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March 9, 2026

Centreville Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Centreville

00 Post to Chestertown Spy Health Health Lead

A Spy Chat with Shore Regional Health’s New Clark Breast Center Director Dr. Kathryn Kelley

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Dr. Kathryn Kelley didn’t grow up dreaming of a career in medicine. The daughter of a teacher and a businessman, she found her way to surgery by following her curiosity—first toward science, then toward people. A Philadelphia native and Temple University graduate, she began her career as a college student exploring the sciences and ended up in an operating room, drawn to the mix of precision, problem-solving, and human connection that defines her work today.

Now, the new breast surgical oncologist at UM Shore Regional Health’s Clark Comprehensive Breast Center, Dr. Kelley, steps into the role formerly held by the beloved Dr. Roberta Lilly for many years. Leading a team that serves five Eastern Shore counties, she provides a comprehensive range of services, from early detection to reconstructive options. In this conversation, she reflects on how far breast cancer care has come, why early diagnosis matters more than ever, and what it means to help patients move from fear to recovery—without having to cross the bridge for world-class care.

This video is approximately nine minutes in length. For more information about UM Shore Regional Health’s Clark Comprehensive Breast Center, please go here. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

University of Maryland Children’s Hospital Receives Record $50 Million Gift from Tom Golisano to Advance Pediatric Care in Maryland

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In recognition of transformative gift, will be renamed University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital

BALTIMORE, Md. (October 28, 2025) A landmark $50 million gift from entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader Tom Golisano marks a defining moment for the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB). As the largest philanthropic contribution in their history, this transformative investment will strengthen the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) and the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) as leaders in breakthrough science, education and compassionate care – shaping healthier futures for generations of children.

In tribute to this historic gift, the children’s hospital, located inside UMMC, the flagship hospital of UMMS, becomes the University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital (UMGCH). As a new member of the Golisano Children’s Alliance, it joins a growing national coalition of premier children’s hospitals dedicated to transforming pediatric medicine through collaboration, discovery and equitable access to world-class care.

At an event in Rochester, New York, Tom Golisano unveiled new gifts to six hospitals—expanding his Golisano Children’s Alliance to a 10-member national network advancing excellence and innovation in pediatric care. Senior leaders from UMMS, UMMC and UMSOM participated in the announcement. (View recording of the Rochester event here.)

“Children’s health has always been a priority for me, and it’s been deeply rewarding to see how the Golisano Children’s Hospitals are making a profound impact on the communities they serve,” said Golisano. “I am fortunate to be able to help others in this way, and I’m looking forward to seeing what these hospitals can achieve together. Also, I plan to continue making similar transformative gifts that will strengthen this new alliance.”

“For nearly 80 years, our Children’s Hospital has been caring for Maryland’s children and families right here in downtown Baltimore. Tom Golisano’s extraordinary gift will help us create a world-class facility with programs in gene and cell therapy that move us closer to cures once thought out of reach. It will allow us to attract the best pediatric specialists in these fields – the future of pediatric health care – while accelerating the growth of our existing programs in heart care, mental health, and community health. This investment will establish a lasting legacy of healing and excellence for the children of Baltimore and beyond,” said Steven J. Czinn, MD, Director of the University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital. Dr. Czinn is also The Drs. Rouben and Violet Jiji Endowed Professor of Pediatrics and Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

“This historic and transformational gift comes at a time of urgency and opportunity for pediatric care in Maryland. It will have lasting impact across generations of children and families. We are deeply grateful to Tom Golisano for his vision and generosity, and we are incredibly excited to build on the momentum this gift will bring to Baltimore,” added Heather S. Culp, JD, Senior Vice President for UMMC, Senior Associate Dean for Development at UMSOM, and Chief Philanthropy Officer for University of Maryland Medicine.

Impact of the Gift: Space, Programs, People
Significantly expanding the existing children’s hospital, the gift catalyzes a comprehensive pipeline for innovation in pediatric care, research, workforce development and community health – advancing bold ideas and life-changing discoveries that will benefit children and families across Maryland and beyond. Goals include:

  • A Dedicated Home for the University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital
      • Move existing inpatient and outpatient pediatric services currently located in multiple areas of the medical center and downtown into a unified, child-centered space within the new Stoler Center for Advanced Medicine (under construction with completion targeted for 2026).
      • Include new facilities for specialties like oncology, advanced critical care and emerging gene therapies
  • Expansion of Advanced Clinical Programs
      • Increase surgical capacity for complex, high-volume programs in pediatric heart care and rare diseases
      • Enhance care in NICU, PICU and general pediatric units
  • Launch of Gene Therapy Services for Children
      • Establish a comprehensive pediatric gene therapy program, offering FDA-approved, potentially curative treatments for over 20 rare childhood diseases
      • Position the hospital as a regional hub for advanced, personalized pediatric medicine
  • Acceleration of Innovation and Research
      • Expand multi-site studies on rare diseases, CAR T-cell therapy and evidence-based treatments
      • Advance research on social determinants of health and community-driven care
  • Strengthen Community Outreach and Access
      • Support new models of care addressing rising pediatric mental health challenges, obesity and chronic conditions
      • Fund outreach and innovation to reach medically underserved communities
  • Recruiting and Retention of Top Pediatric Talent
    • Attract visionary leaders, specialists and researchers to drive the next era of pediatric medicine

Golisano Invests in Maryland’s Flagship for Children’s Health

The University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital, a 90-bed facility with over 3,000 annual admissions and 118,000 outpatient visits, serves as a statewide leader in pediatric care. Supported by the University of Maryland Medical System and guided by the nation’s first public medical school, the hospital’s reach spans the entire state while its proximity to Washington, D.C. helps shape national health policy.

Research initiatives affiliated with the hospital – including the Center for Vaccine Development, the Brain Tissue Bank, Asthma Management, Pediatric HIV research and treatment – are driving breakthroughs in genetics, infectious diseases, and child health outcomes. In a recent example of this research leading to direct benefits for families in Maryland, studies of former neonatal intensive care patients informed the state’s decision to expand eligibility for early intervention services to hundreds more children each year. 

The hospital operates Maryland’s largest Level IV neonatal intensive care unit and recently cared for the youngest patient in its history at 22 weeks gestation. It was the first in the state to perform a pediatric double heart-lung transplant, the first to treat a pediatric patient with stem cells, and is home to downtown Baltimore’s dedicated pediatric emergency department. As a regional hub for pediatric intensive care, UMGCH co-operates a statewide transport network to ensure critically ill children receive timely, specialized treatment. Its children’s heart program, founded in 2012, is recognized as one of the top such programs in the nation.

Beyond clinical care, UMGCH fosters community through physician-led camps and annual patient reunions, strengthening connections between families and care teams.

The Heart of Why Funding Pediatrics Matters

As a registered nurse at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center, Angela Laubach sees miracles happen every day. But she’s also experienced this care in the most personal way, because her daughter Lana is one of those miracles. During Angela’s 20-week anatomy scan, she learned that her daughter Lana had a serious heart defect. 

“As a nurse, I understood the gravity of the diagnosis, but nothing prepares you to hear those words about your own baby. The team at the children’s hospital guided us through every moment – from Lana’s open-heart surgery just six days after birth to her remarkable recovery – with compassion, and constant reassurance. Today, Lana is a joyful 3-year-old who fills our home with laughter and endless ideas. Literally, her favorite thing to say is ‘I have a better idea,’” said Angela. 

Voices Across the Institutions

Mohan Suntha, MD, President and CEO of University of Maryland Medical System:

“A gift of this magnitude to our flagship children’s hospital enables us to expand pediatric expertise, improve access and strengthen care teams across our entire system. As a result, more children in more communities will receive the specialized care they need closer to home.”

Mark T. Gladwin, MD, Dean, University of Maryland School of Medicine: 

“We are so grateful for this profound and intentional gift from Tom Golisano, which comes at a critical time when children’s health in the U.S. is in alarming decline and funding for children’s health is increasingly at risk. Mr. Golisano is truly a remarkable individual who has put children’s health at the heart of his philanthropic mission. His tremendous generosity enables our Children’s Hospital to move forward as a bold leader in pediatric health across Maryland and beyond, enabling us to invest in cutting-edge technology and inspiring innovation among our pediatricians and pediatric surgeons in areas such as congenital heart care, targeted gene therapy, community health, and building new programs for curative therapies for pediatric genetic diseases and cancer.”

Bert W. O’Malley, MD, Executive Vice President for the Academic Health Division at UMMS; President of the University of Maryland Medical Center; and Professor of Otorhinolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine. 

“As part of a statewide academic health system, we have long had the privilege to provide Maryland children with high quality, compassionate care and advanced treatments for some of the most complex pediatric conditions. By joining the Golisano Children’s Alliance, we’re now connected to a national network of top children’s hospitals. Together, we can discover and share best practices, align on standards and launch innovative models that reach more children.”

Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, UMB President.

 “By joining the Golisano Children’s Alliance, University of Maryland, Baltimore faculty, researchers, and clinicians are further empowered to accelerate breakthroughs across all areas of childhood health and well-being. We are immensely grateful for Tom Golisano’s generosity, and we remain deeply committed to transforming the future of pediatric health here in Maryland and beyond.”

Ron V. Cummins, Jr., MBA, Senior Vice President & COO, University of Maryland Medical Center: 

“The Golisano’s historic and generous gift is an enduring investment in Maryland’s children — accelerating access to the most advanced treatments, and nurturing spaces — so that every child and family in our community receives care that honors their hopes and needs. The benefits of this gift will be felt for decades.”

To schedule an interview with one of the leaders above, please contact [email protected] or 410.328.8919. 

About Tom Golisano

Tom Golisano, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and civic leader, is the founder of Paychex, Inc., the nation’s largest human resource company for small to medium-sized businesses. Mr. Golisano’s vision, perseverance, and action have left an indelible mark on a broad spectrum of issues that touch our lives in business, healthcare, education, animal welfare, voter policies, politics, and tax reform. His investments are advancing entrepreneurship and driving the success of numerous businesses and start-ups. His philanthropic contributions to education, hospitals—including multiple children’s hospitals across the country that bear his name and numerous other organizations—exceed $1 billion. 

A fierce advocate for dignity and inclusion, in 1985 Tom Golisano applied his pioneering spirit to establish the Golisano Foundation to make the world a better place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With more than $120 million in gross assets, it is one of the largest private foundations in the U.S. devoted to supporting programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities awarding grants to non-profit organizations in Western New York and Southwest Florida.

Mr. Golisano formed and financially supports the Golisano Institute for Business & Entrepreneurship, where students receive a high quality business certificate and write their own entrepreneurial success stories, without having to take on enormous debt.He is the author of two Books, “Built Not Born,” a Wall Street Journal best seller and “The Italian Kid Did It!”

Connect with him at Golisanofoundation.org, Facebook: @GolisanoFoundation, X: @GolisanoFdn, Instagram: @golisanofdn, YouTube: @GolisanoFoundation

About University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital (UMGCH)

Located within the University of Maryland Medical Center, the University of Maryland Golisano Children’s Hospital is a leading resource for children with critical and chronic illnesses throughout Maryland and the mid-Atlantic. The hospital combines state-of-the-art medicine with family-centered care, offering more than 190 specialized pediatric physicians. Its services include Maryland’s largest Level IV neonatal intensive care unit and comprehensive programs in congenital heart conditions, asthma, epilepsy, and gastrointestinal disorders. Visit www.umms.org/childrens for more information.

About University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) 

As an academic private health system, UMMS is 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.

About the University of Maryland School of Medicine

The University of Maryland School of Medicine, established in 1807 as the first public medical school in the U.S., continues today as one of the fastest growing, top-tier biomedical research enterprises in the world.  The School has nearly $500 million total research funding, 46 departments, centers, and institutes, more than 2,200 student trainees and over 3,000 faculty members, including notable members of the National Academy of Medicine.  As the largest public medical school in the DC/MD/VA region, faculty-physicians are working to help patients manage chronic diseases like obesity, cancer, heart disease and addiction, while also working on cutting-edge research to address the most critical generational health challenges. In 2024, the School ranked #12 among public medical schools and #27 among all medical schools for R&D expenditures by the National Science Foundation. With a $1.3 billion total operating budget, the School partners with the University of Maryland Medical Center to serve nearly 2 million patients annually. The School’s global reach extends around the world with research and treatment facilities in 33 countries. In Maryland, the School of Medicine is spearheading new initiatives in AI and health computing and partnering with the University of Maryland BioPark to develop new medical technologies and bioengineering ventures. For more information, visit medschool.umaryland.edu.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Choptank Health Expands Dental Team in Federalsburg

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Kendrick Lee, DMD, MS, has recently joined the Choptank Community Health System’s dental care team, bringing his expertise in dentistry and oral surgery to Federalsburg Health Center patients.

Dr. Lee’s position is funded through a grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission to increase access to specialty dental care on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

“The CHRC is thrilled to support Choptank’s expanded dental program,” commented CHRC Executive Director Mark Luckner. “We welcome Dr. Lee and look forward to working with Choptank as they implement this important program.

“Over the years, the CHRC has awarded 52 dental grants totaling $11.5 million,” he said. “These grants have collectively provided dental services to more than 76,000 residents.”

Dr. Lee’s advanced dental training and clinical skills include expertise in oral surgery, extractions, sedation, digital dentistry, implant restorations, and emergency care. He helps to meet the diverse needs of families while restoring function and confidence for patients facing barriers to dental treatment.

His honors include participation in the TUSDM Honors Periodontology Program, receipt of the National Health Service Corps Scholarship, and participation in the Tisch Fellowship Program. He was a co-recipient of the Dr. Chad Anderson Award for Innovative Methodology and Research in June 2022.

Dr. Lee completed his Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) at the Foundry Dental Center and earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He received a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Barry University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor in Chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University.

His continued education includes completing a year-long Comprehensive Implant Residency Program, which focuses on advanced implant techniques. He additionally received an IV Parental Sedation Certification from McCracken Implant Education.

“Many children on Maryland’s Eastern Shore do not have access to oral surgery,” says Choptank Health President and CEO Sara Rich. “Having Dr. Lee’s expertise here is desperately needed to address the shortage of this specialty service.”

Choptank Community Health System provides medical and dental care services in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties to more than 30,000 adults and children, with a mission to provide access to exceptional, comprehensive, and integrated healthcare for all.

Choptank Health’s pediatric and adult dental services include dental examinations, cleanings, x-rays, dental sealants, fluoride treatments, fillings, oral surgery extractions, root canals, dentures, and coordination of hospital-based programs.

Choptank Health’s school-based health care program also includes dental services for registered students in all five of Maryland’s Mid-Shore counties. More is at www.choptankhealth.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

USDA Won’t Shuffle Funds to Extend SNAP During Shutdown, in About-Face from Earlier Plan

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a memo Friday the agency’s contingency fund cannot legally be used to provide food assistance benefits for more than 42 million people in November, as the government shutdown drags on.

The position is a reversal from the department’s earlier stance, according to a since-deleted copy of the USDA’s Sept. 30 shutdown plan that said the department would use its multi-year contingency fund to continue paying Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits during the ongoing shutdown.

SNAP has about $6 billion in the contingency fund — short of the roughly $9 billion needed to cover a full month of the program, putting November benefits in jeopardy.

Because of a stalemate in Congress over a stopgap spending bill, the government shut down on Oct. 1 without new SNAP funding enacted.

The memo, which was first reported by Axios on Friday, said states would not be reimbursed if they use their own funds to cover the cost of the benefits.

“There is no provision or allowance under current law for States to cover the cost of benefits and be reimbursed,” the memo says, while also noting that “the best way for SNAP to continue is for the shutdown to end.”

Discrepancy with shutdown plan

The memo also says the contingency fund is meant for natural disasters and similar emergencies, not for a lack of appropriations.

But USDA’s Sept. 30 contingency plan contradicts that and appears to greenlight the use of SNAP’s contingency fund during a lapse in funding.

“Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multi-year contingency funds that can be used for State Administrative Expenses to ensure that the State can also continue operations during a Federal Government shutdown,” according to the plan. “These multi-year contingency funds are also available to fund participant benefits in the event that a lapse occurs in the middle of the fiscal year.”

USDA’s contingency plan is no longer online, but is accessible through an internet archive.

After providing States Newsroom with the memo Friday afternoon, USDA did not immediately respond to a follow-up inquiry about the discrepancy between Friday’s memo and its contingency plan.

In the memo, USDA said transferring money toward SNAP from other sources “would pull away funding for school meals and infant formula.”

The agency said it has shuffled funds to cover several nutrition programs during the shutdown, including the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, or WIC, as well as the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Dems call on Rollins to tap into fund

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said last week the government would run out of funds to deliver November SNAP benefits as a result of the ongoing shutdown.

Friday morning, U.S. House Democrats, like nearly all of their Senate counterparts and the Republican chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, urged Rollins to not only use the contingency fund, but to reprogram other money to cover a $3 billion shortfall.

“A potential lapse in benefits would be felt by Americans of all ages and affect every corner and congressional district in the country,” according to the letter from more than 200 House Democrats.

In a separate letter, 46 Senate Democrats sent to Rollins on Wednesday, voicing concerns that USDA told states to hold off on sending in SNAP benefits to be processed for November.

“We were deeply disturbed to hear that the USDA has instructed states to stop processing SNAP benefits for November and were surprised by your recent comments that the program will ‘run out of money in two weeks,’” according to the letter. “In fact, the USDA has several tools available which would enable SNAP benefits to be paid through or close to the end of November.”

The chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Republican Susan Collins of Maine, also urged Rollins in a Thursday letter to “consider all available options in accordance with federal law to ensure that this vital nutrition assistance continues, including the use of contingency funds and looking at the viability of partial payments or any transfer authority you may have.”

Benefits could be slow even if a deal reached

States have been told by the agency to hold off on submitting SNAP benefit requests to processing centers. Food banks and pantries are already bracing for the increased need, including in Iowa, where more than 270,000 Iowans rely on SNAP each month.

However, even if Congress immediately reached a deal to end the shutdown, the time needed to process the payments and make them available for recipients means SNAP benefits would likely be delayed. State officials have warned SNAP recipients of the possibility of delays.

In West Virginia, officials said delays are expected and told residents to seek assistance at local food pantries. Roughly 1 in 6 West Virginia residents rely on SNAP each month.

Legal requirement cited

Sharon Parrott, a White House Office of Management and Budget official during the Obama administration who now leads a left-leaning think tank, said in a Thursday statement that USDA is legally required to use its SNAP contingency funds.

Parrott, the president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said the multi-year contingency fund is “billions of dollars that Congress provided for use when SNAP funding is inadequate that remain available during the shutdown — to fund November benefits for the 1 in 8 Americans who need SNAP to afford their grocery bill.”

Parrott said the Trump administration could use its legal transfer authority, just as it did with WIC funding, to “supplement the contingency reserves, which by themselves are not enough to fund families’ full benefits.”

by Ariana Figueroa, Maryland Matters
October 27, 2025

Maryland Matters is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Maryland Matters maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Steve Crane for questions: [email protected].

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Helping Workplaces Support Mental Health

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Creating workplaces that support workers’ mental health is important as rising concerns about safety and mental health continue to appear in the news. For All Seasons is sharing ways businesses can create workplaces that support mental health and how to recognize the warning signs in a co-worker who might be struggling.

Since COVID, most workplaces have realized the need to address mental health concerns. From financial stress to feeling excluded or working in unhealthy environments, a range of factors can influence how employees experience mental health at work.

“More workers today are looking for workplaces that support mental health when they seek future job opportunities. In the U.S., one in five adults experiences a mental illness, and less than half receive treatment. As employers, we need to be aware of this,” shares Beth Anne Dorman, President and CEO of For All Seasons.

Dorman shares that employers can offer mental health support to their employees in different ways. These include:

  • Connection and Community – fostering positive social interactions and relationships in the workplace supports worker well-being
  • Work-Life Harmony –  supporting employees in balancing the demands of their jobs with their personal lives
  • Recognition and Care – helping people know that their work is valued and as an individual they matter to those around them
  • Opportunity for Growth – creating more opportunities for workers to accomplish goals based on their skills and growth

“Helping businesses and co-workers recognize the warning signs of common mental health conditions and getting workers the help they need is also top of mind for many employers today. Knowing the warning signs is an important first step.” Dorman adds.

General types of changes that could signal someone is struggling with their mental health include: changes in appearance, changes in behavior or mood, withdrawal, and changes in thinking.

Dorman shares that if someone sees a coworker exhibiting any of these types of changes over time, it is important to be proactive. Checking in with someone you have concerns about, listening without judgment, and connecting them to resources could help.

For All Seasons offers both mental health and leadership trainings in the community to help businesses and organizations improve workplace culture and lead from a place of courage and understanding when tackling some of these issues. For further information, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit www.forallseasonsinc.org.

For All Seasons Behavioral Health & Rape Crisis Center offers mental health services, victim and crisis support, and education & outreach on Maryland’s Mid-Shore and throughout the state. The agency’s unique model of care ensures anyone can receive the highest-quality, trauma-certified mental health care when they need it, regardless of language or ability to pay. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Forty Years of Heartfelt Service: Honoring Dr. Jeffrey H. Etherton on Maryland’s Eastern Shore

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Dr. Jeffrey Etherton

For 40 years, Jeffrey Howard Etherton, MD, has been at the forefront of cardiac care, saving lives and shaping heart health on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. This summer, the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) and UM Shore Medical Group (UM SMG) community celebrated this remarkable milestone, honoring Dr. Etherton’s dedication, leadership and transformative impact on patients and colleagues alike.

“Dr. Etherton’s dedication, expertise and vision have shaped the very foundation of cardiac care at UM Shore Regional Health,” said Ken Kozel, President, UM SRH. “From program development to mentoring colleagues, his leadership has strengthened our ability to provide exceptional care to the communities we serve. We are deeply grateful that he chose to bring his talents to the Eastern Shore, and we take immense pride in the lasting impact he has made on patients, families and our entire organization, as well as to the community at large.”

A Foundation of Excellence

Dr. Etherton earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Md., in 1985 and completed a residency at University of Florida Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla., where he also began his medical career as a training physician. 

Three years later, he returned to the University of Maryland as a fellow of cardiology. Following additional training at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center and a brief assignment at Bethesda Naval Medical Center during Desert Storm, he returned to the Eastern Shore to establish the device-based interventional cardiology program, electrophysiology program and Cardiac Research Program at Peninsula Regional Medical Center on the Lower Eastern Shore.

Prior to coming to UM SRH, Dr. Etherton co-founded Delmarva Heart, LLC, and the Delmarva Heart Research Foundation, directed cardiology services at multiple institutions, and served as Radiation Safety Officer for nuclear cardiology programs. A U.S. Navy Reserve veteran, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Medical Corps in 1985.

Dr. Etherton has been with UM Shore Medical Group – Cardiology since 2016. He sees patients in Easton and Cambridge, and is board certified in cardiovascular disease.

Throughout his career, Dr. Etherton has shared his expertise as an instructor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine as well as at Sinai Hospital. His mentorship emphasizes both technical skill and compassionate, patient-centered care.

“Dr. Etherton’s colleagues in UM Shore Medical Group have benefitted greatly from his leadership, collaboration and example,” said Erika Jordan, Senior Director of Operations, UM SMG. “His impact reaches far beyond the exam room, bringing comfort, hope and trust to countless lives. We are deeply grateful for his tireless service.”

A Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Etherton has been honored with the Bausch & Lomb National Science Foundation Award and remains active in professional and civic organizations, including the Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S., the Maryland Medical & Chirurgical Society, and the Wicomico County Medical Society.

Building Care from the Ground Up

Since establishing himself on the Eastern Shore, Dr. Etherton has worked tirelessly to expand access to advanced cardiac care across the region. In addition to leading the development of interventional cardiology, electrophysiology and cardiac research at Peninsula Regional, transforming heart care for local residents, in 2016, he was invited to launch the Interventional/STEMI Program at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton. 

“It was truly a great day when Dr. Etherton agreed to come start the interventional cardiology program at UM Shore Regional Health,” said Timothy Shanahan, Medical Director, UM SMG. “Words cannot express the heartfelt gratitude Shore — and I personally — feel for his countless hours of dedication, ensuring that patients receive the highest quality cardiac care. It is both an honor and a privilege to work alongside him.”

During the 2017 construction of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Easton, Dr. Etherton collaborated closely with the builders to ensure the facility met the highest standards for patient safety and innovation. There were times when, during construction, Dr. Etherton could be found hammering alongside the construction team. Since then, the Cardiac Cath team has treated more than 1,000 STEMI heart attack patients and provided expert care to countless others.

“Dr. Etherton has dedicated his life to caring for the very community he grew up in, offering not only his extraordinary clinical expertise but also his heart, compassion and unwavering commitment to his patients,” said Jan McMichael, CMOM, PPMC, UM SMG-Cardiology practice manager. “He has touched countless lives, guided families through critical moments and strengthened the very fabric of our community. For four decades, he has led with humility, mentorship and encouragement, fostering a spirit of excellence and collaboration that continues to shape the future of cardiovascular care on the Eastern Shore.”

Dr. Etherton has been a driving force in advancing cardiovascular medicine on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, setting a lasting standard of excellence through his dedication to patients, colleagues, and cardiac science. His peers regard his work as a lasting legacy — for both him and UM SRH.

Reflecting on his career, Dr. Etherton said: “Providing care to the communities of Maryland’s Eastern Shore has been the greatest privilege of my life. Every patient, every family, and every moment in the clinic or the lab has reinforced why I chose this path. I am honored to serve and to witness the difference that compassionate, skilled cardiac care can make.”

 

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. 

 

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Lets Talk about It with Beth Anne Dorman: The Riddle and Some Answers for ADHD

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In our latest Spy conversation with For All Seasons CEO Beth Anne Dorman, we turn to the challenges of having a child or adult loved one dealing with this complex condition that robs its victims of endless time and learning experiences. Beth Anne explains that ADHD often shows up through restlessness, disorganization, or difficulty focusing, but that these symptoms can vary widely.  Our discussion also highlights how increased awareness and evolving treatment options have made it easier for individuals and families to recognize and address ADHD in ways that fit their unique needs.

This video is approximately six minutes in length.  For more information about For All Seasons, please go here. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Choptank Health Welcomes New Providers

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Choptank Community Health System has recently welcomed Megan Harmer, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C, to its Bay Hundred Health Center’s medical team and Rebecca DeHoff, LCSW-C, to its Caroline County school-based behavioral health care team.

Harmer brings extensive experience in medical care, including work with adult patients and in pediatric intensive care and chronic pain units.

These experiences laid the foundation for her family-focused approach, which combines specialized knowledge with a passion for supporting patients and their families throughout their lifespan.

Harmer earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Colorado College of Nursing and is completing a 2025-2027 University of Arizona Integrative Medicine Fellowship. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland School of Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Juniata College, where she minored in Religious Studies. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

DeHoff has extensive experience providing mental health care to children, adolescents, and families in both clinical and community-based settings. Her expertise includes conducting evaluations, delivering evidence-based therapies including CBT, MATCH, and TF-CBT, facilitating group therapy, and providing crisis intervention and collaborative treatment planning.

Her background also includes roles in school-based health, where she supported social-emotional development, coordinated resources, and led initiatives to engage families.

DeHoff earned a master’s degree in social work from Salisbury University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Maryland, University College, and an Associate of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix.

Choptank Community Health System provides medical and dental services in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties, serving more than 30,000 adults and children. This includes school-based health services in all five counties, with a mission to provide access to exceptional, comprehensive, and integrated healthcare for everyone.

New medical patients and school-based health center student registrants are welcome at all Choptank Health locations and Mid-Shore school systems. For more information, visit www.choptankhealth.org.

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Shore Community Outreach Team Offers Free Health Screenings Around Dorchester County  

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Shown are Dorchester Shore Community Outreach Team members Jessica Wise, Social Worker; Rochalla Jones, Nurse Coordinator; and Courtney Thomas, Community Health Advocate.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health’s Shore Community Outreach Team – Dorchester will provide blood pressure checks and diabetes assessment screenings in seven convenient locations around Dorchester County this month. These screenings are offered free of charge as a community health service of University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System. The schedule for October is as follows:

  • Monday, October 6, 1 to 5 p.m. at One Mission, 614 Race Street in Cambridge
  • Wednesday, October 8, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 303 S. Main Street in Hurlock
  • Thursday, October 9, 3 to 5 p.m. at the Dorchester County Public Library, 303 Gay Street in Cambridge
  • Wednesday, October 15, 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Bradford House, 701 Race Street in Cambridge; and also 4 to 6 p.m. at the Neck District Volunteer Fire Department, 954 Cooks Point Road in Cambridge
  • Tuesday, October 21, 1 to 3 p.m. at Shiloh House Apartments, 6206 Shiloh Church Hurlock Road in Hurlock
  • Thursday, October 30, 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Farmers Market, Longwharf, Cambridge

Combining expertise in nursing, social work and community health advocacy, the Dorchester Shore Community Outreach Team visits trusted community sites to provide health screenings and information to Dorchester County residents. They also provide home visits and safety assessments; case management for those with chronic illness; group wellness activities; assistance with arranging telehealth consults with providers; and assistance with completing health-related paperwork, including insurance forms and Advance Directives.

To schedule an appointment or visit, or to learn more about the Shore Community Outreach Team, call 443-225-7545 or email [email protected].

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.

 

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A Bad Diagnosis, Remarkable Recovery, and Giving Back: A Chat with Andrew Dorbin

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According to Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute, testicular cancer is one of the most common cancers among young men, with nearly 10,000 new cases diagnosed each year in the United States. Although highly curable when caught early, it can spread rapidly if left untreated. For Preston’s Andrew Dorbin, this reality became personal in 2023 when he was diagnosed with late-stage testicular cancer that had already spread to his lungs and abdomen.

In our Spy chat, Andrew talks candidly about this unexpected moment in his early life, as he and his family coped with a rare life-endangering disease while welcoming a new baby.  After a two-year battle, with the help of family and a team of experts, He is in remission now, and he talks about his future in a different way than when the cancer was first discovered. To such an extent that he has decided to give back.

Andrew recently launched the Wayfinders Testicular Health Fund, a new initiative under Chesapeake Charities, to raise awareness, provide education, and ensure that no man faces cancer alone. His first effort is the upcoming “Putts Fore! Nuts” miniature golf tournament on October 18 in Ocean City, Maryland—a mix of laughter, competition, and serious conversation about men’s health.

This video is approximately nine minutes in length. To sign up for the event, please go here. 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.