Community health
Health Connections is the community outreach department at MedStar St. Mary's Hospital. It offers many community classes, seminars and support groups for all ages. For a full list of events and classes, visit our online calendar. Trained educators from Health Connections also visit area schools, community organizations, churches and business to speak about a variety of health and wellness topics. If you are interested in attending a class, requesting a speaker, or would like more information, please call 301-475-6019.
Community Health Needs Assessment
View the 2021 Community Health Needs Assessment
View the 2018 Community Health Needs Assessment
View the 2015 Community Health Needs Assessment
View the 2012 Community Health Needs Assessment
Report to the Community
View the 2022 Report to the Community
View the 2021 Report to the Community
View the 2020 Report to the Community
View the 2019 Report to the Community
View the 2018 Report to the Community
View the 2017 Report to the Community
View the 2016 Report to the Community
View the 2015 Report to the Community
Frequently asked questions
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Is Health Connections affiliated with the St. Mary's County Health Department?
No, Health Connections is only affiliated with MedStar St. Mary's Hospital.
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What is diabetes self-management?
Living with diabetes is a full-time job. The diabetes self-management classes at MedStar St. Mary's Hospital help individuals with diabetes take control of their disease. Our program is recognized by the American Diabetes Association and covers 10 areas of diabetes management from medications to emotions to daily activity to help individuals live better lives. Individuals interested in classes or nutrition counseling for diabetes can call 301-475-6019 for more information. These services do require an order from your physician.
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I've just moved to the area and am eight months pregnant. Can I tour the hospital's Women's Health & Family Birthing Center?
For your convenience, MedStar St. Mary's Hospital has a virtual tour of our Women's Health & Family Birthing Center for expectant parents. The video can be accessed at MedStarHealth.org/StMarysVirtualTour. Childbirth classes are offered monthly through Health Connections. The class has a fee and registration is required. Call 301-475-6019 to register or for more information.
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Is there information you can send to help us know what to expect when we arrive at the hospital?
Health Connections offers web-based and DVD options for childbirth classes. If you have additional questions, our staff of certified childbirth instructors and lactation consultants will be happy to talk with you over the phone. Call Health Connections at 301-475-6019 for more information.
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Do you sell breast pumps?
The hospital's Breastfeeding Resource Center sells and rents breast pumps. As an official Medela distributor, we stock parts and support products. The center also sells baby slings, nursing bras, and supports. Our certified lactation consultants are available for individual consultations by phone, appointment, and at the weekly Breastfeeding Moms group held in the Health Connections building. Call 301-997-6505 for more information about the Breastfeeding Resource Center.
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Do you offer CPR and first aid classes?
Our Organizational Learning & Research Department offers two American Heart Saver CPR with AED classes and one American Safety Institute First Aid class each month. Because these classes are very popular, it's best to register early before your current certification expires.
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What are Outpatient Care Coordinators?
Our care can extend beyond our beds at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital. Many patients recently hospitalized or discharged from the Emergency Department are eligible for outpatient care coordination services to assist with at-home recovery. Outpatient Care Coordinators are Registered Nurses who provide guidance, support, and direction in managing health and wellness for patients after they leave the hospital. They have helped hundreds of people who suffer from multiple disorders, create plans to keep them safe, independent, and healthy in their own homes.
Outpatient Care Coordination is a free service and offers the ability to:
- Discuss your health concerns and answer questions
- Review your medications and discharge instructions with you
- Share information about ways to improve your health
- Work with you and your family to develop a personal health improvement plan
- Assist you with making follow-up appointments
- Identify and assist you with additional available resources
- Network with your primary care provider and healthcare team to ensure your healthcare needs are met
- Meet with you in your home, doctors’ office, or speak with you on the telephone
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I need help with nutrition, do you have a dietitian on staff?
Yes! We have a registered dietitian on staff who offers a variety of counseling services on eating disorders and digestive issues, as well as food education sessions on how to better understand and manage your diet, tips on shopping at the supermarket or cooking at home, and resources for ingredient-specific recipes and products. Individuals must present a referral from your allergist or primary care physician. To make an appointment with a Health Connections dietitian, call 301-475-6019.
Volunteer
Members of the volunteer program at MedStar St. Mary's are an integral part of our long-standing reputation of excellence and quality care.
Each year, volunteers dedicate thousands of hours of service to facilitate the work of MedStar St. Mary's. By generously donating their time and talents, volunteers are able to meet new people, help the community, and explore healthcare careers.
At MedStar St. Mary's, we match volunteers to open positions based on individual interests, skills, talents, and availability. We ask that volunteers be willing to commit to at least six months of service. Our volunteers include adults, juniors, interfaith chaplains, and emergency drivers.
All individuals, without regard to race, color, national origin or ancestry, sex, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or physical or mental abilities, have a right to apply to MedStar St. Mary's for volunteer status, except for the specific age requirements stated. Volunteers are required to attend orientation and training sessions and agree to learn and abide by hospital regulations.
All volunteers are required to attend annual in-services on infection control; standard precautions; safety and security; hazardous and toxic substances; proper body mechanics; risk management; confidentiality; and customer service. All volunteers must also obtain a PPD test annually.
Adult volunteer services
- Information desk assistants
- Clerical and office assistants
- Interfaith chaplains
- Patient care assistants in Ambulatory Surgery
- Gift shop clerks/cashiers
Sign up to volunteer
We welcome new volunteers to join us as we deliver top-quality healthcare services to the community. To fill out an application to volunteer, please download the appropriate form below.
Email or mail your completed application:
MedStar St. Mary's Hospital
Attn: Volunteer and Student Services Office
P.O. Box 527
25500 Point Lookout Road
Leonardtown, MD 20650
MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital’s 340B Program
Congress created the 340B drug savings program to help those hospitals serving vulnerable communities expand access to prescription drugs and support essential services for their communities. The savings generated from the 340B drug discount program are used by MedStar St. Mary's Hospital to help keep pace with the rapidly rising costs of prescription drugs, as well as to offer additional needed services to our community such as the ones described below.
Access to Care
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East Run Center is a capital project in Lexington Park, Maryland, identified as the area of greatest need serviced by MedStar St Mary’s Hospital. Services now available include
- Safety net Dental clinic
- Behavioral health practice
- Primary Care practice
- Community health workers
- Prescription Drugs provided free of charge to appropriate uninsured and under-insured individuals at discharge.
- Bedside Rx Delivery Service is a free service to eliminate barriers such as transportation, to help patients take prescribed medications as instructed, to improve health outcomes and avoid readmission.
- Physician subsidies to allow needed specialists and primary care practices to provide services in the community examples include OB/GYNs, general and vascular surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, urologists and oncologists, including access to expensive chemotherapy and infusion services.
Social Determinants of Health
- AccessHealth – outpatient Care Coordination, Community Health workers, and transportation services for vulnerable individuals in St. Mary’s County to aid in stabilizing citizens in outpatient services in the
- Medical Respite program – allows homeless individuals as safe place to convalesce after an inpatient stay as a partnership with DSS and local homeless shelter.
- Patient Financial services – assistance to qualify for reduced or no cost care as well as assistance to apply for Medicaid.
Health and Wellness
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Chronic Disease Programs are offered throughout the year at low or no cost to the participant to influence education, self-management and decrease burden of common chronic conditions.
Programs available include:
- Simple Changes – National Diabetes Prevention Program
- Living Well with Diabetes
- Walk with Ease
- Blood Pressure Checks
- Body composition analysis
- Cholesterol and glucose screenings
- Sepsis education
- Breastfeeding Resource Center – outpatient lactation telephone support and weekly support group for new mothers.
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Support groups
- Bariatric support group
- Parkinsons
- Stroke
- Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Flu shots
- Faith based partnerships – provide health educators and screenings for faith based organizations in the community upon request.
- Women’s Wellness Day – day long free women’s conference co-sponsored with a local African American Women’s service organization.
- Provide staff and leadership to the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership, the County’s Local Health Improvement Coalition.
Workforce Development
- Associate Scholarships – provide tuition assistance to associates via a competitive process over and above the tuition benefit provided by MedStar Health.
- Summer interns – employ high school and college students for 10 weeks each summer in a variety of departments throughout the hospital.
- Student preceptors – provide thousands of hours of staff time to preceptor students from various colleges in the region in associates, bachelors and masters programs.
Summer volunteer programs
Should you have any questions about any of the programs here, please feel free to contact our Volunteer and Student Services Coordinator. Thank you for your interest in the volunteer and learning internship programs at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital!
Mary B. Cheseldine
Volunteer and Student Services (VSS) Coordinator