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February 19, 2026

Talbot Spy

Nonpartisan Education-based News for Talbot County Community

Health Health Notes

Groundbreaking Docuseries on Perimenopause Debuts at the Avalon

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March is Women’s History Month. What better way to celebrate it than to talk about something that affects every single woman on the planet? 

On March 26 at the Avalon Theatre, Two Tree Integrative Health will present a special screening of “BALANCE,” a groundbreaking docuseries that explores two monks’ real-life experience of perimenopause. This often-misunderstood transition can bring a wide range of symptoms from brain fog and insomnia to joint pain, heart palpitations, hot flashes, and more. 

After the screening, a dynamic panel discussion will feature Stefanie DeFiglia, Functional Medicine Certified Nurse Practitioner and owner of Two Tree, as well as Barb Stacy, Two Tree’s menopause-certified health coach. 

This event offers a safe and welcoming space to learn, connect with other women, and ask questions about perimenopausal symptoms, treatment options, and lifestyle strategies for thriving through this challenging stage of life.

The ticket cost is $20 (available through the Avalon) and includes appetizers and a cocktail, mocktail, or wine. The evening runs from 6-9 p.m.; doors open at 5:30. Sponsors include Piazza Italian Market, Lyon Rum, and Meredith Fine Properties. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

UM Shore Regional Health Earns Multiple American Heart Association Awards for Excellence in Cardiovascular Care

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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.

 

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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

For All Seasons Connects Acts of Kindness & Our Mental Health

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For All Seasons, a nonprofit mental health agency and rape crisis center serving the Eastern Shore of Maryland, is recognizing National Random Acts of Kindness Week, February 14 to 20, 2026, to highlight how kindness can benefit our mental health. The American Psychiatric Association reports that recent research from the University of Ohio shows that acts of kindness benefit both the givers’ and the receivers’ mental health. An “act of kindness” refers to a good or helpful action intentionally directed toward another person without need for recognition or reward.

Research shows that performing acts of kindness may help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety because it fosters social connection and a sense of belonging while also helping people shift focus away from their own symptoms. Kindness can also be contagious. People who receive acts of kindness are more likely to pass them on, creating a ripple effect that can be more powerful than we realize.

“Kindness can increase happiness and self-esteem while decreasing stress and emotional reactivity,” shares Katie Theeke, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at For All Seasons.

There are many ways to perform acts of kindness in our communities. These include checking in on an older neighbor, an authentic smile and thank-you to a store clerk, helping someone struggling with a door, sending an encouraging note or text to a friend or family member, or even complimenting the first three people you see each day.

“It is important to engage in acts of kindness because more people than we realize feel helpless when faced with the larger challenges happening in our world. Helping others gives us purpose in our lives and a sense of control – ‘this is something I can do to make things a little better in a world where so many issues feel out of my control.’ Not to mention, the smallest act will actually give you an emotional lift,” Theeke adds.

While reaching out to help others, it is important to recognize when you are the one who may need support. In a time when many individuals are experiencing heightened stress and uncertainty, seeking help is a meaningful and proactive step. For All Seasons remains committed to ensuring that support is accessible to all. Community members can learn more about the agency’s Open Access walk-in and telehealth appointments for mental health and crisis support at forallseasonsinc.org or by calling 410-822-1018.

For All Seasons Behavioral Health & Rape Crisis Center offers mental health services, victim and crisis support, and education and outreach on Maryland’s Mid-Shore and throughout the state. The agency’s unique model of care ensures that anyone can receive high-quality, trauma-certified mental health care when they need it – regardless of language or ability to pay. For information about For All Seasons’ walk-in hours, call 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

UM Shore Regional Health Offers Free Childbirth and Parent Education Courses

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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


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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

For All Seasons Welcomes New Board Members

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For All Seasons is excited to announce the appointment of Bill Flook, Ph.D., of Chestertown, Sally Heckman of Easton, and Craig Postlewait of Easton to its Board of Directors.

According to For All Seasons’ President and CEO Beth Anne Dorman, “We are thrilled to have these new members join our board. They bring a wealth of experience, as well as a spirit of generosity and a passion for community service.”

Bill Flook is a retired school psychiatrist, having also supported School Psychological Services at the Maryland State Department of Education and the Office of Psychological Services in the Baltimore County Public Schools. Active with both educational and mental health advocacy for many years, Flook represented public education on the Mental Health Advisory Committees of both Anne Arundel and Baltimore Counties. He also previously served as President of the Democratic Club of Kent County. Flook currently serves on the steering committee for the Kent and Queen Anne’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Mental Health Subcommittee of the Blueprint Committee for the Kent County Public Schools, and the Chester Valley Ministers’ Association.

In addition to being actively engaged in legislative advocacy for mental health, he volunteers for the CVMA Good Neighbor Fund program and the Kent Branch of the NAACP. He and his wife have three children and five grandchildren.

“I learned about For All Seasons soon after moving to Kent County, particularly regarding their effective work in supporting the students and families of the Kent County Public Schools. Much of my career has focused on student mental health, and in Baltimore County, I worked with my colleagues to build productive relationships between community mental health agencies and many of the public schools. School-based mental health providers from community agencies can make a big difference in improving student mental health. For All Seasons has been doing that important work for years, and I am proud to be a part of it now,” Flook comments.

Sally Heckman is a retired pharmacist with over 45 years of experience in a variety of pharmacy fields. She came to the Eastern Shore 14 years ago to take up a position as a forensic pharmacist, hired by the Delmarva Foundation to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare/Medicaid systems. She also has had extensive experience in retail, hospital, and long-term care pharmacy. As a pharmacist in the UK, she was employed by the National Health Service and as an Army reservist with a British field hospital.

“Since retiring, I now have time to join a board that can make a meaningful difference in the lives of the people on the Eastern Shore. I was attracted to For All Seasons because they provide an array of mental health services to all, regardless of their ability to pay. When you have a personal crisis, or a family/ friend needs help, For All Seasons is there for them, when they may have no other place to turn. I am proud to be associated with this organization and look forward to being a helpful and productive board member,” Heckman states.

Craig Postlewait is the owner of Olde School Builders, a firm specializing in historic restoration, custom home building, kitchen and bath renovations, and additions. He has over 40 years of experience in the construction industry, earning numerous accolades for his work, and has been featured in prominent national publications.

Passionate about giving back to the next generation, Craig leads an apprenticeship program that provides high school students with hands-on experience in the construction trades, fostering career pathways and promoting workforce development. He has led an after-school program called “Girls Who Build” through Easton Middle School.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Craig is deeply involved in community service. He has served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations in Pennsylvania, including Home of the Sparrow, which supports women and children facing homelessness, and the Tredyffrin Historic Preservation Trust, which is preserving historic buildings across Chester County, Pennsylvania. He currently serves on the board of Talbot Interfaith Shelter.

For All Seasons Behavioral Health & Rape Crisis Center offers mental health services, victim and crisis support, and education and outreach on Maryland’s Mid-Shore and throughout the state. The agency’s unique model of care ensures that anyone can receive high-quality, trauma-certified mental health care when they need it – regardless of language or ability to pay. For information about For All Seasons’ walk-in hours, call 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

For All Seasons: 40 Years of Meeting Community Needs

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What began in 1986 as one woman’s determination to serve children who had experienced sexual assault has grown into a mental health lifeline for thousands. Today, For All Seasons Behavioral Health and Rape Crisis Center provides expert mental health services, victim crisis support, education and outreach, and statewide leadership. The agency’s unique model of care ensures that no one in the region has to imagine life without these services, regardless of language or ability to pay.

Guided by the vision of local social worker Joy Mitchell-Price and fueled by steadfast community support, For All Seasons was born to help child victims of sexual assault and trauma on Maryland’s Mid-Shore find services locally. Co-founders Nancy Wilson, Maureen Jacobs, Kathleen Francis, Janet Pfeffer, and Karen Kaludis sought early backing from a major grant through the Maryland Governor’s Office. Along with committed community leaders, the only Rape Crisis Center opened its doors serving the five Mid-Shore counties, bringing care, dignity, and hope closer to home.

“There was nothing here for these children, their families, or adults abused as children,” shares Karen Kaludis, Co-Founder.  “Joy Price knew that she couldn’t do it alone. She formed a coalition of women who each had different strengths that would contribute to the success of the organization’s mission. That is what Beth Anne Dorman, For All Seasons’ current President and CEO, has done over the past 11 years. She selects the people who fit the bill and have the strength to build what we need in our ever-changing times.”

As the years unfolded, For All Seasons leadership listened closely to what the community needed and expanded to support survivors across the lifespan. As the team continued to serve the community, they recognized the significant need for mental health services and broadened the For All Seasons’ mission to include mental health support for all, ensuring that high-quality, local therapy was accessible to anyone in need, not just those in crisis.

“As I think about the areas that For All Seasons now serves,” states Janet Pfeffer, Co-Founder, “I realize that when we started it, we recognized that mental health is at the heart of all things that make a society healthy. Whether it is sexual violence, substance abuse, or other destructive behaviors, we now recognize the importance mental health plays in our everyday lives, from our work life to our family life. I am grateful for how For All Seasons has grown to address these issues in our community.”

That spirit of responsiveness defined the decades that followed as For All Seasons built a comprehensive continuum of care to address persistent gaps in access. This expansion included school-based mental health services in select K–12 public schools, a 24-hour crisis program, the addition of psychiatry services, a human trafficking awareness program, a Latino outreach program, and an embedded interpretation team – each designed to meet people where they are and remove barriers to care.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, For All Seasons again demonstrated its commitment to access and innovation by launching a comprehensive telehealth program that ensured continuity of care during a time of unprecedented need. More recently, the agency introduced the groundbreaking Open Access Program, allowing new clients to walk in for services five days a week.

Since Dorman arrived in 2014, For All Seasons has experienced extraordinary growth. At that time, the agency served approximately 1,000 clients annually with a staff of 28 people. Today, the agency has grown to nearly 100 team members, providing over 100,000 life-saving services to more than 4,000 clients annually from every county in Maryland and Baltimore City. Approximately one in nine people on the Mid-Shore have used the agency’s services over the past 15 years. The agency, which continues to serve as the only Rape Crisis Center for Caroline, Kent, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties, stands as a statewide leader in mental health and sexual assault support services and a national model of excellence.

One of the newer initiatives is For All Seasons’ Center for Learning, which focuses on training and strengthening the expertise of the agency’s clinical team. 100% of For All Seasons service providers are trauma-certified and trained in cultural competency and military assistance. Additionally, the Center for Learning provides training for mental health professionals outside the agency and sponsors national and international mental health authors/speakers to help the community through free presentations that offer the knowledge and skills necessary to live healthier and more resilient lives.

As For All Seasons is guided by a bold vision for the next generation of care through its Bringing Mental Health to Main Street campaign. This initiative reflects the belief that mental health services should be visible, accessible, and woven into the everyday fabric of community life. Grounded in three core pillars—accessibility, education, and sustainability—the agency focuses on expanding timely access to care, deepening community understanding of mental health and trauma, and strengthening the foundation that will ensure For All Seasons remains a trusted resource for decades to come.

“One of the most important responsibilities of a Board is to assure the sustainability of an organization,” adds Len Wolf, President, For All Seasons Board of Directors.  “At For All Seasons, we’ve taken that responsibility seriously with a keen focus on prudent financial management, as well as senior leadership development and succession planning. I am confident that we have in place the infrastructure to provide, and in fact expand, the life-saving behavioral health services that many of our neighbors require.”

Beth Anne Dorman concludes, “For All Seasons leads with heart and smart stewardship, working alongside our community to address mental health challenges head-on. We’re focused on today’s needs while intentionally building for a future that ensures our services endure for decades to come.”

With an unwavering commitment to meeting people where they are, For All Seasons is not only honoring its past but building a future that ensures compassionate, expert care will be available for the next 40 years and beyond.

Watch an interview with Beth Anne Dorman and Karen Kaludis on the 40th anniversary of For All Seasons here https://forallseasonsstories.org/40thVideo1.

For All Seasons Behavioral Health & Rape Crisis Center offers mental health services, victim and crisis support, and education and outreach on Maryland’s Mid-Shore and throughout the state. The agency’s unique model of care ensures that anyone can receive high-quality, trauma-certified mental health care when they need it – regardless of language or ability to pay. For information about For All Seasons’ walk-in hours, call 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Choptank Health Joins National Campaign to Highlight School-Based Health Care

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Choptank Health is joining communities nationwide in recognizing School-Based Health Care Awareness Month this February, highlighting the critical role school-based health centers play in supporting student health, academic success, and community well-being across Maryland’s Mid-Shore.

Through partnerships with local school systems, Choptank Health operates 18 school-based health centers and additionally utilizes mobile health units to support dental and other school-based health initiatives.

“School-based health care removes barriers that keep students from getting the care they need to stay healthy and ready to learn,” said Choptank Health Director of Community-Based Programs Chrissy Bartz, PA-C. “By delivering care where students spend most of their day, we help families avoid missed school days, delayed treatment, and unnecessary emergency visits.”

Choptank Health’s participation aligns with a national awareness campaign led by the School-Based Health Alliance, which represents nearly 4,000 school-based health centers nationwide. Nationally, community health centers serve 52 million patients annually through more than 17,000 locations, including two out of every three school-based health centers.

At a time of rising student mental health needs and continued pressure on local health systems, school-based care remains a proven, cost-effective solution for communities.

“School-based health centers are a smart investment in both education and public health,” said Choptank Health President and CEO Sara Rich. “They strengthen our schools, support all families, and improve long-term outcomes for students and communities. Continued support for these programs is essential to the health of our region.”

Choptank Health’s school-based care journey began in 1999 with four school-based health centers in Caroline County Public Schools. Over the years, Choptank Health’s commitment to the community has expanded its medical, dental, and behavioral health services for Mid-Shore students.

Today, Choptank Health’s school-based health centers and mobile health units reach more than 8,000 students each year, providing dental services in Dorchester County and medical, dental, nutrition, and behavioral health services in Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties.

The school-based health centers are a partnership between Choptank Health, Maryland Department of Health, county health departments, and each county’s public school system. Care is coordinated with the student’s primary care provider and/or primary dentist.

Services include in-person, virtual, curbside, well, and urgent care during the school year and over the summer. Students can receive diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, behavioral health services, nutrition services, health education, and more.

Choptank Health’s school-based dental programs include dental screenings and sealants, cleanings, oral health education, fluoride treatments, and dental emergency referrals.

Choptank Community Health System provides medical and dental services to more than 34,000 patients annually across Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties.

With a mission to provide access to exceptional, comprehensive, and integrated healthcare for all, Choptank Health’s services include primary healthcare, women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health, chronic health management, lab services, care navigation, and more.

Student enrollment forms and more about Choptank Community Health System’s school-based health programs are at www.choptankhealth.org/schoolbased.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

For All Seasons Hosts One-of-a-Kind Valentine’s Auction

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For All Seasons is hosting an online Valentine’s Day Silent Auction from February 5 to12, featuring extraordinary experiences and unique getaways – the perfect way to find a meaningful gift just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Auction packages promise connection, fun, and relaxation, and include:

  • Private Chef Experiences
  • Mosaic Class for five with Jen Wagner
  • A Week-Long Lake Tahoe Adventure
  • Seven Days in the Heart of French Wine Country
  • Learn Latte and Bread Baking Basics with Night Kitchen Coffee & Craft Bakery
  • Elegant 18k White Gold Bracelet Accented with Diamonds courtesy of DBS Jewelers
  • Bushel of Crabs and four pounds of Jumbo Lump Crab Meat
  • One-year Membership, plus Festival Season Passes for two at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

“This year’s One-of-a-Kind Valentine’s Auction will feature exciting and interesting experiences both here and abroad,” states Sidney Trond, Director of Development at For All Seasons. “It’s a great way to find the perfect gift for that special someone, while simultaneously helping the community. Every bid will help ensure that those in need get the personalized, trauma-informed care they deserve, regardless of their ability to pay. What better way to celebrate love than by making a lasting difference in someone’s life?”

If you have a unique experience you would like to donate to the For All Seasons Valentine’s Day Silent Auction, email Kelsey Trumbull-Meyers, Event Coordinator at [email protected]. For further information on this year’s Valentine Auction and to sign up to receive updates on auction items, visit https://supportforallseasonsinc.org/2026valentinesauction.

For All Seasons Behavioral Health & Rape Crisis Center offers mental health services, victim and crisis support, and education and outreach on Maryland’s Mid-Shore and throughout the state. The agency’s unique model of care ensures that anyone can receive high-quality, trauma-certified mental health care when they need it – regardless of language or ability to pay. For information about For All Seasons’ walk-in hours, call 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health Announces Winter Weather Closures

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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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

UM Shore Regional Health Announces 2026 Safe Sitter® Dates

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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. 

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.

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