Meet Dr. Lauren Fitzpatrick, a Washington, D.C. native, proud wife of a police officer, mom of two little girls, and the Medical Director of the pediatric emergency room (ER) at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center.
Dr. Fitzpatrick’s passion for medicine started early. As a child with asthma, she became an advocate for raising awareness about the effects of secondhand smoke and even testified before Congress in the fourth grade! Her efforts contributed to Maryland’s ban on indoor smoking, demonstrating that even the smallest voices can have a significant impact.
She opens up about giving yourself grace, trusting your parental intuition, and finding joy in kids’ incredible resiliency, reminding us that empathy, lived experience, and a little compassion go a long way.
Tell us a little bit about you and your family.
I am a 40-year-old mom, in the thick of parenting with two daughters, and a husband living in Gambrills, Maryland. My oldest daughter Naomi will be nine later this month, and my youngest daughter Olivia is seven. My husband is a Washington, D.C. police officer, and we have been married almost 12 years. I was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Prince George’s County. I attended Spelman College in Atlanta for undergrad, returned home to the University of Maryland for medical school, and then went back to Atlanta for my residency at Emory. I returned right before the pandemic, in 2019.
You are the Medical Director of Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Pediatric Emergency Department. Tell us about your education and training to become a pediatric doctor.
I have known since the 4th grade that I wanted to be a doctor. I had severe asthma and was hospitalized several times as a child. Back then, my allergist asked me to testify before Congress about the effects of secondhand smoke on children with asthma. At that time, I thought I wanted to impact people’s lives like my allergist did for me. Thanks in part because of my allergist’s advocacy, the bill passed and, as a result, there is no smoking inside public buildings.
I followed the traditional path to medicine. I took all the science classes and majored in biology at Spelman. I went directly from undergrad to medical school, where I was the youngest student in my class. During medical school, on an obstetrics rotation, it became very clear that pediatrics was for me.
Dealing with kids who are very sick can be challenging. How do you manage that?
There are definitely very challenging times, especially in a pediatric emergency room (ER). I support families by treating them how I would treat my own family, and making decisions as if I were making them for my own child. I once saw a parent’s comment that said: “Remember, despite the severity of the situation, every family feels like being in the ER is the worst day of their life.” That stuck with me, and I try to treat each family from the perspective that this feels like the worst day of their life.
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I was a cellist for seven years growing up. I played with the DC Youth Orchestra, and traveled to South Africa after high school on a two-week orchestra tour. It was one of the best trips of my life.
What do you wish people knew about your important job?
In my opinion, my job is the best job in the hospital. Where else can you put a knee cap back in place, and follow up by making the kid smile with a popsicle. Only in the peds ER do we get dressed up for Halloween, and create Santa’s workshop to give our patients toys. Children are amazingly resilient, and being able to see that resiliency every day is truly the joy of my work.
How has your job shifted your perspective on Motherhood?
When you experience it yourself, you are more empathetic. I can give honest advice about my experience with my own children. It makes each encounter more personal for the families. As I tell parents, I am always happy to acknowledge their intuition. I have had several moms say my mom's intuition is telling me something is wrong and I don’t dismiss that.
What’s something you love you do just for yourself?
Reading - a book can take you anywhere. I love many different genres: romance, historical fiction, thrillers, and travel books.
Name something you hope your children look back and remember about their childhood.
Daily drop off and pick up! I pride myself on being there most days so I can hear how their days were, and send them off with good thoughts and positive energy. It sometimes requires sacrifice and weird shift work, but it is worth it to let them unload on me at the end of the day and share what they celebrate.
What's your best mom hack that makes your life easier?
Who has most influenced you to be the mom you are today?
My mother, who is affectionately known as Lolly. There is no way that I could be the mom I am today without her. I don’t know what I did to deserve her, but there is no mom or grandma better than her. She is so supportive, vibrant, always in my corner, and would do anything for her grandchildren.
What's your best advice for “mom guilt”?
I am sensitive to mom guilt related to breastfeeding, as a pediatrician mom who struggled to produce milk. I often see moms in the first week of their baby’s life, and we always land on breastfeeding, which can be a struggle regardless of how natural it is. I send each mom off with the saying “a fed baby is a healthy baby.” As moms, we can create so many things to feel guilty about, but as long as we are trying our best, that is all our kids need.
What’s your favorite family activity in the area?
I love taking the girls to the theater. We have seen shows at the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage and Imagination Stage, and took the girls to see The Descendants last summer at the Children’s Theatre of Annapolis. We usually make a day of it and add in a new restaurant to try.
What have you learned from your children?
To give grace. Children naturally are forgiving and love unconditionally, and my children remind me every day to give grace to others.
What do you consider the greatest gift about being a mom?
Unconditional love, giving it and receiving it. Even when you think you are not doing a great job, your kids think you are the best mom ever.
Who has most influenced you to be the mom you are today?
My mother, who is affectionately known as Lolly. There is no way that I could be the mom I am today without her. I don’t know what I did to deserve her, but there is no mom or grandma better than her. She is so supportive, vibrant, and always in my corner, and would do anything for her grandchildren.
We love supporting local businesses! What are your favorite places in the area to:
Get coffee: Rise Up!
Go on a date night: Dodon Vineyards
Go out to dinner as a family: Sakura Hibachi - my girls love Hibachi
Get your hair done: I’m a natural girl, it's been years since I stepped foot in a hair salon 🙂
Shop for your kids: Once Upon A Child - my girls are still to hard on clothes for anything nice. Favorite Brand for a splurge - Love & Grow Clothing
Get your nails done: Crofton Nail Center
Have fun as a family: Watermark Cruise to St. Michael’s
Give back to the community: Farm Unity
Want to meet other Moms like Dr. Lauren Fitzpatrick? See all the Meet a Mom profiles! Or email us to be a featured Meet a Mom.
Dr. Lauren Fitzpatrick is the Medical Director of Anne Arundel Medical Center's Pediatric Emergency Department.
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.
Pediatric Emergency Room at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC)
Hospital Pavilion South, 2001 Medical Parkway, Annapolis, MD 21401
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, staffed by board-certified pediatric specialists
The Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Room is for severely ill or severely injured patients only.
Schedule care for minor illnesses or injury with virtual urgent care service, CareConnect Now.
About the Pediatric Emergency Room
The pediatric ER at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center is staffed 24 hours a day by board-certified pediatric specialists. Because there is a dedicated pediatric inpatient and pediatric surgery program, our pediatric specialists are ready in any emergency. The state-of-the-art diagnostic services mean that their team can diagnose and treat children's conditions more quickly. And because emergency rooms can feel frightening for young patients, they’ve designed the space with kids in mind. It's comforting, bright, and fun. Child life specialists also help comfort and entertain children.
They offer emergency pediatric care in this department, including mental health emergencies, Emergency Medicine, Pediatric Inpatient Unit, Pediatric Surgery, Certified child life specialist*, and more.
*These services are typically found at specialized pediatric hospitals, but offered for your family here, close to home.
When to Bring Your Child to the ER
Conditions frequently seen in children at the ER include:
- Asthma attacks and respiratory problems
- Burns, cuts, or other wounds
- Diabetes complications
- Fever for infants under 2 months old
- Sports injuries
- Thoughts of hurting themselves or others
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Digestion problems
- Infections
- Sprains and strains
- Vomiting or diarrhea that won't seem to stop
Don't let your ability to pay keep you from seeking the emergency care you need.
Luminis Health provides medically necessary services to everyone, no matter your ability to pay. Call the Financial Counseling office at 443-481-6500 or learn more about payment options.
