The University of Maryland Medical System, through its Shore Regional Health leadership in Easton, will soon make decisions about the future of the hospital in Chestertown. These decisions could greatly diminish the health and economic well being of Kent and northern Queen Anne’s counties.
Contrary to what UMMS promised when it acquired Chester River Health System, Easton-based administrators have greatly reduced the services offered at our hospital. We believe that UMMS plans to convert the Chestertown hospital into a “Freestanding Medical Facility,” offering an Emergency Department and limited outpatient services but no surgical or medical inpatient services.
Save the Chestertown Hospital Committee, a group of 31 local doctors and concerned of citizens, is working to keep the community informed about lost medical services, the possible closure of inpatient facilities, and how such changes will affect our area. In addition to the cost of informational ads, our expenses include impact studies, the busing of citizens to hearings in Annapolis, and printed materials. Our battle to prevent closing of inpatient beds and diminishing services here will be difficult. We are up against some powerful and well-funded forces, both on the Eastern Shore and in the State House. We need your financial help to cover expenses and hire the necessary experts to fight this battle.
Involved individuals have donated countless hours and have paid for expenses thus far, but we estimate we will need as much as $30,000, and possibly more, as we go forward. We ask you to donate whatever amount you can to help us fight for robust and accessible health services right here in our community. All contributions are fully tax deductible and should be made to the community foundation in Queen Anne’s County, Chesapeake Charities:
To contribute online, go to www.chesapeakecharities.org. Our fund is “Save the Hospital”
To donate by mail, make the check out to “Chesapeake Charities,” write “Save the Hospital” in the memo line, and send to: Chesapeake Charities, 101 Log Canoe Circle, Suite “O”, Stevensville, MD 21666 Any unspent donations will go to the Chester River Health Foundation for the exclusive benefit of Shore Health facilities in Chestertown. Please contact me if you have questions about this urgent cause or want to schedule a presentation to your organization.
Wayne Benjamin, M.D
Co-chair, Save the Chestertown Hospital
Leslie Moorhouse says
For the last 250 years we have had between 17000 and 20000 people living here in Kent County. We built and supported a wonderful hospital that was used by everyone and was very successful. When you walk the halls and see the plaques of all the names of the many donors, it is like a “who’s who” of Kent County.
So,…..what has changed??? Why can’t we still have a hospital?? Maybe this is just part of the “regulating ourselves out of existence” that someone mentioned the other day. Same goes for our schools. What is going on????
Stephan Sonn says
This has nothing to do with regulations and everything to do with UMMS executive bonuses.
sherwin blake says
Interesting discussion , I learned a lot from the facts – Does someone know where I could possibly acquire a template FL 12.928 copy to fill in ?