UM Shore Regional Health recently was notified that UM Shore Medical Center at Easton’s Primary Stroke Center received the 2024 Get With The Guidelines®- Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Award and Rural Stroke Award, which are quality achievement awards presented by the American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association (ASA). UM SRH’s Primary Stroke Center also is included in the AHA/ASA’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll. This is the ninth consecutive year that UM SRH’s Primary Stroke Center has received the Stroke Gold Plus award. This is the first year that the AHA/ASA has awarded the Rural Stroke Award to hospitals. 

UM Shore Medical Center at Easton is a University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) facility; UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System. UM Shore Regional Health provides stroke care to approximately 600 patients every year.

These achievements highlight UM SRH’s commitment to providing the most effective stroke treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence and its dedication to prioritizing quality care for stroke patients.  

“These awards speak volumes for our UM Shore Regional Health and community emergency medical services teams. They are a significant achievement for any medical institution and show that UM Shore Regional Health and EMS provides state-of-the-art, patient-centered stroke care for our communities,” said Rena Sukhdeo Singh, MD, Medical Director of the Primary Stroke Center. “We are honored to be recognized by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for our dedication to helping patients have the best possible chance of survival and recovery following a stroke. Our dedicated team members and members of community emergency response teams throughout the region deserve recognition for these awards, including EMS providers, our Emergency Department team members, our stroke coordinator, our Brain Attack Team, the nurses on our neurology/telemetry unit and our radiology, pharmacy and laboratory teams. It is a coordinated effort that requires a collaborative approach and offers our communities the most advanced stroke care for our region.”

To honor team members and departments who play a key role in working with the Primary Stroke Center, members of the senior leadership team and other UM SRH stroke care leaders delivered the good news and ice cream to several departments, including the Intensive Care Unit, Radiology, Laboratory, Pharmacy, and the Telemetry and Emergency departments. 

According to the American Heart Association, in 2021, heart disease and stroke claimed more lives in the United States than all forms of cancer and chronic lower respiratory disease combined. Stroke is the second leading cause of death in the United States, following coronary heart disease. Stroke claimed the lives of 162,890 Americans in 2021, which is 1 in every 21 deaths.

UM Shore Medical Center at Easton was designated as a Primary Stroke Center in 2007. A Primary Stroke Center designation is given by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems when standards are met to support better outcomes for stroke care. Certification standards include having a dedicated program staffed 24/7 by specially trained medical professionals who provide fast diagnostic services and optimal stroke care.

Additional information about the Primary Stroke Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton can be found at UMShoreRegional.org/stroke.

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. The Birthing Center team recently released their 2025 course flyer and offers a simple online registration process to assist new parents and caregivers.

All childbirth and education classes are free of cost, but advance registration is required for all classes. Care partners are encouraged to attend classes with their birthing partners. 

Caregivers who are interested in attending an upcoming course may visit our easy online 2025 Prenatal Class Registration form and submit your request quickly.

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 January 4, February 1, March 1, April 5, May 3, June 7, August 2, September 6, October 4, November 1 and December 6. This course provides information on the signs of labor, stages of labor and labor contractions. Skilled Birthing Center 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 8, April 12 June 14, August 9, October 11 and December 13. This course provides an overview of care for the birthing person and child, from the time of delivery to two weeks following delivery (postpartum). Birthing Center 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 January 11, March 8, May 10, July 12, September 13 and November 8. Birthing Center 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 person 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 award-winning Birthing Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton, visit umshoreregional.org/birthing. UM Shore Regional Health is a member hospital of the University of Maryland Medical System.

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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.

 University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) recently welcomed Catherine “Katie” Halen, as Vice President of Human Resources. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

In a distinguished career that spans more than 25 years as a human resources executive, Halen most recently served as the chief human resources officer for Montgomery County government in Norristown, Pennsylvania, where she developed and implemented comprehensive compensation and workforce initiatives and a DE&I strategic plan focused on employee retainment and recruitment.  

Prior to that role, Halen spent most of her career with Delaware-based Beebe Healthcare where she developed workforce recognition and retention programs and led a team through a rapid onboarding initiative resulting in a 45% increase in new hires in Fiscal Year 2022. 

“Katie’s strength lies in successfully developing and implementing workforce strategies aligned with organizational and business goals,” said Ken Kozel, President and CEO, UM SRH. “We are excited to welcome her to our team.”

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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.

Over 2,250 people participated in For All Seasons’ fourth annual Frosty’s Holiday Village event on Friday, December 6 at Anchor Church in Easton, MD. Participants represented all ages and ethnicities.

Participants strolled through the free event while enjoying free activities, including professional photos with Frosty and friends, holiday crafts, Cascading Carlos the Juggler, complimentary cocoa, cider, and winter treats, and a continuous showing of “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” on the big screen. This year, the event added 20 new inflatables and a second movie.

“We can’t thank our sponsors enough for supporting this event and allowing us to make it free for participants again. The event has become a holiday tradition for many. We recognize that this time of year can be difficult for many. We hope this event helped people find joy and reconnect with each other as we gathered as a community. It’s a great event for all generations – grandparents often bring their grandchildren to see Frosty,” commented Lauren Weber, For All Seasons’ VP of Strategy and Development.

Presenting sponsors included the St. John Foundation and Willow Construction. Additional Sponsors included the Jacob Sloan Foundation, TriGas & Oil/PepUp, Anchor Church, Mid South Audio, Parker Counts, Beverley Martin, Hearthstone Health + Fitness, the Tidewater Inn, Dwelling & Design, Carl Pergler and Mary Lou Butler, Avon-Dixon Insurance Agency, Ewing, Dietz, Fountain & Kaludis, P.A., Christ Church, St. Peter’s Parish, The Julianne Rosela Foundation, Easton Dermatology, Construction Services & Supply Inc., the Seip Family Foundation, Creative Training Solutions (Stacia Skinner), The Country School, Talbot County Health Department, Chesapeake Building Components, Didier and Sherry Smith, Chesapeake College Foundation, Giovanni Wynn (The Wynn Family), La De Da! (Diane Flagler), Sharon Pepukayi, Linda and Dyke Booze, Talbot Hospice, Kelly Griffith (The Griffith Family), Risk Placement Services, Nicole and Bryan Schwenker, Aging at Home (Amy Keller), Half Full, Len and Ann Wolf, Shay Lewis-Sisco, Grauls Markets, Lee and Monica Meyers, Matt Meyers and Kelsey Trumbull-Meyers, Mia and Bill Cranford, and Kevertin Pet Resort.

For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

Choptank Community Health System President and CEO Sara Rich, MPA, has been named Maryland’s 2024 Community Star by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health.

The national Community Stars program helps to recognize individual contributors as it honors remarkable individuals and organizations going above and beyond for rural health. They exemplify the true spirit of collaboration, turning challenges into opportunities, ensuring access to quality care, and fostering a sense of unity and support within our rural communities.

Each year, Maryland puts forth a slate of Community Star nominations, with one being recognized on the national level. Previous honorees include Adelaide “Addie” Eckardt, Eastern Shore Hospital Center; Beth Anne Dorman, For All Seasons, Inc.; the St. Mary’s County Health Department; and John Corbin, Garrett County Health Department.

Rich brings more than 25 years of experience across local, state, and national healthcare settings, with a dedicated focus on enhancing the health and well-being of children, families, and communities. Under her visionary leadership, Choptank Health has expanded access to health care while creating employment opportunities and raising standards of care. Her commitment to excellence is further demonstrated through her active involvement in regional health initiatives and her advocacy at state and national levels, championing the mission of community health centers nationwide.

“I always wanted a career in which I could make a difference in the lives of others,” says Rich. “In rural health, the relationships we have in our communities, with our colleagues, and with those we serve inspire us all to make that difference every day.”

Rich says her most rewarding experiences during her time as CEO and president of Choptank Health include those shared through strong partnerships with non-profits, businesses, school systems, health departments, and others.

“Seeing the impact that can be made when organizations come together, such as during the pandemic, makes this work rewarding,” Rich says. “Choptank Health has added and expanded our behavioral health services—something I’m very proud of—and that helps address a huge need for our patients and the rural communities we serve across Maryland’s Mid-Shore.”

Rich says Choptank Health recognized that some communities could not easily access health care through its networks of locations spanning five counties. Choptank Health responded by leveraging its long history of providing medical services through a robust school-based health program.

“We are partnering with some of our local schools to utilize our school health centers for residents, many living in underserved areas and in need of care and increased access to healthcare,” says Rich. “Additionally, we have three mobile health units that provide care at schools, homeless shelters, and other community locations, allowing us to reach people where they are and connect them with vital health services.”

Choptank Health additionally reaches into the farthest rural regions through the utilization of school-based health, mobile health, telehealth, and office visits to address medical, dental, behavioral health, and more.

Choptank Community Health System provides medical, dental, and School-Based health services to more than 30,000 adults and children in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties, with a mission to provide access to exceptional, comprehensive, and integrated healthcare for all. Services include primary healthcare, women’s health, pediatrics, pediatric dental, behavioral health, chronic health management, lab services, and care navigation, with new medical patients welcomed. More information is at www.choptankhealth.org.

The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health is the membership association of the nation’s 50 State Offices of Rural Health and the founder of National Rural Health Day. More about its Community Stars program and recipients is at https://powerofrural.org/2024-community-stars/.

 

Those were the findings of a report, “Investing in Maryland’s Behavioral Health Talent,” presented recently to the Maryland Medicaid Advisory Board. Chair Nicole McCann said officials have been aware of the issue for some time, but that the report helps shed light on what can be done about the workforce shortage.

The report said that in 2023, Maryland had 34,613 people working in various areas of the behavioral health field, but it said that number was 18,222 workers shy of what is currently needed. And that doesn’t take into account the additional 14,565 workers who are expected to be needed by 2028 to meet the growing need for behavioral health care, it said.

Shannon Hall, executive director of the Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland, called the shortage of behavioral health workers a significant problem.

“When you have those vacancies, it basically translates into your capacity to provide treatment to people is substantially lower,” Hall said in a recent interview. “You end up with waitlists. You end up with vacant rooms if you can’t meet the minimum staffing requirements.

“It just really creates a backlog that disrupts the entire system,” she said.

The report, commissioned by the Maryland Health Care Commission, is a result of 2023 legislation that created a fund to reimburse local governments or health departments for costs associated with education and recruiting behavioral health workers and to improve the shortage.

Maryland’s behavioral health workforce shortage is due to “historical underinvestment in the behavioral health system, increasing rates of mental illness and substance use and high rates of burnout and attrition has led to a national shortage of peer recovery specialists,” the report says.

The state will need to invest about $148.5 million over the next five years to help fix the workforce shortage, it says. Those funds could go toward raising wages for staff and reimbursement rates for providers, the report says. They could also go toward tuition assistance for those looking to enter the field.

In terms of policy, the report said the state could work to expedite the licensing process, so new workers can start sooner, and to increase awareness of behavioral health occupations through programs such as the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

Behavioral health covers a wide range of care, including mental health services, addiction and rehabilitation resources, trauma counseling and more. But without adequate staffing levels, people may sit on waiting lists, and staff providing those services might burnout and leave the field entirely.

“Based on current trends, 45% of BH (behavioral health) professionals working today are expected to retire, leave Maryland, or leave the field of their occupation over the next five years,” according to the report. “If this attrition rate persists, Maryland will need to attract 30,000 new BH workers to meet unmet need and replace workers leaving the field, roughly the same number currently employed.”

Cathie Eaton, executive director of the Maryland Counseling Association, said that not having enough behavioral health staff means that people in need of those services may sit on waiting lists.

“I have friends who have had waitlists for years, and they just can’t get new clients in because they don’t have the capacity,” Eaton said. “It leaves a lot of folks who need behavioral health services without.”

But from her perspective, the wages are not high enough to get people interested in the field.

“In general, it’s a high-stress field,” Eaton said. “It’s a very fulfilling field, but we understand that a lot of people don’t want to go into the field because of the pay scale.”

The behavioral health positions facing the greatest workforce shortage numbers include both licensed professionals as well as unlicensed paraprofessionals and assistants.

The “Investing in Maryland’s Behavioral Health Talent shows that many occupations in the field face a current workforce shortage that could worsen in coming years. Courtesy of Trailhead Strategies.

For example, 9,532 new counselors and therapists will be needed by 2028 to keep up with projected demand by that year. That includes 3,748 new workers needed to replace workers leaving the field by 2028, as well as 5,784 workers to keep up with rising demand.

Social and human services assistants — a broad category that includes outreach workers, unlicensed case managers and other paraprofessionals – is the second highest shortage in this field, with 8,029 more people needed to meet 2028 demand. That would be 4,000 new paraprofessionals to replace outgoing workers and 4,029 to to keep up with rising demand.

Adding all the other behavioral health positions facing workforce shortages, an estimated 32,786 new workers will be needed by 2028.

Hall said that the lack of personnel exacerbates burnout, as current staff need to take on a higher workload to account for the vacancies and care for patients.

“It makes people who carry extra responsibilities and a lot more stress. It’s harder for them to take time off,” Hall said. “They’re picking up the slack, so it just creates a lot more stress across the entire system.”

She said the report points to a need to “champion behavioral health as an investment, even amid a challenging budget year.”

“If this falls by the wayside because of budget shortfalls … behavioral health is not going to win that game. And it’s not just behavioral health that’s going to pay for that,” Hall said. “It’s the schools, it’s the hospitals, it’s the criminal justice system and ultimately it’s vulnerable people in Maryland. So this is an area where … either you invest in it upfront, or you pay for it in more expensive settings.”

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by Danielle J. Brown, Maryland Matters
December 2, 2024

Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: [email protected]. Follow Maryland Matters on Facebook and X.

Talbot County Department of Social Services (TCDSS) recently hosted its annual Thanks for Giving event for resource and adoptive families. The evening featured dinner, a resource parent training, and a “to-go” pumpkin craft for families to complete at home. The Thanks for Giving event was held in conjunction with National Adoption Month being recognized in November. This year’s event combined family recognition as well as the training, “Creating and Sustaining Healthy Relationships with Biological Families” by Tara Doaty, PhD, CEO & Founder of Sage Wellness Group.

“Our families have been asking for training on this particular topic and it was a perfect opportunity to combine training with our annual appreciation event. Families enjoy the time together to share and learn. Activities were planned for the children as well, which gave parents the time to socialize with one another,” states Chrissy Montague, Coordinator of Option Respite & Parent Education at DCDSS.

The training honored the common emotional experiences among resource and biological families. Participants participated in an interactive session providing practical resources to engage with biological families to create and sustain healthy relationships. They also learned methods of effective communication and reflective listening to utilize in conversations with both biological families and children.

“When supporting biological families, resource parents are adding another layer of safety and protection and strengthening attachments. By the resource parents working with the biological families, children can get reassurance that biological families and reunification is a safe thing to do,” comments Dr. Doaty.

She further explains that “being with” biological families – bringing all six universal emotions to situations – can help to soften the power struggle that sometimes occurs between resource parents and children in foster care and their biological families.

Resource Parents and Adoptive Parents have a huge impact on the lives of young people in our communities. The youth of Talbot County, including infants and older teens, need more Resource Parents and Adoptive Parents to help.

To learn more about becoming an Adoptive or Resource Parent call the Talbot County Department of Social Services at 410-820-7371 or visit www.midshoreresourceparents.com.

The University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown’s Shore Community Outreach Team (SCOT) is being honored by the Maryland Rural Health Association (MRHA) as recipients of its 2024 Outstanding Rural Health Program Award. 

SCOT team members Emily Welsh, MSN, RN, Nurse Coordinator, Social Worker Michelle Matthews, LCSW, and community health advocates Serenity Kelly, CCHW, and Amanda Webster, CCHW, received the award at MRHA’s annual awards ceremony. 

Nominated by Lara Wilson, Director of Rural Health Care Transformation at University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH), the outreach team was selected for the award based on their outstanding work in providing effective, community-oriented rural health care delivery and excelling in their service to rural communities. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS).

Focusing on the underserved and vulnerable populations in Kent and northern Queen Anne’s counties, the mission of SCOT is to improve the community’s health by collaborating with local partners to bring health care access and support services to residents in their homes and community settings. In Fiscal Year 2024, SCOT served 90 people through community case management, provided a total of 304 health blood pressure and diabetes (A1c) screenings at sites throughout Kent and northern Queen Anne’s counties, conducted 679 home visits and connected dozens of patients to primary care, mental health services and medication reconciliation support. 

“I am continually blown away by the reach this team has achieved within our communities and the incredible impact they are making for our residents,” said Wilson, who was on hand to present the award. “They are an amazing resource for our vulnerable populations, and their ongoing collaboration with local government entities, nonprofit and civic groups promises to advance their reach even further.”

SCOT also developed a number of creative initiatives to assist local residents in need of support services. These include a raised gardens program, block parties at senior communities and the African-American Health Advisory Committee, which they helped launch to offer health education events geared to the concerns of the local Black community. 

“I am very fortunate to have such a dedicated and passionate team,” Welsh said in accepting the award on behalf of the SCOT members. “This award motivates us to continue our vision to be a leader in excellent patient care and the transformation access to health care in rural communities. We will use this recognition to strengthen our program further, expand our reach and improve the health and well-being of even more people.”

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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.

 

Choptank Community Health System is proud to join communities across America to celebrate National Rural Health Day on November 21, 2024. The National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health leads rural-focused organizations throughout the United States to set aside the third Thursday of November to celebrate the power of rural and honor the individuals and organizations dedicated to addressing the unique healthcare needs of nearly 61 million people living in rural America.

“Of utmost importance is that we ensure all rural communities on Maryland’s Mid-Shore have the opportunity to be healthy and have access to affordable, quality health care regardless of where they call home,” said Choptank Health CEO and President Sara Rich. “Choptank Community Health System is proud to recognize the incredible work of health professionals and volunteers in our community on National Rural Health Day and throughout the year.”

Rich says Choptank Health can reach into the farthest rural regions of the five-county area it serves through the utilization of school-based health, mobile health, telehealth, and office visits to address medical, dental, behavioral health, and more.

“Through technology and other advances, we are more and more able to meet our patients where they are,” said Rich. “And in a rural environment like ours, that is critical in delivering on our mission to provide access to exceptional, comprehensive, and integrated health care for all.”

Choptank Community Health System provides medical, dental, and School-Based health services to more than 30,000 adults and children in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties, with a mission to provide access to exceptional, comprehensive, and integrated healthcare for all. Services include primary healthcare, women’s health, pediatrics, pediatric dental, behavioral health, chronic health management, lab services, and care navigation, with new medical patients welcomed. More information is at www.choptankhealth.org.

Additional information about National Rural Health Day, including resources and tools, can be found at www.powerofrural.org.

For All Seasons recently hosted a free community lecture at Chesapeake College by internationally acclaimed author Dr. Mariel Buqué, a first-generation Black Dominican psychologist and trailblazer in addressing intergenerational trauma, particularly within communities of color. Dr. Buqué has written “Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma,” a comprehensive resource offering practical tools for transforming intergenerational pain into healing and abundance. For All Seasons is the trauma center for the Eastern Shore. One hundred percent of the agency’s service providers are trauma-certified. For All Seasons prioritizes the support and education of the community when it comes to topics around trauma.

Intergenerational trauma is the transmission of trauma or its legacy, in the form of psychological pain from the generation experiencing the trauma to subsequent generations. Intergenerational trauma can be passed down from ancestors who may have suffered from unhealthy family dynamics, experienced adverse childhood experiences growing up, or survived historical disasters or traumas. This may include personal trauma, such as child or domestic abuse, trauma experienced by a specific cultural, racial, or ethnic group, as well as trauma from major events like wars, slavery, the Holocaust, and colonial violence against Native Americans. This multilevel emotional injury from intergenerational trauma can impact the mind, body, and spirit, leaving the next generation susceptible to anxiety, depression, hypervigilance, and other emotional and mental health concerns.

“Intergenerational trauma is the only type of trauma that actually transcends down the family line, and it happens at the intersection of our biology and our psychology. Through our biology, we actually inherit specific gene markers from both of our parents that had they been in states of trauma themselves had they actually endured any elements of stress that was chronic, it could have actually shown up in their genetic encoding and we would have actually inherited some of those genetic markers that could have made us predisposed to stress and trauma,” said Dr. Buqué.

“I’m going to be talking about much of why this trauma tends to come up as psychological and cultural wounds that tend to be pretty relentless in our communities . . . What happens when trauma enters the picture is that that very trauma gets recycled in our family homes, leaving rage and fury as an immovable mark that stays in the hearts of everyone who is impacted and their descendants. And it doesn’t let go away. Instead, it metastasizes, and it develops into emotional tumors, and it actually disintegrates many individuals’ capacity to cope and even zest for life.”

Dr. Buqué further explained that with the global mental health crisis during COVID and the suicide crisis that we are experiencing, we can connect back to some experience related to trauma. She went on to share that trauma erodes our hope, which is a critical emotion that we need to sustain to feel like life is worth experiencing like another day, is worth looking forward to, and to strive for life and not death. Although intergenerational trauma has been present in our families and communities, we have not had the language and the tools to work through this very layered and complex emotional experience.

“When it comes to healing generational trauma, we have to work through the mind and instill within the mind a sense of hope. We have to help people to restructure their thinking from that pessimistic, negativistic view into one that is actually more than lost and invites in the possibilities that there could also be good things that can happen in life,” Dr. Buqué shared.

“We do the same thing when it comes to the body. In the body, we have to extract the ways that trauma has been planted in the body. We do that with deep breathing. We do that with meditation. We do that with stretches . . . We start a cycle that is marked by health. We start a cycle that’s marked by connection and all of that happens again and again. And when it’s recycled generation after generation, it starts breeding hope in a community. And that’s the message that I really want to relay for us today, that there is so much in the mind, body, spirit, and even in our cultures that we can focus on that can actually instill hope in people that have been suffering for decades,” she added.

Dr. Buqué further explained that it takes as little as 12 weeks for there to be a cementing of that experience, for our brains to really start in their very neuroplastic ways, to start forming stronger connections toward health.

While on the Eastern Shore Dr. Buqué trained For All Seasons staff about intergenerational trauma.

“For All Seasons is not only committed to sharing the information with the community but also, and most importantly, committed to ensuring that our staff is culturally competent to address the needs of the community. Having Dr. Buqué spend the day with our staff has helped our team understand intergenerational trauma from a clinical and supportive lens, strengthening our safety net for many community members who live with intergenerational trauma,” commented Beth Anne Dorman, President & CEO of For All Seasons.

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For All Seasons provides the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across the Mid-Shore and throughout the state of Maryland. Services are offered in both English and Spanish and include therapy, psychiatry, victim advocacy, 24-hour crisis hotlines, outreach, and community education. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.