- Location25349831tel:(202) 476-4177Division of Emergency Medicine, 111 Michigan Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 200100
- SpecialtyWhat is Sexual Assault? “Any nonconsensual sexual act proscribed by Federal, tribal, or State law, including when the victim lacks capacity to consent.” - US Department of Justice All of the following are examples of sexual assault: You have been forced into any sexual act. There would be retaliation, or consequence, if you did not comply with a sexual act. Someone started or continued to touch you after you denied consent. A sexual act occurred when you were not able to consent. Sexual assault is not something that happens accidently, or from a misunderstanding. Consent is clear, affirmative communication between two or more capable adults, no matter their relationship- from strangers to spouses. You are not at fault for a sexual assault. It does not matter what you were wearing, drinking, or doing prior to someone committing a violent crime against you.0
- Weight Loss, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLove your morning oatmeal, but wondering how you’ll enjoy it without that spoonful of sugar on top? Sprinkle these yummy, unexpected combos of low-sugar fruits and nuts on top for a new, healthy taste sensation. Try these oatmeal toppings without the added sugar. Tart and Tasty 1 oz cranberries 1 oz blackberries 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt A Creamy Confection 1 oz chopped avocado 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt Berry Surprise 1 oz raspberries 1 oz chopped strawberries Citrus Delight 1 oz chopped lemon 1 oz chopped tangerine 1 oz chopped lime Sweet and Crunchy 1 oz sliced almonds 1 oz Brazil nuts A sprinkling of cinnamon to taste Sunny Side Up Sprinkle sunflower seeds on any of the oatmeal toppings provided Author Maureen Shackelford, registered dietitian and nutritionist at Luminis Health, provided these recipes. Originally published Feb. 15, 2017. Last updated Sep 1, 2025.0
- UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe days are growing shorter and there is a hint of fall in the air. It can only mean one thing: It’s almost time to go back to school! Summer’s less structured schedule and more unpredictable rhythms can make it a bit of a bumpy road for both parents and children as they get back into the learning groove. Here’s a pediatrician-recommended checklist of items to help make the return to school a healthier and more pleasant experience for kids and their parents, too. Importance of Sleep Routine Routines and schedules are important for children, especially when it comes to sleep. A week or two before school starts, slowly adjust your child’s bedtime until it is back to its regularly scheduled time for school nights. For example, have your child wake up 15 minutes earlier and go to sleep 15 minutes earlier until you find the right balance. Begin this process early—don’t wait until a couple of nights before the first day of school. Well-rested brains are ready to learn and grow. Vision Screenings and Eye Exams While basic eye tests are common at school, it’s also recommended that your child see an optometrist or pediatric ophthalmologist, preferably at the beginning of school. You may be surprised to learn that, squinting and straining to see can cause headaches in school-aged children. These headaches can be fixed with a pair of glasses or contacts that are properly prescribed by an eye doctor. Vision is one of the most important learning tools for students. Well-Child Check A new school year is the perfect time to take your children to the doctor for a well-child check. Your healthcare provider will examine your child’s growth and development to find, treat, and in some cases, prevent issues. You can also talk to the doctor about your child’s vaccinations. Check out the American Academy of Pediatrics for a helpful recommended child and adolescent immunization schedule and for guidance, including answers to many of your questions. Healthy Meals Whether your child is eating lunch at school or bringing their own, you should educate students about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables, as well as protein such as cheese, meat or peanut butter. Beans are an excellent source of nutrition and can be added to many meals. While we all love and want to eat foods like chips and fries, they should be saved for special occasions—not daily or the main course. Another good tip? Avoid drinking fruit juice and soda. Water is healthier because it increases energy, relieves fatigue, and has no calories! Nutritious snacks and meals, especially breakfast, help ensure your child is ready to focus and learn at school. Back-to-School Jitters It is normal and natural for a new school year—or a new school—to cause your child to experience some anxiety. Parents and guardians should acknowledge their child’s anxiety and talk openly about it. Visiting the school before the year begins, rehearsing drop-off, and spending time on the playground or inside your child’s classroom can be helpful ways to calm anxiety and soothe your child’s concerns. Keep in mind that children can sense your anxiety—so do your best to stay calm and supportive. In Conclusion A new school year should be an exciting, not a scary or stressful time. Your child’s pediatrician is available to work with you to make sure your children have a successful school year. We hope you found these tips helpful. One last one: encourage regular handwashing, as germs are plentiful in classrooms! Small bottles of hand sanitizer are a good addition to every backpack. Author Asha S. Payne, MD MPH, is a board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physician at Children’s National Hospital. Physicians from Children’s National provide pediatric emergency and urgent care at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) seven days a week from 1-11 PM.* *Children who come to LHDCMC’s ER outside of Children’s National staff hours are seen by Luminis Health emergency providers.0
- Physical TherapyGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhat’s not to love about the nation’s fastest-growing sport that’s taking the country by storm – Pickleball? The sport combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong; is easy to learn and slower paced. As more Americans pick up a paddle, there are also growing numbers finding themselves in a, dare we say, pickle when dealing with a pickleball injuries. Shelby Schaefer—a Luminis Health physical therapist—and her colleagues have noticed an increase in injuries related to pickleball amongst their patients, particularly in the older population who have more limited movement in their spine and hips. Schaefer says the low-impact sport gives players a false sense of security. Your chances of strains and sprains increase because you’re pushing your body too hard and lack of preparation. Common pickleball injuries include strains and sprains of the back, knee and ankle, as well as elbow and wrist injuries. Prep Your Body All levels of sport require some training and warm-up. The greatest risk for injury in any sport, including pickleball, comes from not preparing your body for the sport or warming up. Here are some recommended pre-pickleball stretches for different parts of your body: Shoulders—Cross-body stretch. Begin standing in an upright position. Raise one arm in front of your body with your thumb pointing up. Grasp the outside of your arm with your other arm and apply gentle pressure until you feel a stretch. Hamstrings—Forward lean stretch. Begin sitting upright with one leg straight forward and your heel resting on the ground. Bend your trunk forward, hinging at your hips until you feel a stretch in the back of your leg. Hold this position. Quadriceps—Standing knee bend. Begin standing in an upright position. Step forward with one food and lower down into a mini lunge position. Return to standing and repeat on the other leg. Calves—Standing calf stretch. Stand facing a wall with your hands on the wall. Put one leg about a step behind the other leg, with toes pointed towards the wall. Keep the back heel on the floor, bend your front knee until you feel a stretch in the back leg. Repeat on the other leg. Helpful warm-ups before playing pickleball include: Squats. Lunges. Walking butt kicks or marches. Arm swings. It’s also important to exercise outside of pickleball to keep up your upper and lower body strength. Overuse Injuries When considering how often to play pickleball, think about your typical routine. If you haven’t played the sport and aren’t typically active, ease into it by playing once or twice a week. If you are regularly active and physically fit, daily pickleball play may be just fine. Remember to listen to your body—it will tell you when you need some rest and recovery time. Complements for the Court Other activities that are a nice complement to pickleball include water aerobics, yoga and Pilates. One final tip to “ace” the sport, play pickleball against an opponent who is at a similar ability level as you. It’s best not to play competitively when you are learning the sport. In the event that you are injured, Luminis Health is here to help. Click here to learn more about our physical therapy services. Author Shelby Schaefer, PT, DPT, ATC is a physical therapist at Luminis Health.0
How can we help?
Common Searches
Common Searches
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?
Your Account
View your Dashboard
Messages
Billing Summary
Find Care
Schedule Appointment
My Care Team
My Record
Appointments
Medications
Insurance Summary
Log in with MyChart
Access personalized site features & view your health records.
Learn more about MyChartDon’t have a MyChart account?