Wellness
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Embracing Dry January: A Guide to a Sober, Stress-Free Start to the Year
Blog
The new year offers a chance to set goals, refocus, and try something new. Dry January—a month of abstaining from alcohol—is a popular challenge for those looking to reset their relationship with drinking. While the benefits of this commitment can include improved physical health, better sleep and mental clarity, staying sober in social settings and managing stress without alcohol can feel overwhelming. Here are practical tips from Luminis Health Behavioral Health to make your Dry January successful. 1. Find Alternative Ways to Reduce Stress One of the biggest reasons people turn to alcohol is to unwind, but there are plenty of healthier ways to manage stress. You could try physical activity such as a brisk walk or yoga, meditation exercises with an app like Headspace or Calm, or decompress with something creative like painting or cooking. It may take a few tries to find the stress reliever that works for you, but once you have it, it can become a lifelong tool. 2. Staying Sober at Parties Social situations are often where the pressure to drink is strongest, but with preparation, you can navigate them with confidence. If you are meeting at someone’s home, bring your own alcohol-free drink such as sparkling water or a mocktail. If you are going to a restaurant, check the menu ahead of time to pick out a non-alcoholic drink. Look to see if others are abstaining and spend time with those people so you can support each other. Engage in conversation and games to distract from the focus on drinking. 3. What to Do If You Need Support Dry January might reveal deeper challenges with alcohol, and that’s okay. Recognizing this is the first step toward positive change. If you feel like you’re struggling, here’s how to get support: Reach out to trusted friends or family: Talking to someone you trust can help you process your feelings and develop a plan. Explore community groups: Organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery offer judgment-free support from people who understand your journey. Consult a professional: Therapists and counselors trained in addiction can provide tailored guidance to help you address underlying issues. Luminis Health has several options for treating substance use concerns, including a behavioral health urgent care if needed. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and it can lead to profound personal growth. Dry January is an opportunity to build healthier habits and reflect on your relationship with alcohol. By embracing alternative ways to reduce stress, confidently navigating social settings, and seeking support when needed, you’ll not only survive the challenge but thrive. Whatever your reasons for taking on Dry January, celebrate every small victory and enjoy the clarity and energy that comes with life without alcohol.
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Location
232106
tel:(410) 760-8840
1630 Main St, Ste 217, Chester, MD 21619
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News & Press Releases, Community
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Honoring 50 Years of Healing: Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center Celebrates Its Legacy While Shaping the Future of Care
Blog
It was an extraordinary year for Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC). In 2024, we celebrated five years since joining Luminis Health, during which more than $140 million has been invested to enhance services and ensuring exceptional care remains accessible in our neighborhoods. As we reflect on our achievements, we look forward to exciting growth opportunities in 2025, particularly the 50th Anniversary of our hospital in Lanham. Our team is dedicated to improving the health of Prince George’s County residents by expanding services, addressing health disparities, and advancing health equity. As president of a non-profit hospital, I am extremely proud of our commitment to tackling the maternal health crisis. Over the past year, we launched CenteringPregnancy® in Greenbelt, a nationally recognized program that offers group sessions for expectant mothers and personalized consultations with trusted Ob-Gyns or midwives. We also finalized design plans and began the permit process to add inpatient obstetric services, labor, delivery, and postpartum care with rooms designed for a family-centered birth experience. These additional women’s health services are scheduled to launch in 2028, and once fully operational, we look forward to delivering 2,000 babies each year. Since 80 percent of babies are born outside the county, this major initiative will help address a health disparity by providing quality care close to home and reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Prince George’s County. In September, we celebrated another significant achievement: the second anniversary of our Behavioral Health Pavilion on our campus. To date, we have facilitated approximately 8,000 visits through our behavioral health walk-in urgent care, outpatient mental health therapy, a psychiatric day program, and an adult inpatient psychiatric unit. To meet the growing demand for mental health services among young people, Luminis Health received a state grant to provide comprehensive mental health support services at several high schools in the County. Building on this commitment to enhancing the health of the people and communities we serve, we launched a Virtual Nursing Program. By installing cameras in select rooms, patients can opt to receive both-in person and virtual nursing support. This combination of technology and personal touch has already benefited more than 5,000 patients; reducing hospital readmission and boosting patient satisfaction. Plans are underway to install cameras in every patient room to further enhance the patient experience. Our commitment to nursing has earned us the prestigious Pathway to Excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. This honor contributes to higher job satisfaction, reduced turnover, improved safety, and the quality of care we provide to our patients. Research from Prince George’s County shows residents seek 42 percent of their healthcare outside the county. To tackle this disparity, we’ve hired additional breast, vascular, bariatric, Ob-Gyn, and orthopedic surgeons. We also opened a new primary care practice in District Heights and another in Greenbelt, which currently offers primary care and Endocrinology services.To improve access, our Community Health Team regularly visits underserved communities to provide free health screenings, education, and vaccines. In the last fiscal year, we screened 662 residents in Prince George’s County, many of whom lack a primary physician or the financial resources for care. Thanks to several state grants, Luminis Health provides no cost breast cancer and colon cancer screenings to county residents. As a colon cancer survivor, I encourage everyone aged 45 and older, or those with a family history, to get screened. As we gear up to celebrate our 50th Anniversary, LHDCMC is excited to host a series of events throughout the year, culminating in a Gala in April dedicated to Black Maternal Health. This milestone not only honors our legacy of service but also highlights our commitment to the future of healthcare in our community. In conjunction with our anniversary celebrations, we are launching a major fundraising campaign aimed at supporting our maternal health initiatives, ensuring that we continue to provide vital care and resources for expectant mothers and their families. Join us in celebrating this momentous occasion as we work together to shape a healthier future for Prince George’s County!Deneen Richmond is the president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.
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Location
232121
tel:(410) 760-8840
1630 Main St, Ste. 217, Chester, MD 21619
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News & Press Releases
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Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center Hosts Annual Pink Ribbon Rally to Celebrate Survivors and Raise Awareness
Blog
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center is hosting its annual Pink Ribbon Rally Saturday, October 5 on our Lanham campus. The event aims to spotlight the importance of breast cancer awareness and the crucial role of early detection through mammograms. The Pink Ribbon Rally will feature no cost mammograms and clinical breast screenings, as well as life-saving information about the signs, symptoms, and early detection of breast cancer. “Breast cancer impacts lives profoundly, especially in Prince George’s County,” said Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “By moving the event to Saturday, we hope to make it more accessible for residents and neighbors to join us. Meeting breast cancer survivors and hearing their inspiring stories always moves me, and I take comfort in knowing that we’re raising awareness and offering hope to the many women in our community fighting breast cancer.”Prince George’s County has one of the highest mortality rates of Breast Cancer in Maryland. To address this critical issue, Luminis Health is currently in the third year of a $1.3M state grant to provide breast cancer screenings to women in Prince George’s County. Thanks to this funding, the health system has administered more than 2,300 no cost breast cancer screenings, significantly advancing our efforts to combat breast cancer in the community. “This event empowers women to get a mammogram because it saves lives,” said Dr. Regina Hampton, breast cancer surgeon at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “With one in eight women in the United States facing a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, and breast cancer being a leading cause of death among women in Prince George’s County, I encourage every woman to start getting mammograms at age of 40, or earlier if they have a family history.”In addition to mammograms, the Pink Ribbon Rally will offer resources and guidance from local organizations, support groups, and healthcare professionals. There will also be inspirational stories from breast cancer survivors, bra fittings, live music, food, and games.Event DetailsDate: Saturday, October 5, 2024Time: 11 am to 3 pmAddress: 8118 Good Luck Road, LanhamAdmission: Free and open to the public
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