- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health is proud to announce that Deneen Richmond, president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC), has been named one of Modern Healthcare's 2024 Diversity Leaders. Modern Healthcare recognizes executives and organizations annually for their efforts to advance equity and inclusion within their organizations, and the healthcare industry at large. “I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this national recognition for our commitment to championing diversity at Luminis Health and within the communities we serve,” said Deneen Richmond, president of LHDCMC. “I want to thank our dedicated team of caregivers and staff for their commitment to lead as an anti-racist organization, their passion for eliminating health disparities, and their dedication to improving health outcomes for all by providing high-quality patient care close to home.” Modern Healthcare has honored Richmond for her dedication to several key initiatives, including: Founding the HEART Force: Richmond played a pivotal role establishing Luminis Health’s Health Equity & Anti-Racism Task (HEART) Force, which advocates for Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion (JEDI) policies Championing Workforce Diversity: Richmond is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce, with 84% of the hospital staff and 80% of her C-Suite identifying as racial/ethnic diverse Addressing Health Disparities: In support of Luminis Health’s strategic goal to eliminate maternal and infant mortality, Richmond is leading a major expansion of the hospital campus to include adding comprehensive inpatient obstetrics services. This initiative addresses critical health disparities, as the maternal mortality rate for Black women is 50% higher than the national average “Our Diversity Leaders in Healthcare awards have been changed to honor a new group of individual honorees each year and our 2024 class sets the bar high,” said Mary Ellen Podmolik, editor-in-chief of Modern Healthcare. “Some have been working on DEI initiatives for decades while others are newer to their positions and already have made a difference. The organizations honored set an example, from their leadership ranks to their programming efforts, of the results that can be achieved across a workplace. We hope industry leader continue to prioritize these efforts to better reflect, internally and externally, the communities they serve.” Modern Healthcare will honor Richmond, and all the 2024 Diversity Leaders, at an awards gala in Chicago in September.
- Behavioral Health, PediatricsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt won’t be long before your kids are back to school, and while you’re making sure they have new clothes and all the supplies they need, be sure to take stock of their mental health. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that one out of every six students ages 6 to 17 has a treatable mental health issue such as anxiety or depression. Like with physical health issues, early identification and intervention can help prevent mental health issues from affecting your child’s academic performance and personal development. What causes mental health issues in children? Various factors contribute to mental health issues among students, including: Academic pressure: High grades, tests, and college admissions can create anxiety and chronic stress, impacting emotional health. Some levels of stress are normal, but chronic stress can lead to burnout and emotional distress. Encourage your children to take a balanced approach to schoolwork. Social dynamics: Positive peer interactions boost self-esteem, while bullying can lead to severe consequences like anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. Promote healthy relationships for your child and take immediate action if bullying is suspected. Technology: Excessive screen time, especially on social media, can foster loneliness and cyberbullying, necessitating healthy digital habits. Monitoring online activities can help mitigate these risks. Home environment: Supportive families build resilience, while stress or conflict can magnify mental health issues. Overscheduling: Encourage free time for rest and creativity to prevent overscheduling, allowing your kids the space to rejuvenate and explore their creativity without constraint. Developmental changes Each academic phase presents unique challenges: Elementary school (kindergarten to grade 5). Younger children may experience separation anxiety, difficulty with social skills, and adapting to structured environments. Middle school (grades 6 to 8). Pre-teens face the pressures of puberty, identity formation, and increased academic demands. Social acceptance becomes more important to them, and bullying or peer pressure can significantly affect their mental health. High school (grades 9 to 12). Teenagers deal with the complexities of preparing for adulthood, including higher academic expectations, romantic relationships, and career planning. Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety often emerge during these years. Mental health resources Schools can’t do it alone. Luminis Health recently received a grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission to partner with Prince George’s County Public Schools to implement comprehensive support services at six high schools. Beginning with the 2024-25 school year, Luminis Health is deploying mental health providers directly to the schools, collaborating with school counselors to offer vital support to students and parents. These embedded providers will rotate through the schools, providing education and training to students, parents, and teachers, ensuring access to evidence-based screening tools for identifying individual needs and strengths on an ongoing basis. Support Strategies Here’s how to bolster your child’s mental health: Regular check-ins. Talk regularly with your child about their feelings and experiences. Creating a safe space for those discussions can help you identify issues early. Mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Help your child explore the benefits of mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation techniques as ways to not manage stress and anxiety, but also to foster a deeper spiritual connection within themselves. Physical activity. Regular physical activity, such as sports, yoga, or even walks, can help improve your child’s mood and reduce stress. A healthy lifestyle. Make sure your child eats a balanced diet and gets enough sleep. Limiting their screen time can have a positive impact on mental health. Professional support. Do not hesitate to get professional help when needed. Mental health is a fundamental aspect of a student's overall well-being. Understanding the challenges K-12 students may face daily and implementing supportive strategies can help ensure they have the resources and resilience to succeed academically and personally. If you, or your children, need mental health support, the Luminis Health Behavioral Health Urgent Walk-In Clinic in Lanham is available for anyone ages 4 and older. It is open Monday-Friday, 8 am to 5:30 pm for non-life threatening behavioral health needs. No appointment is necessary. Authors Joy Hudson is the clinical director of Behavioral Health at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) is proud to announce it has received our tenth consecutive ‘A’ Grade from the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade for providing patients with exceptional, safe care. According to Leapfrog, the non-profit hospital in Annapolis is one of 152 hospitals nationwide, and the only one in Maryland, to maintain a consistent ‘A’ rating for every grading period since 2018. In response to this outstanding accomplishment, LHAAMC President Sherry Perkins expressed deep gratitude to the entire team. “Exceptional quality and safety are only achieved through the knowledge and caring of our teams in every role – our physicians, nurses, technicians, therapists, support staff, and volunteers. We work around the clock to earn the trust of patients, families and all members of our community for their care. To receive an ‘A’ grade for patient safety consistently is a testament to our team and the community partnerships we treasure. Luminis Health is dedicated to upholding best practices that drive quality, safety and accountability in all aspects of our operations. Our commitment to patient safety is ingrained in our organizational culture, evident through our regular safety meetings, patient rounds, educational initiatives for clinical staff, and the invaluable insights we gain directly from our patients. We maintain close collaboration with our health system’s Patient Family Advisors, a collective of both staff and community members, who work together to voice concerns and propose solutions. The Leapfrog Group is a nationally renowned organization dedicated to assessing and improving healthcare quality and patient safety. Its Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program exclusively based on hospital prevention of medical errors. Leapfrog assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent harm. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually in the fall and spring.
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWhen discussing women’s cancers, breast, ovarian, and cervical cancers often come to mind. However, lung cancer claims more lives among women in the United States than the combined mortality of these three. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, providing an opportunity to learn more about how to prevent lung cancer, as well as the symptoms that can be associated with it. Risk factors and prevention Over the past 20 years, lung cancer rates have increased in women. The exact reasons are unclear, but there are several possible explanations including hormones or increased exposure to secondhand smoke. Genetics also likely plays a role. Most lung cancer risk factors are environmental, such as smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, exposure to cancer-causing substances in the air and prior radiation treatment. A family history of lung cancer also puts you at higher risk of developing it. Doing your best to avoid environmental risk factors helps lower your risk of getting lung cancer: Don’t smoke; smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. To speak with a tobacco treatment specialist about quitting tobacco, please call 443-481-5366. Avoid secondhand smoke. Avoid radon exposure in your home. Radon is an odorless, invisible, radioactive gas naturally released from rocks, soil and water. Radon can get into homes and buildings through small cracks or holes and build up in the air. You can order radon testing kits here. Avoid exposure to asbestos, a mineral used in many products including insulation and construction materials; its fibers can be inhaled or ingested. Symptoms, screening and treatment Unusual fatigue, weight loss, a persistent cough and/or coughing up blood, shortness of breath and wheezing are all symptoms of lung cancer. If you experience these symptoms, see your doctor right away and don’t hesitate to request a screening. Our experts recommend annual lung cancer screening starting at the age of 50-years-old for those who currently smoke, or have quit in the past 15 years. As with all cancers, earlier detection of lung cancer improves outcomes. Treatment options for lung cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, and IV treatments such as chemotherapy. There are also some patients who might be eligible for oral pills that can target the cancer specifically. Different treatments are sometimes used together, with a treatment plan tailored to meet the individual needs of each patient. In Conclusion The rise in lung cancer in women is concerning and more research is needed. Both men and women should talk to their doctor if they have any questions regarding lung cancer prevention or to see if they qualify for a lung cancer screening imaging test. Authors Feras Abdul Khalek, MD is an experienced medical oncologist at Luminis Health. He is board certified in internal medicine, hematology and medical oncology. He is also an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Hematology and the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer.
- Cancer Care, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogTanja Syre-Goodman of Annapolis, Maryland, was taken aback when she received a breast cancer diagnosis. She had kept up with her yearly mammograms and no one in her family had experienced breast cancer. She scheduled an appointment with Dr. Rubie Jackson, a breast surgeon at the Luminis Health Breast Center. “It was a fantastic experience,” Syre-Goodman said about her appointment. Dr. Jackson discussed various treatment options with her, and together they decided on a one-sided nipple-sparing mastectomy. ”I was so pleased that Tanja had the option to keep her nipple. A nipple-sparing mastectomy allows a woman to keep all of the skin of her own breast, including her nipple and areola, while the internal breast tissue is removed,” Dr. Jackson explains. “The result is that the reconstructed breast has the most natural appearance possible. Women who have to undergo mastectomy usually are more satisfied with the results of their surgery when their nipple can be preserved.” After the treatment plan was established, Syre-Goodman found herself counting down the days to surgery. To pass the time, she played golf and went boating to distract herself. The surgery, which also involved reconstruction by the Luminis Health Plastic Surgery team, was performed in October 2020. “I know that Dr. Jackson routinely performs these procedures and even instructs others in the field, so I felt I was in really good hands,” Syre-Goodman said. Following the surgery, Dr. Jackson offered a reassuring hug. Three years later, Syre-Goodman has recovered successfully and maintains an active lifestyle through yoga and kayaking. Her advice to others is, “Take each day as it comes. Every day is a gift.”
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