- News & Press Releases, Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLanham, MD — Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) has received a meaningful donation made in memory of Tyrena Spry, a beloved mother, sister, daughter, and friend who was cared for at the hospital before her passing in 2012 following a courageous battle with breast cancer. The donation of “chemo comfy bags” is intended to support patients currently undergoing cancer treatment and to honor Tyrena’s enduring spirit, strength, and compassion. Known as the glue that held her family together, Tyrena Spry was affectionately called Ma, Tye-Tye, Weenie, May May, Rennie, and Auntie Rena. Even as cancer challenged her body, Tyrena remained defined by her warmth, creativity, and devotion to her son, Kennedy Birdwell, while continuing to uplift everyone around her. "The hospital staff was with our family during one of the most difficult chapters of our lives," said Shavon Spry, Tyrena’s sister. "This donation is our way of saying thank you and carrying on Tyrena’s belief that even in the hardest moments, kindness and hope matter. She would want every patient to know they are not alone and that their strength is greater than they realize." The donation of “chemo comfy bags” are designed to provide comfort and encouragement to patients undergoing cancer treatment. Each bag is thoughtfully filled with items such as books, journals, cozy blankets, scarves, hats, snacks, and more to help ease long treatment days. The family initially set a goal of assembling 50 bags in honor of what would have been Tyrena’s 50th birthday, but the effort quickly gained momentum throughout the community. With support from friends, neighbors, and a local Girl Scout troop that joined the initiative, the drive ultimately resulted in the donation of more than 100 “chemo comfy bags” to cancer patients. To express gratitude for the family’s generosity and the opportunity to carry Tyrena’s legacy forward, nurses, physicians, and care team members gathered for a ceremony honoring Tyrena’s memory and reflecting on her courageous journey. “We are deeply honored to receive this donation in memory of Tyrena Spry,” said Deneen Richmond, president of LHDCMC “Her story reflects the courage, love, and perseverance we see in so many of our patients every day. Gifts like this help us provide comfort, compassion, and support to individuals and families navigating cancer treatment, and we are grateful to the Spry family for allowing us to be part of Tyrena’s lasting impact.” The donation will help support comfort initiatives for patients undergoing treatment, offering reassurance during a challenging time. The Spry family hopes that each recipient feels a sense of peace and encouragement, carrying forward Tyrena’s message of courage, faith, and joy. "Tyrena taught us that true strength isn’t about never falling," added representatives of the family. "It’s about rising every time and lifting others along the way."0
- Pediatrics, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSummer’s here which means it’s a great time for kids to get outside and play, but the heat can also take a serious toll on little bodies when we aren’t careful. Heat exhaustion is one of the most common conditions kids experience in the summer. A child’s body surface makes up a greater proportion of their overall weight than an adult’s, which puts them at greater risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion Severe thirst Nausea Fast and shallow breathing Headaches Muscle pain Cool, clammy skin If your child is experiencing these symptoms you should immediately bring them to a cooler place, remove any excess clothing, encourage them to drink cool fluids and call your doctor for advice. You can prevent heat exhaustion by being proactive about keeping your child hydrated. Make sure they drink cool water early and often. If they’re going out to play or to a sports practice make sure they’re fully hydrated before leaving and then make sure they take regular breaks to drink – even if they aren’t thirsty. Heat exhaustion starts slowly but if it’s not identified and treated quickly it can progress into heat stroke. Symptoms of Heat Stroke Pounding headache Dizziness and light-headedness Red, hot, dry skin Cramps or muscle weakness Rapid, shallow breathing Nausea, vomiting Confusion Unconsciousness Heat stroke is very serious and is considered a medical emergency. If you think someone has heat stroke, call 911 immediately. While you wait for medics to arrive you can try and cool the person down by moving them to a shady or cool area, fanning them and cooling down their skin with water. Author By David Afzal, DO, a family medicine physician with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Waugh Chapel Family Medicine. To find an AAMG doctor in your area, visit MyAAMG.org. Originally published May 29, 2015. Last updated July 6, 2020.0
- ConditionConditions/Services/Treatments PageHow We Manage Pregnancy Complications at Luminis HealthGrowing a whole other life is miraculous, but it's not easy. Pregnancy can stress the body and cause health problems. These health issues can sometimes pose risks to babies too.At Luminis Health, we closely follow your health so we can respond to the earliest signs of complications. This way, we can keep you and your baby safe.0
- Men's Health, Physical Therapy, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDry needling is a technique that has been around for decades, yet many people remain unfamiliar with it. Specially trained physical therapists use dry needling to relieve pain and improve range of motion for patients. Dry needling evolved from trigger point therapy. Muscles often form trigger points, or contracted knots, if they’re stressed or strained. “Dry” refers to the fact that no fluids, such as anesthetics or saline, are injected into the trigger point. What is occurring at the cellular level with dry needling is a complex process. However, a shortened version is the needle inserts into a trigger point in the muscle, which elicits a twitch response. This causes the body to activate an immune response to help healing and decrease pain. In addition, increased blood flow to the area occurs. The needles are single-use, thin filiform needles, similar to those used for acupuncture. The gauge and length of the needles may vary. Dry needling is not the same as acupuncture, even though similar needles are used. Acupuncture is based upon traditional Chinese medicine, while dry needling is based upon Western medicine. Traditional Chinese acupuncture uses needles to direct energy, while physical therapists use dry needling to release tight muscles. With acupuncture the needles go into meridian pathways, while with dry needling the needles go in to trigger points to reduce pressure and pain. Dry needling often evokes a localized twitch response that helps decrease muscle contraction, improve flexibility and decrease pain. Dry needling can help many chronic and acute conditions. This includes conditions where manual physical therapy techniques haven’t reduced pain sufficiently. Dry needling can help treat many diagnoses including, but not limited to, chronic neck and back pain, headaches, and overuse injuries. Overuse injuries include tendinitis of the rotator cuff, tennis elbow, runner’s knee, etc. Not everyone is an ideal candidate for dry needling. While dry needling can benefit many, there are some who are not good candidates. This includes those with needle phobia or who have a history of an abnormal reaction to an injection. Those with lymphedema or who are in their first trimester of pregnancy may not be ideal candidates either. Dry needling is not for those with unmanaged blood-clotting or immune-system disorders. Plus, the American Physical Therapy Association does not recommend dry needling for children younger than 12. Always check with your medical provider or physical therapist if you have concerns. Trigger points are often the result of lack of mobility of a joint, muscular weakness, repetitive stress and/or improper movement patterns. They are the “effect.” In order to restore normal function, we must treat the “cause.” Dry needling is just one tool a physical therapist may use in your treatment plan to achieve this goal. Authors Melissa Lambiasi, DPT, is a physical therapist certified to perform dry needling.0
- Employee SpotlightGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOn the International Day of the Girl, we celebrate the remarkable journeys of Deneen, Anne and Ana Maria, women whose lives are a testament to the power of integrity. These three inspiring individuals have overcome adversity, championed individuality, and are paving the way for a more inclusive future for girls and women everywhere. Deneen’s Full Circle Journey Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center and Chief Quality, Equity, and Population Health Officer, has come full circle in her journey. The hospital she leads is just a mile away from the elementary school she attended as a child. However, her path was not without its challenges. In the 1970s, as a young girl, Deneen recalls experiencing racism for the first time when she was bused during the desegregation of schools. “We basically felt unwanted here,” Deneen recalls. “Our buses would pull up, and there would be parents of kids throwing things at the bus, yelling nasty things as we’re getting off the bus. No child should have to go through that, not because of anything that you’ve done, but just because of the color of your skin.” Nearly 50 years later, Deneen is on a mission to address racial inequities that persist in healthcare and advance the health system’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) initiatives. “I think a lot of it, and even what we see in healthcare, is the same thing we’re seeing in our communities,” Deneen reflects. “There’s still bias, there’s still racism, and so I think that impacts women and women of color and our ability to be recognized for the talents and strengths that we bring to the table.” She, along with hospital staff members, have returned to her former grade school to donate school supplies and gifts during the holidays. Together, we are paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for girls everywhere. Anne’s Unwavering Authenticity For Anne Gotimer, director of WellBeing and Employee Health, life has been a journey of self-discovery and resilience. From a young age, she faced the challenge of expressing her gender identity and unique style in a world that often demands conformity. However, Anne refused to compromise her identity, standing up for her right to self-expression even in the face of bullying and harassment. “I’ll never forget the first time I was allowed to wear something other than a dress in my school yearbook photo,” Anne recalls. “I just remember having this smug look on my face like ‘Finally, I did it! I don’t have to wear a dress!’” Despite facing harassment during her middle and high school years, Anne refused to compromise her identity. “I drew a lot of negative attention and bullying over it,” she says. “When I was 11, a group of boys ambushed me in a lunch line and sprayed me with men’s cologne so I ‘smelled right’. I was furious that they thought they could make me feel bad about myself.” She stood up for her right to self-expression and learned how being true to herself had an effect on other classmates. “I didn’t know how much it mattered until a high school acquaintance talked to me about my suits and over-the-top outfits… apparently this, in our rural town, made other people feel like they could be bold.” Anne’s stayed true to herself. She drew inspiration from icons like David Bowie and Annie Lennox, who celebrated their individuality fearlessly. Anne’s parents also played a crucial role in nurturing her uniqueness, showing her that being loved for who you are is deeply rewarding. Reflecting on her experiences, Anne has valuable advice for young girls and women: Find your unique identity and wear it proudly. Confidence in one’s authentic self can be a catalyst for personal and professional success. In her role at Luminis Health, Anne’s unique perspective has fostered inclusivity and collaboration. She actively promotes diversity as a driver of innovation and teamwork. Anne reminds us to embrace our true selves and our passions, emphasizing that life is too short to postpone authenticity. Her journey is a testament to the power of diversity and authenticity. Ana Maria’s Resilient Advocacy Ana Maria Phillips, abuse and domestic violence specialist at Luminis Health, embodies the invincible spirit of women everywhere. Born in Cuba, her life took a dramatic turn when, as a 5-year-old unaccompanied minor, she left her homeland for the United States during the Cuban revolution. “I was separated from my family for about two years,” she said. “State governments and religious organizations sponsored us, and I ended up in St. Ann’s Orphanage in Massachusetts. It was a challenging environment.” Reuniting with her parents was a miracle, an emotional moment that Ana Maria’s mother hadn’t expected when she put her daughter on that plane. Ana Maria’s path to advocacy was somewhat accidental but deeply meaningful. Her high school years were marked by a fascination with Native American history, a subject that helped her draw connections to the injustices faced by her own people in Cuba. This sparked her determination to fight for human rights and eventually pursued a degree in social work. A move to Maryland led Ana Maria to a role at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center as a domestic violence specialist. Over the last 15 years here, she says she has learned so much on the job, working closely with Latina women and providing essential support and education on their rights. She earned the prestigious Warren B. Duckett Jr. Memorial Commitment to Justice Award from the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney, recognizing her outstanding advocacy work. Her journey of resilience serves as a powerful source of inspiration for her patients who have also experienced trauma and hardship. On this International Day of the Girl, Deneen, Anne and Ana Maria are examples of the transformative impact that one person can have on the world. Their stories share the enduring spirit of girls and women who rise above adversity, empower others, and create positive change. Embracing authenticity is not just a celebration of individuality; it’s a call to action for a more inclusive and equitable future for all.0
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