- Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMarch is a special time at Luminis Health as we celebrate Women’s History Month, a period dedicated to acknowledging the remarkable roles women have played through history. It’s also a chance to recognize the strides we’ve made in areas like women’s health, while acknowledging the journey ahead. We recognize that women’s health includes improving access to quality care, addressing disparities and advocating for women’s unique healthcare needs. Central to our efforts is Luminis Health’s Vision 2030, our strategic plan that sets forth ambitious goals aimed at improving the health and well-being of our communities, including ending infant mortality. The Vision 2030 bold goal serves as constant reminder that every child deserves the opportunity to thrive from the moment they enter this world. Guided by our Women’s and Children’s Health Equity Taskforce, we’ve launched several initiatives aimed at bridging health gaps and nurturing positive health outcomes for mothers and babies. One notable success has been reducing the gap in first-time C-sections by more than 10%, thanks to our tailored care approach and team education. Our Centering Pregnancy programs offer a fresh take on prenatal care, fostering a supportive community for expectant mothers through group sessions and comprehensive care. This innovative approach has not only lessened preterm births but also built a tight-knit community among the more than 100 participants to date. Our program based in Annapolis is a fully accredited site and we are launching Centering Pregnancy in Prince George’s County, at Luminis Health Ob-Gyn in Greenbelt, later this summer. Recognizing the critical role of cultural sensitivity in healthcare, our Women’s and Children’s teams are well-versed in culturally customized care. This includes 100% participation in implicit bias training, helping us provide care that’s respectful and inclusive of all backgrounds. A significant milestone in our journey is the recent approval of our Certificate of Need by the Maryland Health Care Commission for the development of comprehensive obstetrics services at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham. With construction scheduled to begin this spring, this milestone represents a major investment in women’s health by expanding access to high-quality maternity care closer to home. Currently, Luminis Health delivers more than 5,000 babies a year. Once our obstetrics program in Prince George’s County is fully operational, we anticipate an additional 2,000 births annually. As we reflect on Women’s History Month, let’s celebrate women’s past and present achievements and recommit to advancing women’s health equity. Luminis Health is proud to lead in ensuring every woman enjoys a healthy, fulfilling life. Author Dr. Monica Jones, system chair, Luminis Health Women’s and Children’s Service Line
- Behavioral HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogSocial workers are often recognized for the important work they do with children, people with disabilities and the elderly, but they also play a vital role in behavioral healthcare. There are social workers involved with every step of the patient journey, from evaluation to advocacy. They work in a variety of settings, including emergency rooms, inpatient care, outpatient care, substance use programs and more. Here are a few examples of the crucial services social workers provide: Assessment and Evaluation: Social workers conduct initial assessments to understand patient’s behavioral health needs, strengths, and challenges. They may use standardized tools and techniques to assess the severity of symptoms and the impact on the individual’s daily life. Counseling and Therapy: Social workers provide counseling and therapy to individuals, families, and groups to address mental health issues. They may utilize different therapeutic approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or interpersonal therapy to help clients manage symptoms, develop coping strategies, and improve overall well-being. Advocacy: Social workers advocate for behavioral health patients’ rights and access to appropriate services and resources. They may work with healthcare providers, government agencies and community organizations to ensure that patients receive the support they need. Crisis Intervention: Social workers are trained to provide crisis intervention services for individuals experiencing acute behavioral health crises or emotional distress. They may offer immediate support, assess risk, and facilitate referrals to emergency services or psychiatric care as needed. Supportive Services: Social workers offer ongoing emotional support and encouragement to mental health patients and their families. They provide a compassionate and nonjudgmental presence, helping clients navigate challenges, build resilience, and maintain their recovery journey. For those who are interested in becoming a social worker, there are several steps involved, including: A Bachelor’s Degree A Master’s Degree in Social Work Supervised Experience Licensure Exams Maintaining a License Becoming a social worker offers the opportunity to have a meaningful impact in the well-being of others. If you are looking for a career in social work, please visit Luminis Health Careers. Author Joy R. Hudson, LCSW-C, LICSW is the Clinical Director for Luminis Health Behavioral Health at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.
- Cancer Care, Digestive CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIf you are under 50, getting screened for colorectal cancer should be a top priority. It’s a topic many don’t want to discuss, but you should. Even as overall cancer deaths continue to fall in the United States, the American Cancer Society reports that colon and rectal cancers have become leading causes of cancer death for men and women under 50. African Americans face a heightened risk as they are disproportionately more likely to develop and die from the disease. With March being Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, it’s a good time to raise awareness about the disease and promote early detection to save lives. This is such a life and death issue that Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham and Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis are lit up in blue each night throughout the month. The rise in colorectal cancer in younger adults is alarming, and while the exact reasons remain unclear, it underscores the importance of understanding and addressing the risk factors. There are identifiable risk factors that you can modify to reduce the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer: Body weight Physical activity Diet (eat more fiber and less fatty and processed foods) Smoking Alcohol use The best way to treat colorectal cancer is to catch it early. There is a 91 percent survival rate after five years if detected in its earliest stages. Guidelines now recommend that adults of average risk start screening at age 45. If you have a family history or additional risk factors, talk with your physician about getting screened sooner. Routine screening is important because it can help doctors detect and diagnose colorectal cancer before you notice any symptoms, and doctors can find and remove pre-cancerous polyps before they develop into cancer. There are several types of screening in use today: Fecal occult blood test checks a stool sample for traces of blood that could indicate polyps, cancer or other conditions Sigmoidoscopy uses a thin, tube-like instrument with a light and a lens to look inside the rectum and lower colon for polyps, abnormal areas or cancer Colonoscopy uses a small camera to allow doctors to look inside the rectum and colon for polyps, abnormal areas or cancer Virtual colonoscopy uses a series of X-rays to take a series of images of a patient’s colon DNA stool test checks for changes in the DNA in stool samples that could indicate disease. Improving access to screening and treatment in Prince George’s County Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center is proud to partner with Maryland’s Cancer, Prevention, Education, Screening, and Treatment (CPEST) program, which allocates funding to, among other things, make screenings available to Prince George’s County residents who lack insurance coverage. Over the past 18 months, the $850,000 grant has funded colonoscopies for 540 people ages 45 to 75 — averaging about 8% more people than its yearly target — and, of those, identified and treated five cases of colorectal cancer. If you are an uninsured or underinsured Prince George’s County resident who is 45 or older, you may qualify for a no cost colonoscopy through the CPEST Program. Please contact your physician for a referral. You can also call 301-552-7915 for further information. What it all means The earlier colorectal cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat and the more successful the outcome. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors, when you should be screened and the best screening method for you. The more proactive you are, the better. Authors Steven Fleisher, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist at Luminis Health with more than 20 years of experience
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) has been recognized by Newsweek as one of the best hospitals in the United States. Out of the 412 hospitals named, LHAAMC ranks as the 90th best hospital nationwide for providing outstanding healthcare to patients. “This ongoing recognition by Newsweek is humbling and reflects the commitment and dedication of our team to prioritize patient care,” said Sherry Perkins, president of LHAAMC. “I extend my sincere gratitude to every member of our hospital and to our community for entrusting us with their healthcare needs for more than 120 years.” Newsweek partnered with Statista Inc. to rank leading hospitals, based on three data sources: medical experts, patient experience surveys and medical key performance indicators including: patient safety, hygiene measures and quality of treatment. According to Newsweek, each hospital’s score is based on an online survey of more than 85,000 medical experts and public data from post-hospitalization patient surveys on their general satisfaction. The score also considers metrics on things like hygiene and patient/doctor ratio as well as a Statista survey on whether hospitals use Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), which are standardized questionnaires completed by patients to assess their experience and results. “Our team-based approach of caring for patients ensures we provide quality-driven and seamless healthcare throughout every stage of their medical journey with compassion and attention to a positive patient experience,” said Dr. Michael Webb, president of the medical staff at LHAAMC. “We strive every day to uphold Luminis Health’s mission of enhancing the health of the people and communities we are privileged to serve.”
- Surgery, Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs February marks Heart Health Month, show your heart some love by eating a nutritious diet comprised of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking. Taking these steps can decrease the chance that you may need heart surgery one day, but if you do need heart surgery, medical advancements have improved options and outcomes for surgery patients. Here are five things you should know about heart surgery: If your arteries are blocked, surgery can help. A blocked blood vessel can lead to a heart attack, stroke and other problems. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is the most common type of open heart surgery performed on adults today. The surgeon uses a blood vessel taken from another part of the body to provide an alternate route for blood to go around the blockage. When you have a valve that doesn’t work, doctors can replace it without surgery. Conditions like aortic stenosis can keep the heart valve from opening fully and make it difficult for blood to flow. Left untreated, aortic stenosis can damage the heart muscle and lead to severe complications. The good news is that aortic stenosis can be fixed without surgery. Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) is a game-changer. It is a minimally invasive alternative to a traditional surgical valve replacement, deploying artificial heart valves using small catheters. This avoids the need for open-heart surgery and can lead to less pain and faster recovery. TAVR demonstrates outstanding results, providing a viable treatment option for patients who previously had limited choices, ultimately extending their lives and enhancing their overall quality of life. Traditional surgery can work for a valve replacement, too. Certainly, open heart surgery remains a viable method for replacing a damaged heart valve. Surgeons have performed the procedure for more than 50 years, yet Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement (SAVR) is still considered major surgery since it involves opening the chest to perform the procedure. Nevertheless, it has a high success rate, with a low likelihood of significant complications. You should treat a bulge in your blood vessel before it becomes an emergency. An aortic aneurysm is an enlargement of the aorta, which is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When an aneurysm gets too large, it can tear or rupture which may be life-threatening. There is a lot at stake, so it’s important to know the warning signs, which can include: Chest pain Coughing up blood Dizziness Hoarseness or trouble swallowing Pulsing near the belly button Shortness of breath Sudden and intense abdominal or back pain If you or a loved one have an aortic aneurysm, treatment often starts with medication and keeping a close eye on it. However, if it’s large or fast-growing, surgery may be the best option to replace the weak section of the aorta with a graft, or tube. Surgery can correct heart rhythm problems. Today, doctors can help arrhythmia issues. But when medications and catheter ablations don’t work, surgical ablations can be performed with improved success. If you are concerned about your heart health, schedule an appointment with a primary care provider or cardiologist. If heart surgery is recommended, we provide skilled, compassionate surgical care for all heart conditions at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center. Consultations are available in Lanham, Annapolis, and Kent Island. Author Murtaza Dawood, MD is an experienced cardiothoracic surgeon who is recognized for performing operations for complex valve disease and atrial fibrillation. He is known for treating mitral valve regurgitation as well as aortic valve disease.
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