- News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogLuminis Health announces the following appointments to its leadership team: Stephen (Steve) Selinger, MD is the new Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC). Dr. Selinger will serve as the physician executive for Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, Luminis Health J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center, and Luminis Health Pathways. Dr. Selinger is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is an assistant professor at Georgetown University Medical Center, as well as a clinical instructor at Johns Hopkins University. He has a record of outstanding accomplishments as a physician executive in leading on the objectives important in the Chief Medical Officer position at LHAAMC. Critical to his role is team based work and care with nursing, clinical and support services, shared services, and all medical staff. Manuel “Manny “Ocasio is the new Luminis Health Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Ocasio brings more than 20 years of Human Resources, Legal and healthcare expertise to this role and will be instrumental in leading the HR team including Talent Acquisition, Compensation & Benefits, Employee Health, Learning & Development, and Diversity & Inclusion. Ocasio holds an Information and Telecommunications Systems post master’s certificate from Johns Hopkins University, has a Juris Doctor degree from University of Maryland School of Law, and a Master of Business Administration from Johns Hopkins University Carey Business School. Using Luminis Health’s new Strategic Plan called Vision 2030, Ocasio and his team will work to build a positive culture to engage all employees in our success. Our Vision 2030 workforce bold goal states that “Luminis Health will become the #1 employer of choice in the region where 100% of team members find joy at work.” Joan L. Gelrud is the new Chief Quality and Population Health Officer (CQPHO) for Luminis Health. She is responsible for the system-wide function of quality, which includes patient safety, infection control, patient experience, and accreditation services. Gelrud brings more than 30 years of healthcare expertise to this role and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Maryland, and a master’s in nursing from The Catholic University of America. Gelrud will work with medical staff leaders and the quality committees of the board to set strategic priorities, assess operations to ensure compliance, and guide the implementation of improvements. Jenine Warnke is the new Vice President for Financial Operations for Luminis Health. With more than 20 years of financial expertise, Warnke will be responsible for all accounting operations of Luminis Health. Warnke has a Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting and a Master of Business Administration, Finance from Loyola University. She has extensive knowledge of the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission regulations and grant requirements of the Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Guidance. In her role at Luminis Health, Warnke will ensure that reported results comply with generally accepted accounting principles. She will also oversee the proper implementation, optimization, maintenance, and performance measurement of the accounting systems. I am honored to have individuals of this caliber join our team, said Tori Bayless, chief executive officer of Luminis Health. As a leading health system in Maryland, Luminis Health’s mission is to enhance the health of the people we serve. These leaders will be instrumental in implementing and achieving the goals of our new strategic plan. Vision 2030 has three strategic imperatives: shift focus to the health ecosystem, address health through social determinants, and adopt emerging technology.
- Heart Care, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMike Tennor of Columbia, Maryland stayed physically active for years. He played racquetball and handball for decades and as he reached his 70s, traded in those sports for walking and exercising on an indoor bike to go easy on his joints. While on a walk with his daughter, he began to feel short of breath after walking just a quarter of a mile. He took a break and continued to walk but felt short of breath several times. When they returned home, he told his wife of 50-plus years that he didn’t feel well during the walk, and she recommended they seek medical care. Tennor visited an urgent care facility and a high-sensitivity troponin T test showed that he had experienced a heart attack. He was taken by ambulance to Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC). At the medical center, it was determined that he had blockage in three arteries. He was scheduled for a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. “For Mr. Tennor, the CABG was needed to restore blood flow to the areas of his heart that were not getting enough blood due to the blockages. This surgery improves heart function, especially for those who have recently had a heart attack,” says Murtaza Dawood, MD, the cardiothoracic surgeon who treated Tennor. The surgery took place in February 2024. Tennor states, “Dr. Dawood and his staff were fantastic. He answered any questions we had and we could not have asked for better care.” Following the surgery, Tennor recovered in the Zazulia Heart and Vascular Center, which is an inpatient unit for those with heart conditions. After 36 one-hour sessions of cardiac rehab, Tennor was back to staying physically active. He still walks and uses an indoor bike, and he goes to the gym three times a week. On September 7, 2024, he had his 80th birthday. His wife and two daughters planned a celebration for him in their home of 30-plus years. In addition to staying active, he and his wife dedicate their time to several non-profits. He has two degrees in mathematics and taught high school mathematics for 16 years before learning computer programming in the 1970s. He left his teaching career for a role with Apple in the 1980s, and following that he worked for Lockheed Martin as a programmer analyst. During his time there he received a top secret clearance twice and worked on projects for a variety of government agencies. Today, he uses his background in computers to help non-profits manage their websites. He and his wife love to travel and they have plans to visit Spain and Portugal this fall.
- Stroke CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogStroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly 87 percent of all strokes are ischemic. That means a clot within a blood vessel blocks the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Most ischemic strokes are caused by atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries. Some chronic health conditions, if not managed well, can speed up atherosclerosis. Keeping on top of these conditions can help reduce risk for ischemic stroke and other arterial diseases, says Mark Peeler, MD, a vascular surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Coronary heart disease, triggered by hardening of the arteries, more than doubles your risk of stroke. “When artery disease blocks blood flow to the heart muscle, there’s likely artery disease elsewhere in the body. It’s the artery disease that increases stroke risk, not the heart attack itself,” explains Dr. Peeler. “So we offer free ultrasound screenings for artery disease and then take proper steps, whether that means medical intervention or helping people start to make lifestyle changes.” The screenings are offered through a program called Dare to C.A.R.E. High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects nearly one in three adults in the U.S. When uncontrolled, it increases your risk for having a stroke by four to six times. But with medication and lifestyle changes, hypertension is highly controllable. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance produced by your liver and found in many foods. Although certain amounts of cholesterol are normal, high levels of some lipids in the blood can contribute to plaque in arteries and lead to a stroke. Depending on your levels, your primary care doctor may prescribe a medication such as a statin while guiding you toward healthy lifestyle changes. Statins are a class of drug that reduce fat levels in the blood (for example, Lipitor). Obesity is a major health problem in America. The severity of obesity is measured by the body mass index, a calculation relating your weight to height. As your BMI increases, so does your risk for rising blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglycerides and blood sugar. Losing 5 to 10 percent of your weight can reduce these stroke risk factors. Diabetes, when not properly managed, causes sugar to build up in the blood, which increases your risk for stroke. Many people with diabetes also have high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol and are overweight — conditions that further increase your risk for stroke. The Best Way to Reduce Stroke Risk Whether or not you have a chronic condition, Dr. Peeler stresses that not smoking is the single best way to reduce your risk of artery disease. “Cigarette smoking causes more deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke than from lung cancer,” he says. A simple screening using ultrasound can find a blockage in your arteries. If you are 60 or older, or in your 50s and at risk for vascular disease, you may be eligible for a free screening. Call 410-573-9483 to learn more. Author Mark Peeler, MD, is a vascular surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Center. Originally published Nov. 28, 2016. Last updated Aug 18, 2025.
- OrthopedicsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogI never thought much about my bones when I was younger. I figured they were strong and would last unless I broke one. And if I did break a bone, it would heal and everything would be fine. After all, I was busy working full-time, plus managing a household with three kids and a husband and all of our daily activities. I didn’t have time to think about my bone health. I thought I was invincible. I wasn’t. Here’s what I wish I had known about my bones when I was younger. I wish ….. I had known that there is a point where your body stops making new bone. I didn’t know that by the time you reach your mid-30s, you begin to lose more bone than your body can replace. Menopause speeds this process up. READ MORE: Bone health and osteoporosis: What all women should know I wish …. I had made sure I was getting enough calcium in my diet. I knew that calcium was necessary for bone health, but I did not focus on making sure I had enough in my diet. READ MORE: 7 tips for better bone health I wish …. I had exercised more. Even just walking for 10 minutes at a time, three or four times a day would have helped. I wish …. I had never started smoking. I smoked for about 10 years and wish I had known that smoking wasn’t good for my bones – or anything else, for that matter. Schedule your lung screening today and learn your risk of lung cancer. I wish …. I had known that at every stage of your life, you have to focus on your own health and make sure you learn what you need to do to stay healthy – and make time to take care of yourself. Author Bonnie P. Mulieri, 75, of Arnold is an osteoporosis patient. Originally published Oct. 14, 2019. Last updated Aug. 18, 2025.
- Cancer CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAccording to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men, with about one in eight men diagnosed with it in his lifetime. It may be time to schedule a prostate cancer screening if you: Are 50 years old or older Are 45 years old or older, African-American, or have a family history of prostate cancer Screening may involve a blood test called a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) and a digital rectal exam to feel the prostate for abnormalities. You and your health care provider should decide together if prostate screening is right for you. If you have received a prostate cancer diagnosis, the good news is that, now more than ever, there are multiple treatment approaches for prostate cancer. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommends a number of treatment approaches. These range from active surveillance for lower-risk prostate cancer, to a combination of surgery and/or radiation therapy and/or systemic therapy for higher risk prostate cancer. Large studies have shown equal cure rates between these different options, depending on the situation. Your prostate cancer providers will talk to you about the risks and benefits of each option. Here are some basics about the major approaches. Active Surveillance Active surveillance (AS) means getting PSA testing and physical exams with your urologist. It is a way of keeping a close eye on your prostate cancer without actually treating it. This can be an excellent option, especially for men with lower-risk prostate cancer. About half-of men who choose this option are able to avoid treatment down the line. Ask your prostate cancer providers if AS is a good option for you. Surgery Surgery is done by your urologist, and is an excellent option especially in younger, healthy men. It typically involves removing the entire prostate, and is the only way to see what the true extent of cancer is inside the prostate. Today, the robotic assisted prostatectomy allows surgeons enhanced vision, control and precision and translates to less pain, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery. Speak to your urologist about the possible side effects of surgery and recovery. Radiation Therapy Radiation therapy (RT) is another excellent treatment option. It is non-invasive, and typically uses high-energy X-rays targeting the prostate, and sometimes additional areas around it. It is typically given daily, Monday through Friday. There are many different RT regimens, ranging from just five treatments to 44 treatments, for a wide variety of different clinical situations. You meet with your doctor every week while you are on treatment to review any side effects and to help manage them. RT is extremely well-tolerated in the vast majority of men, and serious long term complications are rare. Speak to your radiation oncologist about the possible side effects of RT and recovery. Systemic Therapy Systemic therapy is treatment that goes throughout the whole body, and can be important to reduce the chances of prostate cancer spreading outside of the prostate, especially to the bones. It is often an option in men with higher risk prostate cancer. It is typically given in the form of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), sometimes called “hormonal therapy”. This therapy comes in different forms, and decreases your testosterone levels, which actually helps prevent the prostate cancer from spreading. In recent years, certain types of ADT have shown newly-discovered benefits, especially in men with high-risk prostate cancer. It can be given over a period of 4 months, up to even three years, depending on the clinical situation. Ask your prostate cancer providers if ADT can benefit you. Making your decision So, what treatment might be the best for you? It can be a complicated decision. Your doctors will help you weigh the risks and benefits of these different approaches to prostate cancer to help you decide which is best for you. If you or a loved one have received a prostate cancer diagnosis, the cancer specialists at Luminis Health are available to meet with you to discuss treatment options. Call us at 443-481-5800 to schedule a consult. Authors Antony Koroulakis, MD, is a board-certified radiation oncologist at Luminis Health.
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