Aaron “Zack” Royston Joins Organization as Vice President, Rural Health Transformation and Executive Director for UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown

Aaron “Zack” Royston, MAS, MS, FACHE, has joined University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) as Vice President of Rural Health Care Transformation and Executive Director of UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS).

Royston transitions from UMMS and brings extensive health care administration and population health experience to this dual role, including finance, operations, process improvement, preventive health, and strategic planning and implementation. Most recently, he served for nearly four years as Director of Clinical Integration in the Population Health Services Organization with UMMS, where his responsibilities included overseeing systemwide population health services clinical integration, data and analytics, and federal regulatory program participation; leading the selection of the Population Health and Value-Based Care platform and leading the selection, contracting and implementation of the Epic Integrated Community Resource Directory that enables System team members to support the social drivers of health.

Prior to his tenure at UMMS, Royston spent 10 years with Affinity Health Alliance, Inc., based in Elkton, Maryland, including two positions with Union Hospital; Executive Director/Director of Revenue Cycle Operations and later as the hospital’s Senior Vice President of Provider Services.

Royston’s earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Emergency Health Services from University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), and also a master’s degree in Population Health Management from Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health. Early in his career, he taught in health sciences programs for area community colleges and UMBC.

Royston previously served as board chair for the West Cecil Health Center, as a board member of the Cecil County YMCA, as a Finance Committee member for the YMCA of the Chesapeake and as a member of the Cecil County Commission on Aging.

“Zack is an excellent addition to UM Shore Regional Health’s senior leadership team,” said Ken Kozel, UM SRH President and CEO “His diverse experience in finance, operations, population health, process improvement, preventive health and strategic planning will help us continue our progress in providing optimal health care services and programs in Kent County and throughout the Mid-Shore. 

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.

Approximately 1700 guests attended the For All Seasons 2024 Back-to-School Supplies Giveaway and Resource Expo in Idlewild Park – a record attendance for the event. For All Seasons distributed 800 backpacks filled with materials to local students.

“We couldn’t do this event without For All Seasons staff, student volunteers, and our resource providers, who worked together to make this a memorable evening for our local kids and families. We especially want to acknowledge The Talbot Department of Social Services, The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, Easton Lions Club, Talbot County Children’s Advocacy Center, and PepUp, Inc. for their generous contributions towards the backpacks. With the growing costs associated with getting kids ready for school, these resources are invaluable to struggling families,” commented Katie Theeke, Vice President of Marketing & Communications.

It’s really important to us to partner with other agencies in our community. We can better meet the needs of children and families when we work together. There continues to be a growing need for support and resources locally, especially as we start the new school year. We are always excited to partner with For All Seasons each year for this truly valuable event,” added Paris Quillet, Special Projects Coordinator, Talbot County Department of Social Services.

The following organizations attended the event and provided resources to participants, including Talbot County Department of Social Services, Aetna Better Health of Maryland, Appleseed Books, Talbot Humane, Talbot Hospice, Healthy Talbot, Easton Family YMCA, CarePacks, Talbot Interfaith Shelter, Easton Elementary School, Shore Legal Access, Seedco/Maryland Health Connection, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center, Eastpoint Church, Choptank Community Health, Talbot County Health Department, Mid Shore Community Mediation Center, Talbot County Free Library, UM Clark Comprehensive Breast Center, State of Maryland Office of Oral Health, Chesapeake Creative Wellness, and Talbot Thrive. A special thank you to Aetna Better Health of Maryland for donating a bike for the raffle prize.

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

Returning to school after a long summer break can be a stressful time for students, whether it’s a child’s first day of kindergarten, a transition to middle or high school, or just the end of the freedoms of summer. It’s normal for children to feel anxious about these changes. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recommends the following to help ease children’s worries as they transition back to school:

Communicate: Encourage your child to express their feelings about going back to school. Acknowledge their fears, make them feel understood, and reassure them that feeling anxious about these changes is perfectly normal.

Create Routines: A consistent routine fosters a sense of security in children. Establishing a regular sleep schedule, eating healthy meals, and setting aside time for homework and relaxation can help children adjust to the rhythm of the school year.

Make Advance Preparations: If possible, attend any scheduled school orientations. Meeting teachers, locating classrooms, and becoming familiar with the school layout can help students feel more confident on the first day of school. If there is not a scheduled orientation, make time to visit the school ahead of time to help children familiarize themselves with the environment. It can also be helpful to practice morning routines like getting ready for the bus or identifying routes to school.

Encourage In-person Social Interactions: Facilitate interaction with classmates to rekindle old friendships and make new ones. Social relationships can make the transition smoother and more enjoyable.

Teens can pose a particular challenge with back-to-school transitions, especially as they transition to new schools – entering middle and high school. The following are some steps you can take to monitor your teen and help protect him or her from risky health behaviors and experiences:

• Talk with your teen about your rules and expectations and explain the consequences of breaking the rules.
• Talk and listen to your teen often about how he or she feels and what he or she is thinking.
• Know who your teen’s friends are including getting to know your teen’s boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Get to know the parents of your teen’s friends.
• Talk with your teen about the plans he or she has with friends, what he or she is doing after school, and where he or she will be going.
• Set expectations for when your teen will come home and expect a call if he or she will be late.
• Ask whether an adult will be present when your teen is visiting a friend’s home.
• Talk with your relatives, your neighbors, your teen’s teachers, and other adults who know your teen. Ask them to share what they observe about your teen’s behaviors, moods, or friends.
• Watch how your teen spends money.
• Keep track of how your teen spends time online, and talk about using the Internet safely.
• Pay attention to your teen’s mood and behavior at home, and discuss any concerns you might have.
• If your teen does break a rule, enforce the consequences fairly and consistently.
• Make sure your teen knows how to contact you at all times.

For All Seasons wants to remind parents that every family is different, and perfection isn’t the goal. Showing up for your child and letting them know you are there to support them through the good moments and the challenging ones is a big part of the foundation for a great year. For All Seasons is available for parents and their children should any issues arise in the school year by calling 410-822-1018.

https://www.samhsa.gov/blog/back-to-school-and-mental-health-supporting-children

Compass will be offering their three-day training session for any individuals interested in becoming a patient care volunteer.

The training session is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. October 4, 11, and 18th. The training will be held at our Barnette Center’s Conference room located at 255 Comet Dr. Centreville, MD 21617. Volunteers provide company for patients, relieve the primary caregiver for a short period of time, assist with administration duties, or grief services. We are always looking for Veterans to assist with our We Honor Veterans program.

“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.

Compass relies on more than 200 volunteers of all ages to support its mission, and these individuals volunteer their time in a variety of ways. In addition to patient care volunteers, Compass is currently seeking volunteers for Compass Closet (formerly 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 [email protected]. Please register no later than September 27.

After more than a decade with UM Shore Regional Health (UM SRH), William Huffner, MD, MBA, FACEP, FACHE, who served during this time as Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs, retired at the end of June. Dr. Huffner’s time with UM SRH was marked by many changes for the hospital system, including the integration of two hospitals and medical staffs, growing the provider network now known as University of Maryland Shore Medical Group, and opening two medical pavilions and a freestanding emergency center. In 2020, he led the health care network through the COVID-19 pandemic as regional incident commander.

“For the past decade, Dr. Huffner has been a tremendous asset to the advancement of health care on Maryland’s Eastern Shore,” said Ken Kozel, MBA, FACHE, President and CEO, UM SRH. “In 2013, Shore Health integrated with Chester River Health, which subsequently created one medical staff with one set of bylaws and one physician leadership structure for the region, Dr. Huffner helped lead the transformation to one system of care for our community. We will miss his leadership and sense of humor, and on behalf of the Board and everyone at Shore Regional Health, we are grateful for his significant contributions to our community and wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement.”

Before coming to UM SRH in 2013, Dr. Huffner served in multiple roles at Arnot Health Inc., in Elmira, New York, ultimately serving as Chief Medical Officer for the Arnot Health system, as well as Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at two of its hospitals. Prior to that position, he was chair and medical director for the Department of Emergency Medicine at Arnot Ogden Medical Center, and medical director for paramedic training, ambulance service and hazmat teams.

“I came to UM Shore Regional Health because it was a great opportunity to do what I had done in upstate New York, which was to create a single hospital system out of three separate hospitals. Shore Regional Health became a system within the

William Huffner, MD, MBA, FACEP, FACHE

University of Maryland Medical System. At the same time, Shore Regional Health has continued to put the needs of our patients first,” Dr. Huffner said.

Dr. Huffner’s emergency medicine experience also gave him unique insight into the needs of patients and their care teams in the multiple departments and health care services patients experience during illness and recovery. His time at UM SRH was marked by several significant collaborations, including residency programs for physicians and physician’s assistants.

“As an emergency medicine physician and medical director of an EMS system and ambulances in upstate New York, I fully recognize the importance of EMS professionals, both paid and volunteer, who can optimize the care to patients even before they come to the hospital,” Dr. Huffner said. “Respect for our pre-hospital care providers is a critically important part of the care across the continuum. “It’s critically important for us to work collaboratively, as a team — and by team, I include community-based providers who create wellness through better care. Each of us has expertise, whether it’s home-based care, preventive care or post-acute care. That’s why we collaborate with community-based providers — skilled nursing facilities, behavioral health providers, EMS providers, case managers and the medical staff, physicians, primary providers and specialists.”

Timothy Shanahan, DO, Medical Director, UM Shore Medical Group, added, “Dr. Huffner has been a mentor, friend and trusted leader. His interest has always been in putting the patient first. His leadership has played an integral role in bringing Shore Regional Health’s vision of a new state-of-the-art hospital to the Eastern Shore. In that same vein, he has helped successfully lay the framework for bringing medical residents to the Eastern Shore.”

On the Eastern Shore, Dr. Huffner championed the University of Maryland Medical System’s focus on patient safety along with improved patient outcomes and team member experience.

“UMMS and Shore Regional Health have adopted evidenced-based best care practices and the concept of safety — these are the first and foremost priorities in patient care,” Dr. Huffner said. “Integrating the importance of safety and good outcomes, every day, all the way up to management and Board responsibilities for these processes, we recognize that it is critically important to provide the focus but also the resources needed for these priorities.”

As the UM SRH Incident Commander during COVID-19, Dr. Huffner coordinated pandemic response efforts.

“Managing through COVID was successful because we are part of UMMS, which developed a comprehensive incident command system (ICS) in which all the hospitals participated — each hospital established its own incident command to address the needs and the ever-changing situation of COVID during the pandemic,” Dr. Huffner said. “The success of ICS during COVID-19 really showed our team members that it is an effective tool in dealing with emergent situations.”

Dr. Huffner said he believes in the hospital system’s vision and its future prospects.

“The future for Shore Regional Health is bright,” Dr. Huffner said. “The prospect of the new regional medical center is exciting, and we have processes and people —frontline team members, nurses, advanced practice providers, doctors, management and the Board — focused on the importance of highest quality care. That focus moves us to ensure that we accomplish high quality care and great outcomes for both our patients and our team members.”

In retirement, Dr. Huffner is spending time with his wife, Rosemary, his four adult children and six grandchildren. He continues to sit on the boards for the Caroline County Adult Public Guardianship Review Board and the Benedictine School.

“I really want to express my gratitude to everyone at UM SRH — the Board, Ken, and all the team members that I enjoyed working with — a real sincere thank you to all of those people who made my time here possible and enjoyable.”

The Orthopedic Center has welcomed podiatrist Todd Albrecht, DPM, to its provider team. The Orthopedic Center is an affiliate medical practice of University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

Dr. Albrecht is well-known in the Mid-Shore community for having operated Easton Foot and Ankle Center since 1994. He earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from the William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine in Chicago, Ill., and his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. He completed his podiatric surgical residency at Central Medical Center and Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa. He is board certified in foot surgery by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery.

“We very pleased that Dr. Albrecht has joined our practice effective August 12, 2024,” said Orthopedic Center principal provider Thomas Stauch, MD. “He has provided 20 years of exceptional podiatry care in our community that will contribute effectively to the growth of The Orthopedic Center.”

To make an appointment with Dr. Albrecht, call The Orthopedic Center at 410-822-8226.

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.

The Cancer Center at the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) will offer prostate screenings at no cost to eligible participants on Tuesday, September 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. The screenings, which are conducted as part of a clinical research trial, are open to males over 45 who have never had a prostate cancer screening and to males ages 55 to 69 who are due for an annual prostate cancer screening. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

Statistics based on data from 2023 indicate that nationwide, one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer over the course of his lifetime. The risk for veterans is 1.5 times higher than the general population and African-American men are 2.1 times more likely to die of the disease than those of Caucasian descent. Early detection and treatment are key to achieving the best outcome.; In cases where the tumor is not metastasized (i.e., contained within the prostate), the five-year survival after treatment is almost 100%.

“Prostate screening is an important tool that men in their 40s and beyond should undergo to help maintain their best health,” said Christina Weisenborn, BSN, RN, OCN, Clinical Trials Nurse at the Cancer Center at UM SRH. “Anyone unsure of whether or not he should be screened is encouraged to ask his health care provider. We look forward to having a strong turnout for this free screening offered during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.”

The Cancer Center at UM SRH is located at 509 Idlewild Avenue in Easton. RSVP for the Prostate Screening event (no later than September 13, 2024) or ask questions, by calling 410-820-6800, ext. 2300. To view a patient story video about diagnosis, treatment and survival from prostate cancer, visit: https://www.umms.org/shore/health-services/cancer/services/radiation-oncology 

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.

(l to r)  Gary Yeatman, Chair, Missions Committee; Frank Gunsalles III, Chair, Administrative Board and Finance Committee; W. Moorhead Vermilye, Vice Chair, UM Memorial Hospital Foundation; John Hurt Jr., Co-Chair, Endowment Committee; Pastor Ed Kuhling; Cris Doughty, Co-Chair, Endowment Committee; Arvin Singh, Vice President, Strategy and Communications; Ken Kozel, President and CEO, UM SRH, and Rebecca Bair, Vice President Philanthropy.

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Easton, Maryland has committed $1 million dollars to University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) to advance healthcare on the mid-shore through construction of the new UM Shore Regional Medical Center. 

“Our church has been blessed, and in turn we want to bless our community, said Reverend Meredith West, Pastor.  “The new hospital will have a tremendous impact on the health and well-being of our community. I can’t think of a better way to help.”

The mission of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church ties closely with service and caring for humanity’s most basic needs, including health care. “Our vision is to inspire people of all ages through love and service,” said West. This gift aligns perfectly with loving and serving our community.”

Construction of the new medical center, located at 10000 Longwoods Road in Easton, Maryland, will begin later this month.

“We are incredibly excited and grateful for what this new hospital means for residents of the region,” said Ken Kozel, UM SRH President and CEO. “We are deeply grateful to the St. Mark’s community of parishioners for this transformative gift.”

“This inspirational gift isn’t merely financial; it’s a thoughtful alignment of their mission, with UM Shore Health’s vision for the future and reflection of values that shape a better community,” said Rebecca Bair, Vice President of Philanthropy, UM Shore Regional Health. “It is an investment in our community, and holds immense significance that will make a lasting difference.”

For information about making a gift, contact Rebecca at 667-343-5509 or [email protected].

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of th(e 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.

For All Seasons will host its annual School Supplies Giveaway and Resource Fair on Tuesday, August 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Idlewild Park in Easton. Talbot County Department of Social Services is a key partner, contributing to the purchase of hundreds of backpacks pre-stuffed with supplies for community children in need. In addition to the backpacks and school supplies, the event will offer community resources, free Rita’s Italian ice, raffles, games, and more. Last year’s event drew approximately 1400 participants.

“This is one of our most successful events for connecting families in our community to important health and community resources available in Talbot County. While we are giving out school supplies and backpacks, it also provides our agency with an opportunity to share with families with  important mental health information at the start of the school,” states Katie Theeke, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at For All Seasons.

Among the vendors to date who will participate are Talbot County Department of Social Services, Talbot Hospice, Aetna Better Health of MD, Eastpoint Church, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, Easton Elementary School, Appleseed Books, Talbot Humane, Talbot Interfaith Shelter, MD Office of Oral Health, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region, Talbot County Health Department, Crossroads Community & Corsica River Mental Health Services, Talbot County Free Library, Midshore Behavioral Health, Seedco/MD Health Connection, Healthy Talbot, CarePacks of Talbot County, Mid Shore Community Mediation Center, Choptank Community Health, and Easton Family YMCA. If interested in becoming a sponsor for the event, reach out to Lauren Weber, Vice President Strategy and Development at [email protected].

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