Dennis De Shields

Talbot Hospice Executive Director Vivian Dodge recently announced the appointment of Dennis De Shields, MD as Associate Medical Director. De Shields is a Hospitalist with Shore-Bayy Hospitalists Associates. From 2011 – 2014 he served as Chief of the Department of Medicine for University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. DeShields to our hospice team,” said Executive Director said Vivian Dodge. “We are grateful for his knowledge, expertise, and his commitment to hospice care.”

De Shields received his bachelor of science degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta and his medical doctorate from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C. He serves on the board of Directors for BAAM (Building African American Minds) and is a founder of Port Street Community Garden. De Shields lives in Easton with his wife Mary De Shields, MD.

Founded in 1981, Talbot Hospice is the premier resource for hospice, palliative care, and grief support services in Talbot County and is the 2019 Talbot Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Nonprofit.

Courtney Clark Pastrick

Talbot Hospice Board President Steve Slack recently announced the appointment of Courtney Clark Pastrick to the Board of Trustees. Pastrick is a Director of Clark Enterprises and the Chairman of the Board of the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation. “We are pleased to welcome Courtney to the board,” said Slack. “She and her family have been strong supporters of Talbot Hospice, and we are grateful for her commitment to our mission of providing hope, compassionate support and services to our community.  We look forward to working with Courtney and her contributions of leadership and creativity over the next several years.”

Courtney is active in the Washington DC-area community and has served in leadership roles for many local non-profit organizations. She also serves on the board of Clark Enterprises, the private investment firm founded in 1972 by her father. Courtney resides in Chevy Chase and Easton, Maryland with her husband, R. Scott Pastrick, President and CEO of Prime Policy Group. They have two daughters and a son. Courtney holds a JD from the Catholic University of America and a Bachelor’s degree from Duke University.

Retiring from the board after serving two consecutive terms is Hynda Dalton. “Hynda has been a valuable board member and has been instrumental in the success of all of our fundraising events over the past several years,” said Slack. “We are grateful for her many contributions.”

Founded in 1981, Talbot Hospice is the premier resource for hospice, palliative care, and grief support services in Talbot County and is the 2019 recipient of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Nonprofit Award.

Seventeen individuals recently completed orientation and comprehensive volunteer training at Talbot Hospice. This specialized training provides in-depth understanding of the special needs of hospice patients and their families at end of life. Sessions focus on the hospice philosophy, listening skills, family dynamics, grief and loss,patient safety, and more.

Photo: Standing (l-r): Miguel Salinas, Peter Gallagher, Bruce Rahn, Kelly Henckel, Debra Rad Code, Lauren Harding, Abby West, and J.H. Bahn. Seated (l-r): Talbot Hospice Director of Volunteer Services Lori Miller, Melinda Simpkins, Lucy Miziolek, Joyce Jones, April Bahn, Claire Christy, and Sheila Buckmaster. Not pictured: Steve Burleson, Cynthia McDonald, and Beverly Sprouse.

According to Talbot Hospice Executive Director Vivian Dodge, volunteers are a valuable part of the hospice team. “Talbot Hospice has more than 200 volunteers who contribute an average of 15,000 hours annually doing a variety of jobs such as hands on patient care in Hospice House, cooking meals, gardening, transporting patients to appointments, serving as companions in patients’ homes, answering phones, and greeting visitors, to name a few,” said Dodge. “Our volunteers enrich the lives of patients, families, and staff each day in a multitude of ways. Their dedication, compassion, and expertise are priceless. We welcome these new volunteers and thank them for joining our organization.”

Volunteer training occurs twice annually, and the next session will take place in October 2019. For more information, visit TalbotHospice.org/Volunteer or contact the Director of Volunteer Services at 410-822-6681.

Founded in 1981, Talbot Hospice is the premier resource for hospice, palliative care, and grief support services in Talbot County.

Talbot Hospice recently kicked off a truck raffle, the proceeds of which will benefit hospice, palliative care, and grief support services in Talbot County. The truck, a 2019 Ford F-150 4×4 Supercrew Pickup, is made available through a partnership with Hertrich Ford of Easton. The winner has the option to receive $25,000 cash instead.

Tickets are $40 each or three for $100, and only 2,500 tickets will be sold. They will be available over the next several months at various locations around Talbot County including the Amish Market most Saturdays and major events such as the Talbot County Fair and the Chesapeake Balloon Festival. You can also purchase tickets in person at Talbot Hospice, 586 Cynwood Drive, Easton; and Hertrich Ford, 9617 Ocean Gateway, Easton; or online at TalbotHospice.org/events. The winner is responsible for state and federal taxes.

The drawing for the winning ticket will be held October 12, 2019, 12 p.m., at Hertrich Ford, and the public is invited for free food and beverages. The winner does need to be present. If you are willing to sell tickets at your place of business or have other questions, please contact Laura Richeson at 410-822-6681 or lricheson@talbothospice.org.

Talbot Hospice is raffling this Ford F-150 4×4 Supercrew Pickup or $25,000 cash, thanks to a partnership with Hertrich Ford of Easton.

The Child Loss Support Group and Talbot Hospice will host a Celebration of Life commemorating Mother’s & Father’s Day Saturday, June 8, 2019, 10 a.m. at The Healing Garden at the Easton Club.

Parents and family members who have lost a child, regardless of the child’s age, are invited to attend. Parking is on Clubhouse Drive, just past the Easton Club entrance. In case of a storm, the Celebration of Life will be held at St. Mark’s Church Fellowship Hall.

“This memorial celebration offers families a time to honor and remember their special child. Children always live in our hearts, and sharing their light and love is part of this celebration,” said Vivian Dodge, Executive Director, Talbot Hospice.

For more information, contact Talbot Hospice Bereavement Coordinator Becky DeMattia at 410-822-6681 or bdemattia@talbothospice.org.

Rebecca DeMattia

Talbot Hospice Bereavement Coordinator Rebecca DeMattia, LCSW-C recently earned her certification as a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional from the International Association of Trauma Professionals. Demattia, a licensed certified social worker and certified grief counselor, has worked in the home care & hospice field since 2002 and has been providing grief counseling and support since 2006.

According to Talbot Hospice Executive Director Vivian Dodge, DeMattia’s certification ensures that every person served through the bereavement department receives the highest level of care. “We are proud of Becky’s achievement and pleased to offer this expertise to individuals and families in our community who have experienced tragic and traumatic deaths,” said Dodge.

In her role as Bereavement Coordinator for Talbot Hospice, DeMattia is responsible for the supervision and overall management of the bereavement program including the planning and implementation of grief support for patients and their families, caregivers, hospice staff, and the community at large.

DeMattia earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Masters of Social Work Degree from Salisbury University. She earned her certification as a Certified Grief Counselor in 2012 and is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Social Work from Walden University. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.

Talbot Hospice offers individual and family consultation as well as a variety of support groups that meet on a regular basis.  Services are offered without charge and are made possible through charitable donations. Bereavement services are available to anyone, regardless of whether or not their loved one was served by Talbot Hospice. For a complete listing of support groups offered visit TalbotHospice.org, or for more information contact Rebecca DeMattia at 410-822-6681 or bdemattia@gmail.com.

Talbot Hospice will hold its 4^th Annual Memorial Walk on Oxford Day, Saturday, April 27^th at 8 a.m. Check-in, a light breakfast, and memorial activity begin at 7 a.m.The public is invited to walk in memory or in honor of a loved one to benefit hospice and bereavement services in Talbot County.  The event will begin with a brief ceremony followed by a 0.8-mile walk to the Strand, finishing at 8:30 a.m. with a dove release and another opportunity to remember loved ones who have passed.

Participants in the 2018 Talbot Hospice Memorial Walk.

“Our Memorial Walk is a wonderful time to remember and honor the lives of our loved ones,” said Vivian Dodge, Executive Director, Talbot Hospice. “It is a time to reflect on their gifts and uniqueness. We are grateful to the Oxford Day Committee and the Town of Oxford for recognizing the value of end-of-life care and including Talbot Hospice in this event. We look forward to spending this special time with our hospice family members.”

Registration for adults is $25, students are $10, and children 12 and under are free.  The fee includes an adult t-shirt and light breakfast.  Check-in and breakfast begin at 7 a.m. New this year is “Support a Walker” available through the website. To register visit TalbotHospice.org/events or call 410-822-6681. For more information, contact Laura Richeson at lricheson@talbothospice.org.

Talbot Palliative Care is pleased to announce it has received a $15,000 grant from the Ferree Fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation to support their new community home-based palliative care program for individuals with chronic, serious illnesses, and those who care for them. Talbot Palliative Care is dedicated to improving the quality of life for both the patient and the family, whether the disease is curable, chronic, or life limiting. Talbot Palliative Care, a program of Talbot Hospice, provides consultative services and clinical oversight of an individual’s care and works with community physicians to manage symptoms.

The Mid-Shore Community Foundation awards grants through a competitive application and review process and is committed to programs that enrich the quality of life in the Mid-Shore region.The Ferree Fund is named for Margaret B. Ferree, who for 44 years until her death in 2011, was the embodiment of stewardship and generosity in the Mid-Shore region.

From L-R: Talbot Palliative Care Coordinator Shantel Matthews, RN, Talbot Hospice Executive Director Vivian Dodge, Charles Capute, Esquire, who oversees the Ferree Fund, and Mid-Shore Community Foundation President Buck Duncan.

“We are delighted to have the support of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation,” said Vivian Dodge, executive director of Talbot Hospice.  “Charitable donations make a significant impact on the quality of services and programs we can provide to patients and families.  We are excited about our new palliative care program and the partnerships we are forming with local physicians to support their patients at home.”  To schedule an appointment to learn more about Talbot Palliative Care, call 410-822-2040 or email Shantel Matthews, RN, at smatthews@talbothospice.org.

The Mid-Shore Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity serving Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties. The Foundation works with donors and non-profits to create access to opportunity for the region’s citizens through the power of charitable giving. For more information on the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, establishing a fund, or charitable giving in the region, please call 410-820-8175 or visit the Foundation’s website www.mscf.org.