- Super Specialty ParentNationally Recognized Heart Care, Close to Home From life-saving treatment to preventive heart care, Luminis Health is a beacon of hope and healing for our communities. Keeping your heart healthy is our priority. We perform thousands of cardiac procedures each year, and Luminis Health is the area's preferred hospital for heart attack care.0
- Super Specialty ParentCRISIS CARE: If you're in crisis, reach out for help. If you're experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, call the 24/7 9-8-8 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8. Not quite sure which type of care you need? See the best option for your situation. We know mental health and substance use challenges and emergencies are scary and overwhelming. Not only for the person going through them, but for family and loved ones, too. We're a guiding light to get you through some of your darkest and most confusing times. Mental health and substance use concerns range from mild, passing conditions to severe, life-altering illnesses. And they're often present at the same time as medical issues, like cancer and chronic pain. No matter what you're dealing with, we're here to help.0
- PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that, for most people, isn’t too different than having a mild cold. But for babies and toddlers, RSV can lead to longer-lasting complications and hospital stays. After a historic dip in cases last year, there’s now a surge in RSV bringing young children to the hospital. Here’s what to watch for if you have a little one. What is RSV and Why is it Surging Now? RSV usually peaks in the winter. It’s contagious and spreads like a cold between people and on surfaces. It’s possible that last year — when lots of us stayed home, wore masks, kept our distance from each other and sanitized all hard surfaces — the virus didn’t have much of a chance to get passed around. However, it became widespread extra early this year as we eased up safety measures over the summer. If you get the cold- and flu-like symptoms of RSV, you’ll usually feel better on your own in a week or two. But it can be worse in very young children and older adults, whose symptoms can become severe and make it hard to breathe. Every year, nearly 60,000 children younger than five are hospitalized for RSV. Signs to Look for (and How to Tell It’s Not COVID) Adults can get RSV and not show any symptoms, but infants and young kids almost always do. Common RSV symptoms can include: Cough Congestion Fever (100.4 or higher) Fussiness Irritability Poor feeding Runny nose Sneezing Most kids feel symptoms for five to seven days, and almost all will clear up on their own at home. However, it’s important to be aware that a diagnosis of RSV can develop into bronchiolitis or pneumonia — and these two conditions can seriously affect the lungs. Watch carefully for signs and call your doctor right away if you see: Belly breathing or tugging between ribs or at lower neck Fast breathing or trouble breathing Flaring of nostrils Head bobbing with breathing Wheezing If you think your child has RSV, it’s a good idea to check in with your pediatrician. You should also call right away if they get dehydrated (with fewer than one wet diaper every eight hours), have a greyish or bluish color to their tongue, lips or skin, or become much less alert or less active. Since RSV shares many of the same possible symptoms of COVID-19, the only way to know for sure what your child is dealing with is to get them tested. How to Treat RSV Symptoms Antibiotics don’t work against RSV. To help ease their symptoms, give your child some extra comfort and care for them like you would if they had a cold, while keeping an eye out to make sure they don’t get worse. You can: Help them stay hydrated. It’s essential your child gets enough fluid, even if they don’t feel like drinking or feeding. Nasal saline or gentle suctioning can make it easier for them to breathe and stay hydrated. Turn on a humidifier. A cool-mist humidifier can also help clear up congestion to help with breathing. Reduce their fever. If your child is older than six months and has a low-grade fever, acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help keep it down. Ask your doctor if you need help with the correct dose. At the hospital, children with RSV sometimes need extra oxygen, medicine to open their airways or other treatments to help their breathing. Most get better and can go home in a few days. When to Take Extra Care If your child was born prematurely, has chronic lung or heart disease or a weakened immune system, you can take extra steps to protect them from RSV. It’s likely what you’re probably already doing during COVID: Avoid contact with people who are sick Cover coughs and sneezes, and throw away used tissues Regularly clean commonly touched surfaces and toys Wash your hands regularly If your child is at high risk of RSV or you live in an area with lots of cases, your doctor might also recommend palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody used to prevent RSV infection. The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) recommended giving out doses early this year in some areas. Remember that RSV is common — most children will get it by the time they’re two. Kids and adults can also get it more than once, even in the same year. This year, we can all do our part to stay (and keep one another) healthy by taking a few simple steps: Stay home when you’re sick and avoid sharing germs with babies, small kiddos and older adults. And if you need help along the way, we’ll be here to support you. Author Lauren Fitzpatrick, MD, is the medical director of the Pediatric Emergency Department and Inpatient Unit at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center0
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHeart disease is the number one cause of death in Americans. There are certain factors that are not controllable: age, gender and family history of heart disease. Fortunately, there are many key steps you can take to lower your risk of heart disease. Quit Smoking Smoking, namely the chemicals in tobacco, can increase your blood pressure and damage your heart and its blood vessels. It is never too late to quit. Your risk of heart disease drops after quitting and your risk of coronary artery disease is the same as a non-smoker after 15 years of quitting. Maintain a Healthy Weight Being overweight can lead to conditions that increase your chances of heart disease. You may use the body mass index (BMI) to get a general sense of whether you have a healthy weight. However, BMI does not take into consideration factors like muscle content. Another useful tool to use is waist circumference. Men are considered overweight if their waist measurement is greater than 40 inches and for women, greater than 35 inches. Eating a heart-healthy diet is a great way to lose weight. This includes avoiding salt and processed sugars, increasing your fruit and vegetable intake, eating whole grains, and limiting foods with saturated or trans fats. Even a small weight loss can be beneficial in lowering your cholesterol and sugar levels. Exercise Exercise helps control your weight and reduce your risk of developing other conditions that affect your heart, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. The goal is to get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week (for example, walking briskly). Every little bit helps — take the stairs, park your car far away or go for a walk with your family. Get Regular Checkups and know Your Numbers New blood pressure guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association have emphasized the importance of controlling your blood pressure, and in turn, lowered the definition of high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. High cholesterol is another risk factor. High cholesterol can clog your arteries and raise your risk for having a heart attack. Have your physician check your cholesterol levels regularly. It’s also important that you get screened for diabetes. Adults with diabetes can be two to four times more likely to die from heart disease than adults without diabetes. Make Sleep a Priority If you don’t get enough sleep, your risk of diabetes, obesity and hypertension goes up. Practice good sleep hygiene: set a sleep schedule and try to stick to it, avoid caffeine later in the day and avoid screen time before bed. If you feel as if you’re not getting good, quality sleep, you may want to ask your doctor if a sleep study would be beneficial. Manage your Stress Levels Stress can raise your blood pressure and “extreme” stress has been known to “trigger” heart attacks. Our coping mechanisms for stress are sometimes not ideal — like overeating and smoking. Focus on different stress relief techniques, like exercise, mindfulness and meditation. Author Sadia Shafi, MD, is a former cardiologist at Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Cardiology Specialists. Originally published March 15, 2018. Last updated April 16, 2026.0
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC), it was my honor to celebrate our hospital’s 50th anniversary. As I reflect on the past year, as well as on five decades of compassionate care, innovation, and service to our community, I am deeply proud of our legacy and excited about what the next 50 years will bring to Prince George’s County. Before looking ahead, I want to first recognize our extraordinary year. Construction is officially underway on our Maternal Health & Campus Modernization Initiative. Road improvements were made to Good Luck Road, including new turning lanes at both hospital entrances, and a nearby traffic signal. These upgrades make entering and leaving our campus easier for patients, visitors, and staff. In 2026, crews will begin re-routing utilities such as water, electric, gas, and telecommunications to support the next phase of development. Transforming Maternal and Women’s Health Care Construction will also begin on our new women’s health pavilion, which will include inpatient obstetric services, including labor, delivery, and postpartum care. These expanded women’s health services are scheduled to launch in 2028, and once fully operational, we look forward to delivering 2,000 babies a year. By offering comprehensive women’s health services close to home, we can help reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in Prince George’s County, which remain higher than the national average. This major initiative would be impossible without the support of our county and state leaders. We are grateful for the $45 million the state has already committed, as well as the additional $10 million preauthorized in the 2026 state budget, pending Governor Wes Moore’s approval. We will continue to work closely with our partners to secure $100+ million in state funding for the overall project, a transformation effort that includes significant financial investment from Luminis Health. Strengthening Community Health and Behavioral Health Our commitment to maternal health was at the heart of our 50th anniversary celebrations. We hosted events and activities designed to raise awareness, educate families, and enhance the health of the people and communities we serve. Highlights included our Golden Anniversary Gala, which raised vital funds for maternal health initiatives; a community screening of a documentary focused on the Black maternal health crisis; our hospital’s rededication ceremony attended by some of our hospital’s first patients; and a Community Baby Shower that welcomed nearly 100 new and expectant mothers. While 2025 was an amazing year for LHDCMC, I recognize that many of our neighbors have struggled. From layoffs, to the government shutdown, it’s hard to feel joyful when you’re out of work and can’t put food on the table. Our Behavioral Health Team has been working tirelessly to provide mental health support and resources to help families cope during these challenging times. Our Behavioral Health Walk-In Urgent Care just launched expanded hours to address non-emergent behavioral health concerns. It is open on our hospital campus Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and now Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. We are also providing behavioral health education and support services in six county high schools. Developed in close partnership with local schools, the program has shown meaningful improvements in student well-being. Because of its success, the state renewed grant funding for this school year, an investment that reinforces the importance of school-based behavioral health initiatives and the power of collaborative community partnerships. Our Community Health Team also regularly visits underserved neighborhoods to provide free health screenings, life-saving vaccinations, and education on diabetes and health disease. In the last fiscal year, we screened 220 residents in Prince George’s County, many of whom lack a primary provider or the financial resources for care. Looking Ahead: Living Healthier Together As we look to the next 50 years and beyond, our commitment to Prince George’s County remains stronger than ever. Luminis Health’s vision—Living Healthier Together—guides every investment we make, from expanding services to strengthening the partnerships that support our community’s well-being. One of the most important steps you can take for your health is establishing a relationship with a primary care provider. If you do not currently have one, I encourage you to connect with our team so we can help you find the right clinician for your needs. Together, we will continue building a healthier, stronger future for every person who calls this community home. Finally, as we continue working together to protect the health of our community—both now and for generations to come—please remember that prevention matters. With flu cases rising throughout Prince George’s County, I encourage everyone who is eligible to get a flu shot. Authors Deneen Richmond is the president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.0
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