AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi,
Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services,
and Midas of Annapolis and Pasadena
Like many people, we only recently learned about the Wellness House of Annapolis but heard good things about it from friends. When we arranged to meet Executive Director Mary Jermann for a tour of the house, we discovered it was in an unexpected pastoral location in the midst of urban sprawl off Forest Drive.
Entering the property at 2625 Mas Que Farm Road through a substantial white gate, we found a modest but welcoming farmhouse surrounded by flowers. Stepping inside, we noted a wide assortment of informative pamphlets as well as an equestrian riding helmet and ribbons, (likely a nod to the Wellness House’s popular Healing with Horses program).
Jermann greeted us in the reception area and led us upstairs to her office for an informal chat about Wellness House of Annapolis’ free programs and services for those affected by cancer.
We’d first met Mary Jermann when she was Director of Volunteer Services at Hospice of the Chesapeake. Now in her sixth year as executive director, she clearly loves her job and bubbles with enthusiasm for the work.
“The Wellness House was conceived by Dr. Kelly Sullivan to offer social and therapeutic programs to individuals diagnosed with cancer as well as their family members,” she said. “Incredibly, all of our organization’s programs are offered free of charge.”
Dr. Sullivan, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in Annapolis, Maryland has performed hundreds of reconstructive procedures on cancer patients. Over time, she became acutely aware of the physical, emotional and financial burdens experienced by these patients and their families. After researching centers in other communities that offered support to such families, she realized that Annapolis didn’t have anything comparable.
In 2007, with the help of the Annapolis Rotary Club, Dr. Sullivan founded the Wellness House of Annapolis. Local philanthropist Janet Richardson-Pearson generously donated the use of the picturesque, historic farmhouse on Mas Que Farm Road, and Wellness House of Annapolis opened its doors to the public in 2009.
“It’s kind of our mantra that, when a parent or sibling has cancer, the entire family is affected – a fact that ties in with the fact that our benefactor Janet has two adult sons who are survivors of cancer,” Jermann said. “We are able to exist and offer our services cost-free, in large part because she allows us the use of this beautiful house for free.”
She added that Wellness House of Annapolis services are available to those who register to become members. There are currently about 2,000 active members eligible for programs and services though 5,000 members are kept on the registry because cancer sometimes comes back. (They could simply reactivate their membership.) As things stand at the moment, the house averages 100 visits to its programs per week.
When Jermann arrived on the scene as executive director in August of 2019, there were 25 programs. Six years later, that number has doubled to 50 programs, ranging from the practical to the spiritual in nature. As we toured through the house, she pointed out some of the programs – especially those that are her particular favorites.
We walked by a closed-door studio where Krystle Mitchell, a professional Reiki practitioner was volunteering her time for pre-scheduled sessions with members. We’d meet Krystle later.
Instead, we entered a light-filled room with walls of windows that is used for five different yoga programs ranging from Wake-up Gentle Stretch (remote) with certified Yoga Instructor Leah Saliter and Yoga with Kathleen with instructor Kathleen James (in-person) to Oncology Yoga facilitated by instructor Stephanie Gaines-Bryant.
Many group programs are conducted here including the Healing Through Art With Christalene program facilitated by Christalene Karaiskakis whose creative, therapeutic approach is uplifting. The room might also be used for Sound Meditation sessions.
Jermann could not emphasize strongly enough how grateful she and her staff are for the volunteers within the community who are professionals that donate their time and talents to helping members of Wellness House of Annapolis. All told, there are more than 100 volunteers and the organization’s small staff couldn’t stretch far enough without them.
“We even have one massage therapist who has volunteered with us for ten years and drives down from Towson and offers her services one day each month,” she said.
Speaking of counselors, we next moved on to a comfortable room where individual, couples and family counseling is provided. Among other things, counseling is useful for guiding individuals to which services would benefit them. Seven highly qualified counselors, therapists and social workers schedule appointments with members here.
Back downstairs, we came to a comfortable reception area/parlor that is used for various support group meetings, including a coaching group for men with cancer, and occasionally for social gatherings. There we were introduced to Reiki practitioner Krystle Mitchell who had finished her final session for the day in a studio upstairs and stopped by to chat with the staff before leaving.
Talking with Mitchell as she stood next to the piano brought one of Mary Jermann’s favorite programs to mind.
“Our Program & Communications Director Terri Fevang is also a therapeutic musician who has built a Musical Journey for Healing Program for Wellness House in partnership with the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and Annapolis Music Therapy,” she said. “Members of the orchestra will come out to play at Wellness House every now and then.”
Jermann first met Fevang while working at Hospice of the Chesapeake. Fevang is a graduate of The Music for Healing and Transition Program (MHTP) that trains musicians in the art and science of using the transformative healing power of music at the bedside of the sick and dying. She would play her piano for the hospice patients.
Another program the executive director is enthusiastic about is Healing with Horses conceived by Equine Specialist Angie Burnett and led by Director and Certified Equine Gestalt Coach Emma Rogers. Janet Richardson-Pearson personally lends a hand with the program with horses from a dressage center she operates including her horse Whiskey, a beautiful and gentle Gypsy Vanner.
“We find horses to be innately empathetic creatures able to absorb and alleviate some of the pain and anxiety cancer patients feel,” said Jermann.
While waiting for an opportunity to introduce two of the women working in the reception area, Jermann led the way to the lovely patio and backyard of the farmhouse, a popular spot during a recent Wellness House summer camp for 32 children with a parent or loved one battling cancer. The program was called Paint Your Rainbow. Helping children understand what cancer is and how it affects those around them is important, so there are also monthly programs for kids called Follow Your Rainbow.
Shortly thereafter, we made our way to the farmhouse’s airy screened porch and were introduced to Kathy Reents and Jen Caughron, two women who are important to the Wellness House of Annapolis members they routinely interact with.
It was especially enlightening to speak with Kathy Reents as she has been associated with Wellness House almost from its beginnings.
“I’ve been here since July 1, 2014, Reents said. “I’d recently retired and was looking for some place to volunteer to give back. I spotted an ad in The Capital newspaper stating that the Wellness House needed help for a fundraiser they were having. I called Monday and found they did need me for the fundraiser. But I asked if they needed help any other time. They replied that they needed help Tuesday evenings, and I said I could do it. I started the following day, and I’ve been here ever since.”
We noticed, and mentioned, that she constantly seemed to be on the phone setting up schedules of appointments for members and answering questions.
“I love it,” she said. “We help so many people. A lot of people come in and we become their family. Often, they’ll say they don’t have any friends or local family. Even if they have friends, they say it’s difficult for others to understand unless they’ve been through cancer themselves. Friends do provide support but it’s a different kind of support. I’ve seen great friendships develop here because members are so supportive of each other.”
Jen Caughron, the Wellness House of Annapolis Volunteer & Member Manager, shares the reception area office space. She’s been with the organization for two years.
“I love it – both working with volunteers and providing customer service for our members,” Caughron said. “We have about 150 volunteers currently. They run many of the programs or groups. Others help me with administration, answer the phones and do new member calls, welcoming the individual and answering their questions. Together, we help members and members help us in return.”
As we were chatting with Reents and Caughron, Jermann came down the stairs with staff members Marshall Kaputsos and Sophia Berta who began positioning tables for a late afternoon happy hour gathering for a local organization with an interest in seeing the Wellness House and exploring the programs and services it offers the community.
Even as they continued setting up for the 4 pm event, the three chatted about a larger event they are already working on. They are already in the planning and preparation phase for Wellness House’s annual Fall Fundraiser that will be held at the USNA Fluegel Alumni Center on King George Street. It will be a catered affair with an entertaining program and a Silent Auction.
“We are self-sustaining. We exist because the community steps forward,” Jermann says. “The burden that comes with cancer is both emotional and financial as people lose their jobs and bills pile up. As our founder Kelly Sullivan says, it’s vital to keep our services free. We are fortunate to receive donations and we’ve been the benefactors of part of the proceeds from the recent Katherine’s Light Foundation Music Fest (Katherine Mueller, for whom that event is named, was a member and her family still are members.) Nevertheless, we must raise our own funds every year.”
The staff will reveal dates, times and more information about the fundraiser as the date draws near. Meantime, they’ll concentrate on other events, including Zoom classes, a series of workshops and their Wellness Rising Podcasts (of which there are 65 episodes). You can find them all by visiting the Wellness House of Annapolis website Home – Annapolis Wellness House.
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility whilereducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center. From health-defense to self-defense, Jing Ying provides fitness with a purpose for the whole family!
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
And Midas of Annapolis and Pasadena, A family- owned business with four locations (Annapolis, Pasadena, Laurel and Wheaton). With 40 years’ experience and the backing of a national brand, they are committed to earning customers’ trust by offering the expertise, value and responsiveness drivers expect – “every time they visit us.”
