How can assisted living communities improve dementia care and reduce agitation in residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias?At the University of Maryland School of Nursing, Sarah Holmes, PhD, MSW, is researching how meaningful, personalized activities can improve quality of life for people living with dementia while helping reduce aggression, agitation, and distressing behavioral symptoms.Many residents with dementia spend large portions of the day disengaged because activity programming often isn’t tailored to their interests, abilities, or personal history. Holmes says that boredom and lack of engagement can increase behavioral symptoms and create additional stress for caregivers and staff.To address this challenge, Holmes and her research team — including Barbara Resnick, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, and Elizabeth “Beth” Galik, PhD, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP — developed “Meaningful Activities for Assisted Living,” an evidence-based dementia care approach designed to create more personalized engagement throughout the day.The four-step model helps assisted living communities: • Identify resident interests and preferences • Train staff on meaningful engagement strategies • Improve care environments and routines • Reduce challenging dementia-related behaviors through personalized careWatch how researchers are working to improve dementia care, Alzheimer’s support, caregiver experiences, and quality of life in assisted living communities.#DementiaCare #Alzheimers #AssistedLiving #Aging #Caregiving #HealthcareResearch #NursingResearch #ElderCare #UniversityOfMaryland #BreakthroughsCantWaitUMB

April Xu shares her experience and exposure to the broad scope of social work as a Research Assistant working with Dr. Jodi Frey and the Behavioral Health and Well-Being Research Center (BHWell). Learn more about BHWell and how you can make an impact. https://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/giving/how-can-donors-impact-the-behavioral-health-and-well-being-research-center-bhwell/

On May 8 2026 the University of Maryland, Baltimore Strategic Plan Committee reported out on the themes that have formed the foundation of the University's next strategic plan. This one-hour town hall discussion included questions from the virtual audience and answers from the panel.

As the University of Maryland, Baltimore honors and celebrates the Class of 2026 with individual school and school department ceremonies from May 12 through May 20, we asked our students to share photos of their time at UMB and answer, "Why did you choose UMB?"#UMBgrad #Classof2026 #CollegeGraduation

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

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

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

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

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

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