Meet Rashel Castelgrande

Meet Rashel Castelgrande, a Pennsylvania native, wife, proud mom of two, and the Lead Cardiac Surgery Advanced Practice Provider at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center! 

Rashel knew early on that she wanted to work in health care after losing her father to lung cancer. Out of that grief grew a deep passion to care for others. Rashel shares the power of community (in both medicine and parenthood), the importance of giving ourselves grace and celebrating small wins, and a fun peek into her family’s reduced-waste lifestyle, full of reusing, repurposing, and keeping things out of landfills. 

Tell us a little bit about you and your family.

Hello Moms (and Dads)! My name is Rashel, and I’m a proud mom of two, happily married to my husband, Roger, for 10 years. I grew up in Pennsylvania and later moved to Baltimore to complete my undergraduate degree. While working on a heart attack treatment team in Baltimore, I met my future husband, Roger.

After having our daughter, we decided to relocate to the beautiful Anne Arundel County area. Although COVID was a challenging time professionally, we found joy in welcoming our son in 2021. These days, we stay busy with crafting, hiking, traveling, and taking every opportunity to be outdoors.

You are a Cardiac Surgery Physician Assistant at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.  Tell us about your education and training to become a PA.

I knew from a young age that I wanted to work in health care. My father passed away from lung cancer when I was younger, and out of that grief grew a passion to help others. I studied radiologic sciences and earned a Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging. With that degree, I began my career as an Interventional Radiologic Technologist at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in the Cardiac Electrophysiology and Cardiac Interventional Labs. While working there, a nurse and dear friend encouraged me to consider PA (Physician Assistant) school. I shadowed a PA in cardiac surgery and instantly fell in love.

After completing a few additional prerequisites, I applied to PA school—a 26-month, full-time master’s program. I graduated from AACC/University of Maryland Baltimore with a Master of Health Science and became a Certified Physician Assistant. From there, I was hired and trained at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in the Cardiac Surgery Operating Room as well as the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit.

When I moved to Anne Arundel County, it was clear there was a need for heart surgery “close to home.” I joined Luminis Health to help start a brand-new heart surgery program, making heart surgery more accessible to our local community. Here at Luminis Health AAMC, I’ve continued to broaden my scope of practice across all areas of cardiac surgery, allowing me to practice as a full-scope provider. That means I care for patients from the moment they learn they need surgery—through the operation, ICU recovery, step-down progression, and after discharge home. I am now the lead Cardiac Surgery Advance Practice Provider, and work with a wonderful team of skilled and passionate Advance Practice Providers to provide high-quality care to our patient population.

Dealing with very sick patients can be challenging. How do you manage that?

This can be one of the hardest parts of the job. Many healthcare workers learn to compartmentalize at times, but we’re also human. We care for patients and their families during some of the hardest moments of their lives, including end-of-life care.

I make a vow to practice medicine with patience and compassion, treating all my patients as an extension of my own family. It’s an honor to be part of their journey and to support families through such challenging times. In a high-stress field like cardiac surgery, I strive to stay calm, level-headed, and focused.

As a mom, sister, daughter, and wife, my heart often feels the hard times alongside my patients and their loved ones. But the silver lining is the constant reminder that life is fragile, which allows me to feel daily gratitude for my own health and the health of my family.

What do you wish people knew about your important job?

I wish people knew just how much we, as healthcare providers, truly care. There are so many mixed messages in the world of social media, and sometimes people become skeptical of medical professionals’ intentions.

I want people to know how deeply many of us care for our patients. If open-heart surgery isn’t in someone’s best interest, I don’t want them to have that procedure. We approach every patient with the goal of achieving the best possible outcome.

How has your job shifted your perspective on motherhood?

At the start of my career, I worked in congenital heart surgery—performing operations on infants and children as young as a few hours old up to 18 years old. That experience, along with my time in adult cardiac and transplant surgery, has deeply shaped my perspective on motherhood.

With every patient interaction, I walk away having learned something—both professionally and personally. This career has taught me that there is always room to learn, grow, and improve, and that lesson carries over into motherhood as well.

Some days are downright hard, and you feel like you should have done more. On other days, you’re proud of your patience and effort. It’s so important to give ourselves grace and to see the bigger picture. Celebrate the small victories when the challenges feel too big.

Much like my career, motherhood often requires me to take things hour by hour, day by day.

What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

I’m a self-proclaimed tree-hugging momma! We take every opportunity to reduce waste, limit consumption, and reuse things in fun and creative ways. No toilet paper roll goes into the recycling bin in this house! My husband may say it borders on hoarding, but the kids and I love finding new and creative ways to keep things out of landfills.

I’ll admit, many of my efforts to reduce waste and consumption can be time-consuming. There’s a constant pull between the speed and convenience of modern life and living consciously. For me, it’s always a balancing act between the two.

What’s something you love you do just for yourself? 

As a busy mom, wife, and PA, I’ll admit that I’ve become disconnected from some of my personal hobbies and interests over the years. My goal this year is to rediscover them!

During the hectic years of infancy and toddlerhood, I found small windows of time to read and run—both activities that help clear my mind and bring me peace. I think many parents can relate to that sense of “losing yourself” during the early parenting years. The good news is, we can always find our way back and explore new passions along the way.

Your best mom hack that makes your life easier?

This one makes me laugh a little—are there really any true hacks? If I had to pick one, I’d say the biggest thing that’s made life easier is learning to accept help when it’s offered.

I suffered from “superwoman syndrome” in the early years of having two children, only to realize that no one can do it all. Let me say that again: no one can do it all. We need community and support. Without it, everything becomes harder.

In my opinion, the best “hack” is building your community and support system. They say it takes a village for a reason—but that village doesn’t always show up automatically, especially when you live away from family. Sometimes, you have to build it yourself. It’s not easy, but the effort is so worth it.

Name something you hope your children look back and remember about their childhood.

I hope they remember the feeling of love and acceptance. I hope they look back on all our outdoor adventures and feel inspired to move through life proud of who they are and unafraid to take risks.

Your best advice for “mom guilt”?

Find a good friend who will shut down that mom guilt for you—especially when you can’t do it yourself. We all experience it. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming, and other times we can acknowledge it and let it pass.

Everyone is out here doing their best. It’s unrealistic to think we’ll nail it on all fronts every day. Surround yourself with a friend or two who are your biggest cheerleaders—someone who celebrates your wins and can laugh with you during the not-so-great moments. Life is too short to let guilt consume you. This is an area I continue to grow and struggle with. 

What’s your favorite family activity in the area? 

Growing up in Pennsylvania, we didn’t have much access to water activities, so our family loves getting out on paddle boards or kayaks now. It’s such a gift to live somewhere that offers both great hiking and beautiful waterways to explore. 

What have you learned from your children?

Patience and forgiveness. While children don’t always have the most patience themselves, they require it from us—and when we fall short, they offer us forgiveness. It’s a beautiful thing to learn and grow together in that way.

What do you consider the greatest gift about being a mom?

The opportunity to be silly and not take life too seriously. It’s such a gift to dance around the house to Disney songs and be unapologetically yourself. Kids are naturals at this—they remind us how to live freely, laugh often, and not care what others think.

When the stress of adulting feels heavy and your little one says something innocent and adorable, it snaps you right out of your stress bubble and brings everything into perspective. That’s an immeasurable gift.

Who has most influenced you to be the mom you are today?

It would be hard to narrow it down to just one person. It truly takes a village to raise children, and I’ve been shaped by many amazing women in my life.

My mother was a single mom with two children, and her dedication to us was inspiring. She raised us with unconditional love and tremendous sacrifice—something we’ll never be able to thank her enough for. My Mommom taught me patience and how to truly understand little ones as they navigate the world. She also inspired my love of crafting and playing games with my kids.

My mother-in-law has also influenced how I parent, showing me how to educate our children with patience and encouragement. And my two older sisters, who are raising teenagers into adulthood, have taught me so much through their own parenting journeys. My nieces and nephews are incredible people, and even though I’m not yet in the teenage years with my kids, I pay close attention and take all their advice to heart.

It’s important to me to learn from those who’ve parented before me while still making my own way through this journey of motherhood.

We love supporting local businesses. What are your favorite places in the Anne Arundel County area to:

Get coffee: I am a sucker for Rise Up cold brew! I get growlers filled weekly.

Go on a date night:  My husband and I love heading to Capital SUP in Arnold, then stopping by The Point afterward—it makes for an active and fun date night. Date nights are few and far between, but when we get them, we love supporting local spots!

Eco-conscious shopping: BD Provisions- locally owned bulk food store, bring your own containers (reuse things like pasta jars or shampoo containers), and fill them up with snacks, shampoo/ conditioner, and local honey! Thrift and consignment stores like Return to Oz, Honeysuckle, Savvy, and Vintage Vibe Finds are great for the whole family. Special shout-out to Evergreen Antiques and True Vintage, which is owned and operated by a local mom, located on Maryland Ave. 

Go out to dinner as a family: Donnelly’s Dockside. The kids love watching the boats, and one night they even let my daughter sing karaoke—it’s been a core memory for her ever since.

Get your hair done: Haven & Hue Hair Co. Hair by McKenzie in Severna Park. McKenzie is a mother of young children and is embarking on a new and exciting journey, opening her own salon! Stop by and check her out next to BD Provisions. 

Shop for your kids: We’re a Buy Nothing family! In a world of overconsumption, we try hard to give things a second life and support a more circular economy—it’s also very budget-friendly. For those who don’t know, Buy Nothing is a Facebook-based community group that connects people who want to give or receive items locally. We’re always passing along kids’ clothing, toys, games, crafts—you name it! If you’re not already in your neighborhood’s Buy Nothing group, join one. It feels great to share and keep items out of landfills.

Get your nails done:  Delux Nails in Harbour Center

Have fun as a family:  All the county and state parks! Kinder Park has so much to offer, and we also love Quiet Waters, Sandy Point, and Patapsco.

Give back to the community: We take every opportunity to participate in school events, food drives, and local cleanups. We donate household items to local families and pantries, and love supporting neighbors however we can. Our door is always open—to friends and family in need of last-minute child care, someone to talk to, or a little extra support.

So if you see me out and about, please say hi! I love meeting new people and connecting with those who make this area such a warm and welcoming place to live.

Want to meet other parents like Rashel Castelgrande? See all the Meet a Mom + Meet a Dad profiles!

NOMINATE a Mom or Dad in the community or email us to be a featured!

Rashel Castelgrande is a Cardiac Surgery Physician Assistant at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Luminis Health is a nonprofit regional health system that was formed when Doctors Community Medical Center joined Anne Arundel Medical Center, each with rich histories of serving their communities. Together, Luminis Health provides care for 1.8 million people in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s Counties, the Eastern Shore and beyond. Their team makes it refreshingly easy to access care with a network of more than 100 practice locations, including Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center, J. Kent McNew Family Medical Center, Luminis Health Pathways, and Doctors Community Rehabilitation and Patient Care Center.

Luminis Health Heart Surgery Annapolis

2000 Medical Pkwy | Suite 510 | Annapolis, MD 21401

Luminis Health Heart Surgery Annapolis

Our cardiac services are nationally renowned. We provide skilled, compassionate surgical care for all heart conditions. We'll be by your side every step of the way. Answering your questions. Easing your fears. And doing everything in our power to get you back to the activities, moments and people you love.