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September 22, 2021

The Talbot Spy

The nonprofit e-newspaper for the Talbot County Community

Health Health Notes

Choptank Health Expands School-Based Dental Health

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Choptank Community Health System’s Kim Fitzgerald, CRNP at one of the School-Based Health Centers serving children with medical and dental health services for all students enrolled in the program.

Choptank Community Health recently added school-based dental services to Kent, and Queen Anne’s County public school student enrollees. Choptank Health’s dental services are already provided in Dorchester County Public Schools, with dental and medical services available to students enrolled in the school-based health programs of Caroline and Talbot County Public Schools.

Choptank Community Health’s Chief Dental Officer Sandra Garbely- Kerkovich, DMD and Community Based Program Director Chrissy Bartz, PAC, MMS oversee the school-based dental program, with Pre-K through 12th-grade students enrolled in each school are eligible to receive care at any location.

Registered dental hygienists provide on-site dental screenings, fluoride treatments, sealant applications, and dental hygiene education. The free dental screenings include examinations of the teeth and all soft tissues of the mouth—along with instruction on brushing and flossing, and education on the importance of eating healthy foods in good oral hygiene.

“Strong partnerships with the area’s local school systems are critical to the impact our School-Based Health Centers have on the wellness of all students,” said Choptank Community Health CEO Sara Rich. “We are thankful for the commitment of each school and county for recognizing the importance of this program in helping to provide access to health care for all.”

Choptank Community Health operates 12 medical school-based health centers, located in each Caroline County Public School and in Talbot County Public School’s Easton Elementary, Easton Middle, and Easton High Schools.

“School-Based Health Centers improve attendance by limiting the amount of time students and staff miss from school and work by providing the care they need, and then allowing them to return to school as appropriate,” says Bartz. “It’s a great service to our students, their parents, our schools, and ultimately our entire communities.”

Each medical health center is staffed by licensed advanced practice clinicians, including Certified Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, and function like a typical doctor’s office. Choptank Health is offering telehealth and curbside visits at the schools for COVID testing, with quarantining protocols and separate well-child spaces on premise.

According to the School-Based Health Alliance, school-based health care is a powerful tool for achieving health equity among children and adolescents who unjustly experience disparities in outcomes simply because of their race, ethnicity, or family income.

The Alliance says school-based health care is also a commonsense idea gaining currency across the country as it places critically needed services like medical, behavioral, dental, and vision care directly in schools so that all young people, no matter their zip code, have equal opportunity to learn and grow. More about the Alliance is at sbh4all.org.

Choptank Community Health System’s mission is to provide access to exceptional, comprehensive, and integrated health care for all. Choptank Health’s vision is to improve the health and well-being of people in the communities served by providing outstanding care experiences while being an exceptional place to work and make a difference.

Parents and guardians can enroll their students in Choptank Community Health’s School-Based Health Centers by calling their school’s health staff or Health Center, with more at choptankhealth.org.

Talbot Hospice to Host William Paul Young, Author of “The Shack”

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Talbot Hospice will welcome William Paul Young to the Avalon Theater on October 28th for a discussion about his #1 bestseller, “The Shack” and how it relates to grief, healing, forgiveness and spirituality.

“We are proud to welcome William Paul Young to Easton and hope that our friends and neighbors will join us for this free community event,” said Chris Chekouras, Talbot Hospice Executive Director. “’The Shack’ is a wonderful starting point for introspection and engaging conversations about how we process grief, shame and forgiveness.”

Talbot Hospice will welcome William Paul Young, author of the #1 Bestseller, The Shack, to the Avalon Theater on October 28th.

“The Shack” tells the story of Mack, a father struggling with the tragic loss of his daughter on a family trip to the Pacific Northwest. Four years after her horrific death, Mack receives a letter, supposedly from God, inviting him to spend a weekend in the shack where his daughter was violently murdered. Mack accepts and then has a life-changing experience that allows him to understand and cope with his grief and shame.

“The Shack,” as described by the author, is a metaphor for the “house we build out of our own pain” as well as “the places you get stuck, you get hurt, you get damaged … the thing where shame or hurt is centered.”

“The Shack” was originally written as a Christmas gift for Young’s six children, but was later published in 2007 at the urging of Young’s friends and colleagues. It went on to become a #1 New York Times and #1 USA Today Bestseller and, to date, it has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide. In 2017 it was adapted into a feature film starring Academy Award Winner, Octavia Spencer, and Grammy Award Winner, Tim McGraw.

This free, community event is open to the public, however, registration required. Attendees should note that the Avalon Theater requires proof of vaccination and a photo ID for admission.

To register, please visit www.talbothospice.org/events.

About Talbot Hospice

Talbot Hospice provides compassionate care, comfort and support for patients and their families and caregivers wherever they call home. Talbot Hospice serves patients facing life-limiting illnesses through hospice and palliative care, as well as its pathways and bereavement programs. Services are available to patients and caregivers regardless of ability to pay. Learn more at www.talbothospice.org.

Talbot Goes Purple Announces Interactive Online Resource Link Tool

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Talbot Goes Purple this week launched an interactive online tool that connects people with local substance use disorder resources.

Talbot Goes Purple (TGP) is an awareness and educational prevention program that empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse. The initiative focuses on keeping kids from using drugs in the first place, through evidence-based prevention strategies and outreach activities.

Now in its fifth year, TGP recognized a need for an easy way for people, especially parents, to navigate finding help for someone with substance use disorder. The online tool uses a series of questions to provide a list of available substance use treatment providers that offer assessments for adults and adolescents, which is the first step in getting help.

“Since before we started Talbot Goes Purple, I’ve had people call me or come into my office, wondering where to go for help with a friend or loved one struggling with substance use disorder,” said Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble, who founded TGP. “We realized there wasn’t an easy way to find available resources online, so we set out to create one, and came up with this interactive tool.”

Long-time TGP supporter Shore United Bank stepped up with a sponsorship that made the tool’s development possible. They’ve also agreed to insert small information cards about the tool into customer envelopes at all four Talbot County branches.

“We’ve been partnering with our communities for the last five years to help raise awareness about the dangers of substance use disorder,” said Debra Rich, chief marketing &project officer with Shore United Bank. “The Interactive Resource Tool provides treatment information for yourself or someone you know who may be struggling with a substance use disorder.

“The tool walks you through a series of questions and provides resource links to help you or someone you know. As a community bank, it is important that we remain active in helping our communities with the different kinds of struggles that we could all potentially face.”

The tool is available online at www.TalbotGoesPurple.org and includes information on the different types of treatment, family support groups, tobacco and vaping cessation resources, and more. The tool is completely anonymous, does not ask for any personal information and is easy to use.

For more information about TGP, visit www.talbotgoespurple.org. Find TGP on Facebook @TalbotGoesPurple or email talbotgoespurple@gmail.com.

Talbot Goes Purple is in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools, Saints Peter and Paul School and Mid-Shore Community Foundation. Generous support for the project this year includes: APG Media, Easton Utilities, Spring & Associates, Forever Midshore 96,7 WCEI-FM and 94.3 WINX-FM (official media partner), Shore United Bank, Qlarant, VFW Post 5118, Attraction Magazine, Church of the Holy Trinity, Chesapeake Classic Car Club, Dragonfly Boutique and Shore Home and Garden.

Talbot Goes Purple is a component fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization – donations to which are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Highlights Importance of Screening

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Dr. John Foley, Medical Director, Shore Medical Group – Urology

In observation of September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the Cancer Program at UM Shore Regional Health and Shore Medical Group – Urology team members are sharing information about prostate cancer. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, about six cases in 10 are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older, and it is rare before age 40.

In particular, African-American men have higher risk, as they are more likely to develop prostate cancer at a younger age and may present with a more severe stage of prostate cancer disease.

“Maryland’s Eastern Shore has a higher percentage of older adults than many of the western shore counties, so we want to get the word out about the importance of prostate cancer screenings for men who are at higher risk,” said Dr. John Foley, Medical Director, UM Shore Medical Group – Urology. “As in the case of many other types of cancer, early detection of prostate saves lives.”

While prostate cancer can be present without any particular symptoms, signs that indicate prompt medical attention include difficulties with urination (increase frequency, interrupted flow, pain/burning, etc.), painful ejaculation, blood in the urine or semen, and pain in the back, hips or pelvis. These symptoms may indicate prostate cancer or some other health problem that warrants diagnosis and treatment, such as non-cancerous prostate enlargement.

“Due to COVID-19, for the second year in a row we are unable to provide the free prostate cancer screenings we have offered in the past,” says Nina Weisenborn, Clinical Research Nurse at the Cancer Center. “But screenings are still available by appointment at UM Shore Medical Group – Urology offices in Chestertown and Easton, and we encourage any man who is 55 or older, or who has a family history of prostate cancer, to talk with his health care provider about whether a prostate cancer screening is appropriate in his case.”

In addition to Dr. Foley, UM Shore Medical Group – Urology providers based in Easton are R. Duane Cespedes, MD; Andrew Riggin, MD, and Christopher Runz, DO. Christopher Parry, DO is located in the SMG-Urology office in Chestertown. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 410-820-0560.

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health

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.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state’s future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore professional schools (Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry) in Baltimore. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system’s more than 29,500 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations, including 13 hospitals and 9 University of Maryland Urgent Care centers. The UMMS flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care. Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the State. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

Memo from ShoreRivers: Have a Great Holiday Weekend but No Swimming Please

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All of our ShoreRiver sites on the Miles, Wye, and Choptank Rivers failed this week. These are the highest levels we have ever seen. The rains and high winds really made an impact. Only 3 of the 21 sites passed this week in the northern regions as well.

Tunis Mills- 1112, Fail
Matapeake- 5172, Fail
Drum Point- 717, Fail
MRYC- 369, Fail
Claiborne Beach- 1112, Fail
Claiborne Cove- 7701, Fail

Even though it is a beautiful weekend, ShoreRivers would recommend not swimming this weekend In our local waters.

UM SRH Sleep Disorders Centers Receive Program Accreditation from AASM

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The University of Maryland Shore Regional Health Sleep Disorders Center at UM Shore Medical Center in Easton recently received program reaccreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Both the Sleep Disorders Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Dorchester and at UM Shore Medical Pavilion at Queenstown also received program reaccreditation, in December 2020. All three programs have been reaccredited for five years.

As the national accrediting body for sleep disorders centers, the AASM is dedicated to setting standards and promoting excellence in sleep medicine health care, education and research. To receive accreditation for a five-year period, a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional health care as designated by the AASM.  These standards address core areas such as personnel, facility and equipment, policies and procedures, data acquisition, patient care, and quality assurance.  Additionally, the sleep center’s goals must be clearly stated and include plans for positively affecting the quality of medical care in the community it serves.

Photo: The University of Maryland Shore Regional Sleep Disorders Centers’ team recently celebrated the reaccreditation of Sleep Disorders Centers at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton, at UM Shore Medical Center at Dorchester and UM Shore Medical Pavilion at Queenstown. Lyndsey Feather, Manager, Cardiopulmonary Services; Stephen Eisemann, Director, Cardiopulmonary Services; M. Walid Kamsheh, MD, Medical Director, Regional Sleep Disorders Center; Douglas Rousseau, Lead Technologist; Kimberly Breeding, Sleep Lab Administrator; Irene Hansen, Polysomnographic Technologist; and Lori Bratten, Sleep Lab Assistant.

UM Shore Regional Health’s sleep medicine program includes two in-lab locations (one in Easton and one in Queenstown) and two home sleep testing setup centers, one in Chestertown and one in the new UM Shore Regional Health at Cambridge opening in September 2021. Serving as an important resource for patients and medical providers in the five-county region served by UM Shore Regional Health, the sleep centers provide high-quality care for patients suffering from sleep disorders.

“This achievement is a testament to the dedication and patient-focused work of our entire team,” said M. Walid Kamsheh, MD, Medical Director of the UM SRH Regional Sleep Disorders Center. “This is a true team effort at every level, including sleep lab office staff, technical staff, managers and the staff and providers in UM Shore Medical Group practices in Neurology and Sleep Medicine and Pulmonary Care offices. Accreditation of our Sleep Center locations lets patients know that these are state-of-the-art facilities operating in accordance with the highest standards.”

In addition to Dr. Kamsheh, pulmonologist Peyman Otmishi, MD specializes in sleep disorders, including insomnia, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, sleepwalking and snoring. They are supported by other physicians and advanced practice providers in Pulmonology and Neurology and Sleep Medicine, as well as sleep center technologists and support staff.

Sleep disorders and deprivation are more than just annoying – they’re known to contribute to many serious health problems, including obesity, depression, and even heart attacks and strokes. Approximately 1,500 patients receive testing and/or treatment for sleep disorders each year at UM SRH Regional Sleep Disorders Center locations in Cambridge, Chestertown, Easton and Queenstown.

To learn more, talk to your primary care physician about a referral or call UM Shore Medical Group-Neurology and Sleep Medicine at 410-770-5250, or visit www.umshoreregional.org and search for sleep.

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health

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.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state’s future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore professional schools (Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry) in Baltimore. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system’s more than 29,500 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations, including 13 hospitals and 9 University of Maryland Urgent Care centers. The UMMS flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care.  Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the State. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

Shore Behavioral Health Begins Transition of Inpatient Care to UM SMC

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Plans for the transfer of University of Maryland Shore Behavioral Health’s Inpatient Care Unit from UM Shore Medical Center at Dorchester to UM Shore Medical Center at Easton have begun.

“As our newly renovated and secured, 12-bed unit on the third floor of the Easton hospital is being readied for occupancy, we are making plans for the transition period, August 25 through September 9,” said Laurence Pezor, MD, Medical Director, UM Shore Behavioral Health. “We have notified our community partners and referral sources that as of August 25, we will discontinue involuntary psychiatric admissions at the Dorchester hospital, and as of September 1, we will discontinue voluntary psychiatric admissions. Both types of admission will resume on September 9 at UM Shore Medical Center in Easton.”

Patients needing assessment for behavioral health issues may still present at any UM Shore Regional Health Emergency Department for evaluation by the Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT). This team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide mental health and substance abuse evaluations and referrals for adults and children in need. Patients needing inpatient behavioral health care during the transition will be referred to other community providers.

In addition to inpatient care and rapid assessments for behavioral health issues in emergency care settings, UM Shore Behavioral Health provides a Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). When the new UM Shore Regional Health at Cambridge opens in late September 2021, the Mental Health IOP will relocate to this new facility along with a separate suite of three designated behavioral health beds adjacent to the Emergency Department for patients needing assessment, observation and/or care prior to admission for inpatient care.

”Our team of providers, nurses, therapists, licensed clinical social workers, certified addiction counselors and other support staff is committed to delivering compassionate, community based care to those in need of behavioral health services,” said Dr. Pezor. “We are looking forward to moving into our new space in the Easton hospital and continuing our tradition of evidence-based practice and our integrated, collaborative approach to supporting patients in their recovery journey.”

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health

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.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state’s future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore professional schools (Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry) in Baltimore. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system’s more than 29,500 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations, including 13 hospitals and 9 University of Maryland Urgent Care centers. The UMMS flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care. Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the State. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

Sunset Yoga Returns to Navy Point this Fall

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Beginning on Oct. 5, and continuing on Tuesdays throughout the month, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will once again host a series of mixed level sunset yoga classes on its waterfront campus in St. Michaels, Md.

In the recurring event, held from 5:30 – 6:30pm, Jenn Swaine, owner and certified yoga instructor at Eastern Shore Yoga, will lead participants through a mixed level flow sunset yoga class on CBMM’s Navy Point. Participants are required to bring their own mats, props, and water. Rain dates are set for the following day each week.

The cost to participate is $20 for a single session in either month, or $70 for the full series, with a 20% discount offered to CBMM members and registration required to cbmm.org/yoga.

CBMM members play a critical role in supporting CBMM’s rich legacy of educational programs, fascinating and ever-changing exhibitions, and maintenance of the largest collection of Chesapeake watercraft in the world, including access to exclusive discounts, perks, and programming. To learn more about becoming a CBMM member, visit cbmm.org/membership.

Compass Hosting Patient Volunteer Training in September

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Compass will be offering their three-day training session virtually for any individuals interested in becoming a patient care volunteer. This will be their third and last training session for 2021.

The training session is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. September 10, 17, and 24. Due to COVID restrictions, the training will take place virtually through Zoom. Registration is required and completing the entire class is necessary for volunteers who wish to provide companionship and support to Compass patients and their loved ones in Queen Anne’s, Kent and Caroline counties.

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

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

For over 35 years, volunteers have remained at the heart of the Compass program. Compass relies on more than 300 volunteers of all ages to support its mission, and these individuals volunteer their time in a variety of ways including patient care, veteran-to-veteran support, administrative assistance, community education and outreach, assistance with Camp New Dawn, and licensed professionals who wish to donate their time and skills. Currently, Compass is also currently seeking volunteers for Estate Treasures, their upscale retail shop whose proceeds help cover uncompensated patient care. Whatever your motivation to volunteer, there is a place for you at Compass.

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

Compass

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

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

Choptank Community Health Urges Childhood Immunizations

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Choptank Community Health System is recognizing National Immunization Awareness Month this August by urging parents to keep their children current on all vaccinations before the start of the school year.

Choptank Community Health System Chief Medical Officer Patricia Karnes, DO

“Immunizations are critical to the health and well-being of our children by preventing diseases that cause harm,” says Choptank Community Health System Chief Medical Officer Patricia Karnes, DO. “As a provider, I understand how parents can be hesitant about immunization with the information found in the news or online.

“If you’ve been on the fence about vaccinating your children, or you’re preparing your students for school, now is a great time to talk to your provider. We can confidently answer your questions and share what the data shows to make confident recommendations for your child.

“Each child and teenager needs an annual well-visit to go over immunizations and more,” Dr. Karnes says.“Now is a great time to make sure updating vaccinations are on your back-to-school list.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) publishes immunization schedules with requirements specified by grade level at bitly.com/immunizationschedules, with vaccines recommended for children and adolescents based on age, health conditions, and other factors.

The CDC says on-time vaccination throughout childhood is essential because it helps provide immunity before children are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccines are tested to ensure they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages.

Some vaccine-preventable diseases like chickenpox and whooping cough remain common in the United States. The CDC reports seeing between 10,000 and 50,000 whooping cough cases in the United States each year, for example, since 2010. Whooping cough can cause serious complications, like pneumonia and rib fractures, for children and teenagers. Coughing fits can last for 10 weeks or more.

Choptank Community Health System’s commitment to excellence is recognized with the nation’s oldest and largest health care accreditor, The Joint Commission. Achieving Joint Commission accreditation is voluntary for the nonprofit, and demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement in patient care. Hospitals and other health care organizations like Choptank Health accredited by The Joint Commission meet standards and pass an on-site survey of their patient care processes.

Choptank Community Health System provides medical, dental, pediatric, and behavioral health services in Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot Counties, and is now accepting new medical and pediatric patients. The nonprofit’s vision is to improve the health and well-being of people in the communities served by providing outstanding care experiences while being an exceptional place to work and make a difference, with more at choptankhealth.org.