Women’s healthcare comes closer to home for residents in Prince George’s County. The Maryland Health Care Commission voted to approve Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center’s (LHDCMC) request to add obstetrics services to its comprehensive women’s health program on the Lanham campus.
Prince George’s County has the second highest birth rate in the State of Maryland, yet there are very few options for women to deliver their babies in the County. LHDCMC is the only acute care hospital in northern Prince George’s County, serving over a half million residents.
“This approval is a momentous occasion for Prince Georgians – and a critical milestone on our journey to create a comprehensive women’s health hub in the County,” said Tori Bayless, CEO of Luminis Health. “This new program serves as a beacon of hope, aiming to shrink health disparities that have disproportionately impacted Black and Brown women here in Maryland and across our country. We are grateful for the support and partnership of our communities and Prince George’s County leadership as we continue on this path.”
About the Project
To accommodate the obstetrics services, LHDCMC will build a new patient care pavilion for state-of-the-art women’s and surgical services. The four-story pavilion, part of a multi-phased capital improvement project starting in 2024, will feature a family birth center that includes:
- Private rooms for labor and delivery and post-delivery suites
- Two dedicated C-Section operating rooms
- Level II Special Care Nursery
- Access to family planning, lactation, mental health, and other supports maternal care
The family birth center is scheduled to open in 2028, and once fully operational, 2,000 babies are expected to be delivered each year.
Improving Care in the Future
By bringing these services under one roof, LHDCMC seeks to provide easier access, improve coordination of care, and strengthen the overall patient experience.
“It is unacceptable that 8 out of 10 women have to deliver their baby outside of Prince George’s County because of a lack of obstetrical and other healthcare services,” said Deneen Richmond, president of LHDCMC. “It’s particularly alarming because the maternal mortality rate for Black women in Prince George’s County is 50 percent higher than the national average. As part of Vision 2030, Luminis Health’s 10-year strategic plan, we are committed to eliminating maternal and infant mortality by creating a healthcare environment that benefits all women.”
The full campus expansion and renovation, of which the obstetrics services are a key component, will take place over the next six years.
The entire project is expected to cost more than $300 million. Luminis Health plans to make a significant investment to fund the project, and is also seeking county, state, federal, and philanthropic support. The expansion will create 100+ full-time positions, including physicians, nurses, technicians, social workers and support staff.“As we approach the 50th anniversary of LHDCMC, our commitment to Prince George’s County is stronger now than when we first opened our doors in 1975. These initiatives are a significant step forward in the journey of fulfilling Luminis Health’s mission of enhancing the health of the people and communities we serve,” said Richmond.
