Health Notes

UM SRH Mobile Wellness Team to Offer Free Health Screenings at KCPL Branches

October 1, 2022 by Shore Regional Health System Leave a Comment

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health’s Mobile Wellness Team will offer free screenings this fall for high blood pressure and diabetes at Kent County Public Library locations.

Screenings will be offered once a month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, October 14 at the North County branch in Galena, 119 N. Main Street, Building E – Suite 3; Friday, November 11 at the Chestertown branch at 408 High Street and Friday, December 9at the Rock Hall branch at 5746 N. Main Street.

“The screenings are scheduled around the lunch hour for the convenience of individuals who are working and find they often have trouble making time to monitor their health,” said Emily Welsh, Nurse Coordinator of the Mobile Wellness Team. “Our goal is to bring health care services into community settings where people can access them more easily and get answers to their questions about how to manage any conditions they may have.”

The Mobile Wellness Team serves residents of Kent and northern Queen Anne’s counties. Combining expertise in nursing and social work, the team offers many services for individuals and families, including home safety inspections, health screenings, case management for those with chronic illnesses (COPD, heart disease, diabetes, etc.), wellness activities, arrangement of telehealth consults with physicians and other clinicians, social visits for the homebound and connections to community resources.

To schedule an appointment or learn more about the Mobile Wellness Team, call 410-778-3300, ext. 5646.

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health
As part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. UM Shore Regional Health’s team of more than 2,200 employees, medical staff, board members and volunteers works with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

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, visitwww.umms.org.

For All Seasons is Raising Awareness about Suicide Prevention

September 19, 2022 by For All Seasons, Inc. Leave a Comment

Suicide is a leading cause of death on the Eastern Shore, in Maryland, and in the United States. According to the latest available statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and Maryland Governor’s Commission on Suicide Prevention, over the last 20 years, the suicide rate on the Eastern Shore has increased by 27.5 percent.

Each year, For All Seasons shines a light on suicide prevention with its No Matter What … You Matter campaign. This initiative’s goal is to prevent suicide on Maryland’s Eastern Shore through education and increased access to crisis resources. The focus of this year’s message is you never know what someone is going through. Reach out.

Recognizing the warning signs of suicide is important. Suicide often occurs when life stressors and health issues converge, leaving some people experiencing hopelessness and despair. A change in behavior or the presence of entirely new behaviors may be warning signs of suicidal thoughts, especially if related to a painful event, loss, or change. Most people who take their lives exhibit one or more warning signs, either through what they say, what they do, or sudden mood changes.

Some tips for dealing with someone who is considering suicide, are:

Be proactive. There are times when you notice that something is off for a friend or family member. Take note of changes in talk, behavior, and mood. Pay attention to your gut.

Talk about it. Start a conversation in a private safe space about how that person is doing. Listen to their story. Focus on showing your support and compassion. Tell them you care about them. Avoid debating the value of life, minimizing their problems, or giving advice. You don’t have to have all the answers. Be direct. Research shows that asking someone if they are having suicidal thoughts will not put the idea into their mind.

Reduce access to means of self-harm. A suicidal crisis is temporary and often lasts minutes. Consider what items are a danger to someone who could be suicidal. Remove and/or lock up these items.

Get Help. Encourage them to seek treatment or contact their doctor or therapist or a crisis line and/or mental health services right away. Build in choice. Stay with the person until they have received support.

Follow Up. Continue to check in regularly and be a source of understanding and support.

This year’s campaign will launch with a special community conversation about suicide prevention entitled “Life is Better with You Here: A Community Conversation about Suicide Prevention” on October 5 at 7 p.m. at the Avalon Theatre. For All Seasons’ CEO Beth Anne Langrell and Chief Clinical Officer Lesa Lee, LCSW-C, will share practical strategies and tips for reaching out to those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts. Register for this speaker series event at https://LifeIsBetterWithYouHere.eventbrite.com.

The same night, For All Seasons, will debut its annual suicide prevention music video. This song will offer an inspirational reminder that reaching out to loved ones in times of struggle can change lives and will feature members of For All Seasons’ Heart and Music cast and other recognizable faces and places from the Mid-Shore

Pictured is Paul Washo, For All Seasons’ therapist, who has tips about things we can all do to prevent suicide.

“The signs and symptoms of someone who may be thinking about suicide can be widely variable. We want to be watching for any unusual shifts in behavior. Tune into the extremes that we notice in someone we care about or are close to. People who are giving away their goods could be another sign the person is having suicidal thoughts,” comments Paul Washo, Therapist at For All Seasons.

“One of the most important things to do if someone has come to you and acknowledged that they are having these suicidal thoughts is to help them know that they are not alone and that other people have these thoughts. It is more common than we hear about because it’s private. That is what this campaign is all about. Helping people understand the subtleties and be in tune with those. Also, helping them understand that there is help available and that they are worth it.”

Anyone needing help can contact For All Seasons 24/7 at 410-822-1018 or the 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: Text: 410-829-6143 Toll-Free: 800-310-7273 | English:410-820-5600 | Spanish: 410-829-6143. Persons may also call Maryland Crisis Connect 24/7 – Dial 211 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For further information about For All Seasons activities related to the agency’s No Matter What … You Matter suicide prevention campaign, visit www.NoMatterWhatYouMatter.org or www.ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

For All Seasons is your community behavioral health and rape crisis center offering therapy, psychiatry, advocacy, and education to individuals and families, regardless of one’s ability to pay. For further information, visit www.forallseasonsinc.org.

UMMS Announces $14 Million in Social Impact Investments with Minority-Led Companies

September 17, 2022 by UM Shore Regional Health Leave a Comment

The University of Maryland Medical System announced today that it is committing a portion of its investment portfolio to companies and funds focused on addressing economic development, food insecurity and other disparities in the communities the System serves. The first tranche of commitments includes $14 million in 11 equity and fixed income investments.

The investees all have a strong presence in the state of Maryland and employ a diverse workforce; over half are Baltimore-focused and 75% are either Black-led or Black and woman-led and represent a mix of mission-driven Community Development Financial Institutions (CFDIs) and private equity firms.

“The University of Maryland Medical System is deeply woven into the fabric of communities across Maryland,” said Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of UMMS. “Through these investments, we are seeking to make positive social, economic and environmental impacts. Our corporation and individual member organizations are anchor institutions and we understand and embrace our responsibility to support efforts that improve the health of our communities, not only through care we deliver, but also by supporting the people who share our goals and aspirations for opportunity and change.”

These new investments follow the awarding of $2.3 million in community grants announced last month and $1.2 million in food insecurity grants announced in the summer of 2021. Along with strategic community impact grantmaking, social impact investing is a strategy that UMMS is employing to grow assets while also growing wealth in the communities served by the System and dismantling barriers to health equity, safety and wellness.

“This means using some of our investment portfolio to help address the resource gaps that keep communities from achieving better health and well-being while still gaining a positive financial return,” Dr. Suntha added. “These investments are just a first step and over time we expect to grow the share of our portfolio focused on Maryland-based, social impact investments.”

In support of its mission, the System is a member of the national Healthcare Anchor Network (HAN) – an organization that brings together values-aligned hospitals and health systems from around the country. UMMS is one of 13 HAN members that have committed to directing a portion of their investable assets toward place-based investments that address racial, economic and environmental disparities.

“The University of Maryland Medical System is uniquely positioned as a leading community asset and significant economic engine to act creatively and decisively to address health disparities in the communities it serves across the state,” said David Zuckerman, President and Founder of HAN. “Impact investing provides UMMS a new tool for keeping dollars in the local community and addressing root cause barriers to health and well-being such as access to capital, quality jobs and wealth building. Its leadership in this area is a powerful example for those across the healthcare sector.”

One of the UMMS investees is Baltimore Community Lending, which will use funds to make loans to vendors at the new Lexington Market project, which is helping revitalize downtown Baltimore, starting in October 2022.

“We are pleased to partner with the University of Maryland Medical System as we work toward our shared goal of transforming neighborhoods in the Baltimore Metro area,” said Watchen Harris Bruce, President & CEO of Baltimore Community Lending.“The commitment of UMMS will support us in providing financing and coaching support to underserved small businesses and community developers, positioning them for financial stability to access mainstream banking products and to achieve long-term success.”

Shelly M. Gross-Wade, President & CEO of FSC First, said, “We are pleased to receive this $1 Million Community Impact Investment from UMMS, which is an anchor institution in our community, through UM Capital Region Medical Center. This investment will be used to provide direct loans to locally-owned minority-owned businesses that develop new technologies and provide products and services in the health care industry – a critical industry that has the most significant potential to contribute to economic growth and development in Prince George’s County.”

The other nine investees, who will receive amounts ranging from $500,000 to $2.5 Million each, include Conscious VentureFund, Enterprise Community Development, Ignite Capital, Momentus Capital’s Impact Investments Program, Obran Acquisitions, Propel Baltimore, RBC Access Capital, The Reinvestment Fund, and UpSurge.

Brown Advisory, in its capacity as the System’s investment management and strategic advisory partner, will help UMMS monitor both the community impact and financial return of these investments.

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.

Compass Closet Announces Annual Fashion Show to Benefit Compass

September 16, 2022 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

On October 17, 2022, Compass Closet will host their annual Fashion Show to benefit Compass’ hospice care, supportive care, and grief support services in Caroline, Kent, & Queen Anne’s counties. With this year’s theme, A Maryland Road Trip, spend the afternoon enjoying fashion, food, and exploring all the great activities around Maryland all while supporting a great cause!

The event will be held at Prospect Bay Country Club starting at 11 am and includes a seated lunch, a cash bar, upscale boutique, silent and live auctions. This year the models are community members that live in Caroline, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties. Some are dedicated patient volunteers, Compass Closet volunteers, administrative volunteers, and Camp New Dawn volunteers. Others are part of Compass’ amazing staff including representatives from their Grief Support Services and Administrative team.

Fashion Show 2022 models pictured above (left to right): Dominic DiGiovine, Ellen Rice, Emily Kostka, Joyce Davis, Sherrie Young, Taylor Mitchell, and Mark Wade. Not pictured: Deb Vernon.

Fashion Show tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now. Seating is limited and registration is required, and tickets are $50 per person. For more information, to purchase tickets, or to become a sponsor, call Shelly Baird at 443-262-4106 or email sbaird@compassregionalhospice.org.

Compass Closet, located in Chester, MD, is also seeking volunteers. Volunteering at this upscale resale shop is an excellent way to make an impact on your community while combining fun & fashion. With just two shifts per month, volunteers help ensure that Compass can continue to provide patient care and grief services to the community. For more information about volunteer opportunities, call Robyn at 443-262-4112 or email raffron@compassregionalhospice.org

Compass

Since 1985, Compass has been allowing patients to spend their final months the way they choose, guiding loved ones after a life-limiting diagnosis, and showing individuals healthy ways to manage their grief. Today, the organization is a regional provider of hospice care, supportive care, and grief services in Caroline, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties. Whether serving their patients in private residences, skilled nursing facilities, or Compass’ residential center in Centreville, staff and volunteers are guided by their mission to ensure that individuals facing end of life can live out their days in a full and meaningful way.

Compass is a fully licensed, independent, community-based nonprofit organization certified by Medicare and the state of Maryland and accredited by the Joint Commission. It is affiliated with the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Hospice & Palliative Care Network of Maryland. For more information about Compass, call 443-262-4100 or visit compassregionalhospice.org.

For All Seasons Leads Community Conversation on Suicide Prevention at Avalon Lecture

September 13, 2022 by For All Seasons, Inc. Leave a Comment

Suicide is a leading cause of death on the Eastern Shore, in Maryland, and the United States.

Each year, For All Seasons, shines a light on suicide prevention with its No Matter What … You Matter campaign. This initiative’s goal is to prevent suicide on Maryland’s Eastern Shore through education and increased access to crisis resources.

Highlight how powerful social connections and a sense of belonging are in preventing suicide;
Share practical strategies and tips for reaching out to those who are struggling;
Discuss crisis resources that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; and
Share a special message of support and hope for those who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts.

L-R: Beth Anne Langrell, CEO of For All Seasons; moderator Bruce Grove, QACTV; and Lesa Lee, LCSW-C, Chief Clinical Officer of For All Seasons.

At the conclusion of this speaker series event, For All Seasons will debut its annual suicide prevention music video. This song will offer an inspirational reminder that reaching out to loved ones in times of struggle can change lives and will feature members of For All Seasons’ Heart and Music cast and other recognizable faces and places from the Mid-Shore community.

“We all have a role to play in suicide prevention. One of the most important pieces of advice is not to wait for the ‘perfect moment’ to ask about suicide; that moment will never come. Ask anyway. Because suicide is too important to keep secret,” comments Beth Anne Langrell, CEO, For All Seasons.

Some tips for dealing with someone who is considering suicide, are:

Be proactive. There are times when you notice that something is off for a friend or family member. Take note of changes in talk, behavior, and mood. Pay attention to your gut.

Reduce access to means of self-harm. A suicidal crisis is temporary and often lasts minutes. Consider what items are a danger to someone who could be suicidal. Remove and/or lock up these items.

Follow Up. Continue to check in regularly and be a source of understanding and support.

Anyone needing help can contact For All Seasons 24/7 at 410-822-1018 or the 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: Text: 410-829-6143 Toll-Free: 800-310-7273 | English:410-820-5600 | Spanish: 410-829-6143. Persons may also call Maryland Crisis Connect 24/7 – Dial 211 or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). For further information about For All Seasons activities related to the agency’s No Matter What … You Matter suicide prevention campaign, visit www.NoMatterWhatYouMatter.org or www.ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

Khalid Kurtom, MD, Reappointed As Volunteer Faculty for the UMSOM

September 12, 2022 by UM Shore Regional Health 1 Comment

Khalid Kurtom, MD, FAANS, FACS

Khalid Kurtom, MD, FAANS, FACS, neurosurgeon with University of Maryland Shore Medical Group and Medical Director of System Operations at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton, has been reappointed to the volunteer faculty of University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and promoted to the rank of Adjunct Associate Professor.

A UMSOM volunteer faculty appointment signifies a valued relationship between the Medical School, the medical department and the faculty member, and is only given to those with appropriate qualifications and with the expectation of continued and significant service to one or more of the UMSOM missions. Dr. Kurtom had served as Assistant Adjunct Clinical Professor since 2012, also in a volunteer capacity.

Promotion to the rank of Adjunct Associate Professor requires significant contributions to academic medicine as well as the endorsement of peers in the appropriate medical specialty. This process involves screening by a committee that includes department chairs as well as the dean of UMSOM.

“I am very excited as well as honored to be promoted as well as reappointed to the School of Medicine’s volunteer faculty,” said Dr. Kurtom. “I get a lot of joy and inspiration from teaching first and second year medical students, and participating in Neurosurgery Grand Rounds at the University of Maryland Department of Neurosurgery, as well as from participating in research and leadership committees that advance the quality and delivery of medical care throughout the University of Maryland Medical System.”

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health

As part of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. UM Shore Regional Health’s team of more than 2,200 employees, medical staff, board members and volunteers works with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

UM Shore Regional Health to Offer Chronic Disease Self-Management Program

September 10, 2022 by UM Shore Regional Health Leave a Comment

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is launching an interactive and participatory six-session workshop designed to help people who are living with chronic disease manage their ongoing health. The class will be offered virtually via WebEx from 9:30 a.m. to noon every Friday from Sept. 23 to Oct.28. There is no charge for the course, but registration is limited to 12 participants. Access to course links will be sent following registration.

Led by Jeanette Jeffrey, MS, MPH, MCHES, Health Educator for University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, and Lisa McCoy, MS, RDN, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator for the University of Maryland Extension, this course will offer guidance on nutrition, appropriate exercise, appropriate use of medications, pain and fatigue management, relaxation skills, dealing with depression, decision-making, action-planning and problem-solving, and communicating effectively with family, friends and health care providers. Participants should be able to attend all six sessions. For medical questions, participants will be referred to their treating physicians.

Jeanette Jeffrey, MS, MPH, MCHES and Lisa McCoy, MS, RDN

Possible benefits to those completing this course are:

improved health literacy
more active self-management of their condition
increased physical activity (if approved by a physician)
improvement in mood or with symptoms of depression
fewer sick days
reduced need for Emergency Department visits and hospitalization
improved medication compliance
reduced pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, stress and/or sleep problems.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6 out of every10 adults in the United States are living with a chronic disease,” said Jeffrey. “And 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. have two or more chronic diseases, such as hypertension, arthritis, chronic pain, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, kidney disease and other conditions that affect a person’s quality of life.”

Classes are open to anyone living with a chronic disease and caretakers are encouraged to participate, as well. To register, visit https://bit.ly/CDSM_UMMS.

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health

About the University of Maryland Medical System

UM Shore Regional Health Board of Directors Welcomes New Members

September 9, 2022 by UM Shore Regional Health Leave a Comment

The University of Maryland Shore Regional Health Board of Directors recently welcomed seven new members: Cassie Burton, PhD; Kenny Kreiser; Robert Roth, JD; Kim Herman, MD; Jane Wang, MD; and University of Maryland Medical System senior leaders Kristin Jones-Bryce, JD and Michelle Lee, CPA. The Board’s composition includes representatives from the five counties served by UM Shore Regional Health, the regional physician community and UMMS.

Top, L-R: Cassie Burton, PhD; Kenny Kreiser; Robert Roth, JD; Kim Herman, MD. Bottom, L-R: Jane Wang, MD, Kristin Jones-Bryce, JD, Michelle Lee, CPA.

Burton is a retired pharmaceutical executive now living in Cambridge, Md. After earning her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Bucknell University and her master’s and doctorate degrees in mathematical statistics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she began her career in 1981 as a biostatistician at CIBA-Geigy Pharmaceutical Corporation. When CIBA merged with Sandoz to form Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation in 1996, Burton had risen to the position of Executive Director of U.S. Statistics. She remained with Novartis for the rest of her career, becoming the first Global Head of Biostatistics and Statistical Reporting in 2000, based in Basel, Switzerland, and retired as Global Head of Clinical Information Sciences in 2009. Burton later returned to her birthplace, Cambridge, where she became involved in nonprofit organizations and civic initiatives benefitting the city and Dorchester County, including Choptank Lighthouse Foundation, for which she served as board president from 2016 to 2021, and Cambridge Main Street, for which she served as a board and executive committee member from 2013 to 2016.

Kreiser is a native of the Eastern Shore, growing up and living in Dorchester County most of his life. After graduating from Cambridge South Dorchester High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – Baltimore County. After several years with a local manufacturer, Hi-Tech Plastics, Kreiser began working in the insurance and financial services industry at Whitten Insurance. As the business continued to expand, Kreiser and his partner, Lori Nagel, purchased the property and casualty division from Greg Whitten in 2013. Farm Creek Insurance, LLC (d/b/a Whitten Insurance), formerly a Nationwide Insurance agency, is a fully independent insurance agency operating in 22 states with over 40 insurance carriers, with three offices on the Eastern Shore and two on the Western Shore. Kreiser also serves as board chair (chief volunteer officer) for the YMCA of the Chesapeake.

A Chestertown resident, Roth is managing partner of Hooper, Lundy & Bookman, PC in the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. He represents and advises a wide range of clients on federal and state regulatory and business matters related to Medicare and Medicaid programs, focusing on payment, compliance, and licensing issues. Prior to going into private practice, Roth enjoyed an 11-year career in government during which he served at both the federal and state levels, as a senior attorney for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and as an assistant attorney general for the state of Maryland assigned to the Department of Health, and also represented the Health Care Financing Administration (subsequently renamed CMS) as part of the HHS Office of the General Counsel. He also is one of few health care lawyers to have argued before the United States Supreme Court, which he did in Sebelius v. Auburn Regional Medical Center, 133 S.Ct. 817 (2013). Roth earned his bachelor’s degree from Lehigh University and his JD from Syracuse University.

Dr. Herman is a primary care physician with University of Maryland Shore Medical Group – Primary Care at Denton. She received her medical education at University of Health Sciences, Antigua School of Medicine and Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and completed her internship and residency at Mount Carmel Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Herman earned her certification from the American Board of Family Medicine in 2009.

Dr. Wang is Medical Director of University of Maryland Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown. She earned her medical degree at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and her undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland at Baltimore.

Jones-Bryce is Senior Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer for University of Maryland Medical System, where she oversees the System’s government relations and corporate social responsibility work as well as public and regulatory affairs, and serves as an advocate on behalf of the organization and external partners. Jones-Bryce joined UMMS in 2015 after serving for 10 years as Chief of Staff to Speaker Michael E. Busch in the Maryland House of Delegates. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and earned her JD from the University of Maryland School of Law.

Lee is Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for UMMS, where she is responsible for the financial strategy, reimbursement strategy and regulatory compliance, resource allocation, investment policy and the execution of key financial priorities across the System. She joined UMMS in May 2000 as the Senior Director for Financial Reporting for the University of Maryland Medical Center and has been responsible for the development of the consolidated capital finance structure. A certified public accountant, Lee earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Baltimore.

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health

About the University of Maryland Medical System

Compass Announces 2nd Annual Memorial Golf Tournament in Kent County

September 8, 2022 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

Compass will host its 2^nd Annual Memorial Golf Tournament on Friday, October 7^th, at Chester River Yacht & Country Club, 7738 Quaker Neck Rd, Chestertown. This year’s tournament is in memory of Mary Jean Hudson and Roger Brown.

Proceeds from the tournament enables Compass to provide all the residents of Kent County:

Compassionate and professional hospice care and supportive care in their homes, nursing homes, assisted living facilities or at The Barnette Center in Centreville.
Supportive care, which offers guidance toward living well and as fully as possible at any stage of a serious, chronic, or terminal illness.
Grief support through individual counseling, support groups and school-based grief counseling and grief support groups (K-12^th grade). As well as youth grief support camps like Camp New Dawn and Camp Reflection.

Phyllis Brown and Joyce Davis, a member of Compass’ Board of Directors, are the two chairs of this year’s tournament. Golferswill play the 18-hole, par71 course. The registration fee is $150 per golfer and $600 per team. Registration includes practice range, golf cart, luncheon, and awards. Foursomes and individual golfers are welcome. This year the tournament will be played in a scramble format. Tournament participants will also enjoy a variety of competitions and games in addition to the 18-holes of play.

On the morning of the event registration will begin at 7:30 am with a shotgun start at 9:00 am. Refreshments will be available on the course throughout the day. After play, the golfers are invited back to the club house for lunch and an awards ceremony.

To register or get more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Shelly Baird, 443-262-4106 or sbaird@compassregionalhospice.org.

Compass

For All Seasons Provides Tips for Coping with Back-to-School Anxiety

September 3, 2022 by For All Seasons, Inc. Leave a Comment

As the beach bags get put away and an inventory gets done on the status of backpacks and shoes, parents may have other worries about their children’s readiness to return to school related to their children’s anxiety and mental health. The American Psychological Foundation (apa.org) says that parents play an important role in helping kids feel ready for the transition back to school by encouraging them to share and express their feelings about returning to school. Tips include restarting the family’s school-year routine a few weeks before school starts, getting to know new neighborhood children if you have moved, talking to your children, empathizing with their worries or fears, and asking for help to manage and cope.

For All Seasons staff featured in the agency’s podcast, “Bring on the Mess,” which features tips for back-to-school transitions and information about ADHD. L-R: Beth Anne Langrell, CEO, For All Seasons, Joseph Cox, Clinician, For All Seasons, Lesa Lee, Chief Clinical Officer, For All Seasons.

Children of Different Ages

Managing the anxiety of children of different ages can be challenging. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital recommends different approaches for each child. For early elementary school-aged children, the message is to keep it brief and simple while providing reassurance that adults will keep them safe and following routine behaviors (like hand washing) to keep them healthy. For upper elementary and middle school-aged children, the focus is usually on helping them distinguish reality from rumor/fantasy and reminding them how important it is to take care of one another. For upper middle and high school-aged students, discussions can be more in-depth, helping them with honest, factual information to engage them in shared decision-making. Parents should practice good listening and encourage children to verbalize their thoughts.

Attention-Getting Tantrums

Bad behavior can still happen, and professionals agree on one thing – ignore attention-getting tantrums from children about going back to school. The website Mental Health First Aid (mentalhealthfirstaid.org) encourages parents to stay calm and avoid getting angry or upset when children have tantrums. Instead, parents are encouraged to praise children when they see calmer behavior. While your child needs to know you’re there to listen and help problem-solve, timing can be everything. Find a time to talk when your child is relatively calm – not when they are upset or getting ready for school.

Conversation Starters

Talking about the transition back to school can help children problem-solve solutions. Conversation starters could include, asking them ways you can help make it easier for them, or asking them about their specific worries. Giving children choices about picking out their clothes or selecting a favorite meal during the first week of school can empower them and help them feel more in control during this transition.

Research shows that 22 percent of Americans will have a diagnosable mental illness at some point before they are 18 years old. This means that in a class of 25 students, at least five will experience a mental health challenge. If not addressed, mental health challenges can have an impact long into a person’s adulthood. Mental Health America recommends, especially for teens, that taking care of basic needs can make all the difference. This includes eating healthy snacks, staying hydrated, resting if you need to, making time for hobbies, practicing relaxation, volunteering for others, and asking for help when you need it.

In For All Seasons’ two most recent podcasts, “Bring on the Mess,” clinicians explore how to support children as they transition back to a new school year, specifically looking at the village or community that parents/caregivers rely upon to navigate change and create safe environments for kids to learn and grow, as well as information about understanding Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Visit https://www.buzzsprout.com/1863116/11175937-bring-on-the-mess-volume-18-it-takes-a-village and https://www.buzzsprout.com/1863116/11202759-bring-on-the-mess-volume-17-adhd.

For additional information on managing stress and anxiety, visit mentalhealthfirstaid.org or call For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 if you would like more information on services.

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