Deneen Richmond is the president of Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in Lanham, Maryland and also serves as Luminis Health’s Chief Quality, Equity and Population Health Officer. She has more than 30 years of healthcare leadership experience, with a strategic focus on advancing health equity and addressing health disparities.
Deneen holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of the District of Columbia and a master’s degree in health care administration from George Washington University. She recently was named a 2024 Diversity Leader by Modern Healthcare, a Women Who Mean Business Honoree from the Washington Business Journal, and a Distinguished Alumni of the Year by the University of the District of Columbia National Alumni Society.
Deneen was born in Washington, D.C., grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland and currently resides with her family in Bowie.
Q: Doctors Community Medical Center has been serving the community since 1975 and is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. In 2019, the hospital joined Luminis Health. How has this partnership expanded care for the community?
A: This partnership is driven by a shared mission to enhance the health of the people and communities we serve. Since joining Luminis Health, approximately $150 million has been invested at Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) to expand services, enhance staff benefits and salaries, and improve patient care. Key investments include the opening of a new Behavioral Health Pavilion, the addition of several primary care practices, and the recruitment of specialists in breast, vascular, bariatric, Ob-Gyn, and orthopedic surgery. Looking ahead, I am excited to expand our women’s health services after receiving state approval to add inpatient obstetric care. This is just one of many steps in our continued growth to provide care closer to home.
Q: With the expansion of women’s health services at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center, what are your key goals, and what do you hope to accomplish with this initiative?
A: Luminis Health is committed to addressing a major health disparity in our community—one I call a “dirty statistic.” 8 out of 10 women must leave Prince George’s County to deliver their babies. I was one of those moms when I had to travel outside the county to deliver my two sons. Women in our community deserve a safe place to give birth close to home.
Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that while maternal mortality rates are decreasing across the United State, they remain disproportionately high for Black mothers. By adding inpatient obstetric services in a new unit attached to the hospital, we will provide quality care locally and help reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in the county. Anticipated to open in 2028, the facility is expected to welcome approximately 2,000 babies each year once fully operational.
Our commitment to women’s health is already underway. We’ve opened a new Ob-Gyn practice in Greenbelt, expanded treatment options for conditions like Fibroids, and introduced CenteringPregnancy–an evidence-based program that combines group sessions for expectant mothers with personalized consultations from trusted Ob-Gyns or midwives.
Q: How do you plan to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the hospital?
A: I am thrilled to celebrate this major milestone because it allows us to honor our past while shaping the future of care. To mark our 50th anniversary, LHDCMC has launched a major fundraising campaign supporting our maternal health initiatives. Throughout the year, we will host a series of events, culminating in a Gala in April dedicated to Black Maternal Health. The Gala is scheduled for Saturday, April 5, at The Hotel of the University of Maryland. Additionally, we’re hosting a Community Baby Shower on Saturday, April 12, on the hospital campus to celebrate and support expectant mothers in Prince George’s County.
Q: What do you envision for Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center in the next 50 years?
A: Over the next 50 years, I hope LHDCMC will continue to evolve as a leader in innovative, compassionate, patient-centered care—always striving to meet the unmet needs of Prince George’s County. By embracing advancements in technology and expanding access to high-quality care, we can ensure that every patient receives the right care at the right time. A strong emphasis on preventive care and holistic wellness will shift the focus from treating illnesses to promoting long-term health, ensuring better outcomes for the community.
LHDCMC will remain a pillar of the community by expanding outreach programs, advancing health equity, and fostering partnerships to create a healthier future for all. It is my sincere hope that LHDCMC will continue to thrive as a trusted healthcare destination for generations to come.
