Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) has appointed Dr. Christopher Newman, MD, MBA, as its new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Dr. Newman, who has been with MWHC since 2019 as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Medical Officer, takes over following the departure of Dr. Michael McDermott, who served as CEO since 2015.

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Stafford County is making history with the launch of the Stafford African American Heritage Trail, a new initiative designed to highlight the county’s rich African American history. The trail, developed in collaboration with the University of Mary Washington’s Department of Geography, local historians, and community members, officially debuts this week as part of Black History Month celebrations.

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Mary Washington Hospital celebrated the arrival of the Fredericksburg region’s first baby of the new year. Baby Kylah Ann, born at 1:55 a.m., weighed 7 pounds, 1 ounce. Daughter to Erica and Christopher of Spotsylvania, Kylah was born five weeks early and received care in the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Both mother and baby are doing well, the hospital reports.

Stafford Hospital also welcomed its first baby of the year, Miles Roy, born at 4:59 a.m., weighing 6 pounds, 1.5 ounces. Miles’ parents, Jessica and Ken of Spotsylvania. He joins big brothers Garrett, 5, and Jackson, 2.

The hospital did not provide the last names of the parents.

More in a press release from Mary Washington Hospital.

Mary Washington Hospital proudly announces the arrival of the first baby born in the Fredericksburg region for the new year. Baby girl Kylah Ann made her debut at 1:55 a.m., weighing 7 pounds, 1 ounce. She is the daughter of Erica and Christopher, residents of Spotsylvania.

Erica and Christopher were not expecting to have their baby so soon, as Kylah made her debut five weeks early! They were heading to a New Year’s Eve party when plans suddenly changed and they found themselves heading to the hospital instead. Kylah is currently getting amazing care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mary Washington Hospital. Both Kylah and Erica are doing great. “I knew as soon as I heard her cry, that she was a fighter,” says Erica.

Stafford Hospital also kicked off the new year with a heartwarming arrival of their own! Baby Miles Roy, weighing 6 pounds, 1.5 ounces, made his debut at 4:59 a.m., bringing joy to his parents, Jessica and Ken of Spotsylvania, and the entire community. Adding a touch of excitement, Miles’ gender was kept a surprise until delivery! While his big brothers – Garrett, 5, and Jackson, 2– had their hearts set on a sister, they could not be happier to welcome their new baby brother.

Mary Washington Healthcare extends heartfelt congratulations to the new parents and warmly welcomes these little New Year’s babies into the world. The arrival of Kylah and Miles symbolizes hope and new beginnings, perfectly aligning with the spirit of the New Year.

Local families may have noticed an increase in children being diagnosed with pneumonia this fall. Virginia Department of Health (VDH) confirmed the increase in November with a statement noting Emergency Room visits with a pneumonia diagnosis tripled the week of November 10-17 compared to the prior two years.

Additionally, a number of public schools have reported clusters of students with pneumonia and unspecified respiratory illnesses to VDH. 

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued several statements this fall regarding the increase in Mycoplasma pneumonia (M. Pneumoniae), a common cause of mild respiratory illness that has seen a significant resurgence in 2024. In the United States, cases have increased across all age groups since late spring, peaking in August and remaining high through the fall.

Notably, young children aged 2–4 years have seen a substantial increase in infections, reversing previous trends where older children and adolescents were most affected.

The CDC reported that cases are increasing most among children, with infections in those aged 2–4 years rising from 1% to 7%, and in children aged 5–17 rising from 3.6% to 7.4%. This rise in infections among 2–4-year-olds is significant, as M. pneumoniae historically hasn’t been recognized as a leading cause of pneumonia in this age group.

Dr. Lana Ismail, a Pediatric Hospitalist and Medical Director of the Children’s National Pediatric Hospital Medicine Program at Mary Washington Healthcare, confirmed that both Fredericksburg and Stafford hospitals are seeing a sharp increase in pneumonia cases, including both community-acquired and M. pneumoniae-related pneumonia. She noted that the 2–4-year-old age group has experienced a marked rise, although cases are up across all age groups.

Ismail said local pediatricians are likely handling the majority of milder cases, while more severe cases may visit the Emergency Room. Some pediatric patients required hospitalization, or needed to be transferred to Children’s National Hospital or VCU Children’s Hospital in Richmond. In some severe cases, patients can develop other issues not related to the lungs, like inflammation around the brain,  and reactions in mucosal membranes that require more intensive treatment.

Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to treat pneumonia. Dr. Ismail advised that the period of contagion is generally tied to the onset of symptoms. If a patient has been on antibiotics for 24 hours and shows signs of improvement, they may be able to return to school. However, anyone exhibiting symptoms should avoid contact with vulnerable or immunocompromised individuals, as well as babies. Wearing a mask and practicing good hand hygiene can also help reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

The CDC noted that cyclical increases in M. pneumoniae infections are common every 3 to 5 years. Cases sharply declined during the COVID-19 pandemic but began rising again in 2023. By February 2024, cases remained below pre-pandemic levels, but the frequency of positive test results for M. pneumoniae increased from 0.7% in late spring to 3.3%.

Common symptoms of M. pneumoniae include fatigue, fever, headache, sore throat, and worsening cough. Children younger than 5 may also experience diarrhea, a stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, vomiting, and watery eyes.

M. pneumoniae infections are typically mild and often present as “walking pneumonia,” a form of bacterial pneumonia where individuals may not feel sick enough to stay in bed. Outbreaks tend to occur in crowded environments, such as schools, college dormitories, and nursing homes, where the bacteria spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. Preventive measures such as good hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes can help limit transmission.

Although M. pneumoniae infections can occur year-round, they are most common in summer and early fall. The long incubation period—ranging from one to four weeks—and the bacteria’s ability to persist in the respiratory tract for months can lead to prolonged outbreaks.

Dr. Ismail emphasized, “Mycoplasma is one of the few prominent respiratory infections for which we don’t have a vaccine. We have vaccines for many other contagious illnesses, like the flu, RSV, pertussis, and COVID.” She added that vaccines and good hygiene are the best measures to prevent the spread of highly contagious illnesses.

Healthcare providers diagnose M. pneumoniae infections through physical exams, respiratory swab tests, or chest X-rays if pneumonia is suspected. Treatment with macrolide antibiotics, such as azithromycin, is typically effective, while over-the-counter medications can help manage symptoms for mild cases.

Press release:

 The Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) and Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) invite community members aged 15 and older to take a quick, anonymous survey about important health issues. The survey is open to those who live in the City of Fredericksburg and Caroline, King George, Orange, Prince William, Spotsylvania, Stafford and Westmoreland counties.

“This is a great opportunity for community members to make their voices heard about the biggest health issues facing our area,” said RAHD Director Olugbenga Obasanjo, M.D. “We use this feedback to guide decisions about programs and services that are prioritized in our area. The results are taken very seriously by the health department, the healthcare system, and many other community-based organizations.”

The survey can be completed in English at https://redcap.link/CHAsurvey_PD16, or in Spanish at https://redcap.link/CHAencuesta_PD16 . Questions ask respondents to share their thoughts on the biggest health concerns facing the community as well as the greatest opportunities for health improvements. Demographic information is requested to ensure responses from different groups and geographic areas, but no identifiable information is requested. Upon completion of the survey, respondents will have the opportunity to enter a raffle for one of 20 $25 gift cards.

“We want to hear from as many community members as possible through this process,” said Xavier Richardson, senior vice president for MWHC. “Our residents see things impacting the health of our community that we may not see, and this is a great chance to help bring to light things not shown in other data sources.”

This survey is part of the broader Community Health Assessment (CHA) effort, which examines health issues including rates of disease, access to care, patterns of behavior, and social factors that contribute to health. Assessment results will inform the development of a five-year Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) based on community priorities.

Additional opportunities for feedback are also available through a series of focus groups taking place through mid-December. To learn more about focus group opportunities, please contact 540-899-4797 or rahd_ca…@vdh.virginia.gov.

For more information on the previous CHA and CHIP, please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock/fy23-fy25_cha-chip or www.marywashingtonhealthcare.com/foundations/community-benefit-fund.

Press Release:

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Mary Washington Hospital has successfully treated its first patient using the Impella RP Flex, a heart pump that temporarily supports patients in cardiogenic shock due to acute right heart failure. This technology allows blood to be drawn from the heart and propelled forward, facilitating recovery or further treatment options.

Press Release:

Mary Washington Hospital interventional cardiologists have successfully treated their first patient using the Impella RP Flex with SmartAssist, one of the world’s smallest heart pumps. This groundbreaking technology provides temporary right heart mechanical circulatory support, offering more comprehensive and advanced care options to patients in the Fredericksburg region suffering from cardiogenic shock due to acute right heart failure.

The Impella RP Flex allows blood to be directly drawn out of the heart’s pumping chambers and propelled forward, giving the heart a chance to rest and bridging the patient to recovery or more definitive therapies. This latest iteration of the Impella RP heart pump received PMA from the U.S. FDA in October 2022 as a safe and effective treatment for cardiogenic shock caused by acute right heart failure. The Impella RP Flex is implanted percutaneously through multiple venous sites and features dual-sensor technology designed to optimize patient management.”Mary Washington Hospital’s cardiac care team continues to expand and evolve to meet the needs of our community’s cardiovascular patients,” said Dr. Ashok Prasad, MD, FACC, Interventional Cardiologist at Mary Washington Cardiology in affiliation with Oracle Heart & Vascular. “Our health system’s ongoing investment in innovative tools and treatments like the Impella RP Flex allows us to provide the highest quality care close to home.”

Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) is at the forefront of advanced technologies for heart and vascular care, offering state-of-the-art facilities equipped with cutting-edge diagnostic tools and innovative treatments. The healthcare system provides a range of minimally invasive cardiac procedures and is committed to delivering top-tier, comprehensive care for individuals facing heart issues. MWHC’s team of highly skilled specialists collaboratively determine the most effective treatment options for each patient. In addition to exceptional medical care, MWHC prioritizes patient education, empowering individuals with vital knowledge on heart disease management and prevention. For more information, please visit heart.mwhc.com.

 

The Rappahannock Area Health District and Mary Washington Healthcare are launching the 2025 Community Health Assessment for Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, Stafford counties, and Fredericksburg, building on their 2022 collaboration. The Community Health Assessment will explore various social drivers of health and will include kickoff meetings across the region to gather community input.

Press Release:

The Rappahannock Area Health District (RAHD) and Mary Washington Healthcare (MWHC) are excited to announce the launch of their joint 2025 Community Health Assessment (CHA) for Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford counties, and the City of Fredericksburg, as well as MWHC’s surrounding service areas. Building on the success of their 2022 collaboration, which saw participation from more than 70 organizations, including nonprofits, faith-based groups, and government agencies, RAHD and MWHC are embarking together on this important initiative once again.

“Our last Community Health Assessment in 2022 exceeded our expectations. We saw a multitude of organizations come together to collaboratively address the biggest issues affecting health in our community which had not been seen before in our area,” said Xavier Richardson, MWHC Senior Vice President and President of Mary Washington Foundation and Stafford Hospital Foundation. “We look forward to improving upon that experience to engage even more organizations and people in our region in the 2025 assessment.”

The CHA is a critical tool for gaining a comprehensive understanding of our community’s health needs and resources. Expanding the focus beyond traditional healthcare measures, this assessment will explore a broad range of social drivers of health, including housing, income, employment, education, food insecurity, and access to care. This collaborative effort will engage various organizations, groups, and residents to paint a detailed picture of health and health disparities in our community.

“The CHA is about getting a clear picture of the urgent health needs in our community and aligning community resources to better address those needs,” said Dr. Olugbenga Obasanjo, Health Director for RAHD. “A key step is to hear directly from residents about the health needs in our community, and we encourage community members from all walks of life to get involved and provide feedback during this process.”

To launch the CHA, a series of kickoff meetings will be held throughout the region:

• Thursday, Sept. 26, 1 – 2:30 p.m., Porter Library, 2001 Parkway Blvd., Stafford
• Friday, Sept. 27, 12 – 1:30 p.m., Fick Center, 1301 Sam Perry Blvd., Fredericksburg
• Thursday, Oct. 3, 1 – 2:30 p.m., Salem Church Library, 2607 Salem Church Road, Fredericksburg
• Tuesday, Oct. 15, 12 – 1:30 p.m., Caroline Community Services Center, EOC Conference Room, 17202 Richmond Turnpike, Milford
• Thursday, Oct. 17, 12 – 1:30 p.m., King George Citizens Center, 8076 Kings Highway, King George
• Wednesday, Oct. 23, 7 – 8:30 p.m., online meeting

Residents, as well as representatives from local businesses, nonprofits and government organizations, are invited to attend any of the kickoff meetings. Lunch will be provided at all in-person meetings. Registration is requested, and is available at https://tinyurl.com/chakickoff2025

The assessment will incorporate both quantitative data and qualitative feedback to identify key health priorities. The insights gained will inform the development of a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), aimed at enhancing population health outcomes and addressing community inequities. RAHD and MWHC plan to initiate the three-year CHIP process in spring 2025, following the completion of the CHA.

For more information on the previous CHA and CHIP, please visit www.vdh.virginia.gov/rappahannock/fy23-fy25_cha-chip or www.marywashingtonhealthcare.com/foundations/community-benefit-fund. For additional information about the CHA and CHIP processes, please visit the NACCHO website at https://www.naccho.org/programs/public-health-infrastructure/performance-improvement/community-health-assessment

Mary Washington Healthcare has launched a new midwifery program, the largest of its kind in the region. The program offers both inpatient and outpatient care, supported by a team of seven certified nurse midwives.

Expecting mothers can receive prenatal care at two locations in Stafford and Spotsylvania, with deliveries at Stafford Hospital. The program aims to provide personalized, low-intervention care from prenatal visits through postpartum support.  Patients will have access to prenatal education, labor and delivery support, lactation services, and postpartum care.

The midwives at the Spotsylvania location recently joined Mary Washington Healthcare after leaving Elite Women’s Health and Wellness. The Fredericksburg area has seen several women’s healthcare offices, like Women’s Health and Surgery Center and Rappahannock Women’s Health, close. Elite Women’s Health and Wellness is no longer seeing obstetric patients but is now open as  Elite Gynecology and Wellness with Dr. Zeenat Patel.