UM Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) has earned multiple American Heart Association (AHA) awards recognizing its commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care for patients experiencing heart disease and the most severe heart attacks. Together, these honors highlight excellence in clinical performance, rapid intervention, and regional collaboration — all focused on improving outcomes and saving lives. UM Shore Regional Health is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

These awards honor hospitals that offer rapid, research-based care to people experiencing a specific type of heart attack known as an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), known to be more severe and dangerous than other types of heart attacks. Studies show patients experience better outcomes, shorter recovery times, and fewer hospital readmissions when care teams adhere to evidence-based protocols.

UM SRH received the Mission: Lifeline® Regional Award for its regional collaboration regarding the care for those experiencing the most severe heart attacks. The Mission: Lifeline Regional achievement award is earned by hospitals that demonstrate a commitment to work with their referring and receiving hospital partners, as well as EMS, to establish a system of care based on the most up-to-date research-based guidelines as outlined by the American Heart Association.

UM SRH has also received the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease Rural Recognition STEMI Gold and the Get With The Guidelines® – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Center STEMI Receiving Bronze Plus recognitions. 

“These recognitions underscore the strength of our interventional cardiology program and the effectiveness of our regional systems of care,” said Jeffrey Etherton, MD, Medical Director of Interventional Cardiology Services at UM Shore Regional Health. “For STEMI patients, minutes matter. Through close coordination with EMS and regional hospital partners, we are able to deliver faster, lifesaving interventions that significantly improve survival and recovery.”

Heart disease remains the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, according to the American Heart Association’s 2025 Statistical Update.

Each year, more than 1 million cases of acute coronary syndrome require hospitalization in the U.S., with approximately 30% classified as STEMI, caused by a complete blockage of a coronary artery. Rapid restoration of blood flow through mechanical intervention or clot-dissolving medication is critical to prevent death and permanent heart damage.

“Delivering outstanding cardiovascular care requires consistency, accountability and a commitment to evidence-based medicine — placing patients at the heart of every decision,” said Timothy Shanahan, DO, Medical Director, UM Shore Medical Group. “These awards reflect the dedication of Dr. Etherton, who pours his heart and soul into this program, as well as the dedication of our entire cardiology team, to follow nationally recognized guidelines that improve outcomes and help ensure our patients receive the right care at the right time.”

Mission: Lifeline® is the American Heart Association’s national initiative to improve systems of care for time-sensitive cardiovascular emergencies by reducing barriers from the initial 911 call and EMS transport through hospital treatment and discharge.

 

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About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System
The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

The Birthing Center at UM Shore Regional Health’s Shore Medical Center at Easton provides classes related to childbirth, parenting and breastfeeding throughout the year, free of charge. 

All childbirth and education classes are free of cost, but advance registration is required for all classes. Caregivers who are interested in attending an upcoming course may visit the easy online 2026 Prenatal Class Registration form and submit your request quickly. Care partners are encouraged to attend classes with their birthing partners. 

All classes are held in-person at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton’s Nick Rajacich Health Education Center, as follows:

Understanding Labor – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Classes will take place March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, August 1, September 5, October 3, November 7 and December 5. This course provides information on the signs of labor, stages of labor and labor contractions. Birthing Center nursing team members discuss options for comfort techniques and pain management, laboring positions, medical procedures and recovery following delivery.

New Mom, New Baby – 9 a.m. to noon on February 14, April 11, June 13, August 8, October 10 and December 12. This course provides an overview of care for the birthing parent and child, from the time of delivery to two weeks following delivery (postpartum). Birthing Center nursing team members provide information about postpartum care, emotions and stress, intimacy and sexuality, returning to work and birth control options. Course participants also learn about newborn care, including feeding, diapering, bathing, circumcision care and infant safety.

Breastfeeding – 9 a.m. to noon on March 14, May 9, July 11, September 12 and November 11. Birthing Center nursing team members discuss tips and techniques for successful breastfeeding, including latch and positioning, and maintaining milk supply. 

UM SRH certified lactation consultants also offer information for expectant and new parents about the benefits of breastfeeding for the birthing parent and baby, along with tips and techniques for successful breastfeeding. For information regarding breastfeeding support offered by appointment via videoconference or in-person — outside of scheduled class time — contact 410-822-1000, ext. 5535. 

For more information about the Birthing Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton, visit umshoreregional.org/birthing. For questions about classes, call 410-822-1000, ext. 5234. UM Shore Regional Health is a member hospital of the University of Maryland Medical System.

DOWNLOAD THE SCHEDULE HERE

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About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

About the University of Maryland Medical System
The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm Warning for the Eastern Shore of Maryland as a major winter storm is predicted to impact the region starting Saturday night and continuing through Monday.

Due to this forecast, and our desire to keep both patients and team members safe, the following outpatient services will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026:

• All Shore Medical Group Practice Doctor’s Offices 
• All Outpatient Laboratory locations
• All Outpatient Imaging locations
• All Outpatient Rehab locations
• All Cardiac Rehabilitation locations
• All Outpatient Behavioral Health locations
• UM Shore Ambulatory Surgery Center on Caulk Lane
• UM Shore Ambulatory Surgery Center in Cambridge
• UM Shore Cancer Center in Easton 
• Clark Comprehensive Breast Center in Easton
• Leh Women’s Center in Chestertown 

In addition, all in-hospital elective surgeries, endoscopies, interventional radiology procedures, and cardiac catheterizations scheduled for Monday, January 26 are being rescheduled.

We will continue to update information regarding closures and delays on our website and social media channels as the weather changes. 

 

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 400 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of 10 University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

 

The University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH), a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System, is hosting upcoming Safe Sitter® courses at UM Shore Medical Center locations in Chestertown and Easton.

The course will be taught by UM SRH Women and Children’s Department nurses and is designed for children ages 11 to 13.  Dates and times for the courses are: Saturday, January 24, March 14, June 20 and October 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton, 219 South Washington St.; and Saturday, June 13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, 100 Brown St.

The course is designed to prepare students to be safe when they are home alone, watching younger siblings or babysitting other children. The instructor-led class is taught using games and role-playing exercises so that students can practice rescue skills. Participants in the program can also expect to learn safety skills, including how to prevent unsafe situations and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies; child care skills, such as tips to manage behavior that will help sitters stay in control of themselves and the children in their care; first aid and rescue skills, including CPR and choking rescue; and life and business skills to help sitters screen potential childcare jobs, discuss fees and greet employers.

“As parents and caregivers, we all want to know our children are prepared before we trust them with the responsibility of caring for someone younger,” said Stephanie Blades, MSN, RNC-OB, clinical nurse educator for Women and Children’s Services at UM SRH. “Safe Sitter is a nationally recognized, nurse-led program that empowers pre-teens with essential, real-life skills. Through interactive lessons, hands-on practice, and age-appropriate activities, students learn in a way that’s engaging and supportive. I’ve seen the long-term impact of this course firsthand — my own children completed Safe Sitter more than a decade ago, and now I have the privilege of teaching it to a new generation.”

The cost of the program is $50, and a Safe Sitter kit will be provided to all student participants. Students should bring a lunch on the day of the program.

To register for the course, email Gladys Peeples at [email protected]. Early registration is encouraged, as class size is limited. For questions, call Stephanie Blades at 410-822-1000, ext. 5234. 

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About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

The Cancer Center at University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) announces the appointment of Ashraf Youssef, MD as Medical Director of the Requard Radiation Oncology Center. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS).

A board-certified general radiation oncologist with over 25 years of experience, Dr. Youssef also serves as Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He brings extensive expertise in advanced technologies including stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) and brachytherapy. Most recently, he served as Chief Radiation Oncologist at Guthrie Lourdes Hospital in Binghamton, New York. His academic work includes multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national scientific meetings.

In his new role, Dr. Youssef promotes access to the full spectrum of advanced radiation therapy services and technologies available to Eastern Shore patients. He also collaborates with UMMS clinical trials research teams to further expand research and clinical trials protocol programs.

Dr. Youssef earned his medical degree from the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt, and holds a Master of Science degree in Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) Surgery from Cairo University. He completed a preliminary internship in internal medicine, a residency in radiation oncology and a fellowship in brachytherapy New York Presbyterian-Methodist Hospital at Brooklyn, New York.

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About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) and UM Shore Medical Group-Cardiology (UM SMG) recently announced the addition of interventional cardiologist Bishesh Shrestha, MD, to the team. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

Dr. Shrestha will provide advanced interventional cardiology care for patients with complex cardiovascular conditions, working closely with primary care providers and specialists to manage coronary artery disease, structural heart disease, arrhythmia, and other heart-related concerns. He brings expertise in minimally invasive procedures, including pericardiocentesis and complex coronary interventions, with a focus on patient safety, precision and individualized care.

“Dr. Shrestha’s exceptional training, research experience, and compassionate approach to patient care make him a valuable addition to our Cardiology team,” said Timothy Shanahan, DO, medical director of UM Shore Medical Group. “His advanced procedural skills and dedication to improving cardiovascular outcomes will strengthen our ability to provide cutting-edge, personalized care to patients across the Eastern Shore.”

Dr. Shrestha completed his interventional cardiology fellowship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Neb., and a cardiovascular disease fellowship at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, N.Y. He also completed his internal medicine residency at Bassett Medical Center and earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree (MBBS) from International Medical College in Bangladesh. Dr. Shrestha is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and echocardiography, and is a member of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.

In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr. Shrestha has published numerous peer-reviewed research articles in areas including transcatheter valve interventions, arrhythmia and coronary artery disease. He is also passionate about teaching and mentoring future health care professionals.

Fluent in English, Nepali, Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu, Dr. Shrestha is committed to connecting with patients from diverse backgrounds and providing compassionate, culturally sensitive care.

For more information, visit umshoreregional.org/cardiology.

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About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services recently welcomed McKenna Gillen, MS, OT, to the outpatient rehab team. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

A resident of Stevensville, Md., Gillen presently provides outpatient care at both Shore Rehab at Queenstown and Shore Rehab at Denton. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in occupational therapy at Towson University, where she also served as a graduate assistant and was a recipient of the Bowes Family Occupational Therapy Endowed Fellowship. Most recently   as an occupational therapist with the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s International Center for Spinal Cord Injury in Baltimore. Previously, she spent two years at UM Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Institute where she assessed and treated adults for a range of conditions, including spinal cord injury, stroke, acquired brain injury, amputation, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, transplant, orthopedic injuries/trauma and more. 

“We are excited to have McKenna on board with us,” said Frank Rath, outpatient services manager for UM SRH Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services. “Her warm, compassionate professionalism, credentials and experience make her a great asset to our team and the communities we serve.”

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About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

For the tenth consecutive year, the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton’s Primary Stroke Center has received recognition from the American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association (ASA) with the Get With The Guidelines®- Rural Stroke Gold and Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, which recognize quality achievement. UM Shore Medical Center at Easton is a University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) facility; UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

These achievements highlight UM SRH’s commitment to providing the most effective stroke treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence and its dedication to prioritizing quality care for stroke patients.  

“It’s an honor to lead the Primary Stroke Center, where I witness the incredible dedication of our team,” said M. Walid Kamsheh, MD, the center’s medical director. “Being recognized by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association highlights the tireless work of everyone involved — from our EMS partners in the community to our Emergency Department, neurology, radiology, pharmacy, laboratory and nursing teams. These awards reflect not only our commitment to providing state-of-the-art, patient-centered stroke care but also inspire us to continue advancing treatment, embracing innovation and improving outcomes. Together, through collaboration and dedication, we give every patient the best possible chance for survival and recovery, and we are proud to serve our communities in this vital mission.”

To honor team members and departments who play a key role in working with the Primary Stroke Center, members of the senior leadership team and other UM SRH stroke care leaders delivered the good news and doughnuts to several departments, including the Intensive Care Unit, Radiology, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Telemetry and Emergency Medicine. 

UM Shore Medical Center at Easton was designated as a Primary Stroke Center in 2007. A Primary Stroke Center designation is given by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems when standards are met to support better outcomes for stroke care. Certification standards include having a dedicated program staffed 24/7 by specially trained medical professionals who provide fast diagnostic services and optimal stroke care.

According to the American Heart Association, in 2022, there were 453 deaths from stroke each day in the United States, totaling approximately 165,000 deaths for the year, which equates to about one in every six deaths from cardiovascular disease being due to stroke. UM Shore Regional Health continues to provide stroke care to approximately 600 patients annually.

Additional information about the Primary Stroke Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton can be found at UMShoreRegional.org/stroke.

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About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health’s (UM SRH) Pulmonary Care team and UM Shore Medical Group-Pulmonary Care (UM SMG) are pleased to announce the addition of physician Andrew Pajak, DO, and nurse practitioner Melissa Eigenbrode, MSN, RN, CRNP, to the team. Dr. Pajak will also be providing critical care services to the Intensive Care Unit at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

Dr. Pajak and Eigenbrode will provide specialized care for patients with pulmonary and respiratory conditions, working closely with primary care providers and specialists to manage chronic lung disease, critical illness, and other respiratory concerns. Eigenbrode will also manage UM Shore Regional Health’s Lung Cancer Screening Program.

UM Shore Regional Health’s Lung Cancer Screening Program offers early detection and comprehensive support for individuals at high risk for lung cancer, including current and former smokers. The program uses low-dose CT scans to identify lung changes before symptoms appear and provides follow-up care, education, and coordination with specialists as needed. Under the leadership of Eigenbrode, the program emphasizes personalized care, patient education, and proactive management, helping patients take charge of their lung health while improving outcomes through early intervention.

“We are thrilled to welcome Melissa Eigenbrode and Dr. Andrew Pajak to our Pulmonary Care team,” said Timothy Shanahan, DO, medical director of UM Shore Medical Group. “Their exceptional expertise in pulmonary and critical care medicine, combined with their compassion and dedication to patients, will strengthen our ability to provide advanced, personalized care across the Eastern Shore. Melissa and Dr. Pajak are committed to guiding patients through every stage of their pulmonary health journey, improving outcomes, and helping our community breathe easier and live healthier lives.”

Dr. Pajak completed his pulmonary and critical care fellowship at Tower Health Reading Hospital in Reading, Pa., and an internal medicine residency at ChristianaCare-Sidney Kimmel Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Newark, Del. He received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pa. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and Bachelor of Science in microbiology from University of Maryland in College Park. He has conducted research in areas including asthma biologic therapy, vaping-related lung injury, and severe COVID-19 respiratory failure, with numerous peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. He is board certified in internal medicine and pulmonary medicine. He has an interest in interstitial lung disease, sarcoidosis, asthma and critical care medicine.

Eigenbrode is a certified registered nurse practitioner with extensive experience in pulmonary, cardiac, and gastroenterology care. She has worked as a respiratory therapist, in emergency and urgent care facilities, as well as in hospital-based specialty clinics such as cardiopulmonary fitness and wellness, and in community wellness programs as a transitional nurse navigator. She most recently served as a clinical preceptor for University of Maryland nursing students and a nurse practitioner with UM Shore Medical Group-Gastroenterology. 

She received her post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Wilmington University in New Castle, Del., her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Clinical Nurse Specialist in Health Promotion and Wellness from Wesley College, in Dover, Del., her associate degree in Nursing from Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, and her Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care from Salisbury State University.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with UM Shore Medical Group–Pulmonary Care, call 410-822-0110 or visit umshoreregional.org/pulmonarycare.

 

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About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.