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January 16, 2021

The Talbot Spy

The nonprofit e-newspaper for the Talbot County Community

Health Health Notes

Doncella Wilson Joins MSBH Board

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Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc.’s board of directors recently welcomed Doncella Wilson of Denton, Md. as a newly appointed director. Wilson joins 17 other directors serving four-year terms in a voluntary capacity.

Doncella Wilson

Wilson is a State of Maryland board-approved licensed master social worker with more than 15 years serving in human services, which includes her current position as the Kent County Local Management Board Systems of Care Coordinator. She received an associate’s degree in human services from Chesapeake College, and a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from Salisbury University.

Wilson is a Kent County resident who has committed herself to highlighting the local history of African Americans on the Eastern Shore and celebrating the contributions of African Americans past and present. She is one of the creators of the 100 Men of Distinction annual celebration, which honors African American men on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Wilson volunteers on numerous boards, including Sumner Hall, Mannie Scott American Legion Post 193, His Hope Ministries, and the Caroline County Arts Council. She was appointed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to serve on the Uninsured Employers Fund Board for four years beginning in 2015 and is currently serving a second term. Wilson began to serve a five-year term as an elected Denton Town Council member in 2017.

“Watching my parents work in partnership and treating people kindly has followed me through all my endeavors and into my volunteer work,” said Wilson “I’m grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of the Mid-Shore through my work on the board.”

“Doncella’s experience and perspective are great assets for our board,” said MSBH President Ben Kohl, Ph.D., LCSW-C. “She is helping to forward our mission to continually improve behavioral health services for Mid-Shore regional residents through effective coordination of care.”

“Doncella adds to the clinical and cultural competency of our rural behavioral healthcare delivery system,” said MSBH Executive Director Katie Dilley, LCSW-C. “We’re grateful for her service in supporting a community-focused, cost-effective, accessible system to serve the community as a whole.”

MSBH’s board of directors includes diverse and engaged individuals representing multicultural audiences, financial businesses, faith-based organizations, law enforcement, health care, housing development, and homeless services. Members participate in steering the nonprofit in accordance to its mission and vision, and actively participate on board committees.

Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) regional Core Service Agency serving Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties. MSBH is one of Maryland’slargest CSAs, with primary responsibilities including community planning, management, and monitoring of publicly funded medically necessary mental health services for children, adolescents, adults, and the aging population.MSBH also serves as the lead agency for the Mid Shore Roundtable on Homelessness, which coordinates homeless services funding in the region, with more at midshorebehavioralhealth.org.

Rotary Club of St Michaels Supports Talbot Hospice

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From left to right it is: Kara Hope (Clinical Director Talbot Hospice Steve Friedberg (Rotary) Carol Armstrong (Rotary) Tom Roesel (Rotary President) Bob Holden (past Rotary President) Chris Chekouras (Talbot Hospice Executive Director) Debbie Collison (Rotary past President) Mia Cranford (Director of Development Talbot Hospice)

For the past 25 years, the Rotary Club of St Michaels honored its tradition of support for the Talbot Hospice.  Each year the club’s goal was to provide at least three months of housekeeping supplies for Hospice’s guest wing and family visiting rooms.  Prior year projects began when Hospice clinical director, Kara Hope, provided a “shopping list” of needed supplies.  The list was divided into chits drawn at random and purchased by club members. Plans for delivery, loading, unloading and delivery were coordinated with Hospice and supported by a team of club Rotarians.

Due to the Covid pandemic, this year’s project was supported by generous contributions from club Rotarians and the presentation of a check by St Michaels Rotary Club President Tom Roesel to Hospice executive director Chris Chekouras and clinical director Kara Hope.

Compass to Host Virtual Patient Care Volunteer Training

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Compass will be offering their three-day training session virtually for any individuals interested in becoming a patient care volunteer.

The training session is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. February 12, 19, and 26. Due to COVID restrictions, the training will take place virtually through Zoom. Registration is required and completing the entire class is necessary for volunteers who wish to provide companionship and support to Compass patients and their loved ones in Queen Anne’s, Kent and Caroline counties.

“Most often, patient volunteers give companionship to patients by reading, playing cards, or just watching television with them. They also give caregivers a chance to have a much needed break to tend to other responsibilities.” said Robyn Affron, volunteer manager at Compass. “Occasionally our patients need some gardening or laundry done, or a quick errand run. Our volunteers provide the added support that our patients and families need during what can be an overwhelming time.”

Topics taught during the training will include an overview of hospice, the process of dying, spiritual care and its place in hospice care, the stages of grief, effective communications techniques, family dynamics, stress management and self-care for caregivers.

Compass relies on more than 300 volunteers of all ages to support its mission, and these individuals volunteer their time in a variety of ways. In addition to patient care volunteers, Compass is currently seeking volunteers for Estate Treasures, their upscale retail shop whose proceeds help cover uncompensated patient care. Whatever your motivation to volunteer, there is a place for you at Compass.

To register or find out more information about becoming a volunteer for Compass, contact Robyn Affron at 443-262-4112 or raffron@compassregionalhospice.org.

Compass

Since 1985, Compass has been allowing patients to spend their final months the way they choose, guiding loved ones after a life-limiting diagnosis, and showing individuals healthy ways to manage their grief. Today, the organization is a regional provider of hospice care, supportive care, and grief services in Caroline, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties. Whether serving their patients in private residences, skilled nursing facilities, or Compass’ residential centers in Centreville and Chestertown, staff and volunteers are guided by their mission to ensure that individuals facing end of life can live out their days in a full and meaningful way.

Compass is a fully licensed, independent, community-based nonprofit organization certified by Medicare and the state of Maryland, and accredited by the Joint Commission. It is affiliated with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Hospice & Palliative Care Network of Maryland. For more information about Compass, call 443-262-4100 or visit compassregionalhospice.org.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health Announces First Baby of 2021

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Mom Brianna Wilmer holds her newborn baby girl, Au’Bree Aretter Dior Butler

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health’s first baby of 2021 couldn’t wait to step into a new year and made her entrance into the world a few weeks earlier than expected.

Au’Bree Aretter Dior Butler was born at 4:27 p.m. Saturday, January 2, at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown. Both mom and baby were later transported to the Birthing Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton for the rest of their stay.

“Our skilled team members at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, as well as our Kent County EMS providers, are trained for these unique scenarios,” said Sandy Prochaska, nurse manager, UM SMC at Chestertown Emergency Department. “Everything worked just as it should have with mom and baby being transported to Easton in a timely manner.”

Au’Bree was 18.5 inches long and weighed 5 pounds, 5 ounces at birth. Her parents are Brianna Wilmer and Tre’von Butler, both of Chestertown. This is the couple’s first child.

Au’Bree and her family received a basket of gifts from UM Shore Regional Health, including diapers, clothes, blankets, baby bath supplies and toiletries, bibs, pacifiers, books, stuffed animals and a baby thermometer. Au’Bree also received a $100 savings certificate from Shore United Bank.

Welcome to the world, Au’Bree! Kudos to the Chestertown ED Staff!

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.

UM Memorial Hospital Foundation Announces Annual Appeal

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The UM Memorial Hospital Foundation has announced its annual appeal will benefit the Covid-19 Response Fund, a fund that helps support UM Shore Regional Health’s unique needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, said F. Graham Lee, vice president for philanthropy.

Contributions to the fund are used for vital necessities such as health and medical supplies that protect patients and staff, technology that enables remote health support (telehealth) for patients, equipment that helps keep patients and families connected while social distancing, and the emergent needs of hospital staff members, who sacrifice to remain at the hospital for patients.

UM Shore Regional Health

“Every day, our front-line team including doctors, nurses, technicians, respiratory therapists, transporters, rehab, lab, pharmacy, and environmental service personnel demonstrate extraordinary clinical expertise and innovation. They also show heartfelt compassion, comfort and kindness, strength and a selfless willingness to serve. Their commitment to our mission and your health during this challenging crisis is heroic. Please support community health and our front-line team today,” said Lee.

Gifts can be made online at ummhfoundation.org/20yeappeal or mail your check to: UM Memorial Hospital Foundation, 219 S. Washington Street, Easton, MD 21601.

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.

Dorchester General Hospital Foundation Raises Funds for 3D Mammography Equipment

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The Dorchester General Hospital Foundation’s 2020 annual appeal, which began late last year, received $75,000 in donations from the community to help purchase a state of the art, 3D mammography machine that will be installed in University of Maryland Shore Medical Campus at Cambridge, now under construction in Cambridge Marketplace.

Under the leadership of the Dorchester Auxiliary’s now-outgoing president Nancy Duval, the Auxiliary contributed $25,000 of the $75,000 total.

“We are pleased that our call for donations to help support the purchase of this important diagnostic technology generated such wide and generous response,” says Ida Jane Baker, Foundation president. “Once the new medical campus is opened and diagnostic equipment is installed and operational, residents of Dorchester will be able to get the best mammography screening right here in Cambridge, rather than having to travel out of the County.”

“On behalf of the Foundation Board of Directors, I express our profound gratitude to all who stepped up in support of our appeal, and especially to our wonderful Auxiliary members, who work hard all year long to raise funds to support health care for our community,” Mrs. Baker continued. “As the new medical campus is becoming a reality, we are so pleased that Dorchester citizens will have broader access to specialty, diagnostic and preventive health care, along with state of the art facilities for the best emergency care.”

Shown here is the new Shore Medical Campus at Cambridge, now under construction in the Cambridge Marketplace on Route 50 near Woods Road and scheduled to open in fall 2021.

Breast cancer rates in most Eastern Shore counties are slightly higher than the state and national rates, and early detection is the single biggest factor in successful treatment of this disease. The 3D mammography machine is the best technology to detect breast cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage, especially in patients who are identified as having higher breast density.

According to Mrs. Baker, the Dorchester General Hospital Foundation will continue to seek private support for the advancement of health care in Dorchester County. For more information, call Mrs. Baker, 410-228-8182.

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.

UM Chester River Health Foundation Sponsors Angel Tree

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The UM Chester River Health Foundation recently sponsored its tenth annual Angel Tree on which “holiday wishes” were hung for special populations in need, including children in the Kent and Queen Anne’s counties’ foster care programs and adults with developmental disabilities who have no living family members and are served by Kent Center.

Some of the wishes were surprising again this year and included basic needs, such as clothes, winter coats and shoes; of course, toys, arts and craft supplies and gift cards were requested as well. More than 60 brightly packaged holiday gifts were donated by the members of the staff of UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown and the UM Chester River Health Foundation.

UM SMC at Chestertown team members Donna Jamar, Bruce Webb, John Stewart and Gladys Peebles with some of the gifts collected for the Angel Tree program.

Because of COVID-19, the 2020 Angel Tree gift pick up worked a little differently this year. Recipient entities arrived by appointment and gifts were brought outside to awaiting cars.

“The extraordinary participation by staff and their incredible generosity in some ways shows our appreciation to the community for its incredible support of UM Shore Regional Medical Center at Chestertown throughout the pandemic,” said Maryann Ruehrmund, executive director, UM Chester River Health Foundation.

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.

Character Counts Announces Closure – New Program on the Horizon

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Character Counts Mid Shore’s Board of Directors is announcing the closure of the organization, effective December 31, 2020. During the course of the organization’s 23 years, Character Counts Mid Shore provided character education lessons to thousands of PreK – Grade 12 youth throughout Talbot, Caroline, and Dorchester Counties. As the Board of Directors considered the best path forward to serve the community’s youth, it was clear that now is the right moment to close Character Counts Mid Shore’s doors and give way to new comprehensive programming. For All Seasons, a nonprofit serving the mental health needs of the community, is well-positioned to re-envision and deliver evidence-informed programming that develops the necessary skills youth need to become healthy, productive, and resilient members of the Mid-Shore community.

“2020’s unprecedented nature offered our leadership team a unique opportunity to examine Character Counts Mid Shore’s programs,” says Richard Potter, President of Character Counts Mid Shore’s Board of Directors. “We emerged from this period of research, community dialogue, and reflection with a research-backed belief that character education is most effective as one component of a multi-pronged whole-child strategy. In the end, we made the strategic decision to close Character Counts Mid Shore with the understanding that a new program will be developed at our community’s leading mental health organization, For All Seasons.”

Established in 1998, Character Counts Mid Shore was the local affiliate of the national Character Counts! program. The organization’s Winners Walk Tall program has focused on the Six Pillars of Character, which are Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Citizenship, and Caring. Since the organization’s inception, the program remained largely unchanged, even as the challenges facing young people became increasingly more complex. The decision to close Character Counts Mid Shore’s doors paves the path for the development of entirely new, responsive, and uniquely local programming at For All Seasons.

Bill Allen, Supervisor of Caroline County Public School’s Pupil Services and member of Character Counts Mid Shore’s Board shares, “This strategic decision was made knowing that the resulting programming at For All Seasons will be something positive and synergistic for our kids and our community. What a powerful investment for improving the well-being of students… This is an exciting time!”

“Hundreds of leaders in our community have volunteered as Character Coaches over our 23 years,” reflects Lauren Kay Weber, Executive Director. “Their investment of time, energy, passion, and learned wisdom have transformed the lives of our community’s youth. They can never be thanked enough for all they have done to benefit young people and to build future citizens of character.”

The Spy spoke to both Lauren Kay Weber and For All Seasons’ Beth Anne Langrell about these changes last week.

This video is approximately five minutes in length. For more information about For All Seasons please go here.

Choptank Health Earns National Recognition for Managing Type 2 Diabetes, CVD

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Choptank Community Health System has received the American Heart Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes℠ Gold Award for implementing quality improvement measures addressing the relationship between diabetes and cardiovascular disease in outpatient settings.

An adult with diabetes is hospitalized in the U.S. every 80 seconds for heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack. Choptank Health and other organizations earn AHA’s Type 2 Diabetes℠ award through a commitment to improving the health of their patients through high quality care related to type 2 diabetes and management of cardiovascular risk factors, with the ultimate goal of reducing cardiovascular deaths, heart attacks, and strokes in people living with type 2 diabetes.

“Choptank Health is dedicated to providing specialized care for patients with type 2 diabetes in managing their cardiovascular risk factors,” said Choptank Health CEO Sara Rich. “We are pleased to be recognized by the American Heart Association for our execution of quality care through Target: Type 2 Diabetes. The tools and resources provided help us track and measure our success in meeting evidenced-based clinical guidelines developed to improve patient outcomes.”

The Gold Award recognizes practices that have fulfilled AHA’s participant criteria and have met the gold level thresholds for each of two selected clinical measures related to diabetes control and CVD risk factors, hypertension, and high cholesterol.

“More than 30 million Americans live with diabetes and cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for people living with type 2 diabetes,” said Gregg C. Fonarow, MD, FAHA, volunteer expert from the American Heart Association and chief of the UCLA Division of Cardiology, director of the Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center, and co-director of UCLA’s Preventive Cardiology Program. “Organizations that participate in programs like this help raise awareness of the link between diabetes and cardiovascular disease and can improve the patient outcomes. We are pleased to recognize Choptank Health for their commitment to quality care.”

Choptank Community Health System provides medical, dental, pediatric, and behavioral health services in Caroline, Dorchester and Talbot counties, with a mission to provide access to exceptional, comprehensive, and integrated health care for all. Choptank Health’s vision is to improve the health and well-being of people in the communities served by providing outstanding care experiences while being an exceptional place to work and make a difference, with more at choptankhealth.org.

UM SRH Leadership Asks Community to Remain Vigilant; Maintain “Bubbles”

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As Covid-19 cases soar across Maryland and the country, there is growing concern among hospital leaders for the potential impact of the upcoming holidays. A large number of recent cases have been attributed to family gatherings, where masking and social distancing are not consistently practiced. Experts continue to encourage people to limit holiday gatherings to their individual “bubbles”—those you live with and/or interact with on a regular basis.

Members of University of Maryland Shore Regional Health’s senior leadership team and Covid incident- command team pledged today to stay in their bubbles during this year’s holiday season.

“We must remain vigilant,” said Ken Kozel, president and CEO, UM Shore Regional Health. “For the health and safety of myself and the greater community, we pledge to enjoy the holidays with only our immediate family members and those friends we see on a regular basis. While this is not ideal, it is necessary to slow the spread. I hope that the community will join us in this pledge.”

All team members at the UM SRH have been asked to remain diligent over the holidays, said Rosa Mateo, MD, Infectious Disease Specialist. “Maintaining our bubbles, social distancing and handwashing remain the best ways to control this devastating virus.”

Dr. Mateo asked that all community members pledge to stay in their bubbles over the holidays, for the protection of everyone. “Please, help us keep our community safe and healthy.”

For more information about preventing the spread of Covid-19, visit umms.org/shore/coronavirus.

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.