A Message to Our Community

Striving for wellness, no matter your present health, is a culture we promote in our community. Our mission at University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center (UM CRMC) involves providing excellent patient care as measured by our population's health. We take this mission seriously, and in the last few years we launched several new programs focusing on illness prevention and slowing chronic disease progression.

As your community healthcare provider, UM CRMC gives you resources and tools to help you manage your own health. Research shows increased use of effective preventive services results in less suffering from illnesses that may have been avoided by early detection and treatment. Preventive care involves a shift beyond treating the sick to maintaining wellness and good health. We will always be here for to help sick and injured patients, and our expanded circle of care aims also to keep you well!

Annual checkups are an important part of preventive care. These regular physician visits include a physical assessment and blood work once every year, even when you're not ill or injured. Other medical services categorized as preventive care are: immunizations, medication compliance, screening tests, and measures taken to prevent falls, injuries, and premature death. By taking advantage of routine preventive care, you can stay healthier and pay less for medical expenses.

While maintaining a highly skilled workforce at UM CRMC, we added several excellent physician partners to our UM Charles Regional Medical Group, including a primary care physician, endocrinologists, and surgeons. No matter your age, all adults should have a primary care doctor and all infants, children, and adolescents should have a pediatrician for ongoing care. Visit our website for help finding a community physician that can help meet your health needs.

Education is one of the keys to illness prevention. Our nurse navigator team provides one-on-one training for patients hospitalized with illnesses such as: congestive heart failure, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We also offer support groups for patients with lung disease (Better Breathers), heart disease (Healthier Hearts), diabetes, and stroke and brain injuries, and chronic disease management classes such as our Living Well program. These groups offer convenient opportunities to learn more about healthy living conditions and get support for self-management or caring for your loved ones.

To quote Benjamin Franklin, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." This could not be more true when it comes to your health. Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight is crucial in reducing risks of diabetes and other chronic illnesses. Avoiding smoking or secondhand smoke will help reduce chances of getting cancer or COPD. Smart food choices made to fuel our bodies vitally influence daily energy and overall health outcomes.

Improving community health is more complex and powerful than prescribing a pill. Through periodic community health needs assessments and participation in Partnerships for a Healthier Charles County, UM CRMC invests in the ongoing work of building a healthier community. Striving for wellness takes commitment from both the hospital and the community, and together we will make Charles County a healthy place to live.

Sincerely,

Noel Cervino
President and CEO
UM Charles Regional Medical Center