- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3Blog(Lanham, MD) – Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) will host its annual Pink Ribbon Rally on Saturday, October 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., to kick-off Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year’s celebration carries added significance as the hospital marks its 50th anniversary of serving Prince George’s County with a deep commitment to women’s and maternal health. The Pink Ribbon Rally is designed to raise awareness about breast cancer and highlight the lifesaving power of early detection through mammograms. To make the event more accessible for families, neighbors, and survivors, LHDCMC now holds the rally on Saturdays. The day will feature walk-up mammograms along with vital information about the signs, symptoms, and early detection of breast cancer. Since about one-third of the cancers Luminis Health treats are breast cancers, attendees can learn about treatment options and meet our experienced team of specialists. The event is also a celebration, with pink attire and decorations to raise awareness about breast cancer, along with uplifting survivor stories, community resources, food, and games. “Breast cancer continues to profoundly affect the lives of women in Prince George’s County,” said Deneen Richmond, president of LHDCMC. “This year, as we celebrate 50 years of service to the community, we’re also reaffirming our commitment to advancing women’s health, from breast cancer prevention to maternal care. We invite women and families to join us for the Pink Ribbon Rally, be inspired and take important steps to protect their health.” Prince George’s County has one of the highest breast cancer mortality rates in Maryland. To address this urgent need, Luminis Health is in the third year of a $1.3 million state grant to provide breast and cervical cancer screenings. With this support, more than 3,400 county residents have already received timely, life-saving care they may not have otherwise had been able to access. “Mammograms save lives. When breast cancer is caught early, survival rates are extremely favorable. That’s why it’s crucial for women to begin screenings at age 40, or sooner, if they have a family history,” said Dr. Allison Bruff, breast cancer surgeon at LHDCMC. “Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Prince George’s County, particularly among Black and Latino women. I look forward to wearing pink, celebrating survivors, and empowering more women to take action. Together, we can continue to fight against this devastating disease.” Event Details: Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025 Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Location: 8118 Good Luck Road, Lanham Admission: Free and open to the public
- Sleep, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogIt doesn’t matter if it’s insomnia or several late nights and early mornings. If you’re not getting enough sleep, you may be looking for help to catch those Zzz’s. For better slumber, many people turn to melatonin supplements. The average adult needs seven hours of nightly sleep. If you’re getting less, you’re not alone. Nearly 50 percent of U.S. adults aren’t sleeping enough. The problem worsens with age because your body produces less melatonin—the hormone that controls your sleep-wake cycle. So, if you’re struggling to sleep, a melatonin supplement may help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Before you take a tablet or chew a gummy, here’s what you should know. How much melatonin is safe? Melatonin supplements are generally safe for most children and adults, and studies suggest they may help improve sleep time. Still, it’s best to talk with your doctor before starting them. Supplements may interfere with medications like blood thinners or birth control. They can also worsen health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. If your doctor approves, the key is starting with a small dose. According to the Sleep Foundation, these doses are safe for children with insomnia: Preschool (ages 2 to 5): 1 to 2 milligrams (mg) School age (ages 6 to 12): 1 to 3 mg Adolescents (over age 13): 1 to 5 mg Adults should start with .5 to 1 mg nightly for a week. Take it between 30 and 60 minutes before bedtime. Timing is key. Taking a supplement at the wrong time can confuse your body and worsen insomnia. If you aren’t sleeping better within several days, increase your dose by one mg per week. Don’t take more than ten mg. Like children, older adults should consult their doctor. Lower doses can be safe but should be used with caution. Some people experience daytime sleepiness or dizziness. Those side effects increase the risk of falling. Studies from Nature of Science and Sleep focused on older adults with dementia show melatonin supplements decrease nighttime restlessness. But they can also increase depression symptoms. Can you take melatonin daily? Yes, taking supplements nightly is safe. But the Sleep Foundation recommends restricting yourself to short-term use. Daily use for one to two months is best. After that, it’s a good idea to take a break for a few weeks. Long-term daily use isn’t necessarily harmful. But you can become dependent on the supplements to fall asleep. Plus, they may become less effective. Choosing a reliable melatonin supplement Alongside tablets and gummies, some lotions, teas and bath products contain melatonin. When choosing a melatonin source, remember the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate them. Still, you can determine if the product you’re using is safe and effective. Show your doctor or check the label for third-party verification. Look for certification from either of these groups: NSF International: This global public health testing organization ensures products are tested for contaminants. It also verifies that each product’s ingredients match what’s printed on the label. U.S. Pharmacopeia: This non-profit group evaluates supplements for dose accuracy, purity and quality. Supplement alternatives If melatonin supplements don’t work for you, don’t worry. Consider these alternative supplements: Lavender: Research shows inhaling lavender scents promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety and stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system. This system helps regulate your blood pressure and heart rate, helping you sleep better for longer. Magnesium: This mineral promotes better sleep by supporting your nervous system and increasing your sense of calm. Zinc: This mineral regulates your sleep neurotransmitters like serotonin and affects the receptors in your brain that regulate sleep and wakefulness. If you prefer a non-supplement alternative, try these sleep-promoting activities: Acupuncture: A technique that uses small needles placed along specific points of your body to manage sleep disruptions like sleep apnea or insomnia. Mindful meditation: Quiet focus that can reduce stress, promote relaxation and improve your sleep. Yoga: Physical activity which blends breathing exercises and specific postures to reduce anxiety and stress, promoting relaxation and better sleep. A good night’s sleep supports your overall health. Melatonin supplements can help you get the rest you need. Check with your doctor to see if it’s right for you. If you have questions about the benefits and risks of melatonin supplements, contact your primary care provider. Authors Katherine Wollenberg is a family medicine nurse practitioner at Luminis Health.
- Behavioral Health, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogKids have busy lives…and so do you! If you and your children feel overwhelmed by summer activities like sports, camps, chores and more, it might be time for a mental health day. I like to call them ‘Family Skip Days.’ According to the most recent Prince George’s County Community Health Assessment, almost a third of middle and high school students felt sad or hopeless enough that it impeded their normal activities. That’s why mental health days are just as important for kids as for grown-ups. While it might feel challenging to fit one of these days into our busy schedules, it’s important to prioritize mental health and wellbeing to help the whole family recharge. What are the signs? While everyone feels down at times, you might consider a mental health day if your child is feeling persistent sadness or showing frustration that does not match the situation. Remember, summer should be fun. You can look out for these signs too: Changes in sleep or appetite Difficulty concentrating or completing tasks Increased irritability or anxiety Negative comments on social media Noticeable stress of feelings of being overwhelmed Physical complaints (like stomachaches) without a clear cause Withdrawal from social activities Threatens to harm or kill oneself Many of these signs may be more obvious in teens, but harder to spot in younger children. Watch for signs like frequent, unexplained temper tantrums, persistent nightmares, or ongoing disobedience and aggression. Whatever the signs, children of all ages can benefit from mental health days. Tips for a successful mental health day with your child Mental health days should be fun and relaxing, not stressful. Here’s how I make these days easy to schedule and fun for my own family: Schedule wisely: Pick a day when your family has the fewest obligations to reduce the stress of rescheduling other events. Start the day strong: Sleep in and help your children pick out or make their favorite breakfast in their pajamas. Pick enjoyable activities: It will feel more special if your kids can help decide the activity. Consider giving them options that are local and budget-friendly to make the day easy on your wallet. Connect with your kids: Ask your child if there’s anything on their mind or if something is bothering them. You can talk while you’re cooking, playing or walking to a park. Rotate the time: If you have multiple children, rotate activities so that each child has some one on one time with you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help: If your child expresses feelings of anxiety, depression or other mood disorders, you may consider reaching out to a behavioral health professional. It’s okay that your kids are not okay. If you think that your child could benefit from meeting with a behavioral health professional, you can book an appointment online without a referral at Luminis.Health/BehavioralHealth. For urgent matters, visit the Behavioral Health Urgent Care at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham. At the urgent care, walk-in appointments are available Monday through Friday, from 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Lastly, the most important thing is to get out of the house and enjoy your time together. Put away the phones and turn off the TV and game consoles. A mental health day is not about checking out, it’s about checking in with your child and being present without any distractions. Authors Dr. Jesselina Curry is the System Medical Director for Ambulatory Behavioral Health Services at Luminis Health.
- Cancer Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogWomen diagnosed with breast cancer can face many different choices for treatment. With new advancements in technology and breast cancer therapies, it can be difficult to know what choices give the best chance for a cure and high quality of life. A lumpectomy or mastectomy? Chemo before surgery or after surgery? How will these decisions affect personal, family and career priorities? Oftentimes, there is no right or wrong answer. Each woman is at a different stage in life and every woman’s breasts mean something different to her. Although breast surgeons aim to educate and guide patients, patients must ultimately make the decisions about treatment. This model is known as “shared decision making.” For some women, identifying a personal “best” treatment may involve the support of a friend or mentor — such as volunteer with a peer-to-peer mentorship program, like Survivors Offering Support (SOS). Hospitals across the nation offer programs like SOS, which pair a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient with a breast cancer survivor to offer educated support and encouragement. SOS peer mentors don’t offer medical advice, but as breast cancer survivors themselves, they can relate to the worries and fears that women with breast cancer often experience. Here are just a few of the benefits that women with breast cancer can find from peer-to-peer mentorship programs: Support from friends or family members who survived breast cancer can be comforting, but unlike peer mentors, these people aren’t trained to remain objective. They mean well, but they don’t understand that their story is just that – their story. A woman needs to focus on her story, which peer mentors understand. Peer mentors can also help women who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer cut through information overload, which can result from researching online for hours. Mentors can help other women turn their concerns into questions for their surgeon. These conversations empower women to make informed decisions. Knowing that she has made her decision with the support of a trusted SOS mentor can help a woman minimize second-guessing herself, which means one less thing to worry about. Connecting with a mentor makes the cancer journey less lonely. Even if women have a strong social support system, it makes a huge difference to have someone who has been through the breast cancer journey themselves. Confiding in a mentor helps cut through the loneliness that can occur during the breast cancer journey. In fact, many women form lifelong friendships through these types of programs. Going through breast cancer can be both physically and emotionally taxing. To get through rough times, women can lean on the support of their mentor. Getting to know someone who has come through a breast cancer battle on the other side can give inspiration and motivation for women in their fight against cancer. No one has to go through something like this alone. Read more about Survivors Offering Support (SOS), including the personal story of a volunteer who discovered storm chasing in her recovery from a rare form of breast cancer. Author Lorraine Tafra, MD, is a breast surgeon and the medical director of AAMC’s Rebecca Fortney Breast Center.
- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) is proud to announce the first baby delivered in 2017. Mary and Ryan Metzbower, of Severn, Md., Jack Irving Metzbower welcomed their baby boy, Jack Irving, at 1:34 am, weighing in at 8lbs. 5oz.. “We are so grateful to the staff here [at Anne Arundel Medical Center],” Mary said. “They were just so beyond wonderful. Everyone here over the holidays … they were just amazing.” New Year Baby Facts: -Anne Arundel Medical Center is the second busiest hospital in the state for number of births annually, with about 5,500 babies born each year. -On average, 15 babies are delivered daily at AAMC. -AAMC provides a celebratory gift basket to the first baby of the year. -The hospital is designated with a Level III standing for obstetric and neonatal care. This designation by the Maryland Department of Health is reserved for hospitals that offer the highest degree of quality care for high-risk moms and high-risk newborns. -The NICU is part of the hospital’s Rebecca M. Clatanoff Pavilion at the Medical Park campus, a comprehensive program providing top-level maternity and neonatal care. The 86-bed pavilion is home to all of AAMC’s birth services, including a state-of-the-art labor and delivery unit, mother/baby unit, and lactation services. -AAMC offers birth and baby classes such as prenatal yoga, breastfeeding and a new postpartum depression support group.
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