The City of Cambridge, Dorchester County and the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health took an important step forward in future plans for new state-of-the-art health care facilities and services in the county and a milestone in development of the Cambridge waterfront as a community asset and economic development engine.

L-R: Dorchester County Council President Ricky Travers, Dorchester County Council member Don Satterfield, Cambridge Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley, and Ken Kozel, President and CEO of UM SRH.

On June 8, Mayor Victoria Jackson- Stanley, Council President Ricky Travers, and UM SRH CEO Ken Kozel signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) which, along with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed last month by the City and County creating a waterfront development entity, will serve as the framework for continued negotiations regarding the future sale and development of the current hospital property when the emergency department and outpatient services occupy a proposed new site in Cambridge.  This move is anticipated by 2021, although that date is contingent upon local and State approvals in order to move ahead. The City of Cambridge and Dorchester County MOU created an entity, Cambridge Waterfront Development, Inc. (CWDI), which ultimately will purchase the current hospital property, prepare it for development, and negotiate its sale by the spring of 2021.

“The County Council is very excited to continue the working relationship with the City and we thank them for the opportunity to participate as a partner in this monumental place-making endeavor,” says Council President Ricky Travers.  “We look forward to the completion of the CWDI board appointment process and we are excited about the direction this will take the waterfront for Cambridge. I was overwhelmed with the willingness of both the City and UM SRH to work as a team to guarantee success of this project,” Travers says.

Council member Don Satterfield adds, “This historic project and partnership is the product of significant effort from both City and County employees as well as the elected boards. It is a pleasure working with the City and I have full confidence that the project will be professionally managed and developed to its fullest.”

“We, as a community, are incredibly excited at the opportunity this provides the City and County,” states Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley. “The ability to combine the two land areas into one project, as well as the two primary governing entities working as one,create perfect alignment for a successful centennial project that will profoundly improve the viability of the Cambridge waterfront for years to come.”

While the LOI signed June 8 does not directly impact the health system’s required Certificates of Exemption (COE) application process, it does provide University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) and UM SRH with an interested buyer, who shares the health system’s commitment and vision for a campus supporting the health care needs of people in Dorchester and neighboring counties, as well as the revitalization of Cambridge.

“We applaud the vision and leadership of Mayor Jackson-Stanley, President Travers and their councils,” says Ken Kozel. “It is our intent that through our shared process, we will reach agreement on the sale of our Cambridge property by the end of calendar 2018 and ultimately, transfer ownership of our property in the spring of 2021,  when we anticipate re-locating our services to the new UM Shore Medical Campus at Cambridge.”

UM Shore Regional Health plans to initiate the regulatory approval process in July with the Maryland Health Care Commission.  The health system will request converting the hospital to a freestanding medical facility, with a new, state-of-the-art emergency department and medical pavilion for needed health care services.  Plans call for the facilities to be constructed on a new medical campus in Cambridge by 2021.

Team members of Shore Regional Health’s Requard Center for Acute Rehabilitation are planning the Center’s 10th anniversary celebration set for Wednesday, June 20, 2 to 4:30 p.m. in the Requard Center Dining Room on the 5th floor of UM Shore Medical Center at Easton.

According to Teresa Blem, director, Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services, the occasion will celebrate Requard’s 10 years of service providing rehabilitative care to approximately 600 patients every year, and also the Center’s recent achievement of re-accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

“The occasion will be an open house-style event and we are inviting former Requard patients as well as our colleagues and co-workers to come by to celebrate with us,” says Blem. “Any former Requard patient who would like to attend is encouraged to call Erin Scheele, 410-822-1000, ext. 2516, so we can reach out to him or her and extend an invitation.”

About UM Shore Regional Health: As part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. UM Shore Regional Health’s team of more than 2,600 employees, medical staff, board members and volunteers work with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

David Whitby Memorial Golf Tournament founders Gary and Janet Wright.

The 10th annual David Whitby Memorial Golf Tournament, held at the River Marsh Golf Club in Cambridge on May 14, benefited programs and patients of the Cancer Center at UM Shore Regional Health.

Founded by Gary and Janet Wright 10 years ago after Janet’s brother, David Whitby, died from prostate cancer, the tournament is an important source of funding for prostate cancer awareness and screening programs as well as patient care. Brian Leutner, executive director, Oncology Services, describes the value of the tournament proceeds as immensely important.

“The tournament proceeds have funded our prostate screening events that are offered every year in September where we partner with the local urologists,” says Leutner. “These funds benefit our UM SRH ‘US TOO’ prostate cancer support group, which features guest speakers who are experts on the latest clinical trials, treatment protocols and strategies for managing prostate cancer and the effects of treatment. The David Whitby Memorial Fund at UM Memorial Hospital Foundation also has supported recent technology upgrades allowing for more precise treatments for our prostate cancer patients receiving radiation therapy. The entire staff of our Shore Regional Cancer Program would like to thank the Wrights, the tournament committee and Memorial Hospital Foundation for their continued support of our prostate cancer patients in our community.”

Thomas Sisca, clinical pharmacist and anti-thrombosis specialist, Gary Bigelow, regional director, Radiology and Kevin Chapple, regional director, Pharmacy were among the UM Shore Regional Health team members who participated in the tournament.

Adds F. Graham Lee, vice president of philanthropy for UM SRH, “Cancer of the prostate is one of the most commonly occurring cancers in men in the United States. The funds raised by those who organize and participate in the Whitby Tournament over the years have helped to purchase equipment, provide screenings and ultimately, to save lives.”

To support the David Whitby Memorial Prostate Cancer Fund, please call 410-822-1000, extension 5763.

About UM Shore Regional Health: As part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. UM Shore Regional Health’s team of more than 2,600 employees, medical staff, board members and volunteers work with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, with more than 5.4 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer treated annually in the United States. It is also the easiest to cure, if diagnosed and treated in its early stages.

To promote early detection of skin cancer, the Cancer Center at University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is working with various community partners to offer free skin cancer screenings throughout the region:

• Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kent County Health Department, 125 Lynchburg Street, Chestertown. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Andrea Edwards, RN, at 410-778-7970.
• Thursday, May 31, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., Easton Dermatology Associates, 403 Marvel Court, Easton. Pre-registration is required for this location; to schedule an appointment, call the Cancer Center at University of Maryland Shore Regional Health at 410-820-6800.
• Thursday, June 14, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m., Shore Dermatology, 100 Bramble Street, Suite 1, Cambridge. Pre-registration is required for this location; to schedule an appointment, call the Cancer Center at UM Shore Regional Health at 410-820-6800.

All screenings are open to the public. Underinsured and uninsured are encouraged to participate.

Additional information about services and annual screenings offered by the Cancer Program at UM Shore Regional Health can be found by visiting UMShoreRegional.org/cancer_program.

About UM Shore Regional Health: As part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. UM Shore Regional Health’s team of more than 2,600 employees, medical staff, board members and volunteers work with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

The Cancer Program at UM Shore Regional Health has announced free informational and support programs scheduled this month to help patients and their families navigate cancer care and recovery. “Our goal is to help patients understand and manage their care for optimal recovery, and to assist them and their family members in meeting the medical, financial and lifestyle challenges that cancer can bring,” says Patty Plaskon, social work coordinator at the Cancer Center.

A new support group designed for caregivers, “Cancer Caregivers’ Coffee” will meet for the first time on Saturday, April 14, 9-10:30 a.m. at the Cancer Center and will include discussion of varied issues and challenges facing individuals and families assisting patients with cancer.

“Everything You Need to Know About Lymphedema” is the subject of a presentation by Jennifer Pierson, certified lymphedema therapist with UM Shore Regional Health’s Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services, set for Tuesday, April 17 at 4 p.m., at the Cancer Center.

On Friday, April 20, 10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., the Clark Comprehensive Breast Center will host a Prosthesis Clinic for Breast Cancer Patients. An advance appointment for this clinic is required; call 410-822-1000, ext. 7156 for details.

Dental hygienist Amanda Ward will provide an overview of “Oral Care During and After Cancer Treatment,” on Wednesday, April 25 at 3 p.m. at the Cancer Center.

According to Plaskon, additional programs will be offered in the coming months on a variety of topics related to cancer treatment and recovery. To RSVP for these events or receive information about upcoming programs on cancer topics and UM SRH cancer support groups, call 410-820-6800, ext. 5361.

As part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. UM Shore Regional Health’s team of more than 2,500 employees, medical staff, board members and volunteers works with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health has announced the 56 nominees for the 2017 Nurse Excellence Awards program, set for May 7, 2018 at the Rufus M. and Loraine Hall Todd Performing Arts Center at Chesapeake College.

There are six categories in the Nurse Excellence Awards program — five awards given to individual nurses and one to the nursing staff of a unit or department. Nominations are submitted through an online process that is managed by the Nurse Excellence Awards Committee and is open to all staff throughout UM SRH.

The 24 Easton nurses honored as candidates for this year’s individual Nurse Excellence Awards are as follows: for the Commitment to Others Award – Alyssa Baker, Nancy Dail, Caren Grant, Chelsea Lewis, Chris North and Dyshekia Strawberry; for the Professional Nursing Practice Award -Robin Ford, Chanelle Lake, Dawn Ruby, Marcia Shapiro, Patricia Tindall and Keri Tucker; for the Mentorship/Advocacy Award -Amanda Alto, Thomas Bush, Mary Camper, Lee Rosendale, Madeline Steffens, Keri Tucker and Abby Weese; for the Professional Promise Award – Brian Clark, Colby Hall and Kristen Wilczenski; and for the Leadership Award – Jakisha Downing, Katherine Jones and Keri Tucker.

Two UM Shore Medical Center at Easton nursing units – the Orthopedic Center and the Neurology Unit – are among the contenders for this year’s Unit Award for Excellence in Empirical Outcomes Award

According to Ruth Ann Jones, senior vice president, Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer for UM Shore Regional Health (UM SRH), the annual nursing awards ceremony, now in its seventh year, will serve as a kick-off event for the celebration of National Nursing Week, May 7-14, 2018. “The Nurse Excellence Awards recognize nursing excellence and serve as a great tribute to our nursing staff’s hard work and commitment to our patients and also to Shore Regional Health,” Jones said.

About UM Shore Regional Health: As part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. UM Shore Regional Health’s team of more than 2,600 employees, medical staff, board members and volunteers work with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

University of Maryland Memorial Hospital Foundation will host an informative seminar, “Social Security – Options to Help You Maximize Your Benefits” on Thursday, April 5, 2018 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at UM Shore Medical Center’s Nick Rajacich Health Education Center, 219 S. Washington Street in Easton.

James Malena and John Driscoll

Guest presenters James Malena, vice president, The Hill Group at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and John Driscoll, vice president, Fidelity Institutional Asset Management, will discuss several topics, including: Social Security essentials; issues to consider before filing for benefits (withholding, taxation, etc.); pros and cons of filing for benefits at, before or beyond at full retirement age; ancillary benefits (spousal, ex-spousal, ex-survivor); and restricted application.

This seminar is free and open to the public; pre-registration is recommended due to limited seating. For more information or to register for the seminar, please contact Janet Andrews at (410) 822-1000, ext. 5792, or janet@umm.edu

About UM Shore Regional Health: As part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. UM Shore Regional Health’s team of more than 2,600 employees, medical staff, board members and volunteers work with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

Physical therapists Margaret Wood (left) and Stephanie Stokes with their award from University of Delaware.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health physical therapists Margaret Wood and Stephanie Stokes were recently honored as recipients of the University of Delaware’s Cathy Doetzer Kohlenstein Clinical Educator’s Award.

Given annually to clinical educators who make outstanding contributions to the clinical education of University of Delaware (UD) students, this award recognizes the work that Wood, Stokes and other members of the UM SRH Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services team have done in recent years for and with students pursuing physical therapy studies at UD.

“Your group has consistently provided excellence in clinical education as based on student and faculty assessment of the program, and you continue to look for methods to improve your work with the students,” wrote Carrie Foeller, associate director of UD’s Doctorate in Physical Therapy Program, in a letter announcing the award. “While this is a small gesture in light of the enormity of the generosity you have extended to our students, we sincerely extend to you our congratulations on receiving this award.”

According to Teresa Blem, director, UM Shore Regional Health Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services, the rehab team conducts clinical education for students enrolled at a variety colleges and universities in the region. “The students are here for eight to 12 weeks, depending on the program they are enrolled in. In total, we take about 16 students every year,” Blem says.

As part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. UM Shore Regional Health’s team of more than 2,500 employees, medical staff, board members and volunteers works with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UMSRH) has issued a Request for Purchase Proposals for land which it owns known as “Poplar Hill Farm” located south of Oxford Road and west of the Easton Parkway.  The RFP solicits proposals for the land purchase, the proceeds of which will be allocated by UMSRH to the replacement of University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton.  The site comprising approximately 126 acres is one of the largest undeveloped parcels in the Town of Easton and has direct access to both State roads and public utilities.

Poplar Hill Farm was purchased by the hospital in February, 1979.  For years, it has been designated by the Town’s Comprehensive Plan as a potential site for a replacement hospital. However, UM Shore Regional Health is committed to its more recent plans to replace the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton on the large site it owns adjacent to the Talbot County Community Center.

A six-acre parcel of Poplar Hill Farm was subdivided from the farm last year and sold to the Temple B’Nai Israel Congregation of Easton, Maryland for construction of a new facility that is expected to open later this year.  The remainder of Poplar Hill Farm is no longer necessary for development of a UM Shore Regional Health facility and funds from its sale can be used to support the development of a replacement hospital north of the Easton Airport.

The deadline for responses to the RFP is April 30, 2018, after which UM Shore Regional Health will complete a thorough evaluation of all proposals.  UM Shore Regional Health reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals.  For information regarding Poplar Hill Farm, please contact Doug James or James Real Estate Services at (410) 310-1350 or dljcommercial@gmail.com.

As part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. UM Shore Regional Health’s team of more than 2,200 employees, medical staff, board members and volunteers works with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.