Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 8
new mothers, Tompkins was exhausted
SPECIAL SERVICES
FOR HIGH-RISK
PATIENTS
from childbirth, but, she says, "I felt like
Like Tompkins, Amanda Saunders,
I was in good hands the whole time."
30, of Hyattsville, was happy
After 14 hours of labor, a healthy baby
girl, named Darren, was born. Like all
AN IMPORTANT NEED
with her care at Prince George's.
She was closely monitored during
Tompkins is one of a growing number
her pregnancy because of pre-
of women in Prince George's County
eclampsia, a type of high blood
seeking care through the Women's
pressure that occurs during and
Health and Specialty Services of
after pregnancy, and a worrying
UM Capital Region Health, which is
history of miscarriages.
undergoing a significant renaissance.
Thankfully, her pregnancy
The expansion of services dates back
went smoothly and on Sept. 19,
to 2012, when strategic planning
she delivered a healthy baby girl,
revealed an unmet need.
named Hope Elizabeth. "I was
"It emphasized the need for a com-
so ready. I waited so long to have
prehensive women's health service
her," Saunders says. "The doctors
program in Prince George's County,"
and nurses treated me so kindly,
says Dr. Lewis, who is also the system's
I can't even describe it."
corporate director of women's health
UM Prince George's Hospital Center,
and specialty programs. "We saw
the system's largest hospital, has an
a huge opportunity to improve the
OB-GYN office practice and handles all
health care for women here."
of UM Capital Region Health's deliveries.
Since then, the hospital has
"I felt like I was in good
hands the whole time,"
says Diamond Tompkins,
with her daughter, Darren.
"We have a full perinatal diagnostic and
expanded its number of full-time
ultrasound center for obstetrical ultra-
OB-GYN providers, added nurse
sounds," says Shelley-Ann Hope, MD, an
or for problems with growth, fetal
midwives and hired additional mater-
OB-GYN. "And we have high-risk doctors,
syndromes and other challenges."
nal-fetal medicine physicians at the
or perinatologists, to give us support
Cheverly site and at satellite offices
for care of the high-risk patients-those
five physicians and three maternal-
in the county. "The number of deliver-
who are pregnant with diabetes, high
fetal medicine physicians on board.
ies has exceeded 100 a month for
blood pressure, lupus, thyroid diseases
"The staff are very friendly, seasoned
the last few months," says Dr. Lewis.
and experienced," says Dr. Hope. "They
The program is also hiring specialists in urogynecology-which provides
treatment for problems such as incontinence and pelvic floor disorders-and
gynecologic oncology to address the
needs of women throughout their lives.
"The mission is to provide the highest quality of health care to the women
in Prince George's County and the
surrounding area, and to provide it in
an environment that focuses on patient
satisfaction, customer service and
excellent outcomes," Dr. Lewis says.
8
 MARYLAND'S HEALTH MATTERS
All told, there are seven midwives,
are always trying to improve the care
The number of
deliveries has exceeded
100
a month for
the last few months
- Kerry M. Lewis, MD
that they give to our patients."
The hospital's updated birthing
suite includes 10 labor and delivery
rooms and 20 postpartum rooms.
"After a woman delivers, they go across
the hallway," says Dr. Hope. "The postpartum rooms are connected to the
nursery, so they have easy access
to their babies."
The center boasts a full midwifery
practice and a birthing center for women
who seek a more homelike environment
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018
In This Issue
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 1
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - In This Issue
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 3
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 4
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 5
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 6
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 7
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 8
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 9
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 10
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 11
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 12
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 13
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 14
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 15
Maryland's Health Matters - Capital Region - Winter 2018 - 16
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