**UM Capital President & CEO Nathaniel Richardson.** PHOTO: ALLANA HAYNES // PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA

UM Capital Celebrates Fifth Anniversary, Foundation Hosts Gala Night

Story and Photos By Allana Haynes

The University of Maryland Capital Region Health Foundation marked five years of community service during its anniversary gala at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor, Oct. 24.

The gala opened with a reception in the hotel’s ballroom featuring hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and advanced medical equipment demonstrations.

Outfitted in glamorous gowns and sharp suits, guests spent the evening celebrating the hospital’s history and discussing their vision for its future.

The evening continued with gourmet cuisine, dancing and honors highlighting hospital service lines and departments for their dedicated service at the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center.

Guests of the gala enjoyed opportunities to tinker with some of the hospital’s finest in health technology. PHOTO: ALLANA HAYNES // PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA

The UM Capital Region Medical Center officially opened its doors to the community in June 2021 (formerly the University of Maryland Prince George’s Hospital Center in Cheverly. It dated back more than 70 years). Part of the University of Maryland Medical System, the state-of-the-art facility is the region’s first brand-new hospital in more than three decades.

The 600,000-square-foot, 11-level facility features 205 private inpatient rooms and two rooftop helipads. It provides 24/7 emergency care through a 41-bay emergency department, a 32-bed intensive care unit, two endoscopy suites and two catheterization labs. Additionally, the medical center houses eight operating rooms – including dedicated cardiac, trauma and specially equipped “hybrid” ORs.

Sandy A. Roberts, Esq., chair of the University of Maryland Capital Region Health Foundation. PHOTO: ALLANA HAYNES // PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA

The facility also features a Heart and Vascular Institute and a dedicated floor for women and infant health, complete with a special care nursery and two healing gardens. It also includes a Level II Trauma Center, a designated stroke center, expanded surgical services capabilities, orthopedics and inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services.

The UM Capital Region Health Foundation supports the hospital’s mission to enhance patient health and wellness through advanced clinical care and community leadership.

Nathaniel Richardson Jr., president and CEO of UM Capital Region Health, shared that when he stepped into his role, he and his team promised the community that they would revitalize healthcare within the county.

“We’ve been able to take an organization that was only critical care trauma and a safety net hospital to a hospital that’s providing comprehensive women’s care, cancer care, sickle cell programs for adults, cardiovascular programs and primary care,” he said. “We still have more work to do, but [with] just that complement of services, we’ve been able to have an impact.”

Richardson said plans are in place to expand the hospital’s impact in the coming years.

“For the next five years, we’re going to continue to study the needs of the community,” he said. “We knew five years ago what the community needed; we’ve got to understand what is going to be needed these next five years so we can then design a model that’s taking care of those conditions as well.”

Joyce and Alexander Williams. Mr. Williams is Chairman of the Board of Directors for the University of Maryland Capital Region Health. PHOTO: ALLANA HAYNES // PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA

Sandy Roberts, chair of the UM Capital Region Health Foundation Board, said he is proud that the hospital can provide residents with high-quality healthcare closer to home.

“This is a world-class hospital with state-of-the-art equipment, and it’s right here in Prince George’s County,” he said. “Residents who are used to traveling for what they think is quality service, need to be aware that that service is right here in their backyard.”

Alexander Williams, Chairman of the Board of Directors for University of Maryland Capital Region Health, said he hopes the hospital will deepen its community presence over the next five years.

“The hospital has made tremendous steps since its growth and the challenge that we have is to make sure that citizens and public officials know of all of the things that we do as a hospital,” he said. “Many people just don’t know and once they learn of the great things that we're doing, they’ll be far more impressed with what we’re doing as a hospital.”