heathercrowder
By Catherine Maloney
For more than 120 years, you have trusted Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC) with your health care needs. From our humble beginnings in downtown Annapolis, to our move to a modern campus in Parole starting in the late 1990s, you’ve counted on us to provide high-quality, patient-centered care. Since joining this fall as Luminis Health’s chief operating officer and president of LHAAMC, I’ve been inspired daily by the dedication and compassion of our nurses, physicians, support staff, volunteers, and the entire team. It is an honor to serve a health system deeply rooted in service and integrity as we work together to enhance the health of the people and communities we proudly serve.
I’ve seen firsthand how our community embraces and strengthens our hospital. Over the past year, philanthropy has helped make possible some extraordinary milestones. The historic gift from Sally Ehrle and her late husband will have a profound impact on the future of care for our region. The ongoing success of Fish For A Cure continues to fund innovative cancer programs that change lives every day. And our new well-being lounge, a dedicated space designed to help support the emotional health of our team members, exists because donors believe in caring for the people who care for others. These gifts, along with countless others, are more than financial contributions; they are acts of trust, partnership, and hope.
That commitment is reflected in the national recognitions our hospital continues to earn. LHAAMC recently received its 14th consecutive “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group, an achievement that speaks to our safety culture, and our relentless pursuit of excellence. We are also proud to have been recognized by U.S. News & World Report and Newsweek for delivering high-quality specialty and hospital care. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement named us one of five Age-Friendly Health System Pioneers nationwide. These honors belong to the entire community, because they are a reflection of your expectations and your support.
The past year was remarkable for our hospital, marked by celebrations that honor both our history and our growth. We commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Clatanoff Pavilion, a place where generations of families have welcomed their children into the world. We celebrated 20 years of Teddy’s Place, our NICU that has cared for our most vulnerable newborns with extraordinary expertise and love. We marked the 10th anniversary of the Tom and Nancy Frank Family Birth Center, which has set a new standard for family-centered maternity care. And we recognized the fifth anniversary of the J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center, a groundbreaking facility meeting the growing mental health needs of our community. These milestones remind us not only of how far we have come, but of the lives touched along the way.
I want to address a common misconception I often hear as I meet people across the county, that Luminis Health “took over” or “acquired” Anne Arundel Medical Center. The truth is just the opposite. Anne Arundel Medical Center expanded to form Luminis Health when it acquired Doctors Community Medical Center. This was a locally led decision made to preserve and strengthen local healthcare. By creating a regional health system rooted in our communities, we ensured that decisions affecting Anne Arundel County, Prince George’s County, and the Eastern Shore would continue to be made here by people who live, work, and understand the communities we serve.
We have grown, adapted, and innovated, but our identity has remained constant: a trusted neighbor committed to delivering excellent, compassionate care. As we look ahead to celebrating our 125th anniversary in 2027, we remain as dedicated as ever to providing health care that is accessible, equitable, and centered on the needs of every patient who walks through our doors.
I am profoundly grateful for the warm welcome I’ve received, and even more grateful for the opportunity to build upon this incredible legacy. With your support, your partnership, and your voice, we will continue to be a beacon of hope and create a healthier future for this region.
Thank you for trusting us with your care, for investing in our mission, and for allowing me to join you in this next chapter of LHAAMC’s story.
Catherine Maloney is Chief Operating Officer of Luminis Health & President of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center
