Health

Urinary Incontinence-Causes and Treatments by R. Duane Cespedes, MD

January 15, 2020 by UM Shore Regional Health Leave a Comment

R. Duane Cespedes, MD

Incontinence affects almost 18 million women, yet fewer than half of all people suffering from incontinence consult a health care provider. In particular, women often consider the problem an untreatable consequence of having children or aging. In fact, there are many causes of incontinence and all are highly treatable. Female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), overactive bladder (OAB) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse are the most common.

SUI occurs when pressure is exerted on the bladder, causing leakage. This can occur when you laugh, sneeze, cough, lift something heavy or exercise. Many women experience this after pregnancy and childbirth.

OAB is characterized by a sudden and unstoppable need to urinate, a condition that results from sudden, involuntary contraction of the bladder wall muscles. If you are urinating more than eight times per day, you may be suffering from OAB.

Pain and urinary leakage could be a sign of POP, a herniation of the pelvic organs that causes them to drop through the vaginal opening. The bladder, uterus and rectum are supported by a web of muscles, ligaments and fibers. When these are weakened, the organs drop, causing the pain and leakage.

There are many treatments available for urinary incontinence, including medication, physical therapy, bladder retraining, injection therapy, use of medical devices and surgery. The first step is to consult your doctor for an evaluation. Your doctor will conduct a thorough history and physical exam, followed by a urinalysis. You may also be asked to keep a “bladder diary” to help diagnosis.

The bottom line is that incontinence is highly treatable. If you are suffering, don’t delay treatment any longer. You have many options!

Dr. Cespedes is a board certified urologist now accepting patients Cambridge, Chestertown, Denton, Easton and Queenstown. Call 410-820-0560 to schedule an appointment.

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.

Child Loss Support Group Returns Home to Talbot Hospice

January 14, 2020 by Talbot Hospice Leave a Comment

Talbot Hospice, the county’s premier nonprofit provider of hospice and other end-of-life services, and the Child Loss Support Group, a separate 501c3, have reached an agreement to transition all duties and functions of this long-standing support group to Talbot Hospice as of December 2019.

The Child Loss Support Group was founded in 1986 by Talbot Hospice volunteers Betts Guthrie, Millie Parrott, Rhonda Higginbottom, and community members Rob and Lynn Sanchez who had just lost their son, Rion, at the age of 8. Higginbottom, who served as the group’s facilitator for more than 30 years, retired in January 2017. “It seemed like a natural fit for Talbot Hospice to take on the Child Loss Support Group,” Dr. Rob Sanchez said. “In fact, the group started at Talbot Hospice, and it has now come full circle going back there.”

L-R: Child Loss Support Group board members Nancy Basil and Dr. Rob Sanchez, Talbot Hospice Executive Vivian Dodge and Bereavement Coordinator Becky DeMattia, and Child Loss Support Group board member Nell Yeatman.

According to Vivian Dodge, Executive Director of Talbot Hospice, its affiliation with the Child Loss Support Group began in June 2017 when Talbot Hospice became involved in the Celebration of Life Memorials and provided the child loss support group activities. The affiliation allowed both organizations to work collaboratively. “We are always looking for opportunities to partner with like-minded organizations. Together, we felt this was the appropriate time to allow Talbot Hospice to fully incorporate this work under our bereavement program, which will increase and expand access to quality grief support for a greater numbers of individuals in our communities,” said Dodge. “The death of a child is a particularly difficult loss. The Child Loss Support Group and their founding board members have dedicated themselves lovingly to this group for many years, and we are honored to bring the child loss group to our program.”

Child Loss Support Group members established the Healing Garden at the entrance of The Easton Club in 1998 as a memorial to their children and a place to remember, meditate, and pray. Butterflies are released at an annual Celebration of Life ceremony as a symbol of hope and new life. The spring Celebration of Life is held at the garden to commemorate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, while the December Light a Candle Remembrance Ceremony has historically been held at Trinity Cathedral.

The Child Loss Support Group is for anyone dealing with the death of a child of any age. It meets every 3^rd Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at 586 Cynwood Drive and is free of charge and open to the public.

For more information on the Child Loss Support Group or any Talbot Hospice bereavement session, contact Talbot Hospice at 410-822-6681 or info@talbothospice.org. A complete list of grief support groups can be found at TalbotHospice.org/programs/bereavement.

Thompson Named Director, University of Maryland Shore Behavioral Health

January 14, 2020 by UM Shore Regional Health Leave a Comment

Patricia Thompson, DNP, RN

Patricia Thompson, DNP, RN, has joined the UM Shore Regional Health administrative team as director, Behavioral Health. In this capacity, Thompson is responsible for overseeing the inpatient behavioral health unit, IOP program, bridge clinic, BHRT (behavioral health response team) and the substance abuse disorder program.

“We are thrilled to have Pat join our team here at Shore Regional Health. Her passion and experience in behavioral health will make a difference for our team, our patients, and our community,” says Jenny Bowie, chief nursing officer. “Pat has over 20 years of behavioral health experience, and brings a wealth of knowledge to the table in both nursing and behavioral health leadership. We are honored to have her join us.”

Thompson assumed her role this month after serving at University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health in multiple clinical, faculty and leadership roles over the past 35 years. Most recently, she served as Upper Chesapeake’s regional director for education and training for Behavioral Health and as director of nursing, Behavioral Health Services. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Loyola University New Orleans.

“I am very excited to be joining University of Maryland Shore Regional Health and look forward to meeting and working with the Behavioral Health and leadership teams,” Thompson says. “I am committed to promoting mental health as a critical part of overall wellness in the Eastern Shore communities.”

Compass Regional Hospice Nurse Receives Clinical Excellence Award

January 14, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Cathy Willis, RN Case Manager at Compass Regional Hospice, was chosen as the recipient of the 2019 Cynthia L. Nugent Clinical Excellence Award in Hospice and Palliative Care. The award is named in honor of hospice nurse Cynthia Nugent, who dedicated eight years of her life to caring for those with life-limiting illnesses. Willis was nominated by her peers for this honor, which recognizes a Compass Regional Hospice clinical care provider who has shown outstanding dedication and excellence in caring for terminally ill patients and assisting their families.

Following Nugent’s passing in 2009, her husband, Bob, wanted to honor her work as a hospice nurse and recognize the excellent care she received as a patient at the Hospice Center in Centreville. Bob Nugent proposed creating an annual award that would honor Cynthia’s memory by recognizing a staff member who has gone above and beyond for their patients and their families.

Sharon Loving, Supervisor of Support Services for Compass Regional Hospice, and Bob Nugent presented the award to Willis during the staff holiday party on December 20. Bob Nugent said, “Cynthia thought the world of all of her colleagues. Although she had a career in the military and in government service, she found her calling when she came to hospice. She believed that caring for terminally ill patients was both a duty and an honor.”

Cathy Willis, RN Case Manager at Compass Regional Hospice, was chosen as the recipient of the 2019 Cynthia L. Nugent Clinical Excellence Award in Hospice and Palliative Care.

Willis, a Kent County resident, has been a nurse and case manager for Compass Regional Hospice for nearly six years. One of the award nominators wrote, “Cathy has been a dedicated hospice nurse for many years. She goes above and beyond for her patients, and is always the first to help fellow staff in any capacity she can. She once arranged a motorcycle ride for a patient that wanted to ride one more time. She’ll bring birthday gifts, balloons, meals, or equipment so that her patients can truly live the rest of their time the best way possible.”

Another nominator said of Willis, “Cathy is unassuming, collaborative, ruthless, adaptable, and compassionate. Our jobs are to advocate not only for our patients and their families, but for each other. She is a fierce advocate for her fellow nurses, and shows up for her team when she is needed. She exemplifies what it means to serve her community. She is not only an excellent nurse, she is an exemplary community member, and I am proud to have worked beside her.”

Upon receiving the award, Willis said “Receiving this award was a true honor. Although I had never met Mrs. Nugent, I have heard so many great stories that have included her. It is a great honor to be an additional recipient of the award as those in the past, to carry on her memory and her legacy.”

Heather Guerieri, Chief Executive Officer of Compass Regional Hospice added, “I want to thank Bob Nugent for establishing this award, and his commitment to highlighting the selfless work of the staff at Compass Regional Hospice.”

Other Compass Regional Hospice staff who have earned the Cynthia L. Nugent Clinical Excellence Award in Hospice and Palliative Care include social worker Michelle Tuttle; hospice nurse and Hospice Center Manager Sarah Severs; social worker and Support Services Supervisor Sharon Loving; hospice nurse and Compliance and Quality Manager Missy Willis; bereavement counselor and Grief Support Services Supervisor Rhonda Knotts; hospice aide Melanie Glacken; and grief counselor Wayne Larrimore.

Compass Regional Hospice

Since 1985, Compass Regional Hospice has been dedicated to supporting people of all ages living with a life-limiting illness, and those learning to cope following the death of a loved one. Today, the organization is a regional provider of palliative care, hospice care, and grief support 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 provide comprehensive and compassionate care. Grief support services are offered to families of all patients, as well as to all children and adults in the community through grief groups, one-on-one counseling, and in-school support. As a Level 4 partner of the We Honor Veterans program, they also offer veteran-centric care that meets the unique needs of men and women who have served our country. Compass Regional Hospice 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 Regional Hospice, call 443-262-4100 or visit compassregionalhospice.org.

The Retreat House at Hillsboro Offers Quiet Day, Wisdom Circles

January 10, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

The winter schedule at The Retreat House at Hillsboro will begin with a Seasonal Quiet Day on Thursday, January 9 from 9:30am to 2:00 pm, led by spiritual director Julia Morris-Myers. The Seasonal Quiet Days are usually held at the turn of each season with a later winter session to accommodate the holidays. Inspired by poetry, music and scripture, participants are led to silent periods, outdoor walks in the labyrinth and brief discussions. To sign up, visit retreathousehillsboro.org.

Last fall, The Retreat House introduced the series “Wisdom Circles” as a way to bring spiritual teachings out into the community. For winter, the Wisdom Circles will be held in Easton, Centreville, Hillsboro, Chestertown and Annapolis. Wisdom Circles meet weekly for four to six weeks and are led by trained spiritual directors. Each circle is focused on a different topic.

“Life is so busy and it can distract us from taking care of our spiritual selves,” said Francie Thayer, Retreat House spiritual director. “The Wisdom Circles are simple gatherings where people can open their minds and hearts in a comfortable way. We hope the location choices will make it more convenient for people to participate.”

Spiritual directors affiliated with the Retreat House at Hillsboro. L-R: Heather Hall, Retreat House director Francie Thayer, Linda Mastro, Debra Donnelly-Barton, and Retreat House manager Meg Gallagher.

The Easton Wisdom Circle, “Practicing Courageous Inquiry,” led by Linda Mastro, will be held on Tuesdays 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. beginning January 21 through February 25, at Third Haven Friends Meeting, 405 South Washington Street, Easton.

The Centreville Wisdom Circle, “Sounds of Silence” will also be held on Tuesdays at 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. from January 21 through February 25 and will take place in the Centreville home of the leader, Julia Morris-Myers.

In Annapolis, “Cultivating Peace in Small Community” will take place on Thursdays, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on January 23 through February 20 at St. Anne’s Church Parish Hall, 199 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis, led by Heather Stang.

“Winter Wisdom: Tending the Holy in a Fallow Season” will be held on Wednesdays, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., January 29 through February 26, at the Stam House, 114 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, and will be led by Debra Donnelly-Barton.

“Praying with Imagination” will be held in Hillsboro at The Retreat House on Thursdays at 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 30 through February 20 and led by Heather Hall

Details about each of the Wisdom Circles are available on the Retreat House at Hillsboro website at retreathousehillsboro.org.

The fee to attend all sessions of one of these Wisdom Circles is $75 per person. Pre-registration is required. Register online at retreathousehillsboro.org or by sending an email to info@retreathousehillsboro.org. All are welcome regardless of finances, so please inquire about scholarships.

The Retreat House at Hillsboro is located on the grounds of St. Paul’s Church at 22005 Church Street, Hillsboro, Maryland, and is open for group retreats and meetings, individual hermitages, meditation, and any who seek a spiritual connection. A traditional Chartres-style walking labyrinth is always open for walking and prayer. The Retreat House at Hillsboro is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Easton, MD. For more information, visit retreathousehillsboro.org or contact Francie Thayer, Director, at (410) 507-0368 or info@retreathousehillsboro.org.

Pezor Named Medical Director of UM Shore Behavioral Health

January 6, 2020 by UM Shore Regional Health

Laurence J. Pezor, MD, CHE

Laurence J. Pezor, MD, CHE, has been named Medical Director of University of Maryland Shore Behavioral Health. In this role, Dr. Pezor leads a highly skilled team of providers who assist patients who are in need of mental health and recovery services. UM Shore Behavioral Health includes the Behavioral Response Team, the Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program, the Bridge Clinic at UM Shore Medical Center at Dorchester, Addiction Services and Inpatient Treatment Services.

“I couldn’t imagine a better time for Dr. Pezor to step into this role,” says William Huffner, MD, chief medical officer, UM Shore Regional Health. “The ever-changing landscape of behavioral health services needs dynamic and collaborative leadership and I am thrilled to welcome such a well-respected, knowledgeable and devoted member of the behavioral health field to UM Shore Regional Health. Our goal is to work in partnership with our community providers to enhance and broaden behavioral health services for the region we serve and I am certain Dr. Pezor will be the outstanding leader we need to transition care into this new era.”

Dr. Pezor assumed this role in December as he continues as the chief medical officer at Eastern Shore Psychological Services. In these dual roles, he is uniquely positioned to lead coordination and integration of behavioral health services on the Eastern Shore. He has more than 30 years of clinical practice experience in all levels of care and across all age ranges. His administrative expertise includes managing inpatient services, intensive outpatient programs, partial hospital programs and working with various insurance providers.

In partnership with community providers and organizations, Dr. Pezor and UM Shore Regional Health are excited to build an integrated behavioral health and recovery program that serves the inpatient and outpatient needs of patients in the five-county region UM SRH serves.

“I am honored to be part of the UM Behavioral Health team and grow with them as we move into the next decade,” says Dr. Pezor. “The opportunity to expand mental health and recovery services in coordination with our community partners is exciting and has the potential to improve services to the entire Eastern Shore community.”

Dr. Pezor earned his Bachelor of Science in biological sciences, cum laude, at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. He earned his Doctorate of Medicine at The Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Pezor completed his internship in pediatrics and his residency in psychiatry at the Naval Hospital in San Diego, California. His fellowship training was completed at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.

He is a diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology; board certified in adult and child and adolescent psychiatry; and also is a diplomat in the American College of Healthcare Executives. He has co-authored a book chapter in “The Military Family in Peace and War.” Among his many professional positions, he has served as head of the Child Psychiatry Division and as director of Healthcare Operations at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He also is an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland, and on the faculty at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California, as a lecturer in psychopharmacology.

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.

Md. Activists Vow to Enshrine Obamacare Provisions Now Threatened by Courts

December 23, 2019 by Maryland Matters News Service

Supporters of the Affordable Care Act in Maryland said Thursday they were disappointed but not surprised by a federal appeals court’s ruling against the law a day earlier. They vowed to continue their efforts to enshrine as many of the ACA’s provisions into state law as they can, and to do so as quickly as they can, in the event the Supreme Court delivers the ultimate death blow.

The 2-1 ruling on Wednesday, by a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans, was a victory for the 18 state attorneys general — all from red states — who argued that “Obamacare” is unconstitutional.

The challengers argued successfully that — although the Supreme Court upheld the ACA in 2012 — circumstances changed in 2017 when Congress removed the individual mandate to purchase health insurance. (The “mandate” was actually a tax on uninsured persons who failed to purchase coverage.)

In an interview, Sen. Brian J. Feldman (D-Montgomery), a leader in efforts to promote health care reform in Annapolis, noted that Maryland was the first state in the nation to create a Health Insurance Coverage Protection Commission, out of “concern about the ultimate dismantling of the Affordable Care Act and how were we going to respond.”

Feldman said the ruling, which sends the case back to a lower court, means “continued uncertainty about the future and the fate of the Affordable Care Act,” with policymakers and consumers left to guess what the law’s ultimate fate will be, or when a final judgement will arrive.

“There’s uncertainty in the marketplace. There’s uncertainty with folks who want to know what it means for them in terms of their health insurance. There are several parts of this that are complicated,” he said.

Maryland lawmakers will again consider legislation that requires insurance policies to cover pre-existing conditions. Another 2020 bill would require that young adults be allowed to remain on their parents’ plans until they turn 26. Both provisions are popular features of “Obamacare.”

The state has already enacted an “Easy Enrollment” feature that has the potential to identify uninsured residents who are eligible for free or low-cost coverage, using state tax forms, another innovation that other states are studying. That provisions is kicking off in the new year.

But concern doesn’t end with the potential loss of Obama-era reforms.

Feldman also worries that billions of dollars in federal aid will be lost if the Supreme Court — which has a different makeup than it did when it upheld Obamacare seven years ago — strikes the entire law down.

“There’s the Medicaid expansion parts of the Affordable Care Act. There’s the premium tax subsidies that help lower-income people purchase health insurance. If the entire Affordable Care Act is ruled unconstitutional, then all those monies related to the ACA also go away,” he said.

Feldman said an estimated 300,000 Marylanders would lose coverage if that were to occur.

Texas vs. U.S. is not expected to reach the Supreme Court until 2021 at the earliest.

Vincent DeMarco, president of the pro-reform Maryland Citizens Health Initiative, called the ruling “extremely disappointing” and said it “puts at risk life-saving health care coverage to millions of Americans.”

U.S. Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Finance Committee’s Health Care Subcommittee, suggested that Republicans are trying to dismantle the nation’s health care system.

“Republicans want to destroy our health care system rather than fix it,” he said. “Today they are closer to achieving their mission.”

Cardin predicted that the GOP could face political consequences.

“Republicans will be directly responsible for any coming spikes in costs for millions of middle income families and any loss of the many patient protections guaranteed by the ACA,” he said.

By Bruce DePuyt

Murphy Named VP, Support Services for UM SRH

December 17, 2019 by UM Shore Regional Health

Diane (Dee) Murphy

Diane (Dee) Murphy has been named vice president, Support Services, effective Monday, December 9, 2019. Murphy, who joined UM SRH as chief quality officer in 2018, is an experienced health care executive whose background includes diverse project management, working with construction, facilities and clinical teams.

Reporting to Ken Kozel, CEO, Murphy will provide leadership over all aspects of SRH support services, including: facilities/plant operations, biomedical engineering, environmental services, security services, and food and nutrition services. This scope includes UM Shore Medical Centers at Chestertown, Dorchester and Easton plus all outpatient facilities and offsite locations operated by SRH.

In addition to Shore Regional Health, Murphy has served in positions in Arkansas and Arizona, leading functions such as performance improvement, project management, risk and quality. She served as a Navy nurse and is a former Joint Commission surveyor. Her academic credentials include a Ph.D in health administration from the University of Phoenix; an M.S. in education from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb; and a B.S. in nursing from East Carolina University.

Sherri Hobbs, director of patient safety, is serving as interim chief quality officer.

Former Shore Health Chair Violated Volunteer Bylaws, UMMS Report Says

December 16, 2019 by Daniel Menefee

The University of Maryland Medical System Board of Directors, the parent board of UM Shore Regional Health, has established new governance guidelines that protect the system from conflicts of interest that forced the resignation of former Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh and other board members this spring, according to an UMMS Special Committee Investigative Report released Friday.

The special committee appointed the law firm of Latham & Watkins LLP to conduct the investigation.

“There is no question the past conduct undertaken by certain former corporate officers and board members was extremely problematic and damaged the reputation of the system,” said a statement from UMMS Communication Director Michael Schwartzberg that was released with the report. “Undoubtedly, there were structural, governance and operational flaws at the System’s Board and executive level.”

The 34-page report identified “self-interested transactions” between nine board members and executive management–where board members and/or their family members benefited financially.

“Ineffective” and “incomplete” conflict-of-interest policies enabled board members to solicit executive management for contracts, the report said.

John Dillon, former chair of University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, received a contract in 2012 to provide fundraising and public relations services to UMMS at a rate of $13,000 per month. The contract was approved by letter of agreement, with then UMMS CEO Robert Chrencik, and renewed every year through 2019 without using the system’s competitive bidding process–and without proper approval of the board.

There was also “no evidence of any discussion of, review of, vote on, or approval of the arrangement by the Board,” the report said.

Although Dillon had disclosed his earnings from the agreement every year, many board members and some senior executives “insisted” they were unaware of existence of the agreement.

The report questioned whether Dillon had received compensation for duties that were consistent with board membership that is normally on a volunteer basis.

Dillon’s duties, based on the 2018 renewal of his contract, were to raise money for a new medical center, perform community outreach and advise on “hospital acquisitions and the expansion of the Medical System.”

But some in senior management vouched for Dillon that his duties were “far above” that of a volunteer board member. Dillon disclosed that he spent 25 hours a week on his contractual obligations, but the committee concluded that there was little difference between Dillion’s contractual duties and that expected of a volunteer board member.

The committee also determined that Dillon’s agreement violated UMMS’ volunteer services bylaws because it was not properly approved by the board.

Spy Chat: The False Narrative of Mental Health and Mass Shootings with Marty Cassell

December 9, 2019 by Dave Wheelan

A predictable narrative about mental illness begins almost immediately after every mass shooting in this country. Even before a word is said about gun control, the emphasis on the perpetrator’s mental state is already part of the story.

But as Marty Cassell, Clinical Director at Channel Marker, the Mid-Shore’s primary organization for mental health and wellness support, points out in his Spy interview from last month, it’s a false narrative that adds to the unfair stigma for those being successfully treated for their condition.

For over thirty years in the mental health field, Marty has never experienced any form of violence with his clients. He points out that there are many co-factors that lead to acts of violence, including media exposure.

This video is approximately five minutes in length. For more information about Channel Marker and its program please go here.

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