- General Page - Tier 1*Luminis Health uses a third party event registration service. Please note that EventBrite will be facilitating the event registration process and will handle any personal information collected in accordance with the EventBrite Privacy Policy. , Screening and Prevention ProgramsFree Breast and Cervical ScreeningsYearly breast exams, mammograms and Pap screenings can help detect breast and cervical problems early - when they are most treatable. We are making it easier for many women in the area to access these life-saving screenings!Women in Maryland may qualify for free breast exams, mammograms and Pap tests if they meet the following requirements:Maryland residentWomen ages 40 or olderUninsured, underinsured, or insured but not screenedLimited incomeFor more information or to register, contact us at 301-552-7724.Free ColonoscopyColorectal cancer is often preventable and curable. However, it is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Maryland. To help address this concern, Doctors Community Medical Center provides free colonoscopies. Community members may qualify for free colonoscopies if they meet specific program requirements:Prince George’s County residentsAge 50 or olderAge 50 or younger with a family history of colorectal cancerUninsured or underinsuredAll colonoscopies are performed by experienced gastroenterologists at Doctors Community Medical Center.For more information, please call 301-552-7705 or 301-324-4968.Free MammogramsEarly breast cancer detection saves lives. With regular breast screenings, you can detect breast cancer earlier – when it is most treatable.Doctors Community Medical Center for Comprehensive Breast Care is dedicated to accurately diagnosing and effectively treating women who have breast cancer. If you answer yes to the following questions, you may be eligible for a FREE mammogram.Are you a Prince George’s County resident?Are you uninsured, underinsured or low-income?Are you between the ages of 40 and 65?If you meet these criteria, call us today to schedule your appointment.Contact: For more information, please call 301-552-8524.Diabetes Prevention ProgramDesigned to help you understand diabetes and give you tips and tools to keep those lifestyle changes in your regular routine, this 12-month, medically supervised program will help you: Learn to eat more healthfullyIncorporate moderate physical activityManage stressStay motivatedSolve problems that can get in the way of your healthy lifestyleFor more information and to register please contact the Diabetes & Nutrition Education Center at 240-696-5025. Register on Eventbrite. Once registered please print and complete enrollment forms and fax to us at 301-552-7882, or you may email them to [email protected] more information and to register please contact the Diabetes & Nutrition Education Center at 240-696-5025.0
- Community, Primary Care, Pediatrics, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogThe lessons children learn stick with them throughout their lives. That’s why it’s crucial to make good health a habit early on. From helping kids learn social skills to teaching them to be more independent and creative, developing a healthy lifestyle now will set them up for success in the future. Not sure where to start? We’ve gathered some ideas. Be brave — experiment Kids love things that seem unexplainable: That’s why science projects are such a big hit. Help your children feel a sense of satisfaction by helping them: • Build a volcano and make it erupt with baking soda• Construct a homemade lava lamp• Create their very own art pieces• Tend to a garden These activities will help your kids see tangible results from their efforts, learn responsibility and maybe even develop a healthy passion for nature and science. Cook together Children who are actively involved in meal preparation are more likely to understand the values of nutritious meals. Not only does the internet have a treasure trove of free, healthy recipes for your kids to browse and choose from, today’s grocery stores give them access to healthier foods. Just remember to feed your family before you go since grocery shopping on a full stomach makes you less likely to impulsively purchase unhealthy items. From food prep and cooking to setting the table, preparing dinner can also be a great team activity. Divide and conquer as a family and be sure to rotate roles often so each kid benefits from learning all it takes to put a healthy meal on the table. We’d also encourage you to eat as a family. Taking this time together allows space for much-needed interaction and conversation. It also helps us slow down while we’re eating, giving our brains a chance to recognize when we’ve consumed all we need, helping us to learn to avoid overeating. Encourage kiddos to use their imagination Your children’s mental and emotional health are just as important to development as their physical health. Instead of spending hours playing with smartphones and tablets, encourage them to: • Explore their creativity by reading together• Express their thoughts through writing or drawing• Perform skits at home• Play with toys like Lincoln Logs and Legos Creative outlets that challenge the boundaries of imagination set kids up to be problem solvers, wonderers and empathizers. Get physical Finding ways to keep your kids physically active will help them burn off built-up energy in a healthy way. Exercise also stimulates nerve cells that help children focus and retain what they’ve learned in school. And most importantly, active children are more likely to avoid developing serious diseases like obesity and Type-2 diabetes. Dedicate at least 60 minutes every day to physical activity by: • Getting outdoors. Most communities have recreational areas that are free for anyone to use. Explore your town’s walking trails, sign up for an hour to play tennis at the local court or find a park where you can play catch. A round of miniature golf or a few swings at the batting cages are also fun, safe and affordable. • Making household chores active (and fun). Kids enjoy a little competition, so why not encourage it? Have your kids compete to see who can rake the most leaves, take more walks with the dog or shovel the most snow. By giving your kids a chance to show their capabilities, you’ll have more rounded children and a more functional home. • Training as a family. You can benefit from physical exercise, no matter your age. First, be sure to set a good example by going to the gym regularly. Then, consider teaming up with your kids to turn your backyard into an obstacle course or train for a walk or 5K that benefits a cause the whole family supports. Your kids will grow up understanding that physical fitness should be part of their routine. And when they get old enough, they can even help spot you and encourage your progress. Play games Friendly competition among family members helps children learn to strategize, develop partnerships and understand the importance of losing with grace at an early age. You can keep your activities sedentary with jigsaw puzzles, board games and card games. Or you can get your family up and moving with charades or a scavenger hunt. Need more ideas? We’re here to help. Your child’s pediatrician or your family medicine physician can be a great resource when it comes to healthy living: Make them a part of the conversation. Find a provider near you.0
- Community, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health has released a bold plan to become a national model for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI). The groundwork for the plan began in 2020 with the formation of the health system’s HEART Force, a multidisciplinary group consisting of members of the boards of trustees, senior leaders, medical staff, community partners and stakeholders. The events of the year 2020 prompted Luminis Health to assess data and information to identify greater opportunity to affect change through addressing the effects of systemic inequity, and dismantling structural injustice. “The future of health equity calls for organizations like ours to take bold action to dismantle structural and social drivers of ethnic disparities in all of its forms. Luminis Health is committed to exactly that,” said Victoria Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health. “These recommendations will be intentionally woven into who we are as a system and a part of what we do every day to better serve our workforce, and enhance the health of our patients and communities.” The recommendations are structured by three major categories: Lead as an inclusive organization, confront and eradicate inequities in health care. Enhance culturally informed communications and community collaboration. Measure and integrate accountability. The recommendations outline ten strategic approaches to begin tackling these challenges: Confront inequities and embody principles of an inclusive organization in policy, culture and performance. Eliminate health disparities and improve health outcomes of diverse communities. Become a trusted partner in diverse communities through a formalized community network. Become a diversity, equity and inclusion thought leader in Maryland and in health care nationally by hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. Establish culturally customized care as the formal standard of quality. Share the Luminis Health JEDI journey with diverse populations by incorporating into the Luminis Health brand. Extend current diversity, equity and inclusion reporting and programs effectively across the system. Establish minority business enterprise/supplier diversity goals and partner with local minority businesses, vendors and suppliers. Develop a sustainable accountability model. Integrate specific JEDI focus into the board governance structure. Put forth by Luminis Health’s HEART Force, co-chaired by Dr. Randy Rowel, associate professor and director of the Why Culture Matters Disaster Studies Project at Morgan State University, and Alicia Wilson, social justice advocate, the recommendations were unanimously approved by the boards of trustees and adopted by the health system in June. “The time is now for swift and progressive action to confront and eradicate inequities in health care and beyond,” said Tamiko Stanley, vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at Luminis Health. “At Luminis Health, we are committed to comprehensively evaluating our processes, policies, and practices to move toward meaningful change within our organization and in the communities we serve. Driven by accountability and transparency, our plan will light Luminis Health’s path to the next level of excellence in our diversity, equity, inclusion and justice journey.” “These pervasive and systemic issues require multiple, simultaneous and ongoing actions to eliminate them,” said Reverend Stephen Tillett, of Asbury Broadneck Methodist Church and HEART Force member. “By adopting these 10 bold recommendations, Luminis Health can put into motion a new and lasting plan to guide the changes that we must undertake to foster a space for equity to prevail.” Adopting the recommendations represents a step forward in Luminis Health’s ongoing diversity and inclusion journey. This year, Luminis Health’s LGBTQIA and African-American Business Resource Groups earned the DiversityFirst Top 50 Employee Resource Group Award by the National Diversity Council for commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and communities. In 2020, the health system received the American Organization for Nursing Leadership’s Prism Award for advancing diversity efforts within the nursing profession, community and organization. Luminis Health is also recognized as a “Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality” after earning a perfect score of 100 on the most recent Healthcare Equality Index (HEI). In 2019, the health system was bestowed one of the highest honors in health equity with the American Hospital Association’s Carolyn Boone Lewis Equity of Care Award for outstanding efforts to advance equity of care to all patients, and to spread lessons learned and progress toward achieving health equity. Luminis Health was also the first health care organization in the nation to host a local chapter of Coming to the Table, an employee circle group designed to promote open, candid conversations about race, cultural differences and discussion around ways to understand and mitigate unconscious bias. “We recognize injustices are harmful and complex problems, but we intend to address them directly, intentionally, and relentlessly through our daily work and our Vision 2030,” continued Bayless.0
- Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNo one wants to think about getting sick or hurt on vacation. But if this does happen, being prepared can make the experience much better—and safer. Here’s a safety checklist for your pre-trip planning. If you’re older or have chronic health issues, see your doctor four to six weeks before your trip to make sure it’s safe for you to travel. Tell your doctor where you’re traveling, for how long and what activities you might do. Check to make sure your vaccinations are current, including a flu shot. Make a list of your current medications and allergies and take the list with you on your trip. Include the names and phone numbers of your doctors and your pharmacy. If you have a history of heart disease, ask your cardiologist to give you a wallet-sized version of your latest electrocardiogram (EKG). This will give emergency department (ED) doctors something to compare if you have heart troubles while away. It’s also a good idea to bring over-the-counter medicines: Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, Benadryl and a thermometer should be part of your travel health kit. Remember to bring a note on your doctor’s letterhead if you are taking controlled substances or injectable medications. For older travelers with health conditions, be careful about your amount of activity —going to graduations, weddings, reunions and other parties on top of sightseeing can be stressful and make health issues worse. Try to build in rest time so you stay safe and healthy. What to expect in the ED If you do end up in the ED, a nurse will assess your symptoms, measure your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature and oxygen level), and gauge any pain you may be having. This process helps define how severe your condition is, so that the most urgent patients are seen first. The ED has an expert team led by emergency physicians to assess and treat problems. Other team members may include registered nurses, physician assistants, registered nurse practitioners, ED technicians, respiratory therapists, care managers and social workers. Most EDs, like ours, have specialists such as orthopedists, cardiologists and surgeons on call 24/7. We can call them in to provide care when needed. After your care team reviews all necessary treatments and procedures, your provider will determine whether you can leave the hospital, or if it’s necessary to stay. If you require follow up while you’re still in town, a doctor will refer you to a local primary care provider or specialist. In some instances you may need to return to the ED for a final checkup. While you may not be able to prevent an illness or injury while traveling, planning ahead can make it easier to deal with. Author Mike Remoll, MD, is the medical director of the Emergency Department at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published June 29, 2016. Last updated May 21, 2019.0
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMany of us have had a Snickers bar or two and could probably eat the candy bar every day. But, we know it’s not nourishing. A candy bar is not a hearty meal with vegetables, protein and fruits. Instead, it’s a quick sugar fix that wears off. Then, we want more and more of it. If we only ate candy bars – as tasty as they are – our health would deteriorate. Digital devices are very similar. The constant connection to others, and even the sound of a ringtone, give us instant gratification. But that gratification quickly wears off – just like a sugar fix – only to leave us wanting more. As a result, our health is impacted in more than just one way. We are spending more time than ever before watching videos, browsing social media and swiping screens on tablets and smartphones. Research shows the average American adult spends more than 11 hours per day interacting with media on digital devices. We are developing a digital addiction. Technology can have a negative impact on our mental and physical health. When we are constantly connected, it can cause psychological issues, such as distraction, expectation of instant gratification and even depression. Physically, it can cause vision problems, hearing loss and even neck strain. Here are a few steps you can take for a digital detox to recharge your mind and improve your quality of life: Plan quality time with others. Before sitting down at the dinner table, put your phone away and ask others to do the same. This will make room for conversation and, if practiced frequently, it can improve your relationships and quality of life. Change your ringtones. If you have to keep your phone around due to your work or profession once you get home, change the tone of your notifications to distinguish work-related calls over calls that can wait until later. Delete unnecessary apps. You’re likely hoarding apps. You need your phone for calls, texts and emails. Do you really need all those other apps? Be selective. Keep one or two that you absolutely need. Schedule some offline time. Make sure to put your phone down to relax for a couple of hours, especially before bedtime. Multiple studies have shown that blue light from screens suppresses melatonin, a hormone responsible for controlling your sleep-wake cycle. Set your phone on sleep mode and disable any buzzing, as that could also lead to distracting emotions and thoughts. It can even cause anxiety that can interrupt your sleep. Set the example. Don’t forget, if you’re a parent or have young children around, they’re paying attention to your every move. If you put your phone down, this will teach them to do the same. If you treat your phone as a luxury item instead of a necessity, you’ll soon realize that it’s meant to be enjoyed sometimes but not lived by. And just like you wouldn’t eat a candy bar every day, you should consider putting your digital devices away more often. This will help you build meaningful relationships and take care of your physical and mental health. Plus, it’s good to detoxify once in a while! Visit Luminis.Health/BehavioralHealth to learn more about Luminis Behavioral Health Care or to schedule an appointment.0
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