- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTo help fulfill Luminis Health’s mission of enhancing the health of the people and communities it serves, Bowie Mayor Timothy Adams and his wife, the Honorable Sheila Tillerson Adams have personally donated $100,000 to Luminis Health’s behavioral health services in Prince George’s County. Tori Bayless, chief executive officer of Luminis Health, and Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center, joined members of the Adams family for a ceremonial check presentation inside the new Behavioral Health Pavilion in Lanham. Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) opened the Behavioral Health Pavilion in the summer of 2022 to meet the growing needs of mental health services in Prince George’s County. The Pavilion currently offers a broad continuum of services including: Outpatient Mental Health Clinic to provide therapy and medication management for adults and adolescents Behavioral Health Walk-In Urgent Care for non-emergent behavioral health concerns for ages four years old and up. This service is available Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Psychiatric Day Treatment Program which includes a mental health partial hospitalization program and an intensive outpatient program for adults and adolescents A 16-bed Inpatient psychiatric unit for adults “Since 2019, Luminis Health, a locally formed health system, has invested $85 million at our Lanham campus, including expanding behavioral health services,” said Deneen Richmond, president of LHDCMC. “The Adams’ generosity and commitment to our community warms my heart tremendously. Their financial support will provide access, treatment and programming to Prince Georgians who deserve high-quality care close to home. It is my sincere hope these much needed services will help end the stigma of receiving mental health and substance use treatment.” This summer, we anticipate opening an 8-bed addiction residential services followed by a substance use disorder intensive outpatient treatment program. Major funding for the new Behavioral Health Pavilion was made possible through a $20 million grant from Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and the Prince George’s County Council.
- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWomen should make health a priority. Sounds simple enough, but we all know life sometimes gets in the way. With the demands of work and family, an active lifestyle and a healthy diet are the least of our worries. As the president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham, I encourage all women to take better care of themselves and make an appointment to see their doctor at least once a year. Early detection saves lives. Since May is Women’s Health Care Month, it’s important to take note of these reminders: Starting at age 40, receive a yearly mammogram to detect breast cancer. African American women with a family history of breast cancer should start sooner because of a higher risk Consult your physician, but you should have a pap smear every 3-5 years to detect cervical cancer depending on your risk Regular screening for colon cancer starting at age 45 Screen for sexually transmitted infections. If taking contraception, yearly surveillance is recommended Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings. Call (301) 552-7724 about eligibility and to make an appointment. Now, let’s talk about matters of the heart. You may be surprised to hear heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease killed more than 314,000 women in 2020–or about 1 in every five female deaths. Take it seriously by lowering your chances of getting heart disease: Have your blood pressure checked regularly. High blood pressure has no symptoms and is typically higher in African American women Keep your cholesterol low Maintain a healthy weight and diet. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Skip processed foods, fast food and carbonated drinks Exercise 3 to 4 times weekly for at least 30 minutes Test for diabetes. Having uncontrolled diabetes raises your risk of heart disease Quit smoking and limit alcoholic drinks Mental health for women is also important. We recently opened a new Behavioral Health Pavilion at LHDCMC to provide inpatient mental health services, and outpatient mental health and substance use services, something desperately needed in our community and nationwide. This new center has an inpatient psychiatric unit, and other services such as walk-in urgent care, a mental health clinic, and psychiatric day programs. This center is another example of our commitment to our community by offering all residents expanded access to high-quality treatment, rehabilitation and support services. In fact, since 2019, Luminis Health has invested $85 million at our Lanham campus and is pledging to invest even more for years to come. We have major plans to expand women’s and children’s healthcare services in Prince George’s County. It is unacceptable that 8 out of 10 women have to deliver their baby outside of the County because of a lack of obstetrical and other healthcare services. As someone who grew up and still calls Prince George’s County home, I experienced this challenge firsthand when I gave birth to both my sons. One of the bold goals of Vision 2030, our 10-year strategic plan, is to eliminate maternal and infant mortality. According to a report from the CDC, the nation’s maternal death rate rose significantly in 2021, with the rates among Black women more than twice as high as those of White women. In Prince George’s County, the maternal mortality rate for Black women is 50 percent higher than the national average. To address this, Luminis Health is raising $300 million to renovate and upgrade LHDCMC, with plans to build a Women’s Health Center for inpatient obstetrics services, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. Once Luminis Health receives state approval for the proposed women’s tower we’re ready to begin construction on our campus, which will take three to five years to complete. We’ve been treating and improving the life of our community since 1975. As LHDCMC prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary, I hope you are as excited as I am for our expansion plans since it will ensure our community receives critical, additional and much-needed care close to home. Now, and in the future, Luminis Health is committed to enhancing the health of the people and community we serve. Author Deneen Richmond is the president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.
- News & Press Releases, Stroke CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSeconds count when someone is suffering from a stroke. As part of a community awareness campaign, County Executive Steuart Pittman presented a proclamation honoring Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s (LHAAMC) stroke care initiatives and designated Anne Arundel County as “Stroke Smart” due to the level of care offered by its hospitals. “With 1 in 6 people having a stroke in their lifetime, this May I encourage all county agencies, schools, health and safety-focused entities, businesses, and community organizations to participate in improving stroke literacy,” Pittman said. “I hereby proclaim May 2023 as National Stroke Awareness Month in Anne Arundel County and call upon all of our residents to recognize and educate themselves and others about the symptoms of stroke.” To earn the “Stroke Smart” designation, hospitals must meet certain standards of care outlined by the American Stroke Association and Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) that demonstrates the organization’s ability to provide life-saving treatment to patients who may have suffered a stroke.“A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is suddenly interrupted or cut off. It is a medical emergency that needs immediate attention by calling 911,” said Sherry Perkins, president of LHAAMC. “Knowing that stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in Maryland, our stroke center program is fortunate to work with community organizations, the Maryland Health Department, local schools and businesses to improve stroke care in our communities and save lives.” Our Stroke Program provides a full range of neurology services supported by the outpatient neurology collaborative team, and patients with hemorrhagic strokes receive neurosurgical care by our neurosurgical team. “I feel fortunate to lead these dedicated team of professionals, including the multidisciplinary stroke teams as well as stroke survivors support groups that help us deliver a high quality care for stroke patients and also tremendously appreciate the critical communication between the local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) teams with our Emergency Department colleagues who are the key for the “TIME IS BRAIN” concept,” said Dr. Minas Gebru, stroke medical director at LHAAMC.LHAAMC is consistently rated a “Get with the Guidelines Gold Plus” from the American Heart Association and is an Advanced Primary Stroke Center that has been designated by MIEMMS since 2012. “It was my privilege to accept this proclamation from Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman on behalf of Luminis Health,” said Jen Harrington, LHAAMC chief operating officer. “Declaring Anne Arundel County a Stroke Smart County ensures high-quality healthcare for all residents of Anne Arundel County.”
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMay is National Cancer Research Month, and clinical trials are an essential part of cancer research. But what are clinical trials and how will you know if one is right for you? Clinical trials are research studies that test new therapies to learn about their effects. Many medications we have today, such as chemotherapy and vaccines, would not exist without clinical trials. At Luminis Health, doctors will offer eligible cancer patients the option of participating in a clinical trial. If a patient is interested, they will meet with a clinical research nurse or coordinator to review the purpose of the study, schedule of treatments, and learn about potential risks and benefits. Here are a few questions you should ask before agreeing to take part in a trial: What are the risks and benefits of the trial, and how do they compare to standard treatment? How will the doctor know if the treatment is working? What is the purpose of the trial? How could the trial affect my daily life? What happens if I decide to leave the trial? Is there someone I can talk to who has been in the trial? Your doctor and the research team can answer these questions and help you make a decision. If you choose to enroll, the doctor will closely monitor your treatment throughout the trial. If you change your mind about the trial, you can leave at any time and continue to get the standard care available. Participating in a clinical trial can benefit you because it could mean access to new therapies that aren’t widely available yet. It also benefits the community because the research will help others in the future. “The idea that my participation in the trial could contribute to future improvements in breast cancer treatment was an important consideration to me,” says Maria Ulrich, a Luminis Health patient who recently participated in a trial. “Undergoing cancer treatment is a very difficult experience and any improvement in lessening its hard effects is a very worthwhile goal.” Luminis Health has ongoing clinical trials for breast, prostate, lung, ovarian, endometrial and hematologic cancers. Eligibility depends on many factors, such as: Age Race Gender Stage of cancer History of treatments Medical history If you are a cancer patient and have interest in participating in a clinical trial, talk to your doctor. Your provider can find out which ones would be safe for you and potentially beneficial, and will work with the research team to coordinate your care. There is never any pressure to join. If you are interested in participating in clinical trials but you don’t have cancer, there are many other clinical trials available. In fact, having data from healthy volunteers is a critical part of creating a comparison study. To join the Clinical Research Volunteer Program, please visit the National Institutes of Health website. To learn more, please visit Luminis.Health/CancerCare or call 443-481-1320. Authors Liz Egan is a Clinical Research Nurse at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLife can be tough. There are the daily stresses, unexpected events and relentless responsibilities that can all be challenging. At times, we can feel overwhelmed and may need a little extra support. It may surprise you to hear one in five experience a diagnosed mental health condition each year. How can you help a loved one, friend, co-worker or family member who may be going through a hard time? Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s give you a mental health first-aid kit of sorts. Recognizing the Signs One way to provide support is to acknowledge when someone is going through a difficult time. Here are some common signs of mental health challenges: Excessive worrying or fear Feeling extremely sad or low Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning Severe mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” Persistent or strong feelings of irritability or anger Avoiding friends and social activities Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite Overuse of alcohol or drugs Vague and ongoing “aches and pains” without an obvious cause Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress How to Approach Difficult Conversations If you suspect that a friend or loved one might be going through a rough patch, trust your gut. Speak to them one-on-one. Start by saying how much you care, followed by your observations. You might say, “I care about you, and I’ve noticed you haven’t been yourself lately. You seem more frustrated than you’ve been in a while and I’m wondering how you’re doing.” Tell the person you understand and it’s normal to ask for help. If it’s a child or teenager, ask them who you should talk to because you should never handle someone else’s mental health crisis on your own. If granted permission, enlist help from someone they trust, such as a parent, caregivers, older siblings, other relatives or a teacher, even a coach. Is Your Loved One in Danger? Some behaviors may indicate that a person is at immediate risk for suicide. Here are some warning signs: Talking about wanting to die or to kill oneself Looking for a way to kill oneself, such as searching online or getting a gun Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live If someone you care about shows these behaviors, you should call or text 988 right away or call a mental health professional. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential, 24/7 support for anyone who is thinking about suicide, concerned about a loved one or needing emotional support. Helpful Resources The National Alliance of Mental Illness is a nationwide grassroots organization that offers support for those with mental illness and for their friends and loved ones. They have a number of helpful support groups, including some in Prince George’s County. Maryland Coalition of Families supports families who have loved ones with behavioral health conditions. In addition, Luminis Health offers Pathways Family Wellness Workshop, a program that brings together family members (such as parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, or anyone else who is considered family) for an educational session, group therapy and personal growth. The program equips family members with communication skills, relapse prevention strategies and coping mechanisms for ongoing recovery. To register for an upcoming workshop, call 443-481-5449. Take Care of Yourself, Too If someone you are close to is working through mental health challenges, both you and the person in crisis are not alone. Reach out for support for yourself if you need it. Remember that it’s important to maintain boundaries between someone else’s experience and your own. You can empathize with what someone else is going through without owning responsibility for their experience.
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