- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogToday Luminis Health, the non-profit health system formed in 2019 by Anne Arundel Medical Center and Doctors Community Medical Center (formerly Doctors Community Hospital), unveiled its new brand. A new logo, color scheme and social media pages signify the coming together of the two organizations under the Luminis Health masterbrand. The symbol element of the logo represents a beacon conveying the health system’s commitment to being a force of hope and healing for the region, while igniting new possibilities for how and where health care is delivered. The primary colors, green and yellow, denote the science and humanity at the health system’s core. “Anne Arundel Medical Center and Doctors Community Medical Center have come together to remove barriers to health,” says Victoria Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health. “One way we are doing this is by unifying everything we do under a single system brand. Our brand is about making health care easier, more personal and built specifically for the communities that we —and our patients— call home.” “Our brand defines who we are and what we stand for,” says Loren Farquhar, vice president of Marketing and Communications. “It guides how we express ourselves and reflects our dedication to our patients, fellow employees and the broader community. The geometric facets of the beacon speak to our expertise. The light illuminating from the center is symbolic of our optimism. In addition to our primary colors, the soft forms of our logotype help bring forth our sense of humanity.” This year, Luminis Health also sets course on Vision 2030, the health system’s ten-year strategic plan that will guide it into the future. Among the first actions on the agenda is expanding obstetric services in Prince George’s County and improving access to behavioral health care. “We are building an agile system of care, delivering high quality care in an optimal way by expanding our footprint, mobilizing our services, sparking justice and creativity, and enhancing health in our communities,” Bayless continued. In addition to Anne Arundel Medical Center and Doctors Community Medical Center, Luminis Health is comprised of the J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center, one of the only free-standing mental health hospitals in Maryland, as well as multi-specialty ambulatory sites and clinics, physician practices and clinical service lines that constitute Luminis Health Clinical Enterprise. With 635 licensed beds and more than 80 sites of care in the region, Luminis Health has 6,400 employees, 1,800 medical staff, 1,300 volunteers and serves residents of Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County and the Eastern Shore.
- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen a friend is diagnosed with breast cancer, you want to do the right thing, but may wonder what the right thing is. Try these strategies, shared by people who have been there: 1. Listen You don’t have to have answers. Avoid clichés and comments like, “Everything will be fine.” Allow your friend to share what she wishes, but also respect her silence or the request to talk about something else. 2. Help with chores Ask your friend how you can help, and offer some practical ideas. Could your friend use someone to mow the lawn? Or pick up the kids? Or provide a meal? 3. Don’t forget the family Partners and children may be struggling, too. Ask your friend’s family how they are doing. Find out what they have shared with their children and what they would like you to say if the kids ask questions. Honor your friend’s decisions and avoid advice unless asked. 4. Be there for the long haul Breast cancer treatment may last a year or more. Put it on your calendar to continue to check in with your friend for the duration of her treatment. Often, your support is needed most later on. Originally published Sept. 24, 2015. Last updated Aug. 13, 2025.
- Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOver the past few weeks, President Trump’s recent diagnosis has brought attention to the treatments available for people who have COVID-19. We’ve been hearing a lot about some of these therapies lately. Some of them have a lot of research behind them. Others are more theoretical. Here’s what we know right now. Research shows there are a few medications and treatments that could help people who have COVID-19. They include steroids, such as dexamethasone, and Remdesivir, an anti-viral drug. There is also antibody therapy with convalescent plasma. Convalescent plasma is antibodies from COVID-19 survivors. It can help a patient’s symptoms, shorten their hospital stay and reduce death risk among patients in the hospital. Researchers are also testing other novel drugs now, with the consent of thousands of willing and hopeful patients and families. We are seeing the benefits of these treatments. For example, we don’t need as many ventilators for COVID-19 patients. This is great progress. But it doesn’t mean that COVID-19 is no longer a threat. Cases are rising in many parts of the country and we need to remain on guard. Still, it is gratifying to know that the medical community is fully behind efforts to find better preventions and treatments. In terms of prevention, we are excited to share with county residents some promising research happening at Anne Arundel Medical Center. We are testing convalescent plasma in two important situations. One is for people who have recently been highly exposed to someone with COVID-19, but who test negative. The other is for people who are newly COVID-19 positive, but have mild symptoms. We’ve seen promising results of COVID-19 antibodies in patients who are in the hospital. These studies will test whether the antibodies can prevent people from getting infected or prevent more serious illness in patients with a recent COVID-19 diagnosis. This is good news for the many county residents who test positive each day. And it’s good news for those who have had exposure to a household member or other close contact with the virus. If you have recently been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19, you may be eligible to participate in either of these studies. Visit CovidPlasmaTrial.org to learn more. Or email us at AAMC at [email protected]. Enrollment is only possible for a short time after exposure or date of positive test. Author Barry Meisenberg, M.D., is the Chair of the Department of Medicine and Chief Academic Officer at Anne Arundel Medical Center and Luminis Health.
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIn the medical field, ironically, it is easy to adopt an unhealthy diet by eating lunches brought to the office from local restaurants, snacking at desks or ducking into a doctor’s lounge to score a bagel or doughnut. Each meal or snack seemed harmless enough but I surely wasn’t burning off nearly the amount of calories I was consuming. After a while, I stopped checking my weight. I already knew what the scale would tell me. I knew at that point that I had to rediscover healthy habits, which meant paying more attention to my diet. Many of my patients know I like to address the subject of weight management and body mass index (BMI) at office visits. The consequences of being overweight or obese are real and prevalent. Obesity is directly related to hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and the development of diabetes. Indirectly, excess weight is related to heart disease. This underscores the importance of controlling your weight. But that’s not to say that weight loss and weight maintenance aren’t challenging. READ MORE: Heart smart: All about fats Habits, both good and bad, are easy to fall into. When I took a new position several years ago, my focus was on my career and the challenges of a new work environment. Like many people, I used food to help manage my stress. This had predictable results. I was aware of what was happening but work and family took priority before my health. I made all the usual excuses but eventually realized that I needed to practice what I preached. My goal: lose 20 pounds. It was an arbitrary goal but it would get me back to my pre-wedding weight and bring my BMI under 25 and out of the overweight range. So, how’d I do it? My first big change was to break the habit of snacking on high-calorie foods. I brought bags of carrots, celery and snap peas to work for those times when my hunger was distracting. I kept the size of my meals in check as well. If I ate until I was full, I would often feel stuffed and tired 30 minutes later. Overall, I tried to limit my daily caloric intake to 1,500 calories or less. I won’t lie, I was frequently hungry. But there is nothing wrong with feeling hungry. That’s what fat burning feels like (thank you, Oprah!). This was not a deprivation diet. I did not skip meals. Occasionally, I had chocolate, bacon, chicken wings and ice cream. But I ate them in moderation and not regularly. I did not adhere to any particular diet nor did I pay attention to the glycemic index, though I mostly avoided concentrated sweets. As a result, I lost 10 pounds in one month. I was halfway to my goal. I added exercise to accelerate my weight loss and maintain muscle tone. Initially, I ran and occasionally I added weights. Usually my workouts lasted 30 minutes but never longer than 45 minutes, and I never worked out more than four days each week. I dropped roughly 13 percent of my body weight in several months. I wanted to regain a certain level of fitness, and set an example for my kids and patients. My weight loss required consistency and dedication. I worked out, downloaded apps (check out My Fitness Pal), weighed myself regularly and drank a lot of water. My family’s encouragement kept me motivated. A healthy diet is a major factor in reducing your risk for illnesses, one of them being heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle are your best weapons to fight cardiovascular disease. Take small steps, like I did. Start working towards prioritizing your health and remember that it’s your choices that ultimately count. It’s not only good for you, it’s good for your heart. You can do this! Author Salvatore Lauria, MD, is a cardiologist with Anne Arundel Medical Group (AAMG) Cardiology Specialists. To schedule an appointment, call 443-481-6700. Originally published Feb. 25, 2019. Last updated Aug. 13, 2025.
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogNew health studies can be confusing, especially when it comes to certain foods and drinks that affect your health. A piece of chocolate or a glass of wine are common treats, and there’s lots of conflicting information about their health benefits. Some types of chocolate and wine offer more heart-healthy benefits than others, but that’s still not a green light to overindulge. Dark Chocolate Dark chocolate has gained a reputation as being a heart-healthy treat because cocoa beans are rich in flavonoids—a nutrient that protects plants from toxins and helps repair damage. The term ‘antioxidant’ is a reference to those benefits. Studies have shown when we eat foods rich in flavonoids, we also benefit from these antioxidant powers. Flavanols are the main type of flavonoid found in cocoa. In addition to their antioxidant qualities, research has shown other potential health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure. But not all dark chocolate is created equal. The more processed chocolate is, the more flavanols are lost along the way. And flavanols are not a nutrient reported on food labels. For the most health benefits, choose a dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 70 percent or higher. And remember, chocolate is not a ‘health’ food. Enjoy dark chocolate as part of a well-balanced, heart-healthy diet. Think of it as a treat rather than a regular part of your diet. Red Wine Red wine, in moderation, has long been thought of as heart healthy. Those who drink moderate amounts of red wine seem to have a lower risk of heart disease. An antioxidant called resveratrol is the substance in red wine that has received a lot of attention. The ingredient may help prevent damage to blood vessels, reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol’) and prevent blood clots. While those benefits might sound great if you enjoy a five-ounce glass of red wine with your evening meal, I would never encourage anyone to start drinking alcohol on the premise that it’s heart healthy. Too much alcohol has harmful effects on your health, such as raising your risk of high blood pressure, liver damage, obesity and certain types of cancer. Drinking too much regularly can actually weaken your heart muscle. If you truly want the health benefits of antioxidants, you should think outside of the wine and chocolate box. Stock your kitchen with antioxidant ‘super foods’ such as blueberries, strawberries, purple grapes, raw nuts, dark green veggies, salmon and green tea. Author Barbara Hutchinson, MD is a cardiologist at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published Feb. 16, 2016. Last updated Sept. 16, 2025.
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