- 1:54Can Your Gut Help Prevent Organ Rejection?
The biggest challenge in heart transplants isn’t the first year.Survival rates exceed 95% early on — but over time, the immune system can still reject the heart.At the University of Maryland, Baltimore, researchers are studying how the gut microbiome helps regulate immune responses — and whether a transplanted heart is accepted or rejected long-term.The goal: more precise treatments that help patients live longer, healthier lives.Hear from Bing Ma, University of Maryland School of Medicine assistant professor on how her research aims to make lives better for these patients.#BreakthroughsCantWaitUMB #Shorts #HeartTransplant #Microbiome #MedicalResearch #ScienceExplained - 1:09Gut Microbiome and Heart Transplants Explained | Breakthroughs Can't Wait
What if your gut microbiome could affect a heart transplant?At the University of Maryland, Baltimore, researchers are studying how microbes in the gut regulate the immune system — influencing whether a transplanted heart is accepted or rejected.This research is helping move toward more precise, personalized treatments to improve survival and quality of life.Hear more from Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology Bing Ma, PhD.Breakthroughs can’t wait. At UMB, we're changing the future today!#BreakthroughsCantWaitUMB #Shorts #MedicalResearch #Microbiome #HeartTransplant #scienceexplained - 4:30What if gut bacteria helped determine heart transplant success? | Breakthroughs Can't Wait
What if the key to long-term heart transplant success isn’t just the surgery — but the gut?At the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Bing Ma, PhD, is studying how the gut microbiome may influence outcomes for heart transplant patients — especially beyond the critical first year after surgery.While heart transplants have a remarkable short-term success rate of over 95% survival in the first year, long-term graft survival remains a major challenge. The immune system can continue to recognize the transplanted heart as foreign, leading to rejection over time.Dr. Ma’s research explores how the gut microbiome — a powerful regulator of immune responses — may tip the balance. Certain microbes may help the body accept a transplanted organ, while others could contribute to rejection.By identifying which microbes and microbial products are beneficial or harmful, this work aims to shift transplant care from broad immunosuppression to more precise, personalized treatments.The goal: help transplant patients not just survive — but truly thrive.Learn more at https://www.umaryland.edu/breakthroughs#HeartTransplant #Microbiome #MedicalResearch #TransplantScience #Immunology #PrecisionMedicine #UMSOM #UniversityOfMaryland #HealthcareInnovation #ScienceExplained #BreakthroughsCantWaitUMB - 1:29Angela Akes Shares the Impact of Scholarship Funds
University of Maryland School of Social Work student Angela Akes explains how the Sandra D. Hess Scholarship in Community Action helped her explore different career paths in social work including social entrepreneurship, community organizing, policy and program design. If you would like to learn more about how to get involved with the School of Social Work or how to give, visit https://ssw.umaryland.edu/giving - 28:37Financial Social Work in Action: CASH Campaign of Maryland
UMSSW alumnae and founders of the CASH Campaign of Maryland, Robin McKinney, MSW ’01 and Sara Johnson, MSW ’02 discuss their career path into financial social work, challenges faced in the social work profession, and their experience founding the Cash Campaign of Maryland. To learn more about financial social work at the University of Maryland School of Social Work visit https://ssw.umaryland.edu/fwsi - 0:50Using Virtual Reality to help with Hospital Patient Recovery
Patients recovering in the hospital can use a virtual reality headset right at their bedside to stay active.Through PAVE (Preserving Ability Through Virtual Exercise), developed by University of Maryland School of Nursing researcher Brittany Burch, PhD, RN, patients follow guided, immersive workouts designed to support strength and recovery.In this example, patients hit targets to the beat of their favorite music — turning movement into something engaging and accessible during a hospital stay.Because recovery shouldn’t mean getting weaker.Breakthroughs can’t wait. At the University of Maryland, Baltimore, we’re changing the future today. #breakthroughscantwaitumbhttps://www.umaryland.edu/breakthroughs#UMBaltimore #NursingResearch #HealthyAging #VirtualReality #VRHealth #HealthcareInnovation #PatientRecovery #AgingWell #DigitalHealth - 0:58Can VR Help Patients Stay Strong in the Hospital? | Breakthroughs Can't Wait
For older adults, even short hospital stays can lead to muscle loss and long-term weakness.At the University of Maryland School of Nursing, researchers are testing PAVE — a virtual reality exercise program designed to help patients stay active during recovery.Because healing shouldn’t mean losing strength.Breakthroughs can’t wait. At the University of Maryland, Baltimore, we’re changing the future today.https://www.umaryland.edu/breakthroughs#BreakthroughsCantWait #UMBaltimore #HealthcareInnovation #VirtualReality #HealthyAging #Nursing - 4:31What If Virtual Exercise Could Transform Hospital Recovery for Older Patients?
At the University of Maryland School of Nursing, Brittany Burch, PhD, RN, assistant professor, is helping older adults maintain their strength during hospital stays — a time when even a few days in bed can have lasting consequences.To address this, Burch and her colleagues developed Preserving Ability through Virtual Exercise (PAVE), a virtual reality–based program designed to help patients stay active. Patients can pick up a VR headset at their bedside whenever they feel up to it and follow guided exercises in an immersive environment.Read more at https://umaryland.edu/breakthroughs#NursingResearch #HealthyAging #VirtualReality #VRHealth #HealthcareInnovation #PatientRecovery #AgingWell #DigitalHealth - 1:11The Governors Wellness Mobile Visits State Circle
The Governor’s Wellmobile, operated by the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), was at the state capitol in Annapolis providing free blood pressure and glucose screenings to highlight to the Maryland delegation just a small sample of the free services it offers to Marylanders who need it most.The Wellmobile, a mobile clinic that in fiscal year 2025, served approximately 1,600 patients, operates four days a week in Prince George’s County and has provided continuous primary care services since its founding in 1994.Read more: https://www.umaryland.edu/news/archived-news/april-2026/the-only-provider-governors-wellmobile-showcases-community-impact-.php - 1:302026 UMB Employee Recognition Lunch
The annual University of Maryland, Baltimore Employee Recognition and Service Awards Luncheon at Westminster Hall honored employee service milestones and awards for employee of the year, community service, and the James T. Hill Scholarship to go toward professional development.UMB also recognized three employees who have won University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents Staff Awards over the past two years. The awards are the highest honor presented by the board to exemplary staff members across the 12-institution USM.Read more at https://elm.umaryland.edu
