Health Homepage Notes

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

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

R. Duane Cespedes, MD

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. UM Shore Regional Health’s team of more than 2,200 employees, medical staff, board members and volunteers works with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

Child Loss Support Group Returns Home to Talbot Hospice

January 14, 2020 by Talbot Hospice Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thompson Named Director, University of Maryland Shore Behavioral Health

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

Patricia Thompson, DNP, RN

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

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

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

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

Compass Regional Hospice Nurse Receives Clinical Excellence Award

January 14, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Compass Regional Hospice

Since 1985, Compass Regional Hospice has been dedicated to supporting people of all ages living with a life-limiting illness, and those learning to cope following the death of a loved one. Today, the organization is a regional provider of palliative care, hospice care, and grief support in Caroline, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties. Whether serving their patients in private residences, skilled nursing facilities, or Compass’ residential centers in Centreville and Chestertown, staff and volunteers are guided by their mission to provide comprehensive and compassionate care. Grief support services are offered to families of all patients, as well as to all children and adults in the community through grief groups, one-on-one counseling, and in-school support. As a Level 4 partner of the We Honor Veterans program, they also offer veteran-centric care that meets the unique needs of men and women who have served our country. Compass Regional Hospice is a fully licensed, independent, community-based nonprofit organization certified by Medicare and the state of Maryland, and accredited by the Joint Commission. It is affiliated with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Hospice & Palliative Care Network of Maryland. For more information about Compass Regional Hospice, call 443-262-4100 or visit compassregionalhospice.org.

The Retreat House at Hillsboro Offers Quiet Day, Wisdom Circles

January 10, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pezor Named Medical Director of UM Shore Behavioral Health

January 6, 2020 by UM Shore Regional Health Leave a Comment

Laurence J. Pezor, MD, CHE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

As part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. UM Shore Regional Health’s team of more than 2,500 employees, medical staff, board members, and volunteers works with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

Murphy Named VP, Support Services for UM SRH

December 17, 2019 by UM Shore Regional Health

Diane (Dee) Murphy

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

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

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

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

Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center Announces 2 New Board Members

December 6, 2019 by Spy Desk

The Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center announces the appointment of 2 new board members.

Joining the board are Lyndsey Scott and Robert A. Freeman, PhD.

“Both appointees embody the spirit of community and bring talent, expertise and fresh perspectives. We welcome Lyndsey and Dr. Freeman and look forward to working together as we continue pursuit of our vision of making the Eastern Shore one the healthiest rural communities in America,” states Jacob Frego, Executive Director.

Since 2011, Lyndsey Scott has worked for the Cecil County Health Department as a Coordinator of Special Programs in the Division of Health Promotion. In this role, she has worked on several initiatives related to chronic disease prevention and management; many of which focus on sustainable systems changes and quality improvement work with local health care providers.

She has a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science with a concentration in Health Promotion from Frostburg State University.

In her free time, she enjoys being active outdoors doing things like kayaking, hiking, camping and snowboarding.

Robert A. Freeman is a noted healthcare economics and public policy leader and expert in the global pharmaceutical industry and academia. He was previously vice-chair for research and professor of Social & Administrative Science in the Department of Pharmacy Practice & Administration at the University of Maryland- Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy.

He has over 20 years’ experience in the global pharmaceutical industry having served as a leader of public policy and health economics functions for AstraZeneca and Sanofi, among others.

He is the author of over 85 research and professional publications in the areas of health technology assessment, pharmaceutical public policy, health economics and science and trade policy. His current research focuses on policy initiatives to incentivize pharmaceutical R&D.

He earned his BS in Pharmacy and his MS and PhD degrees from the University of Mississippi.

The Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center (ESAHEC) is a private, non-profit organization. Our mission is to improve healthcare access and outcomes for all residents on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

For more information about ESAHEC, call 410-221-2600 or visit esahec.org.

Jones Named Director of Heart and Vascular Center at UM SRH

December 4, 2019 by UM Shore Regional Health

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health has appointed Gary Jones as the first director of the newly established Heart and Vascular Center at UM SRH. The alignment of Shore’s cardiology and vascular service lines as the Heart and Vascular Center reflects a standard practice across University of Maryland Medical System, and reflects Shore Regional Health’s comprehensive list of cardiovascular services.

Jones most recently served as regional director, Cardiovascular Services. UM Shore Regional Heath has a history of establishing a number of specialty services in cardiovascular care over the years, including a non-invasive Vascular Lab, Sleep Disorders Centers at all three hospitals, a diagnostic Cardiac Cath Lab, cardiac rhythm device implantation services, Atlantic C-PORT Trial, cardiac rehab services at UM Shore Medical Centers at Chestertown and Dorchester, expanded cardiovascular services in Easton and Queenstown, and emergency PCI research. In 2016, cardiacelectrophysiology and interventional cardiology — including primary and elective angioplasty — were added, and in 2017, the Cardiac Interventional Center (CIC) at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton was established.

Of the Heart and Vascular Center, Jones says, “We recognized that there has been a great deal of growth in the Cardiology Department. Recent growth has enabled the department to offer pre- and post-cardiovascular procedures, which required additional staff and additional training needed to establish three call teams for the Cardiac Cath Lab.”

As a result of this growth in services and staffing, Jones and the Cardiology Governance Committee, which includes members of senior leadership and cardiology medical directors, conducted extensive research to ascertain how these services were structured at other UMMS facilities. After review, the Heart and Vascular Center was established to provide a more standardized structure for the delivery of comprehensive heart and vascular services.

Photo: From left are several Heart and Vascular Center team members, including Dr. Gabriel Sardi; Joyce Collier, nurse and Cath Lab manager; Tina Blalock, nurse and clinical nurse coordinator; Dr. Jeffrey Etherton; Heart and Vascular Center Director Gary Jones; Vicki Roe, nurse; Anne Marie Conteh, registered cardiovascular invasive specialist; Dr. Benjamin Remo; Dr. Timothy Shanahan; and Vanessa Gore, nurse.

Heart and Vascular Center offerings include Cardiac Cath Lab procedures such as cardiac electrophysiology to treat patients whose heart rhythms need correction, including installing device implants such as pacemakers and defibrillators that help regulate arrhythmias, and diagnostic catheterization, which can assess the presence of blocked heart vessels or arteries. The Cath Lab also offers percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, formerly referred to as angioplasty with stent), which is used to treat coronary artery disease.

Also included under the Heart and Vascular Center umbrella are UM Shore Medical Group-Cardiology, cardiovascular diagnostics, vascular laboratories at UM Shore Medical Centers at Chestertown, Dorchester and Easton, five diagnostic centers and Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation at all three hospitals.

“The Heart and Vascular Center aligns with where we are headed in the future, which will include an increase in vascular services offerings for our communities as well as continuing to provide life-saving emergency cardiac care services to our five-county region,” Jones says. “Our patients have convenient access to very comprehensive cardiovascular care, close to home.”

Jones says establishment of the Heart and Vascular Center would not have been possible without the support of Shore Regional Health’s medical staff, board of directors, senior leadership, Department of Nursing and critical care units, departmental leadership and also a strong working relationship with the five-county Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region IV emergency service agencies.

The UM Memorial Hospital Foundation recently announced an annual year-end appeal goal of $200,000 for the purchase of a new cardiac ultrasound machine and two other pieces of equipment for the Heart and Vascular Center at UM SRH.

The ultrasound machine, the GE E90, is a state-of-the-art non-invasive technology that will help physicians examine the heart’s chambers, walls, valves and vessels by using breakthrough software to enhance image quality, gain reproducible results and enhance workflows. To make a donation, please visit ummhfoundation.org/19yeappeal or mail your check to UM Memorial Hospital Foundation, 219 S. Washington St., Easton, MD 21601.

Eleven providers are affiliated with the Heart and Vascular Center at UM SRH, including: Drs. Jeffrey Etherton, S. Robert Hanna Jr., R. Bruce Helmly Jr., John Condit Jr., M. Christadoss Rajasingh, Benjamin Remo, Gabriel Sardi, Timothy Shanahan and Ivan Pena; and nurse practitioners Patricia Lancaster and Clare Ross.

About UM 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 2,600 employees, medical staff, board members and volunteers work with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

Neurosurgery Team Plans Mission Trip to Honduras

November 29, 2019 by UM Shore Regional Health

Five members of the UM Shore Medical Group – Neurosurgery team will fly to Honduras in January 2020 to work with One World Surgery to perform 30 life-changing neurosurgical procedures at the Holy Family Surgery Center in Honduras. Team members participating in the mission to Honduras include: Khalid H. Kurtom, MD, FAANS, FACS, Wendy S. Towers, CRNP, first assist, Tyler Gogoll, RN, neurosurgical team lead, Thomas Busch, RN, surgical nurse and Robert Brault, surgical technologist. Surgical equipment specialist Steve Lykudis will also travel with the team.

The purpose of the week-long medical mission is to provide minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures to Honduras residents who would otherwise not have access to quality surgical care. The team will use minimally invasive procedures to treat certain types of spinal conditions including degenerative or herniated disc disorders, lumbar spinal stenosis, instability of the spine and compression fractures of the spine.

In 2017, neurosurgery team members led by Dr. Kurtom traveled to Amman, Jordan to perform life-changing surgeries at the Istishari Hospital on patients who were suffering from a range of debilitating conditions, including injuries related to the conflict in Syria, advanced and untreated spinal disease, and previous unsuccessful surgeries.

Looking forward to traveling to Honduras to work with One World Surgery at Holy Family Surgery Center are (L-R) Thomas Busch, RN, Wendy Towers, CRNP, Khalid Kurtom, MD, Tyler Gogoll, RN and Steve Lykudis.

“Here, we are all fortunate to have the health care resources we do and sometimes it is easy to take that for granted — most places in the world have limited access to advanced health care, and most have no access to neurosurgical care,” says Dr. Kurtom. “Traveling on a mission to one of those places in dire need and providing neurosurgical care is considered a miracle for the people we help. As with our prior mission trip where we helped Syrian refugees in Jordan, our trip to Honduras will be life altering to those we help — and to our team it will be spiritually rewarding.”

The anticipated total cost of the medical mission trip to Honduras is $40,000 and fundraising efforts are now in progress to raise $20,000 to help defray the costs of the trip. Non-tax deductible donations can be made to Chesapeake Neurological Surgery, Inc., 4346 Southside Lane, Trappe, MD 21673.

“Nothing can describe the sense of personal reward that I and my team members gain by doing these mission trips,” says Dr. Kurtom, who is now reviewing the Honduran surgical cases in anticipation of the trip. “We hope our mission will inspire all to give of themselves for the benefit of others.”

For more information, contact Dr. Kurtom, cnseaston@gmail.com

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