Project Restart and Grace Street announced this week a free peer recovery support specialist certification program starting soon in Easton.

Certified Peer Recovery Specialists are people with lived experience in recovery from substance use disorder and/or mental illness, who receive credentials that standardize work in recovery support environments. This credential is governed by the Maryland Behavioral-health Professional Certification Board. Certification includes 46 hours of documented courses, along with 500 service hours and 25 supervision hours.

Grace Street, a new recovery community organization in Easton, is offering the full certification program for eight people in this first cohort. Project Restart, a program of Not My Child, a non-profit dedicated to helping people affected by the opioid crisis through channels of education, awareness, burial costs, memorials, and/or co-pays for treatment, is sponsoring the cost of training. Project Restart focuses on job supports by linking potential employees and employers.

“The goal of Not My Child and our Project Restart program is to eliminate the heartbreak surrounding the opioid crisis and aid in creating success stories and fulfilling futures instead,” said Laura Reno, Executive Director of Not My Child. “We are thrilled for this opportunity to partner with Grace Street to fund the peer recovery support specialist certification program training to qualified individuals. Not only is this program a rewarding career path that helps with healing, it is also a much needed profession that is highly in demand. We look forward to supporting and encouraging the individuals that are selected for this program.”

The first cohort includes two weeks of instruction, Monday through Friday during the day, on site at Grace Street. Participants must have six months of recovery from a substance use disorder, a GED or equivalent, and submit two letters of recommendation. Anyone interested should contact Kelley Callaghan at [email protected].

Grace Street is the area’s first recovery community organization (RCO). RCOs are a nationally recognized model that help bridge the gap between professional treatment and a successful life in long-term recovery through enhanced supports and services. Chesapeake Charities received a one-year grant from Maryland’s Opioid Operational Command Center to establish the Grace Street RCO.

Easton’s center delivers an assortment of non-clinical, community-centered, peer recovery support services and care coordination, along with harm reduction resources including the region’s first Narcan vending machine; workforce training and development; youth programming; overdose prevention activities and resources; and support groups. The center helps people establish healthy lifestyles and reacclimate into society, while building recovery capital and working to reduce stigma often associated with addiction.

Grace Street serves people in Easton and Talbot County, and in neighboring counties across the Mid-Shore. Referrals are not necessary and services are free. The center is open weekdays, 4 – 9 pm. and weekends 2 – 7 p.m. Daytime hours vary. Anyone interested in volunteering, partnering or supporting this project can contact Kate Dulin, program director, at 410-690-7353 or visit GraceStreetRecovery.org.

This project is supported by the Opioid Operational Command Center. The views presented here are those of the grantee organization and not necessarily those of the OOCC, its Executive Director, or its staff. 

Located in Stevensville, Chesapeake Charities is a community foundation that supports more than 135 nonprofit funds that impact a range of charitable causes including animal welfare, arts, education, health and human services, and the environment. To date they have generated more than $32 million in investment and grant funding for charitable projects in ten counties: Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s and Talbot. For more information, contact Chesapeake Charities at (410) 643-4020 or [email protected], or visit www.chesapeakecharities.org. Chesapeake Charities is accredited by the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations.

 

UM Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) netted over $70,000 for patient care services at its annual golf tournament fundraiser held at Talbot Country Club. 

Proceeds are designated for the purchase of a Remote Patient Monitoring system for UM Shore Medical Center at Easton, which will allow for health data such as a patient’s vital signs and medication reminders to be transmitted between to providers. 

“This state-of-the-art technology will allow providers to monitor patients remotely, which is especially critical in rural settings like the Eastern Shore,” said Ken Kozel, President and CEO, UM SRH. “We are extremely grateful to all of our golfers and sponsors who helped make this purchase possible.”

The Auxiliary of Memorial Hospital at Easton was the lead sponsor of the tournament, with a generous gift of $25,000.

The first place winner for gross score was Harbor House Seafood, with a score of 55. The first place winner for net score was Doug James Real Estate Services, LLC/Intown Management, with a score of 50. For a full listing of winners, visit umhospfoundation.org.

“We would like to thank everyone for their continued support of our annual golf tournament,” said Rebecca Bair, Vice President, Philanthropy, UM Memorial Hospital Foundation. “Through the years, and because of our loyal community, Memorial Hospital Foundation has been able to improve care of our patients by helping to fund equipment and technology upgrades, facility renovations and staff education.”

For more information about the Foundation, contact Bair at [email protected] or 410-822-1000 ext. 5509 or visit ummhospfoundation.org.

McCall “Mickey” Breuer, CNM, WHNP-BC, recently joined UM Shore Medical Group – Women’s Health. Formerly a provider with WomanWise Midwifery in Blue Bell, Pa., her midwifery experience includes providing general benign gynecology, prenatal, OB triage, contraceptive and intrapartum and postpartum care. In outpatient and inpatient settings, she has managed patients with gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes.

Prior to earning her degree as a certified nurse midwife (CNM), Breuer worked as a registered nurse in maternity care at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pa., and Virtua Voorhees Hospital in Voorhees Township, N.J. She also has 10 years of experience as a birth and post-partum doula in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia.

Breuer holds a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University in Boston, and Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. Her specialty certifications include Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC), Neonatal Resuscitation Protocol (NRP) and AWHONN Basic Fetal Monitoring. She is fluent in Spanish.

 

Choptank Community Health System is moving forward with renovations to its Chestertown Health Center at 126 Philosophers Terrace in Chestertown, Maryland with the recent selection of Harper & Sons, Inc. of Easton, Maryland as the general contractor for the project.

Choptank Community Health System opened its Chestertown Health Center in the summer of 2022 within the existing building layout, and quickly began plans for renovating the space. Using the current footprint of the building, the renovated Chestertown Health Center will include new dental services and an expanded number of exam rooms available for Choptank Health’s medical and behavioral health patients.

“Harper & Sons shares our deep commitments to excellence and community,” says Choptank Health President and CEO Sara Rich. “We have worked with Harper & Sons on other renovations, including with our new Federalsburg Health Center soon to be under construction. We remain impressed by the number of successful commercial projects they’ve completed throughout the Eastern Shore.”

Harper & Sons, Inc. was founded in 1968 by Howard G. Harper in Easton, MD, and has successfully completed a portfolio of projects for commercial and institutional clients, including many challenging renovations of occupied buildings.

Today, Harper & Sons, Inc. is managed by the third generation of family members, with project experience that includes working with the Town of Easton, University of Maryland, Caroline County, St. Michaels Community Center, Qlarant Inc., Compass Hospice, and more.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to work on this meaningful project for Choptank Community Health and the people of Chestertown,” says Harper & Sons Vice President Benson Harper. “Our hands-on approach to project oversight ensures a high level of responsibility and personal attention to critical details throughout the building process. During each project, our whole team strives to provide unique and valuable solutions to the current challenges the construction industry is facing.”

Choptank Health’s Chestertown Health Center will remain open during renovations which are anticipated to be completed in the fall of 2024. The Center is open Mon. through Fri., 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and can be reached at 443-215-5353.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a time to learn about risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of this all-too-common cancer affecting men.

A free screening event is offered by The Cancer Center at UM Shore Regional Health on Tuesday, September 25. As part of a clinical trial, this screening is open to men ages 45 or older who have never been screened for prostate cancer, men 40 and older who are either African-American or have a family history of prostate cancer, and men ages 55 to 69 for yearly screening. Uninsured and underinsured individuals are welcome to participate. Register by calling Nina Weisenborn, 410-822-1000, ext. 2300 before September 26, 2023.

In the meantime, learn more from prostate cancer survivor Jon Peterson, of Chestertown, who describes his experience with diagnosis and treatment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkjXIQhDaXk

Choptank Community Health System is joining community partners across the Mid-Shore in standing up against substance abuse this September by participating in the Go Purple movement and building awareness around its substance use disorder and behavioral health services for patients.

Choptank Community Health System provides patients facing substance use disorders with Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), which is the use of medications in combination with counseling to treat substance use disorders.

The individually tailored program is offered at Choptank Health’s St. Michaels, Cambridge, Chestertown, Denton, Easton, Goldsboro, and Federalsburg locations and is primarily used for the treatment of alcohol and opioid use disorders. Patients also have the support of a peer recovery specialist and counseling services, with in-person visits in Federalsburg and telehealth available for all Choptank Health patients.

“You don’t have to face substance use and recovery on your own,” said Choptank Health President and CEO Sara Rich. “Choptank’s team of medical providers, nurses, and therapists can help. Recovery is possible, and we will get there together.”

The MAT services are part of Choptank Health’s behavioral health program and are available to all Choptank Health medical and dental patients. The services are provided with a compassionate, integrated approach to each patient’s mental health and well-being, including therapy for individuals, families, and groups, and medication management.

The regional Go Purple movement began in Talbot County, Md. as a month-long awareness and education initiative for preventing substance use among youth. Educational messages from Drug-Free Caroline, Dorchester Goes Purple, Kent Goes Purple, Queen Anne’s Goes Purple, and Talbot Goes Purple are being shared with Choptank Health’s online audiences.

“We encourage you to have conversations with your children, friends, or family members who are struggling with substance abuse,” said Rich. “If you need help starting the conversation or getting the facts, your Choptank Health providers in St. Michaels, Cambridge, Chestertown, Denton, Easton, Goldsboro, and Federalsburg are here and ready to help.”

Choptank Community Health System provides medical and dental 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. Medical services include primary healthcare, women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health, chronic health management, and care navigation, with new medical patients welcome. More is at www.choptankhealth.org.

Learn techniques and tips from trained chefs that are sure to have your holiday guests’ palates dancing with joy with two courses beginning this fall and offered by the St. Michaels Community Center and Chesapeake College.

Led by SMCC Executive Chef Kerri Clear, the St. Michaels community of star chefs will be sharing and showing the techniques they use during the holidays to excite you and your guests and families during this special time of year.

“Our participants raved about our inaugural culinary classes this past spring, so we’re really excited to be offering these holiday cooking courses this fall,” said Clear. “Our class sizes are kept small so that participants can work alongside trained chefs in an atmosphere that builds confidence in the kitchen and camaraderie among our participants.”

“Preparing the Perfect Holiday Meal: Turkey & the Fixins” is class CET 272 9A and takes place on Wednesday, November 1 from 6-9 p.m. In this class, participants will work alongside experienced chefs to focus on exciting holiday meals including salt brining, turkey roasting and carving techniques, preparing butternut squash & Yukon gold “mille feuille,” 1000 roasted layers, Farmer’s Market vegetable hash, seasonal vinaigrettes, and pecan pie.

“Preparing the Perfect Holiday Meal: Roasting a Leg of Lamb” is class CET 273 9A and takes place on Wednesday, December 6 from 6-9 p.m. In this class, participants will work alongside experienced chefs to focus on roasting a leg of lamb and preparing vegetable ratatouille, the perfect potato puree, and exquisite holiday meringues.

Each class takes place at the St. Michaels Community Center and includes two hours of cooking lessons and one hour for a family-style dinner with students and instructors sharing the prepared meal together.

Choptank Community Health System is bringing its mobile healthcare unit to Chestertown to help serve people in Kent County. The initiative is made possible through a partnership with Choptank Health, the Town of Chestertown, and the Chestertown Police Department. The mobile unit will be used to provide medical, behavioral health, and dental services to communities in Kent County.

The Chestertown Police Department at 601 High St. will house the mobile health unit while not out in Kent County delivering health care to residents. Services will be provided while the unit is out in the community and not from the unit in the parking lot.

“Choptank Health is very thankful for this opportunity to connect healthcare with our communities and local agencies,” said Choptank Health President and CEO Sara Rich. “We are especially grateful for Councilman Herz’s help while we were exploring the best places to call home for our mobile unit.”

“The search criteria included having a secure location for overnight parking and accessibility to electricity to recharge the unit’s instrumentations,” said Chestertown Council Ward 2 Member Thomas A. Herz, Jr. “The Chestertown Police Department fits the criteria, and is centrally located, which is an added bonus.”

Rich says this is their third mobile health unit and expands Choptank Health’s capability to truly meet its patients where they are. Other units are used during the school year to provide school-based medical and dental services and as a platform for Choptank Health’s migrant program team to visit various farms, agricultural nurseries, and crab houses across the Shore.

“Choptank Health is an essential community partner in delivering healthcare to people in Chestertown and those living in rural areas of the entire Mid-Shore region,” said Chestertown Mayor David Foster. “We felt it was essential to support the operations of their mobile unit to help break down barriers to healthcare while supporting the health of residents in our community.”

“Helping Choptank Health provide healthcare to people in our rural communities is important,” said Chestertown Police Department Chief Ronald M. Dixon. “We’re glad to have the opportunity to support their work and our community in this meaningful way.”

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. Medical services include primary healthcare, women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health, chronic health management, and care navigation, with new medical patients welcome. More information is at www.choptankhealth.org.

Talbot Goes Purple this week announced a free BMX event with drug prevention messages, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21 at Saints Peter & Paul High School in Easton.

Saints Peter & Paul School is a long-time partner of Talbot Goes Purple (TGP), which is a substance use prevention initiative founded in 2016 by Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble. The program encourages people to Go Purple in September, as a sign of standing up against substance abuse. TGP focuses on prevention activities and programs with students from grades 5-12 across the county.

Kevin Callahan, director of advancement for Saints Peter and Paul school, embraced the idea of bringing Dialed Action Sports’ BMX show, which incorporates drug prevention messages into the performance, to the high school this year.

“Saints Peter & Paul School is delighted to partner with Talbot Goes Purple, Sheriff Gamble and the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office to bring their important message to students in Talbot County and to the general public,” said Kevin R. Callahan, Director of Advancement for Saints Peter & Paul School. “We are looking forward to hosting this unique event on Thursday, September 21 and supporting the work of Talbot Goes Purple all year long and for years to come.”

Dialed Action Sports features BMX athletes performing aerial stunts like backflips, supermans and 360 spins on custom built ramps. In addition to these tricks, the team talks about drug use prevention and bicycle safety, while showing easier moves that even novice riders can try at home. The athletes are positive role models that show students what’s possible by living a health lifestyle.

There are two performances scheduled, the first, during the day, is only for students. The evening show at 6:30 p.m. is free and open to the public. The show will be held on the back parking area of SSPP High School, between the athletic fields and the school. The show will last about 30 minutes – bring a lawn chair if desired. Bathrooms are available inside the school.

Support for this event and others includes Spring & Associates, Town of Oxford, Saints Peter & Paul School and VFW Post 5118.

As a component fund of Mid-Shore Community Foundation, another partner since the start, all donations are tax-deductible. Anyone interested in supporting TGP can visit Mid-Shore’s website at mscf.org.

Talbot Goes Purple is an initiative from the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office and Tidewater Rotary, in partnership with Talbot County Public Schools, Saints Peter & Paul School and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation, and includes school-based student clubs, outreach and education activities, and community engagement events.

More information about Talbot Goes Purple is available at www.talbotgoespurple.org. Find TGP on Facebook @TalbotGoesPurple or contact us at [email protected].