The University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH), a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System, observes National Donate Life Month in April, honoring organ donors and bringing awareness to saving or enhancing lives through organ, eye, and tissue donation. 

Activities were kicked-off on April 4 at the annual Donate Life flag-raising ceremony at the entrance of University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton. After a prayer offered by the Rev. George Wheatley Sr., of Cambridge, Md., LuAnn Brady, UM SRH Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, discussed the meaning of organ donation and expressed gratitude to patients and families who have given the gift of life.

“These most sacred gifts change lives,” Brady said. “In Maryland, there are more than 2,000 people currently on the national transplant waiting list. One organ donor can save up to eight people and one tissue donor can heal the lives of up to 75 people.”

Karen Kennedy, Infinite Legacy’s Vice President of External Affairs and Education, expressed gratitude to donor families and to UM SRH, after which John Burke, father of an organ donor, shared his story of loss and hope when his son saved lives as an organ donor.

In partnership with Infinite Legacy, a non-profit organization that facilitates donation in area hospitals, UM SRH facilitated one organ donor in 2023, who donated six organs to five recipients, as well as 26 tissue donations, improving the lives of up to 2,000 patients. During the past 30 years, UM SRH has facilitated over 40 organ donations and over 150 tissue donations.

“Thanks to the generosity of donors and their families, and the dedication of health care and transplant professionals, thousands of lives are saved through organ and tissue donation,” said Chris Wright, Hospital Donation Coordinator, Infinite Legacy. “Our donor families are comforted in knowing that, even in death, their loved one is helping others.”

“At Shore Regional Health, we are committed to caring for patients from birth to death, and also for those who make the renewal of life possible for others,” said Ken Kozel, President and CEO, UM SRH. “We support and stand behind the families and loved ones of these patients who have selflessly donated life so that others may have a second chance at it.”

To register as an organ donor, visit a Maryland Vehicle Administration office or visit Infinite Legacy at infinitelegacy.org. 

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.

Habitat for Humanity Choptank is one of 26 organizations on the Eastern Shore of Maryland to receive direct federal resources for projects as a result of efforts by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin. 

On March 14, 2024, President Biden signed into law $32.5 million dollars in federal funding for the projects put forth by these organizations that Senator Van Hollen and Senator Cardin then championed at a federal level to benefit Shore residents in a variety of areas, including community development, historical and cultural initiatives, infrastructure, public safety, environment and education, and workforce development. Overall, the Senators included over $200 million in federal dollars directly for Maryland through the fiscal year 2024 government funding bills. “Access to affordable housing is essential to any family’s economic security. That’s why we worked to support Habitat for Humanity Choptank’s ongoing efforts to expand available housing options in this community – providing more Eastern Shore families with a brighter future,” said Senator Van Hollen.

As a result of those efforts, Habitat Choptank will receive an allocation of $450,000 to support a new neighborhood of 12 single-family homes on Camper Street in Cambridge, providing safe, affordable, and energy-efficient housing opportunities for local community members. This future funding will be allocated to support infrastructure costs for the new neighborhood, which include roads, water and sewer, storm water management, sidewalks and lighting. 

As a foundational component, safe, affordable and secure housing provides more than just shelter, but an opportunity to improve neighborhood stability, increase property values, and create opportunities for generational enrichment and growth for families.  “Safe, quality, affordable housing has a positive impact on so many other aspects of family and community health”, shared Chief Executive Officer JoAnn Hansen. “Time and time again, we’ve seen children do better in school, the health of seniors improve, and local businesses benefit from retaining employees who have access to safe, affordable and quality housing.”  

The efforts by Senators Van Hollen and Cardin to bring these resources to Maryland are a clear expression of their desire to support locally driven priorities and opportunities throughout the Eastern Shore. “Affordable housing has become unattainable for many middle and low-income families in Maryland and across the country. Building more affordable housing is critical in solving our housing crisis. Habitat for Humanity Choptank is helping to address our housing needs and putting homeownership within reach for so many Marylanders. With funding for this community-led project, fewer Cambridge families will face housing insecurity and more will have a place to call home,” said Senator Cardin. 

To learn more about Habitat Choptank and our homeownership and financial counseling programs, visit our website at habitatchoptank.org or call the office at 410-476-3204.

The above neighborhood rendering of the planned Camper Street neighborhood was prepared by Aaron Hansen, a student in the University of Maryland College Park’s Architecture, Planning & Preservation program.

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The Talbot County Health Department is hosting a health fair for the LGBTQ+ population in partnership with the Delmarva Pride Center on Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 10am-2pm.

The event, scheduled to take place at the Unitarian Church on Rt. 50 in Easton, will provide health screenings, testing and resources. Services will include: Hepatitis C and HIV testing, blood pressure screening, colon cancer screening, vision and hearing screening, blood glucose testing and more.

Lunch will be provided and participants will receive a $25 gift card for their completion of screening services. Additional services will be offered which includes Narcan training and information on a free smoking cessation program for Talbot County residents through the Health Department.

The Talbot County Health Department is working with Delmarva Pride to offer a variety of healthcare services to the LGBTQ+ community in Talbot County. Due to a lack of cultural competency in the healthcare system and stress brought on by harassment and discrimination, the LGBTQ+ population often experiences hurdles in achieving positive health outcomes. According to Stephanie Latham, coordinator of special programs of the Talbot County Health Department, “We hope that this event will be a starting point to improve health outcomes for this population.” The event comes at the end of the 22nd National LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week.

Participants are encouraged to RSVP for the event by reaching out via email at [email protected]. Walk-ins are welcomed.

For more information, please contact the Talbot County Health Department at (410) 819-5689.

Compass hospice care, supportive care, and grief services in Caroline, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties, will host its Annual Golf Tournament on Monday, April 29th at Prospect Bay Country Club in Grasonville.

The tournament, which aims to raise funds for Compass’ services, will feature 18 holes of golf along with various competitions and games. Registration for the event is $600 per team, which includes access to the practice range, golf cart, luncheon, and awards ceremony.

Proceeds from the tournament will enable Compass to continue providing compassionate and professional hospice care and supportive services to individuals facing serious, chronic, or terminal illnesses. These services include hospice care and supportive care in homes, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or at The Barnette Center in Centreville. Compass also offers grief support through individual counseling, support groups, and school-based grief counseling.

The Golf Committee— Josh Bullock, Brian Guerieri, Billy Willis, and Bruce Cohee—has been working diligently to organize the event. Registration will begin at 7:30 am on the day of the tournament, with a shotgun start at 9:00 am. Breakfast and other refreshments will be available on the course throughout the day, and participants will be invited back to the clubhouse for lunch and an awards ceremony after play.

For those interested in registering for the tournament or learning more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Shelly Baird at 443-262-4106 or [email protected].

For more information about Compass and its services, call 443-262-4100 or visit compassregionalhospice.org.

The month of May every year is a time of celebration for seniors across the nation, and Queen Anne’s County is no exception. To honor Older Americans Month, the Queen Anne’s County Department of Community Services Area Agency on Aging presents the 19th Annual Senior Summit. This event will take place on Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Queen Anne’s County 4-H Park in Centreville from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

With each passing year, the Senior Summit grows in significance and popularity, attracting seniors from all over Queen Anne’s County. This year, the theme of the event is the vibrant and iconic era of the 1960s. Attendees can look forward to immersing themselves in the nostalgia of the decade, with music provided by DJ Jennifer Cox.

In addition to the groovy tunes, attendees will have the opportunity to indulge in delicious food provided by the Tri-County Ruritan. The menu includes pulled chicken and fries for $9.00 or a cheeseburger and fries for $7.00, available for cash transactions only.

The Senior Summit offers a plethora of activities and attractions tailored to the interests of older adults. Highlights of the event include bingo sessions, classic cars display, exercise class demonstrations, exciting giveaways, hearing screenings, access to the Queen Anne’s County Mobile Library, raffle prizes, and a prescription roundup facilitated by the Office of the Sheriff. Attendees can also explore various resources and services offered by vendors and organizations present at the summit.

Moreover, the Senior Summit will feature a live broadcast by WCEI Radio, ensuring that the festivities reach a wider audience. Leading up to the event, participants are encouraged to join in the fun of Spirit Week, with themed days such as Crazy Hat and Hair Day, Patriotic Day, Sports Day, and Pajama Day, culminating in the grand finale – 60’s Day at the 4-H Park on May 17th.

For seniors needing transportation assistance, County Ride services are available by contacting 410-758-2357 before May 6. For inquiries about the Senior Summit, please call 410-758-0848.

Join us in celebrating Older Americans Month and honoring the contributions and achievements of our beloved seniors at the 19th Annual Senior Summit. Let’s make this year’s event a memorable and joyous occasion for all!

For All Seasons’ Center for Learning has been holding trainings for its staff, focusing on populations who experience trauma such as human trafficking, veterans’ issues, and the stress of being a first responder. Most recently, the Center completed training around the topic of human trafficking. The training, “Polaris Human Trafficking 101,” covered how human trafficking happens, understanding human trafficking victims, and recognizing human trafficking in our communities, as well as featured stories of human trafficking survivors.

The Center for Learning also trained 100% of the For All Seasons team in cultural competency around service members, veterans, and their families. The “Trained Military Assistance Provider (TMAP)” training curriculum covered topics such as healthcare providers, helping children of veterans, and crisis response and suicide among military members and veterans. The course also featured service members and veterans telling their stories of military-related trauma and realizing they needed mental health help. One of the instructors was Dr. Shauna Springer, Senior Director of Suicide Prevention and Postvention Initiatives, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors.

The first responder training is taught by Jeff Thompson, Ph.D., an Adjunct Associate Research Scientist in the Psychiatry Department at Columbia University Medical Center/New York State Psychiatric Institute. Previously, as a detective with the NYPD, he developed the NYPD’s peer support training. His research includes hostage negotiation in terrorist incidents, suicide prevention, resilience, and the use of effective communication during crisis incidents. Additional guest speakers from other first responder agencies, as well as first responders, will share their own lived experiences with work-related mental health.

“At For All Seasons, we have a deep commitment to ensuring the cultural competence and expertise of our team. As a community behavioral health and rape crisis center, we are the trauma-certified safety net for our community. Trainings like these demonstrate the agency’s commitment to being ready to serve the needs of the community members who walk through our doors,” comments Lauren Weber, Vice President of Strategy and Development.

According to Lesa Lee, Chief Clinical Officer at For All Seasons, “The trainings give our staff a chance to learn about a work culture or life experiences of someone who may have experienced trauma – whether it is through being trafficked, military experience, or being a first responder.”

“I have a first responder who is a friend who explained that it’s like you have rocks that you put in your backpack and if you don’t start to unload some of those rocks or experiences then they pile up and become unmanageable. For All Seasons clinicians are becoming knowledgeable about ‘the rocks’ in people’s backpacks to better serve our client populations.”

“It is important to understand the culture that anyone comes from. Whether it is specific to race, socioeconomic status, the community they live in, or their jobs. If we see things only through the lens that we have then we miss opportunities to understand and help others,” she adds.

“At For All Seasons, we want to set our clinicians up to use the skills and strategies they know with all of our clients. These trainings allow us to dig in and do the difficult work with a new level of knowledge.”

These For All Seasons trainings are supported in part by grants. “Polaris Human Trafficking 101” is supported by the Regional Navigator Grant from the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. “Trained Military Assistance Provider” (TMAP) training is supported by the Sheila E. Hixson Behavioral Health Services Grant. The first responders training is supported by the Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) from the Rural Maryland Council.

For further information on the Center for Learning’s trainings, contact Lauren Weber, Vice President of Strategy and Development at [email protected].

A major renovation project recently completed in one of UM Shore Regional Health’s two cardiac catheterization labs has facilitated state-of-the-art improvements in cardiac care provided at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton, which is an accredited Cardiac Intervention Center (CIC). UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS).

“The improvements in our cardiac catheterization lab are an investment in the heart health of our region,” said Ken Kozel, UM SRH President and CEO. “These renovations enable our highly skilled cardiology team to continue offering the outstanding cardiac care that our communities have come to expect from UM Shore Regional Health.”

The project, which began in October 2022, included upgrades to the catheterization lab’s fluoroscopy machine (which uses X-ray to allow providers to see within the vessels of the heart in real time in order to diagnose and treat various types of heart disease), repairs to the ductwork and ventilation system, painting, replacing the floors and upgrades to the control room. New technology included in the renovation reduces radiation emissions, which results in a safer work environment for physicians and cardiac catheterization lab team members.

The project represents a $2.5 million investment in the hospital’s continued CIC designation, first received in 2018 and up for renewal every five years. The hospital’s CIC was re-accredited in April 2023.

Each year, the UM SRH cardiology team performs more than 200 emergency percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) for patients experiencing a STEMI (ST-elevated myocardial infarction) heart attack. PCI is a non-surgical, minimally invasive procedure used to treat obstructive artery disease or blockages to restore and maintain blood supply to the heart. PCI can also be scheduled electively to treat non-emergent vessel blockage and cardiac disease.

“When UM Shore Regional Health built the cardiac catheterization laboratory in 2017, it immediately changed heart health care on the Eastern Shore,” said Jeffrey Etherton, MD, Medical Director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, UM Shore Regional Health. “Since then, this program has helped to save approximately 1,000 lives with emergency treatment for heart attack victims. This newly upgraded lab means UM Shore Regional Health’s cath lab is the newest and most state-of-the-art lab in Maryland. What a gift to the community from UM SRH’s leadership and the University of Maryland Medical System.”

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH), a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System, recently named Jessica Genrich, MBA, RNC, as Director of Women and Children’s Services.

“Jess has dedicated her clinical career to the care of women and children, and her present and focused leadership in this specialty will support UM Shore Regional Health in caring for this population throughout their lifetime,” said Jenny Bowie, MBA, BSN, Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at UM SRH.

Genrich has been with UM SRH since 2021, most recently as the interim nurse manager for UM SRH’s Women and Children’s Services, where she has also worked as a senior clinical nurse coordinator. Genrich began her nursing career as a labor and delivery nurse in 2004 at Luminis Health in Annapolis and has also worked in labor and delivery at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, N.C.

Genrich obtained her Master of Business Administration from Longwood University in Farmville, Va., her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from University of Maryland School of Nursing in Baltimore and her Bachelor of Science in Management Science and Information Technology with a concentration in Business Support Systems from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.