Why Luminis Health?Inpatient psychiatric care with heartWe understand. It can be frightening to need adult inpatient psychiatric care. Whether you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms for the first time or has struggled for years, our experts can help.We handle your mental health care with compassion. We offer a space and with services designed to bring the light back into your life. There's a sense of calm and peace here, for both you and those who care about you.Our inpatient psychiatric care program is a dedicated space at the J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center. It's secure and private. We provide safe, supervised, 24/7 care personalized to your needs. Removing barriers to wellnessWe know your loved one's support may help you succeed. And we know they want to be there for you. That's why we're thankful our McNew Family Medical Center offers you the treatment you need, close to home.
Treatment
Conditions/Services/Treatments Page
Inpatient Psychiatric Care
Do You Need 24/7 Care for Your Mental Health Needs?You're human and you're doing your best. But life can sometimes throw you curve balls. Things outside our control — illness, trauma, job loss — can trigger and worsen mental health issues. Or maybe you forgot to take your medications. Or they stopped working for you.It doesn't mean you've failed. It means you need extra care, 24/7, to get you through a challenging time.We're here to get you safely back to you.
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Community, Pediatrics, Patient Stories
General Page Tier 3
Pediatrician Realizes His Dream in Cambodia
Blog
When local pediatrician, Dr. Steve Brown, was young, he dreamed of being a doctor working on a boat. The first part of his dream defined his career as a pediatrician, and last year, he realized the second part while he served as a volunteer at The Lake Clinic, Cambodia. The clinic brings doctors, medical supplies and other services to seven floating villages on the Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia. Many of the houses in these villages are either floating structures or built on stilts over the water, and the area is so remote that the only way to bring a clinic to the people is by boat.
Dr. Brown had been consulting with clinics (including one in Cuba) over the internet for a year or so, helping them to assess more difficult illnesses or conditions. “I’ll get pictures of dermatological conditions, or something that transmits in a photograph,” he says, “and it’s easy for me to get a specialist to take a look at it.”
After helping patients online, Dr. Brown had an opportunity to spend a month at the clinic where he experienced first-hand the extreme needs of people in such a remote location. “We traveled three to four hours to reach people who couldn’t even seek medical care if they wanted to,” he says. “Families are living off of $2 per day and it cost $40 to $50 worth of fuel just to get us there.”
He says the most rewarding aspect of the work is the appreciation shown by the people they were helping. “The people are just so grateful that you’re there helping them and it gives you a warm feeling inside to be able to do that.”
Dr. Brown also volunteers for Project Angkor, a humanitarian mission that sets up free temporary clinics in remote areas to treat patients and help train Cambodian medical students.
Cambodia has a special draw for Dr. Brown, but volunteerism has characterized his career both near and far. As a member of the Maryland Physician Emergency Volunteer Corps, he worked with the Red Cross after hurricane Katrina to see people in Maryland who had been displaced from homes and needed medical care.
“This kind of work is definitely what I went into medicine for,” he says. “I wanted to be able to help people who need the help.”
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Heart Care, Surgery
General Page Tier 3
Painless Recovery After Heart Surgery
Blog
While grocery shopping with his wife over the summer, John Cryan ran up a set of stairs from a parking garage and started to feel faint. He doesn’t remember blacking out but recalls waking up inside his car. His wife called 911, and an ambulance took him to Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC).At the hospital, lab results showed a high troponin level, indicating a heart attack. John met with Scott Katzen, MD, medical director of the cardiac catheterization laboratory at LHAAMC, who recommended coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).Shortly after, John consulted with David Caparrelli, MD, Chief of Cardiac Surgery. Dr. Caparrelli explained that he could use an innovative surgical instrument to freeze John’s nerves, blocking pain signals to the brain and thus aiding in John’s recovery from open heart surgery. This technique, pioneered by Dr. Caparrelli and the team at Luminis Health, has provided long-lasting pain relief for more than 100 patients, and Luminis Health is one of the only hospitals in the country to offer this treatment. John and his wife agreed that surgery with Dr. Caparrelli was the right next step.“In some cases, you meet a surgeon once and never see them again. Dr. Caparrelli checked in on me multiple times and made me feel like I was his only patient,” John says.After surgery, John received a bottle of Tylenol for any discomfort. Six months later, he has yet to open it.“With many health care options, there’s an upside and a downside. In this case, there was only an upside. I recovered quickly and didn’t need pain relief medication,” says John.By October, three months after surgery, John realized he felt better than he had in 20 years. Now, six months post-operation, he completes an hour of cardiovascular exercise and walks his dog in the woods every day.Happily retired from a successful career in international banking, John enjoys a change of pace, spending summers on the Severn River in Annapolis. This season is especially meaningful to him, thanks to the life-saving care he received from Luminis Health.If you or a loved one needs heart surgery, visit Luminis.Health/HeartSurgery to learn about our treatment options.
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Specialty
Living with serious illness is challenging. Our palliative care team helps provide relief from both the symptoms and the stress of the illness. We can help improve quality of life for both the patient and the family.
What Is Palliative Care Palliative care focuses on improving the quality of life for those with chronic or advanced illnesses. It provides an extra layer of support to anyone facing a complex diagnosis. You may benefit from palliative care if you have: Cancer. Heart disease. Lung disease, including COPD. Advanced kidney disease. Other serious illnesses. We tailor our support to match your goals and values. Palliative care providers can address physical, emotional, spiritual and logistical concerns that make it more difficult to cope with your illness. We involve your family members, so they can assist with your care as well. We also communicate regularly with your other doctors to better coordinate your care., How Luminis Health Palliative Care Helps Our team of palliative care doctors, nurses, social workers and chaplains work with you to address the problems impacting your quality of life. For instance, our: Doctors and nurse practitioners help with symptom management and establishing goals of care. Social workers help with concerns like transportation and financial support. Chaplains provide spiritual support. Nurse navigators coordinate care between your palliative, primary and specialist care teams. We can assist you in discussing important care-related topics with your family members if you don't know how to start the conversation yourself. We also help you solve logistical problems that are barriers to your care, like getting to the hospital for treatments if you don't have a ride. Palliative care can help you feel more like yourself. When you feel better, you're more likely to maintain your treatment regimen, recover more quickly and avoid complications.
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Community, Pediatrics, Infectious Disease
General Page Tier 3
Tips for Going Back to School during the Pandemic
Blog
Many schools are re-opening for in-person instruction after being closed for nearly a year. Heading back to school can be both exciting and nerve-racking. And whether your child has already returned or is still adjusting to new schedules, our experts have you covered with helpful tips for being back in the classroom.
Routine
Since many students have been out of school for almost a year, it’s important to restart good habits around routines like eating and sleeping. Children should start going to bed early and waking up each morning at an appropriate time. Remember, it’s always good to get eight hours of sleep and breakfast is the important meal of the day.
Model Good Behavior
Students should wear masks/face coverings on the bus and at school. If you wear a mask, your children will follow your lead. Face coverings must cover their mouth and nose fully. Kids should also practice wearing masks for long periods of time. It will make it that much easier when they return to the classroom.
Watch for Symptoms
If your child is sick, or if someone in your household has tested positive for COVID-19, they should stay home. Symptoms of COVID-19 can include cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever of 100 degrees or higher, chills and loss of taste or smell. If you have questions, contact your child’s physician or the school’s health office.
Health and Safety
Children want to share; it’s in their nature. Normally, we applaud their kindness. But for now, students should refrain from sharing food or school supplies. They also must keep their physical distance from classmates. Turn a conversation about social distance into a fun exercise. For example, show your child how many toys it takes to get to six feet. Finally, remind them to frequently wash their hands with soap and water during the school day.
These important steps will keep everyone safe and healthy. Children are our future. Let’s help them lead the way.
Authors
Lauren Fitzpatrick, MD, is the medical director of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Pediatric Emergency Department.
Kristen Breslin, MD, MPH, is the medical director of Children’s National Emergency Department at Doctors Community Hospital.
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