University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center

11/20/2025

Hip and knee replacements used to mean days in the hospital and weeks in rehab. Not anymore. In this episode of the UMMS Live Greater Podcast, Christopher Farrell, MD, orthopaedic surgeon at UM BWMC, explains how advances in surgical techniques, anesthesia, and recovery planning are helping many patients go home the same day—and get back on their feet faster. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7iw7DwUeDM

11/18/2025

The Special Performance Award Recognizing Quality (SPARQ), launched in 2022, is given to UM BWMC teams that have made a demonstrable difference in quality through the implementation of an innovative solution. Last month, we held our fourth annual award ceremony and honored the top three of many incredible submissions.

Congratulations to:
-First place: Alisa Larbalestrier, MD; Melanie Burton, RN, and Kathleen Bo****no, MHA, for IMPACT: Interventions to Minimize Preventable Admissions Through Care Transitions ‌
-Second place: Lai S. Wong, CRNP; Uzoamaka Egudu, RN, BSN, MPH; Kathleen Bo****no, MHA; Jeffrey D. Marshall, MD, and Hariharan Regunath, MD, for Post-Discharge Sepsis Follow-up Reduces Pneumonia Readmission ‌
‌-Third place: Emily Park, MSN, RN, CEN, PEDS-BC and Pamela Nehring, DNP, RN, CPN, for Pediatric Behavioral Health Holds: Redesigning ED Boarding for Pediatric Behavioral Health (PBHH) with a Structured, Patient-Centered Model

Thank you to everyone who submitted an innovation! View more photos from the ceremony at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCBdgn.

11/17/2025

Good health starts in the kitchen, but it doesn't have to drain your wallet. Discover simple tricks to shop smarter, waste less and make nutritious meals while saving money.

If you’re trying to eat affordably on a budget, the experts at the University of Maryland Medical System can tell you how to get started.

11/14/2025

Meet Richelle Williams, MD, a surgical oncologist at UM BWMC. Patients see Dr. Williams for various gastrointestinal cancers and are often treated with minimally invasive technologies. Learn more about Dr. Williams and her expertise in the video below and view her profile on our website: https://www.umms.org/find-a-doctor/profiles/dr-richelle-toni-gaye-williams-md-1134480833

11/13/2025

Hosted by the BWMC Foundation and made possible by Dr. Leo and Mrs. Liz Courtney, the Courtney Speaker Series brings renown speakers to our local community to share their stories, especially those centered around resilience. This year, we were proud to host Thomas M. Scalea, MD, the Physician-in-Chief at the University of Maryland R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. Dr. Scalea shared his journey, his inspiration and more. Listen to his talk at https://youtu.be/k8xUoeSVi6E

11/11/2025

In honor of Veterans Day, UM BWMC has joined the other hospitals across the University of Maryland Medical System to participate in Operation Green Light. This initiative, where landmarks across the nation light up in green, shows support for our veterans.

This year we also hosted a celebratory breakfast to honor current UM BWMC colleagues who are also veterans. See more photos of our celebrations at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCAmRd

Thank you to all veterans for your service!

11/10/2025

Earlier this year, we launched a discharge meal kit program that gives food insecure hospitalized patients with diabetes the opportunity to go home with a supply of healthy meals. Participants also receive information about resources to help them manage diabetes and address food scarcity. Watch the video to learn more about the program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3Z_1HhJ5qc

11/07/2025

Stephanie DiRubbo, MSN, RN, manager of quality improvement at UM BWMC, and son, Max, recently held a reverse birthday party to honor and benefit the Pediatrics Unit at UM BWMC.

Stephanie explained how, since birth, Max has spent a lot of time as a pediatric inpatient with UM BWMC. During a recent stay just before his birthday and while waiting for a bed on the unit, Max was eager to play with the Little Tikes Coupe. When they finally made it upstairs, the Coupe was in use by another patient, meaning that Max had to wait a little longer. They also realized that other toys on the unit needed to be revamped.

Wanting to share his birthday blessings and cheer with the community, Max and Stephanie decided to collect toys and donations to enhance the unit.‌ With the help of family, friends and colleagues, the pair donated $2,500 including toys, such as two new Little Tikes Coupes and many colors of Play-Doh, and practical items, like children's toothbrushes and tray tables.

11/06/2025

Why does getting a flu shot matter? Hear from Casey Holloway Mabry, MD, a pediatric and primary care provider at UM BWMC, about the importance of an annual flu vaccine. Plus, listen to her entire appearance on the UMMS Live Greater Podcast at https://youtu.be/NY7gW5YwUaM?si=mU9gvq4lhdQlybng

11/05/2025

Teams across UM BWMC host support groups to help patients, families, community members and colleagues manage health conditions in a supportive group setting. These are ongoing educational series that are free of charge and open to anyone who is interested, along with their family members or loved ones. Upcoming group sessions include:

‌· Stroke Support Group: Tuesday, November 11 from 4 - 5 pm

‌· Parkinson's Disease Support Group: Wednesday, November 12 from 1 - 2 pm
The topic for this session will be Coping with Chronic Illness as presented by Lauren Westbrook, DNP, AGACNP-BC, ACCNS-AG, ACHPN, Palliative Medicine Nurse Practitioner at UM BWMC.

‌· Mental Health Support Group: Wednesday, November 12 from 6:30 - 8 pm

Support groups are held in person and registration may be required. To learn more about our available groups, visit umbwmc.org/support-groups.

11/04/2025

Resources are available to all Marylanders in need of food assistance.

‌Residents can call 211 for the Maryland helpline to request food assistance options that are nearby their location. Operators can assist with locating food banks, and other resources that are in surrounding areas.

The Maryland Food Bank and the Anne Arundel County Food Bank have lists and maps of local food pantries and soup kitchens available on their websites. The Anne Arundel County list is printable and available in Spanish.

10/31/2025

Earlier this month, we hosted our third annual breast cancer lunch and learn. This year, our panel of experts came together to explore the role of artificial intelligence in breast imaging. Thank you to our organizers, speakers, sponsors and all the team members who attended.

This year was extra special as the Aiello Breast Center at UM BWMC celebrates its 20th anniversary. The center first opened in 2005 and continues to provide all-encompassing breast care, including breast cancer care, to women throughout our region.