The Chester River Health cycling team that rode in the American Diabetes Association’s “Chesapeake Tour de Cure” racked up a total of 850 miles and raised more than $10,000 to fight diabetes, a disease now affecting more than 25 million people in the U.S.

The team, organized by two nurses at Chester River Hospital Center, raised more money than any other corporate team participating in the May 18 event. A total of 750 riders from all over Maryland and several other states rode the Talbot County courses to raise a grand total of $269,170 for diabetes research, education and advocacy. Each rider was required to raise a minimum of $200 to enter the Chesapeake Tour de Cure, one of nearly 100 Tours throughout the United States this year.

According to Chester River Health team organizer, Diabetes Educator Chrissy Nelson, RN, three teammates rode 10 miles, 13 pedaled 25 miles, and nine completed the 55-mile course despite the onset of rain later in the ride. Five were “ghost riders,” working as volunteers at rest stops and cheering the cyclists on as they filled water bottles and picked up fresh fruit and energy bars. Five other teammates were unable to ride because of illness or conflicts with their work schedules.

“Some of us 55-milers got very wet,” Nelson recalls, “but we still had a good time. We’re not sure of the grand total yet, since donations are still coming in, but we know we surpassed our $10,000 goal by more than $300.”

Along with Nelson, 55-milers on the Chester River team included CRH staffers Scott Burleson, Executive Vice President; Lori Bunts, RN, Surgical Prep; Steven Jacobsen, RN, Emergency Department; and Louise Dove, RN, Same Day Surgery/PACU. Dove was part of a three-generation family represented on the Tour — her daughter, Roxanne, a switchboard operator for Chester River, worked at the Oxford rest stop while her grandson, Dylan, rang a small cowbell for riders who steered their way into the stop for a few minutes’ rest.

Also in the CRH 55-mile group were Margie Elsberg, Board Chair for the Chester River Health Foundation; and John Beskid, who works for Kent County, his wife, Judy and their daughter, Alyssa.

The team also included nurses, medical technicians and employees from many departments, including cardiac rehab, laboratory services, surgical services, and emergency. According to Nelson, several participated because they have diabetes or have family members who have the disease.

According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, about 11 per cent of Kent County residents have diabetes, slightly higher than the state-wide incidence of the disease, which is nine percent.

Says Chester River team member Carolyn Spray, RNC, “I was diagnosed with diabetes over two and a half years ago. I also have a granddaughter who was diagnosed when she was a 17-year old high school senior.”

Unable to ride but a talented dessert maker, Spray was a great support for the team’s advance fundraising, supplying treats for bake sales. And like last year, she also assisted during the race. “This year, at the rest stop in Oxford, I saw some of the riders from last year—it was great to see them come back and support the Tour de Cure again,” she comments.

Lori Bunts rode 30 of her 55 miles in the rain, but she had no complaints about the day, as she recalls, “I had a great ride! I enjoyed being with friends, meeting new people, and all for a great cause. I can’t wait to do this again.”

Chester River Health recently recognized its Nurse of the Year and Unsung Hero award recipients during a recognition ceremony held in conjunction with national Nurses Week. Pictured from left are Scott Burleson, MBA, FACHE, Executive Vice President,Chester River Health; Damien Jefferson, EVS Department, 2013 Unsung Hero award recipient; Mary Jo Keefe, MSM, BSN, RN, Vice President Patient Care Services, Chester River Health; and Shannon Temple, RN, 2013 Nurse of the Year.

 

The Unsung Hero and Nurse of the Year awards were designed to recognize members of the Chester River Health team for their outstanding service and excellence. Nominated by their colleagues, nominees and winners of the Unsung Hero and Nurse of the Year are recognized for going the extra mile and making a difference in the lives of patients and their families. Congratulations to Damien and Shannon for this well deserved recognition.

The Laboratory Department at Chester River Hospital Center, in partnership with LabCorp, Laboratory Corporation of America, will be sponsoring an educational presentation about Lyme Disease on Wednesday, April 17th from 3:00-4:00 p.m. in the Chester River Hospital Conference Center and then from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at Chester River Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation, both in Chestertown. This presentation, “Lyme Disease Redux” will be given by Barbara A. Brody, PhD, Associate Vice President and National Director, Microbiology, Special Microbiology, Esoteric Immunology/Serology, Kidney Stone Analysis and Routine Virology with LabCorp.

Dr. Brody, a diplomat of the American Board of Medical and Molecular Microbiology since 1985, received her PhD from the University of Kentucky and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in infectious disease at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. She completed a clinical postdoctoral fellowship in clinical and public health microbiology at the Medical College of Virginia. While at LabCorp, Dr. Brody has directed the microbiology, virology, reference microbiology, molecular microbiology, infectious disease, and autoimmune immunology, HIV-hepatitis serology, cell immunology and kidney stone programs. She is a member of the Board of the American College of Microbiology and has served on special emphasis review panels for the National Institutes of Health.

“Lyme Disease Redux,” which will be open to health professionals and members of the local community, will discuss prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease in addition to other tick-borne diseases and exposure risks.

For more information about “Lyme Disease Redux” or to RSVP for the presentation, please contact Alicia Dodd at 410-778-7668, extension 2600. This event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, so please RSVP. Light refreshments will be served. Chester River Hospital Conference Center is located on the 2nd floor, 100 Brown Street, Chestertown, MD. Chester River Manor is located on 200 Morgnec Road, Chestertown, MD.

The Chester River Hospital Auxiliary recently announced their 2013 board of directors.

Serving on the board’s executive committee in 2013 are Jack Edson, president; Sabina Baker, vice president; Mackey Dutton, recording secretary; Alice Barron, corresponding secretary; Bob Scofield, treasurer; Jeddie DeCoursey and Jo Ann Bowdle, parliamentarian co-chairs; and Erin Gillespie and Miki Smith, immediate past co-presidents.

In addition to their volunteer efforts at the hospital, the Auxiliary is responsible for income generated for Chester River Health System services through the Chester River Hospital Gift Shop and the Nearly New Shop, located at 320 High Street in Chestertown.

Regarding the goals of this year’s board of directors, Jack Edson, president, commented, “The Auxiliary is looking forward to two significant openings this year. First, we are anticipating the opening of the new Palliative Care Suite, for which the Auxiliary provided the entire funding. Secondly, we are looking forward to our move to the new Gift Shop location which will be at the very front of the new main entrance to the Hospital. This will give the Shop increased exposure compared to our location in past years.”

The Chester River Hospital Center Auxiliary recently made a donation to the Hospital’s QuILT (Quality in Life Team) Program to support the addition of a Palliative Care Suite. The suite is designed for patient and family comfort and will benefit those dealing with end-of-life issues or life-limiting illnesses. The suite will include amenities such as a private patient room and a separate family lounge, affording patients and families privacy and access to support needed during this time.

The goal of the QuILT Program is to improve upon the quality of life for patients and their families by providing expert treatment of pain, discomfort and stress that can occur with serious and life-threatening illnesses. Madeline Steffens, RN, QuILT Coordinator, Palliative Care Services, is one of a team of clinicians at Chester River Health who coordinates and manages individualized care plans for patients at end-of-life.

Steffens commented, “Over the years, the generosity of the Chester River Hospital Auxiliary in supporting so many patient care services has been amazing. I will be forever grateful for the Auxiliary’s monetary gift that will be used for the addition of the Palliative Care Suite.”

Palliative care is both a philosophy of care and a system of medical care provided by an interdisciplinary team, which includes physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, counselors and a variety of therapists. Palliative care focuses on the relief of suffering, while supporting and promoting the best possible quality of life for patients facing serious life-threatening illnesses. In addition, palliative care addresses not only physical pain, but also emotional, mental, social and spiritual pain—all to achieve the best possible quality of life for patients and their families.

For more information about the Chester River Hospital System QuILT Palliative Care Program, please contact Madeline Steffens, RN, at (410)778-3300 or by e-mail at [email protected]. For more information about the Chester River Hospital Center Auxiliary, call (410)778-3300 or visit them online at www.chesterriverhealth.org.

The Chester River Health Foundation recently welcomed five Kent County residents to its Board of Directors. The Foundation, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization, works to raise funds to benefit Chester River Health System, which includes Chester River Hospital, Chester River Home Care & Hospice and Chester River Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Joining the Chester River Health Foundation’s board are Myra Butler, Barrie Frazier-Meima, Carl Gallegos, Ph.D., Ray Long and Sharon Somers.

Ms. Butler, a resident of Chestertown, is the Kent County Parks and Recreation Director and is presently a member of the National Recreation and Parks Association and The Maryland Recreation and Parks Association. She also serves as the Executive Committee secretary/treasurer for the Kent County Management Board.

Ms. Frazier-Meima is presently chair of the Heron Point Master Planning Committee and on the Board of Directors for the Garfield Center for the Arts at Prince Theatre in Chestertown. Recently retired, she was the Executive Director for the United Way of Kent County. Ms. Frazier-Meima also resides in Chestertown.

Dr. Gallegos, a resident of Worton, is a recognized expert in environmental and natural resources management with extensive domestic and global experience. He works as an independent consultant for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Washington College and the Chester River Association. He was co-founder of Home Ports Senior Care Organization and is also active with the Unitarian Universalists of the Chester River (UUCR) Green Sanctuary Committee.

Mr. Long, a resident of Galena, is an active member of the Galena Volunteer Fire Company, currently serving as the organization’s secretary. He has past affiliations with the Galena Lions Charities and the Historical Society of Kent County.

Ms. Somers, a personal fitness trainer, is affiliated with the Women’s League of Washington College and the Women’s Literacy Club of Chestertown. She resides in Chestertown.

Margie Elsberg, Chairperson of the Chester River Health Foundation Board of Directors, commented, “Our new Board members are all dynamic and interesting people who are committed to the health and welfare of their neighbors. I look forward to getting to know them better and to working closely with them as we all work toward the Health System’s success.”

For further information about the ways you can support the programs and services of Chester River Health System, please call Maryann Ruehrmund, CFRE, Executive Director at (410) 810-5660.