Lumin Health taps new leaders for Bethesda ketamine and Spravato site

Lumin Health has named Michael Knable, DO, as site medical director and Samaneh Keshavarz, MD, as psychiatrist at its Bethesda, Maryland location. The hires come as demand rises for insurance-covered esketamine and ketamine care in the Washington, D.C. region.

Why it matters: - Lumin Health is adding senior psychiatric leadership at a Bethesda site built to treat treatment-resistant depression and related conditions. - The hires come as demand for ketamine and esketamine care continues to grow, while patients in the Washington, D.C. region still face long waitlists and uneven access. - The Bethesda location is meant to give patients psychiatrist-led oversight, structured safety protocols and in-person support in one outpatient setting.

What happened: - Lumin Health announced two appointments at its Bethesda, Maryland location. - Michael Knable, DO, DFAPA, was named Site Medical Director. - Samaneh Keshavarz, MD, joined as Psychiatrist. - The two physicians will support the clinical team treating patients in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

The details: - As site medical director, Knable will lead clinical operations at Lumin Health Bethesda. - Knable will oversee the care team and the delivery of treatment for people living with treatment-resistant depression and related conditions. - Knable will also oversee safety protocols and serve as a clinical partner for referring providers across the region. - Lumin Health said Knable brings more than three decades of leadership across inpatient, outpatient and research settings. - Keshavarz will provide psychiatric care to patients at the Bethesda site. - Keshavarz will treat patients who have not improved enough with traditional treatment approaches. - Keshavarz’s background in women’s mental health and reproductive psychiatry expands the range of patient experiences the site can support. - The site will support patients with mood and anxiety disorders and depression tied to hormonal and reproductive transitions across a woman’s lifespan. - Lumin Health said demand for ketamine and esketamine treatment has grown sharply since esketamine nasal spray received FDA approval and became covered by most major insurers. - The company said patients in the Washington, D.C. region often face a fragmented care landscape, including months-long waitlists at large hospital systems and poorly supervised at-home programs. - Lumin Health’s Bethesda site is designed as a purpose-built outpatient alternative. - Benjamin Yudkoff, MD, co-founder and chief medical officer, said Knable brings clinical depth and Keshavarz adds specialized expertise in women’s mental health. - Yudkoff said the additions fit Lumin Health’s model of experienced psychiatric leadership, closely supervised treatment and patient-centered care.

Between the lines: - The Bethesda hires signal Lumin Health is deepening its footprint in Maryland and the broader Washington market. - The company is positioning itself against both hospital-system delays and at-home care models, which suggests access and supervision are key parts of its pitch. - Adding reproductive and women’s mental health expertise may help Lumin Health reach a broader patient base beyond treatment-resistant depression alone.

What's next: - Knable and Keshavarz will work with the existing clinical team at Bethesda. - Lumin Health said the new leadership will help strengthen patient care across its sites in Massachusetts and Maryland. - The company operates five locations across the two states and continues to expand its roster of certified and experienced medical professionals. - Patients and referring providers can learn more at the company website.