Choptank Community Health System is encouraging parents to keep their children’s immunizations up to date to ensure their readiness for the new school year.

“Immunizations protect your children from diseases,” says Choptank Health President and CEO Sara Rich. “Without immunizations, our children and communities are at greater risk of outbreaks of diseases like measles, polio, whooping cough, and more.

“We want to keep our kids happy, healthy, and protected,” she says. “Choptank Health is here to remind parents to schedule immunizations with your healthcare provider today.”

Rich says Choptank Health has developed an immunization portal at choptankhealth.org/protected to make it easier for Mid-Shore parents to keep their children’s health and immunizations in check.

The site includes Maryland’s back-to-school immunization requirements, the CDC’s child and adolescent immunization schedule by age, and a tool to help find a healthcare provider near you, if necessary. Links are also provided for the childhood immunization programs of all local health departments.

“We’re fortunate to work with partners like our local health departments and schools to help prepare our children for a successful school year,” says Rich. “We’re working together to protect our children with immunizations to make it harder for these serious and sometimes deadly illnesses to spread throughout our communities.”

The promotion is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $330,795. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit HRSA.gov.

Choptank Community Health System provides medical, dental, and School-Based health services to more than 30,000 adults and children in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties, with a mission to provide access to exceptional, comprehensive, and integrated healthcare for all. Medical services include primary healthcare, women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health, chronic health management, lab services, and care navigation. New patients are welcome. More information can be found at www.choptankhealth.org.

 

Women Who Care Talbot County recently nominated and awarded $16,000+ to For All Seasons at their May event. The mission of Women Who Care Talbot County is driven by a desire to make a difference in the local community. Inspired by hundreds of like-minded groups across the country and the world, the organization seeks to create a local group of 160 motivated women who are committed to the power of collective philanthropic giving.

“The concept of collective giving by Women Who Care Talbot County is unique and has offered us the opportunity to meet many new women and share our mission of providing the highest quality mental health and victim services to children, adults, and families across Maryland’s Eastern Shore and beyond. We appreciate the organization’s commitment to helping its members learn about the range of work being done to support community needs,” adds Lauren Weber, Vice President of Strategy and Development.

Women Who Care Talbot County brings women together for one hour three times a year, although you need not attend in person to be a fully participating member. Each member who joins commits $100 per meeting for a total of $300 annually. Women aged 35 and under may contribute a lesser amount of $50 three times a year.

“We are thrilled with the impact of our organization and the enthusiasm of our membership. Our numbers are growing and we look forward to all the good we can continue to do in and for our community through pooled philanthropic giving,” comments Amanda David, one of the founders of Women Who Care Talbot County.

To become an active member of WWCTC, please visit www.100womentalbot.org or https://www.facebook.com/TalbotWomenWhoCare. The organization’s next meeting will be September 9, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. at the Easton branch of the Talbot County Free Library.

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

The Birthing Center at UM Shore Regional Health’s Shore Medical Center at Easton provides several classes related to childbirth, parenting, breastfeeding and being a safe sibling throughout the year. The Birthing Center team is now offering a new, simpler registration process to assist new parents and caregivers.

All childbirth and education classes are free of cost, but advance registration is required for all classes. Care partners are encouraged to attend classes with their birthing partners. 

Caregivers who are interested in attending an upcoming course may still call 410-822-1000, ext. 5234, and leave a message with your name, email address, phone number, and the names and dates of the classes for which you would like to register, or you can visit our easy online Prenatal Class Registration form and submit your request quickly.

All classes are held in-person at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton’s Nick Rajacich Health Education Center, as follows:

Understanding Labor – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. the first Saturday of each month. Classes will take place August 3, September 7, October 5, November 2 and December 7. This course provides information on the signs of labor, stages of labor and labor contractions. Skilled Birthing Center team members discuss options for comfort techniques and pain management, laboring positions, medical procedures, and recovery following delivery.

New Mom, New Baby – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on August 10, October 12 and December 14. This course provides an overview of care for mother and child, from the time of delivery to two weeks following delivery (postpartum). Birthing Center team members provide information about postpartum care, emotions and stress, intimacy and sexuality, returning to work and birth control options. Course participants also learn about newborn care, including feeding, diapering, bathing, circumcision care and infant safety.

Breastfeeding – 9 a.m. to noon on July 13, September 14 and November 9. Birthing Center team members discuss tips and techniques for successful breastfeeding, including latch and positioning, and maintaining milk supply. (Please note: UM SRH certified lactation consultants also offer expectant and new mothers information about the benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby, along with tips and techniques for successful breastfeeding. For information regarding breastfeeding support offered by appointment via videoconference or in-person — outside of scheduled class time — contact 410-822-1000, ext. 5700, or ext. 5535.) 

Safe-Sibling – 9 to 11 a.m. on August 10, October 12 and December 14. This course introduces children ages 2 to 8 to ways they can help newborns and parents by being a safe sibling. Nurses introduce participating children to safety issues, safe ways they can engage with their newborn siblings, and also offer tips and tricks for parents to encourage a healthy bonding experience. This class includes a snack, story time and tour of the Birthing Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton.

For more information about the award-winning Birthing Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton, visit umshoreregional.org/birthing. UM Shore Regional Health is a member hospital of the University of Maryland Medical System.

 

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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.

University of Maryland Shore Medical Group (UM SMG) – Urology recently welcomed Robert McDonough, III, MD, FACS. Most recently, Dr. McDonough served as the Residency Director at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Dr. McDonough earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia and his Doctorate of Medicine from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia. He completed an internship in general surgery at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas; a residency in Urology at San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium (SAUSHEC) in San Antonio, Texas; and a fellowship in reconstruction/urodynamics/female urology at University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.

He is widely published on male and female urologic conditions and treatments and has held teaching appointments at St. Louis University Hospital, Maine Medical Center in Portland Maine, SAUSHEC, and Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio. He is board certified by the American Board of Urology.

“Dr. McDonough’s expertise in both male and female urologic conditions is an asset to our community,” said Timothy Shanahan, Medical Director, UM SMG. “He is an exceptional physician, and fully dedicated to the exceptional care of his patients.”

To make an appointment with Dr. McDonough, call 410-820-0560.     

UM SMG is part of University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, which is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.  

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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.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System, will host an in-person five-session summer/fall workshop titled “Breathe Again: A Journey to a Smoke-Free and Healthier YOU,” designed to help smokers who wish to quit. The class will be offered once per month at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, 100 Brown Street, from 1 to 3 p.m., beginning Tuesday, July 23. Sessions will run through May. There is no charge for the course, but registration is required. 

Led by Sandra Wilson-Hypes, Health Educator for University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, this course will offer guidance, information, tools and resources to help participants quit smoking. Course topics include Smoking 101 on July 23, creating a quit-smoking plan on August 27, information on the various health risks of smoking on September 24, discussion on the challenges to quitting smoking on October 29 and information, tools and resources to staying smoke free on November 12. Attendance in all five sessions of the course is encouraged but not required.

Participants who complete the course and quit smoking can expect:

• Improved health
• To gain a deeper understanding of the addiction of smoking and its effects on your health
• Improvement in mood or with symptoms of depression
• A reduced need for doctors’ visits or hospitalization  
• Connection with a community of individuals on the same journey
• To learn effective strategies to overcome cravings and triggers
• Increased chances of achieving long-term success in quitting smoking

“If you are taking steps to prioritize your health, quitting smoking is a crucial step toward improving your overall health and well-being,” said Wilson-Hypes. “By enrolling in a smoking cessation course, you can gain the necessary guidance and support to successfully break free from the habit and embrace a healthier lifestyle.” 

Classes are open to all smokers. Family members and caretakers are encouraged to participate as well. Register online at umshoreregional.org/health-education and click on the date(s) of the course you wish to attend in the calendar provided or call Wilson-Hypes at 410-778-7668, ext. 5679.

CUTLINE:  Sandra Wilson-Hypes (Sandra Wilson-Hypes.jpg)

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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.

Pride Month is a time for LGBTQ+ folks to gather and celebrate their freedom to live authentically. According to Mental Health America, this year’s celebration month theme is: Being your authentic self, if it is safe to do so, is one of the best ways to protect your mental health and well-being.

LGBTQ+ people experience mental health struggles linked to societal stigma, discrimination, and denial of their civil and human rights. Members of the LGBTQ+ community are affected by mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder (MDD) or clinical depression, at higher rates than the general population, which is often due to stigma and discrimination. Nearly 60% of LGBTQ+ adults are experiencing mental health challenges today and LGBTQ+ adults are three times as likely to experience a mental health disorder than individuals who identify as straight.

Living with depression is challenging for anyone. But when you’re also facing disparities and hurdles associated with being LGBTQ+, such as rejection, discrimination, and violence, it can add to mental health challenges. An analysis of the recorded deaths by suicide in 18 U.S. states showed that the largest incidence of suicide is among middle-aged LGBTQ+ people.

An important step to mental health care is finding a healthcare provider that makes you feel safe, supported, and heard. Finding providers with whom you can create a personal connection will establish a safe space and allow you to develop a more personalized approach to your treatment plan. For further information, visit forallseasonsinc.org.

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

Source: https://www.mhanational.org/issues/lgbtq-communities-and-mental-health

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System, will host an in-person, five-session workshop titled “Don’t Worry, Be Healthy,” beginning Thursday, July 18, 2024. Designed to teach participants how to stay healthy by making healthier and safer choices, the workshop will meet once per month, in person at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, 100 Brown Street, from 1 to 3 p.m. There is no charge for the course, but advance registration is required.

Led by Sandra Wilson-Hypes, Health Educator for UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, course topics will include Infection Prevention on July 18; Fire and Burn Prevention on August 29; Medication Safety and Accidental Overdose Prevention on September 26; Diabetes Prevention on October 24; and Fall Prevention on November 21. Attendance in all five sessions is encouraged but not required.

Participants who attend the full series can expect to gain:

• Increased awareness and understanding of the importance of maintaining a healthy living environment
• Enhanced awareness of home safety measures
• Increased ability to create a safer living environment through implementing practical safety measures
• Empowerment to take responsibility for personal health and well-being
• Reduced risk of injuries, illnesses and avoidable health problems 
• Improved overall health outcomes 

“Learning how to prioritize preventive measures is an important step in being a health advocate for yourself and those in your care,” said Wilson-Hypes. “This series helps individuals acquire the knowledge and tools to safeguard their well-being, create a safer living environment and embrace a proactive approach toward long-term health.”

Individuals, parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate. Register online at umshoreregional.org/health-education and click on the date(s) of the course you wish to attend in the calendar provided or call Wilson-Hypes at 410-778-7668, ext. 5679. This course is offered bi-annually; one five-session series in the winter/spring and one five-session series in the summer/fall.

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 healthcare 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 healthcare 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.