- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLanham, MD—Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) proudly marks its 50th anniversary, celebrating five decades of exceptional care and service to Prince George’s County. As part of this milestone, LHDCMC is hosting special events aimed at addressing maternal health disparities and supporting expectant and new mothers in the community. On Saturday, April 5, LHDCMC will host its 50th Anniversary Golden Gala, an evening of celebration and tribute to the hospital’s legacy of providing high-quality care since 1975. The event will bring together healthcare leaders, community advocates, and supporters to honor the hospital’s legacy while raising funds to expand services, advance health equity, and eliminate disparities. Following the gala, Luminis Health’s Community Improvement Department will hold a Community Baby Shower on Saturday, April 12, from 12 pm to 4 pm, on the LHDCMC campus. This free event will provide essential resources, education, and support for expectant and new mothers in Prince George’s County, featuring: Expert-led panel discussions on gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, postpartum depression, nutrition during and after pregnancy, and lactation Local vendors offering baby essentials and services Diaper and baby essential giveaways “We want mothers and loved ones to feel empowered about their health during pregnancy,” said Temi Oshiyoye, Luminis Health’s director of Community Health Improvement. “With 8 out of 10 moms having to leave Prince George’s County to give birth, we want them to know that support and resources are available close to home, before, during, and after pregnancy.” As part of its on-going commitment to maternal health, Luminis Health has opened an Ob-Gyn clinic in Greenbelt and launched CenteringPregnancy®, a nationally recognized program that offers group sessions for expectant mothers and personalized consultations with trusted Ob-Gyns and midwives. LHDCMC is finalizing design plans to add inpatient obstetric services, labor, delivery, and postpartum care with rooms designed for a family-centered birth experience. These initiatives will transform healthcare in Prince George’s County and play a crucial role in eliminating maternal and infant mortality, an ambitious goal of Vision 2030, the health system’s 10-year strategic plan. “Prince George’s County has a maternal mortality rate that is twice the national average, and this is simply unacceptable,” said Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center. “Luminis Health is taking bold steps to address these disparities by expanding access to quality prenatal and postnatal care, educating families, and advocating for systemic change. These events are not just celebrations of our past but reaffirmations of our commitment to a healthier future for mothers and babies in the communities we serve.” Anticipated to open in 2028, the new state-of-the-art women’s health center on the hospital’s Lanham campus is expected to welcome approximately 2,000 babies each year once fully operational.
- Orthopedics, Senior CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogJoint replacement surgeries are some of the most successful and popular operations in the medical field. These procedures have helped countless people achieve more mobility and less pain with brand new hips or knees. Sounds like the perfect solution to joint pain, right? But how do you know if you’re ready for joint replacement surgery? It’s not a simple answer, and the timing of your surgery can greatly affect your result. An orthopedic surgeon who specializes in these operations can help you decide if and when to have surgery. A surgeon will talk to you about your pain level and mobility, examine how you walk and evaluate your x-rays before recommending a plan. If you’re experiencing joint pain and thinking about surgery, it will help to be familiar with the following points before you start a conversation with your surgeon: Arthritis and cartilage The most common form of arthritis is called osteoarthritis, a degenerative process which causes your cartilage cushion to wear down. Since cartilage covers the bones in your joints, this can affect how your joints move and feel. If your x-rays show that your cartilage cushion around your joints is gone, it may be time for surgery. Patients call this state “bone on bone.” If your x-rays show you still have your own cartilage, it’s probably too soon for replacement surgery. Hip vs. knee replacement Deciding on hip replacement can be easier than choosing to have a knee replacement. Here’s why: Hip pain is constant, and non-surgical methods of relieving pain aren’t as effective as with knees. Knees are more difficult. Knee pain will come and go, so it’s harder to recognize your pain level. Also, there are other effective ways to relieve pain for knees besides surgery. Injections and physical therapy tend to work better for knees compared to hips. Knee replacement patients often don’t expect the pain that comes with rehab after surgery. Your symptoms: A personal choice Ice and heating packs, joint injections, weight loss, over-the-counter medications and physical therapy can all help reduce pain. However, if you’ve tried these methods and you still have severe pain in your groin or around your knee, it’s time to see a surgeon. While we can make medically based recommendations, remember that having joint surgery is a personal decision. My patients often make the choice to have surgery when their pain is so bad they can’t even sleep or it prevents them from traveling or doing something they love. Patients ready for surgery often stop asking what they can’t do with a total joint, and start looking forward to what they can do after surgery. Still not sure? If you have daily pain that limits your activities, you may benefit from surgery. Surgeons can certainly guide your decision, but the final choice is yours. We want you to feel a big enough improvement after your surgery to be glad you went through the procedure. And remember, joint replacement surgeries have been helping people for decades and most patients are very happy with their results. To learn more about joint replacement surgery, visit https://www.luminishealth.org/en/services/joint-replacement-surgery. Author By James MacDonald, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Luminis Health. To reach his practice, call 410-268-8862.
- Orthopedics, Women's Health, Pediatrics, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogOsteoporosis: It’s a disease that manifests later in life, but the foundation of healthy bones begins at a young age. Characterized by weak bones, osteoporosis can cause fractures and chronic pain. Here’s how it works: Your body is constantly breaking down and rebuilding your bones. For the first 25 to 30 years of your life, your body makes more than enough new bone to replace the bone it loses. Around this time, you reach what’s called “peak bone mass,” meaning your bones are at their strongest. But after age 30, the pendulum swings the other way and you start to lose more bone than you gain. This process continues for the rest of your life. For women, the most rapid bone loss is in the years around menopause. For those who haven’t built up their bones enough during those first 30 formative years, that’s when osteoporosis can set in. Known as the silent disease, osteoporosis can strike without warning. In fact, many people don’t know they have it until after they suffer a fracture. And while there’s no cure for the disease once you get it, there’s plenty you can do to prevent it in both yourself and your kids. A parent’s role to prevent osteoporosis in kids As a parent, you can greatly reduce your child’s chance of developing this disease later in life. Christina Morganti, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), says, “The fact of the matter is, the exercise and dietary habits you instill in your children can either be a powerful mechanism to prevent osteoporosis or a perfect storm for the disease to develop.” There’s no surefire way to determine whether or not you or your children will develop osteoporosis later in life. The best solution? Do everything you can to prevent the disease early in life. If you’re a parent, make sure you’re helping your kids build strong, healthy bones. Your guide to building strong, healthy bones Luckily, preventing the disease isn’t complicated. But it does require some self-discipline and, depending on your current habits, shifts in your diet and exercise routine. Here’s what you can do for yourself and your children to help fend off the disease: Know your family history. “If you have a parent or sibling with osteoporosis, you’re at a higher risk of developing it yourself,” says Dr. Morganti. Knowing empowers you to take extra measures to ensure you’re keeping your bones as strong as possible. Exercise! The more you use your muscles, the stronger they become. Same goes for your bones. Weight-bearing exercises help improve your bone density to form stronger bones. This includes any exercise that uses resistance to make you exert effort. Resistance can come from dumbbells, your own body, fitness machines, etc. The result? New bone tissue forms as your muscles push and pull on the bones around them, strengthening both bone and muscle.Your action plan: Mix it up! Variety keeps exercise exciting and ensures you’re using a variety of muscles. Try a stair workout, hiking, running, walking, weight training or dancing to reduce your risk of osteoporosis. “While swimming and biking are great low-impact exercises, they don’t have the same effect on your bones as weight-bearing exercises do,” says Dr. Morganti. “Children should be active for at least 60 minutes a day. For adults, the recommendation is at least 30 minutes a day of aerobic exercise like walking, supplemented with strength training two to three days a week and balance training one to two days per week.” Know what to avoid. While there’s plenty you can do to keep osteoporosis at bay, don’t forget about what not to do if you want strong, healthy bones. “Some studies have linked salt, caffeine, carbonated soda and alcohol consumption with accelerated bone loss,” says Dr. Morganti. “If your children have a diet heavy in salty, processed food or drink caffeinated or carbonated drinks, this could affect their bone density.” And add this to your list of reasons not to smoke: Multiple studies reveal that smoking can actually limit your body’s ability to absorb calcium. Calcium, calcium, calcium. We’ve heard it all before. Drink your daily glass of milk to nourish your body with adequate calcium. But did you know there are plenty of non-dairy sources of calcium? Or that your body needs a certain amount of vitamin D in order to absorb the calcium you consume? “To make the most of the calcium you eat, pair calcium-rich foods with foods high in vitamin D, like tuna, shrimp and eggs (yolk included),” explains Ann Caldwell, nutritionist and registered dietitian at AAMC. Sunlight can also help the body produce more vitamin D, which is why it’s not uncommon for people to be vitamin D deficient in the winter. If you have a desk job, try taking a walk or eating your lunch outside to soak up some rays. Just don’t forget the SPF. No dairy, no problem Besides the beloved trio of milk, cheese and yogurt, there are plenty of non-dairy sources of calcium out there, including: Canned salmon. Half a can contains 23 percent of your daily value of calcium. It’s important to note that other forms of salmon won’t reap the same calcium-rich benefits as canned salmon. Figs. Pick up a bag of dried figs for a sweet, fibrous snack to keep bones strong. Cut them up into small pieces and mix with nuts and other dried fruits for a homemade trail mix your children will love. Kale, spinach, bok choy and turnip greens. There’s a reason why leafy greens are one of the healthiest foods you can eat. But there’s no need to limit yourself to the same green salad. Sauté greens with some sea salt and olive oil, or add them to a stir-fry. If you’ve passed the 30-year mark of your body making plenty of new bone tissue, taking preventative measures against osteoporosis can still be effective, and are vital to maintaining healthy bones. But the reality is that calcium and weight-bearing exercises will have a more dramatic effect on the strength of children’s bones than those of older adults. “The lesson here is to make sure you’re helping your children develop habits that create strong bones to last a lifetime,” explains Dr. Morganti. Recipe: Salmon Pasta Salad This pasta salad includes a healthy dose of calcium from the canned salmon. Plus, it’s easy to pack up the leftovers for a healthy work-day lunch the next day. Dietitian’s tip: For added calcium and health benefits, serve this on a bed of baby spinach. It’s delicious! INGREDIENTS 1 (8-oz.) package of farfalle or bow tie pasta2 heads broccoli, chopped into florets2 carrots, peeled and chopped2 teaspoons soy sauce2 tablespoons olive oil3 tablespoons red wine vinegar2 cloves of garlic, crushed/pressed¼ cup fresh lemon juiceSalt and pepper to taste10-oz. canned salmon, rinsed, drained and broken into small pieces INSTRUCTIONS Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, 8-10 minutes. Bring a separate large pot of water to boil. Add broccoli and carrots, cook in boiling water for 2 minutes and drain. Combine soy sauce, olive oil, vinegar, garlic and lemon juice in a sealable container and shake vigorously. Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss together the drained pasta, vegetables, salmon and dressing in a large bowl. Store in the refrigerator. Want to eat healthier but not sure what to cook? Try more of these healthy, delicious recipes from our registered dietitians. Contributor Christina Morganti, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center and has developed a dedicated osteoporosis program at her practice, Luminis Health Orthopedics. You can reach her office at 410-268-8862. Contributor Recipe author Ann Caldwell is a registered dietitian and nutritionist. Originally published November 29, 2016. Last updated July 5, 2023.
- Pregnancy & Birth, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogYou’re pregnant – congratulations! Whether it’s your first baby or you’re adding a brother or sister to the family, having a safe, healthy and positive labor experience is what every family wants. One option for many women and their partners is to include a doula as part of their care team. A doula is a trained, non-medical, professional who nurtures, supports and offers guidance for families throughout labor and delivery, and after the birth. Doulas offer a wide range of services, including help with breastfeeding as well as postpartum care. Studies show a doula’s continuous labor support benefits mom and baby in many ways. It can often mean: • A more satisfying birth experience• Less need for pain medications• Less likelihood of needing a cesarean delivery• Shorter labor Finding the right person to be part of one of the most important events of your life may feel overwhelming. So, where do you start and how should you choose? Here are six tips to guide you in your search. Start looking early in your pregnancy It’s good to begin the process of finding a doula at your fourth to fifth month of pregnancy. Finding someone who’s the right fit may take more time than you think. Doulas work on-call, so they have a limit on how many clients they can serve at one time. Choosing a doula early in your pregnancy will give you time to get to know each other and get comfortable with your birth plan. Talk to other families As with most things, word-of-mouth referrals are gold. Talking with friends who have used a doula about their experience can help you start and even narrow your search. Technology – Facebook groups, a Google search for other online groups and forums – can connect you with other moms in your area. Keep in mind that everyone’s experience can be different. A good match for someone else may not be a good match for you, and vice-versa. Talk with the provider who’s caring for you during your pregnancy You’ll need to let your doctor or midwife know you’re planning on having a doula as part of your labor and delivery team. And if your provider has worked with a doula in the past, they may be able to offer a recommendation. The hospital’s lactation consultants and childbirth educators are also good resources. Check with doula certification programs Most doulas will have completed a certification program and are continually participating in education to increase their knowledge. These programs offer national, and even global, online directories of certified doulas that you can search by location. Some well-known programs include: • Birthing From Within• Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association (CAPPA)• DONA International• DoulaMatch.net• International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA) Interview potential doulas Spending face-to-face time with the person who will be part of your baby’s birth is a must. You not only want to gather important information about them and their background, but you also need to get a feel for whether your personalities are a good fit.Prepare for the interview by thinking about why you want a doula and what you them to do for you. Spend time on the doulas’ websites. DONA International recommends asking potential doulas about: • Availability• Certification status• Experience• Fees• Services offered• Training Trust your gut When you choose someone to provide any service, there’s no doubt experience and technical skills are must-haves. But soft skills, such as communication, empathy and teamwork, come into play too. Pay attention to how you connect with and feel when you’re with them. No one knows you and what you need better than you do. Listen to and follow your instincts. Learn more Sara Shaffer is a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs parents, we put our children’s medical needs first. When our kids have a tummy ache or fever, we don’t hesitate to call the pediatrician. These health needs are easy to identify. But when it comes to our children’s mental and emotional health, symptoms and signs of distress may not be as easy to spot. A mental health crisis occurs when a child has thoughts and feelings that can lead them to hurting themselves or others. That interfere with their ability to do everyday things or present a deterioration in their functioning. Here are tips to help you recognize the signs before and if a mental health crisis in your child occurs. Signs of distress Pay attention to behaviors that are contrary to your child’s baseline behavior, such as: Persistent physical aches that continue after a visit to your pediatrician Sudden changes in sleeping or eating patterns Bed wetting that is inconsistent with expected age development Unusual clinginess, whining or crying While signs vary from young children to teenagers, signs of a mental health crisis where you should seek immediate professional help include: Significant distress and/or out of control behavior that is difficult to calm down Verbalizing suicidal thoughts or plans Self-injury Harming others and/or animals Signs you might see in teenagers in need of mental health support include: Isolation and avoiding social activities Drastic mood swings Excessive irritability, anger, worry or fear Distress Deviant or odd behavior or ideas Signs of a mental health crisis requiring immediate professional help include: For example, your child is not able to complete school work or study, maintain relationship with others or take care of themselves. Dangerous thoughts or behaviors. This often means thoughts of death and suicide, and/or self-injury Violence Panic attacks Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, worthlessness or pessimism Prevention Become informed on mental health and mental illness through books, credible websites, workshops, speaking to professionals, and by speaking to other parents who are in similar situations. You can also build protective factors around your child. Building protective factors are as simple as having family meals together, giving specific praise to your child, monitoring their use of technology and engaging in mindfulness activities. Equally important is being present in your child’s life. This means spending quality time together, fostering open communication, listening without judgment and providing support. Don’t be afraid to seek help If you think your child is experiencing a mental health crisis, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. For immediate help, call 911, the Crisis Response Team for your county, or crisis a hotline like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Author Maria Winters, LCPC, is a mental health clinician at AAMC. You can reach her at 667-204-7311.
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