executive Director

Wellness House of Annapolis (WH) is excited to announce a new Executive Director, Mary Jermann. Jermann joins WH leadership after working with Hospice of the Chesapeake as director of volunteer services. She brings a dedication to working with volunteers to provide compassionate care for patients and families.

With an extensive background in both corporate and nonprofit arenas, Jermann joins a warm team of professionals devoted to supporting the nonclinical psychosocial needs of Marylanders affected by cancer and their families. “Wellness House is so fortunate to have someone with Mary Jermann’s character and leadership experience as Executive Director,” MaryAleese Schreiber, vice president of the Wellness House Board of Directors, states. “She is passionate about our mission and has a ‘can-do’ attitude. Mary and our dedicated staff will be an excellent team.”

Jermann has nearly three decades of corporate experience, including roles as vice president at T. Rowe Price and director of operations at Kinloch & Associates. Her rich history in working with a variety of nonprofits includes several years as a licensed consultant with the Maryland Nonprofits’ Standards for Excellence program. Jermann holds a bachelor of science degree from University of Maryland and is certified as a life coach by the Martha Beck Institute. When describing this next phase of her career at WH, Jermann explains, “After my own personal experiences and working with hospice patients, I have developed a passion for wellness programs, which has led me to this warm, welcoming home full of compassionate people. I am looking forward to expanding these offerings to reach more individuals and organizations within the community we serve.”

Jermann starts her new position as Executive Director of WH on August 5. She can be contacted at mary@annapoliswellnesshouse.org.

Camp kicking off summer for children touched by cancer

Camp kicking off summer for children touched by cancer

Annual Camp Kicking Off Summer for
Children Touched by Cancer

This week Wellness House of Annapolis hosted its 8th Annual Paint Your Rainbow Summer Camp for over 30 children affected by cancer in their families, through a loved one with the disease. We were joined by wonderful – and generous – local businesses who gifted their time and resources for activities, including:

  • Therapeutic Song Writing with music therapist Sean Lane, Therapeutic Art with Artworks Studio, and Goat Yoga with Goat to be Zen Yoga
  • Exploring nature and critters with EcoAdventures, and reading stories with therapeutic dogs thanks to Caring Canines
  • Photography Scavenger Hunt with Wendy Preslan of NanaSue Photography, Irish Dancing with Junior LAOH Irish Dancers, and had Family Portraits thanks to Emily Schmitt Photography
  • Frozen treats thanks to Kona Ice, lunches thanks to Galway Bay, Papa John’s Pizza, Naval Bagels, Chick Fil A, Sam’s Club, and desserts thanks to Subway and Uncle Bob’s cookies

Campers learned mindfulness strategies, expressed themselves through art, and found new ways to resiliently cope with cancer in their families through music and friendship. They also identified strengths within themselves and others through photography. Thanks to generous community supporters, this was all at no cost to families at Wellness House of Annapolis.

For more on our camp, visit our Facebook page.

Geaton & JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation Generously Matches Wellness House of Annapolis Fundraising

Geaton & JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation Generously Matches Wellness House of Annapolis Fundraising

Wellness House of Annapolis Kicks Off Fundraising Challenge with Support from The Geaton & JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation and Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan

Wellness House of Annapolis is excited to announce that the Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation has matched $100,000 in donations raised for Wellness House to continue to provide education, counseling, wellness programs, and more services free to thousands of community members affected by cancer!

Wellness House relies entirely on individual donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships to make numerous opportunities for life-changing support available at no cost to the community. Abundantly generous support from community fundraising efforts allowed Wellness House to reach its $100,000 goal in December 2018, and the gracious matching gift of $100,000 by the DeCesaris Family foundation ensures that Wellness House will be able to continue to serve the community in 2019.

Geaton & JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation Pledges Generous Matching Gift for Wellness House of Annapolis Fundraising

Geaton & JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation Pledges Generous Matching Gift for Wellness House of Annapolis Fundraising

Wellness House of Annapolis Kicks Off Fundraising Challenge with Support from The Geaton & JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation and Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan

This giving season, Wellness House of Annapolis is honored and excited to announce that the Geaton and JoAnn DeCesaris Family Foundation has pledged to match – dollar for dollar – donations to Wellness House up to $100,000 received from now through December 15, 2018. The DeCesaris/Prout Cancer Foundation graciously hosted a fundraising reception that kicked off the campaign with a $10,000 gift to Wellness House.

Wellness House relies entirely on individual donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships to make numerous support groups, counseling services, programs, classes, and more available for free to thousands of community members affected by cancer. This generous gift-matching pledge helps make it possible for Wellness House to continue to provide free support and services, and offers individual and corporate donors a unique opportunity to double the impact of their contributions. Wellness House welcomes the community’s support to reach their $100,000 goal so that they can continue to meet the needs of their members in 2019. Those interested in contributing may visit www.annapoliswellnesshouse.org/donate to donate.

“My Notebook”: A Workshop for Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients and their Families

“My Notebook”: A Workshop for Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients and their Families

Wellness House of Annapolis

“My Notebook”: A Workshop for Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients and their Families

The Wellness House of Annapolis will host cancer patient advocate and author Barbara Jaffe for a half-day workshop designed for individuals in the first few months following a new cancer diagnosis. Using Ms. Jaffe’s book, My Notebook: A Guide for Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients, the workshop will discuss:

  • Regaining control of your life after a cancer diagnosis
  • Planning, coping and living with cancer
  • Navigating basic cancer treatment options and choices
  • Finding support at Wellness House and in your community

Each participating family will receive “My Notebook”, a three-ring binder system for organizing vital health information during your cancer experience. The book also contains the information covered in this workshop and more!

This workshop is offered at no charge. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, please contact Wellness House of Annapolis, admin@annapoliswellnesshouse.org. 410-990-0941 by December 1. The workshop will be held at the Wellness House, 2625 Mas Que Farm Rd., Annapolis, MD 21401.

Annapolis third-grader meets challenge to help others

Annapolis third-grader meets challenge to help others

Third-grader Gemma Love has made a big difference at the Wellness House! Her story was featured in Chesapeake Family Life:

Gemma Love is a fairy godmother of sorts. She is raising funds to benefit children affected by cancer and is even teaching them how to make fairy furniture.

The 9-year-old from Annapolis has joined “My Peak Challenge,” a campaign started by the “Outlander” television series star Sam Heughan to raise funds for blood cancers and encourage people to set fitness goals and try new things. As part of the challenge, Gemma has learned to ice skate, has set rock wall climbing goals and set a goal of raising $1,000 for kids affected by cancer in Anne Arundel County.

Wellness House: The First Ten Years

Wellness House: The First Ten Years

Ten years ago, a 40-year-old breast cancer patient and her three young daughters inspired a team of Annapolis professionals to create what some people said couldn’t be created. This story was shared in What's Up? Magazine.

Annapolis-area artist paints over mastectomy scars, bald heads from chemo

Annapolis-area artist paints over mastectomy scars, bald heads from chemo

Artist and Wellness House Therapeutic Art instructor Christalene Karaiskakis shares Healing Body Art with body painting and henna art for cancer patients. This experience was shared in the Capital Gazette:

I adorn or paint women or men who've been through illness, who have scars from their surgeries or lost their hair," Karaiskakis says, "to empower them and make them feel better, even if for two hours."

...

It started two years ago when she painted swirls of henna on the bald head of a breast cancer survivor who had lost her hair during chemotherapy sessions. Since then she has practiced her art form on residents at Hospice of the Chesapeake and on cancer patients visiting Wellness House.

Maryland’s First Lady Visits Wellness House of Annapolis

Maryland’s First Lady Visits Wellness House of Annapolis

Maryland's First Lady Yumi Hogan shared her talents with Wellness House of Annapolis as part of ‪#‎MDUnites, a service day on August 26, 2015.

She taught cancer patients and their families the art of Korean Fan Painting. An artist herself, Mrs. Hogan uses Hanji paper and Sumi ink. Sumi ink and Hanji paper are Korean traditions utilizing layers of translucent ink on the textured Hanji.

Davidsonville musician helps cancer patients cope

Davidsonville musician helps cancer patients cope

Once a month for the past two years, Davidsonville musician Bob Sima has performed concerts for cancer patients.
This story was featured in the Capital Gazette:

Wellness House of Annapolis is normally a very quiet place.

Unless Bob Sima is there.

...

"His lyrics are amazing," said Betty Rounsaville, a breast cancer survivor. "I feel peaceful, connected and joyful. This is like musical yoga." Sima, 47, is a self-taught songwriter and guitarist with a growing following.