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February 5, 2023

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Qlarant Foundation Profiles: Bay Hundred Community Volunteers

December 15, 2022 by Val Cavalheri Leave a Comment

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Editor Note: This is the first of three articles that focus on the recipients of the Qlarant Foundation grant awards over the last year. We began with the Bay Hundred Community Volunteers based in Talbot County.

Yes, this group is unique. They’re a nonprofit community service organization with no paid staff. But their work is priceless; ask any of those they helped. They are known as the Bay Hundred Community Volunteers (BHCV), but their scope of work far exceeds the Bay Hundred area.

Started in 1999 by Bill Shrieve and his wife Jean, their mission is to help improve the living conditions of Talbot County residents and raise public awareness of the need for adequate, safe, and affordable housing. Initially, though, it was created to address a specific need for a small community in Sherwood, Maryland. At that time, the fledgling yet motivated group took out 150 tons of trash, redid the roads, cleared brush, and did some minor home repair services. To fund what needed to be done, they held chicken barbecues and solicited donations from individuals and groups

After a couple of years, the group became a nonprofit and began serving low-income Bay Hundred residents. They expanded again in 2009 to provide home repairs to all of Talbot County. Repairs which included replacing windows, installing storm doors, etc.

PHOTO OF BERT’S RAMP

Over time, what BHCV discovered was an ever-growing need for mobility home additions and modifications. Grab bars, handrails, and handicap ramps became another and important part of their mission. But it was the work they did building wheelchair ramps from scratch that gained them notoriety as the only nonprofit organization providing this service to Talbot County’s vulnerable residents who had income limitations. But the group also had constraints. Despite an estimated need for approximately 25 ramps, BHCV only had the resources to build 3-4 ramps per year. The process of using wood in their construction was not only labor-intensive and time-consuming, but the permit procedure was challenging. Additionally, once installed, the ramps were not reusable.

 

That’s when Easton-based Qlarant Foundation (the charitable arm of Qlarant) stepped in and, in 2020, awarded the group a $15,000 grant. With the money, BHCV were able to purchase and install modular aluminum ramps that were easy to assemble, ADA compliant, and, since they are temporary, usually do not require a permit. “Since we started doing them in March of 2020,” said Shrieves, “we’ve installed 44 ramps to neighbors at no charge for as long as needed. Once they no longer have a need, we recover them and use the parts for other ramps.”

Referrals usually come from the Talbot County Health Department or the Department of Social Services, and BHCV follows HUD guidelines for income limitations. “$34,200 for a single person living alone Is what we look at and the people we’re working with,” says Shrieves.

Qlarant has continued to be their primary contributor, but other grants and support from the community, private foundations, and businesses have allowed this unique program to continue and thrive. These have included Mid-Shore Foundation, Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Charitable Foundation, etc.

There are many stories about how lives have been changed by the efforts of BHCV’s installations of ramps. They range from reducing social isolation to helping people to get to their medical appointments. All important to the health of a community.

Shrieves shared an example.

Bert was a retired radiology technician and Neavitt resident, who loved dogs, photography, the outdoors, and music. in October of last year, he suffered a stroke and spent time in a rehab facility. But he wanted to be home with his dogs. BHCV fulfilled that wish by installing a ramp in May 2022. However, he had another stroke in late August and sadly passed away. BHCV disassembled the ramp.

At about the same time, the Talbot County Health Department contacted BHCV about Tina, a single parent of four who had been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and whose condition had quickly declined. She started using a wheelchair and moved in with a friend to get the support she needed. Using part of the materials from Bert’s ramp, and with no additional cost to BHCV, a ramp was built and installed for her in September. Tina can now leave home or just sit outside enjoying the sun. Additionally, BHCV will soon install other parts of Bert’s ramp for another client.

Besides the success they’ve experienced with their ramp program, BHCV continues to do their home repair work as well. Although volunteers do most repairs, licensed contractors are sometimes hired for the more complex projects. Said Shrieves, “We did a bathroom that was just the worst; the toilet was being held up with a 2×4. It required complete gutting and rebuilding of the floor joists and turned out to be a $13,000 project–way more than what we could afford. So Choptank Electric Trust came in with $2,500, a family raised about $4,000, and we paid for the rest. We combine these kinds of coalitions to get a big project done.”

What they have accomplished with these impromptu coalitions has been nothing short of amazing. A typical year for the group was an investment of $15-20,000 in home repairs. Shrieves estimates that this year they will have invested around $60,000 and will finish 30-35 projects. But also remarkable is how many volunteers are involved in these tasks.

“We probably have around 20 people on our roll,” said Shrieves. “About 15 do the physical volunteer work, and the rest are involved in other activities.” Surprisingly none of them have had professional careers in home building or repair. They’re just people who are ‘handy,’ mostly neighbors interested in helping their neighbors.”

Enthusiasm and pride are not lacking when speaking to anyone in the group. Still, as they continue to grow, BHCV is experiencing the same challenges as other nonprofits—the need for more volunteers. “We’re looking for people who, when I send out an email to everybody and say, ‘Hey, we got a ramp to install next Tuesday, who’s available?’ can pipe up and help. We also need folks willing to get involved in the administration and leadership of the organization. People who, in the future, would be in a position to succeed me and some of the other folks,” said Shrieves.

Until that time come, and for now, the group will continue to do what they do best, bring hope to those in need.

For more information and see how you can help about Bay Hundred Community Volunteers please go here. For more information about the Qlarant Foundation please go here.

Val Cavalheri is a writer and photographer. She has written for various publications, including The Washington Post.  Previously she served as the editor of several magazines, including Bliss and Virginia Woman. Although her camera is never far from her reach, Val retired her photography studio when she moved from Northern Virginia to the Eastern Shore a few years ago.. She and her husband, Wayne Gaiteri, have two children and one grandchild.

Filed Under: Health Homepage, Health Homepage Highlights, Health Lead, Health Portal Highlights

Pandemic Alert: Kent County COVID Numbers Now Considered “Substantial”

August 6, 2021 by Spy Desk

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COVID-19 cases are rapidly increasing across the country, especially in areas with low vaccination. This week, the United States’ level of community transmission increased from substantial to high.  Unfortunately, the Kent County Health Department has learned that our county level of transmission has increased from moderate to substantial (a change to be reflected next week when the CDC is scheduled to update its COVID Data Tracker.)

This surge is being driven by Delta, a variant of the virus that causes COVID-19. Delta is much more contagious than past versions of the virus and spreads about two to four times as easily from one person to another. Since vaccinated individuals can still spread the Delta variant to others, the CDC recommends everyone over the age of 2 wear a mask indoors in public regardless of their vaccination status.

“The Kent County Health Department urges everyone to follow the CDC’s advice,” stated Health Officer, Bill Webb. “Wear your mask and get fully vaccinated if you haven’t already. Getting fully vaccinated is the best thing you can do to protect yourself and those around you. All vaccines are safe, effective, free, and readily available in Maryland.”

  • Wearing a mask is strongly recommended in all public indoor settings regardless of your vaccination status for ages 2+ while community transmission remains substantial or high. With the Delta variant, this is more urgent than ever.

  • Now is the time to get vaccinated. Appointments are available through the Kent County Health Department at kenthd.org or by calling 410-778-1350. You can also schedule through pharmacies, clinics, and other sites in Maryland by visiting  https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/vaccine,  texting your ZIP code to 438829, or calling 1-855-MD-GOVAX.

  • Everyone who has COVID-19 symptoms or who has been exposed should get tested. If you have been around someone with a confirmed case of COVID, get tested 3-5 days after exposure, even if you have no symptoms and/or you have already been vaccinated. Call the Kent County Health Department at 410-778-1350 to schedule a test or visit MD’s testing site locator.

Filed Under: Health Homepage, Health Portal Highlights, News Homepage

Compass Adds New Hospice Wing to Honor Mildred Barnette and Keep Mission Going

June 22, 2021 by The Spy

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For any Kent or Queen Anne’s County family who has lost a loved one, but was fortunate to have Compass hospice support at the end of that person’s life, there should be a certain degree of gratitude for Mildred Barnette.

While most of those who use Compass’s hospice care may not have a clue who Mildred is, they owe her a lot for her vision as the founding director of Compass Hospice for the loving, compassionate care of grandparents, parents, spouses, or children at their end of life.

Fortunately, one anonymous donor did know of Mildred Barnette’s remarkable contributions to the Mid-Shore community and quietly worked with current director Heather Guerieri to provide the leadership gift for the new wing of the Compass Centreville facility. And while the Compass board respects the privacy of this generous philanthropist, the staff and volunteers can’t hide how thrilled they are with the major $5 million addition.

The addition of five new patient bedrooms, family rooms, children’s space, and a commercial kitchen, are indeed major improvements but they are also essential to Compass’s commitment to Kent and Queen Anne’s community. While most of the Compass patients can use the organization’s services at home, Shore Regional Health Chestertown hospital, or in the soon-to-be-built facility in Caroline County, the Centreville home base is now able to take on far more of the region’s most serious of cases.

The Spy sat down with Heather a few weeks ago for a quick tour of the new wing and how the Barnette Center is a perfect way to honor Mildred’s important legacy of hospice care for the entire Mid-Shore.

This video is approximately four minutes in length. For more information about Compass please go here.

Filed Under: Health Homepage, Health Homepage Highlights, Health Portal Highlights, Health Portal Lead

Choptank Health Comes to Kent County with Sara Rich

June 9, 2021 by Dave Wheelan

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While Kent County has had good reasons to celebrate the recent news that the Shore Regional Health’s Chestertown hospital would remain a full-service facility with its new designation as a “critical care” health center, there was another bit of news about the same time that might have been overlooked with all that excitement.

About the same time that the State of Maryland re-classified the town’s hospital, it was also announced that Choptank Community Health System had joined in a partnership with Shore Health to serve the needs of Kent County. Choptank might be a new name for locals, but it has been a highly respected health provider for the Mid-Shore for almost four decades.

Originally launched by concerned nurses and doctors in Caroline County in 1978, Choptank’s mission was to establish comprehensive primary health care services to all residents, regardless of one’s ability to pay. And since that time, the nonprofit health provider has grown to establish centers in Cambridge, Denton, Easton, Federalsburg, Goldsboro, and St. Michaels. And now Chestertown will be added to this list starting in 2022.

Not only has Choptank grown in the territory they cover, but in the last several years, they have significantly expanded their mission to include dental care, in-school health centers, and now behavioral health as well.

The Spy sat down with Sara Rich, Choptank’s CEO and president, at the White Swan Tavern the other day to learn more about Choptank and what they will be bringing to Kent County.

This video is approximately seven minutes in length. For more information about the Choptank Community Health System please go here.

Filed Under: Health Homepage, Health Portal Highlights, Spy Top Story

Chestertown Welcomes Dramatic Hospital Upgrade 

April 20, 2021 by James Dissette

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The University of Maryland Shore Medical campus at Chestertown is going through a dramatic transformation and plans to become a state and national model for rural health care.

UM Shore Regional Health President and CEO Ken Kozel offered an hour-long slide show, “Reimagining Eastern Shore Health Care,” to the Chestertown Town Council during Monday 19th session.

“Some of the services that we will offer as part of the new model hospital-based care are  emergency care; surgical services; primary care; and specialists unique services for the aging and the elderly in our population; ways that we can care for patients at home; and transportation solutions that will enhance our ability to access these services, and again, do it in a way that’s going to promote good communication back and forth from our community to our health care system, Kozel says.

Initiated by July 1, the Maryland Rural Hospital, modeled after the Critical Access Hospital designation used nationally, will be licensed for up to 25 beds with an average of up to 4-day stays for patients with general conditions along with a state-of-the-art 24/7 emergency department and diagnostic service.

A primary focus on Kent County’s aging demographic will become central to the new hospital’s mission. A Geriatric Medicine provider will be brought in, and a Geriatric Emergency Medicine Stabilization and Transport Team will be established. In-person telehealth capabilities for access to specialists’ care will also be included.

The Aging & Wellness Center of Excellence of primary care, behavioral health, and dental services will be a collaboration between Shore Regional Health and Choptank Community Health.

“Choptank Community Health is going to be our collaborator for providing primary care, behavioral health, and dental services in Chestertown and throughout Kent County. Choptank exists today in the mid-shore region and has been established for over 40 years in the mid-shore. They have locations in Caroline Dorchester and Talbot counties, and they have a staff of more than 200 employees as part of Choptank Health. They serve over 30,000 patients in our community annually. They are an important provider, and collaboration with them will help meet these essential needs of primary care, behavioral health, and dental services.

Additionally, Mobile Wellness Teams, similar to those provided by Queen Anne’s Emergency Medical Services, will be added to the hospital’s plan. Noting that Kent County EMS is volunteer-based, Shore Regional Health will work with Kent County Health Department to hire and train additional team members to promote health and wellness at home, including in-home telehealth visits, home safety inspections, medication management, chronic disease management.

Another key addition will be a Geriatrician practice based in Chestertown and specializing in pulmonology, cardiology, urology, continence/pelvic health, GYN, ENT, Diabetes/Endocrinology, home sleep studies, and nephrology. Collaboration with Upper Shore Aging will assist with food insecurity, prediabetes screening, hypertension, and medication management.

Commissioning a consulting agency to study transportation needs in Kent County, the enhanced hospital also plans to address the long-sought solutions to improve medical and non-medical transportation in the region by working with community partners to define potential funding sources to improve the service.

By July 1, many of these services will be in place, with additional services added this Fall.

For a complete understanding of the Mr. Kozel’s presentation, the Spy is offering access to the core of Mr. Kozel’s slide narrative.

While the video runs for approximately 22 minutes, we feel it is important to offer our readers details of these extensive changes to the hospital. For years, questions about the future of the hospital have nagged County residents. Quite simply, Shore Health has delivered a premium healthcare model that will serve all well into the future.

This video is approximately 26 minutes in length. 

 

Filed Under: Health Portal Highlights, News Homepage, News Portal Highlights

A “Critical” New Title for Chestertown’s Hospital with Shore Health’s Ken Kozel

April 12, 2021 by Dave Wheelan

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Perhaps one of the more significant events in Chestertown’s long history is expected to take place in a few weeks. While there is no official celebration planned to mark this important moment, this is when it is anticipated that the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) will give the final approval of the town’s hospital becoming designated as a critical access facility in the eyes of the State of Maryland.

That might sound a bit bureaucratic, but it’s a huge deal.

This label determines that the UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown is so rural, so remote, that it can operate as a full-service hospital even if the costs of running the facility could be above current standards for similar medical facilities in Maryland.

The Spy spoke to Shore Regional Health’s CEO Ken Kozel last week about this remarkable moment. As someone who has played a leading role for more than a decade with Chestertown’s hospital and the debate on its future, Ken notes that this historic phase for health care that Chestertown, and more broadly, Kent County and northern Queen Anne’s County, will be entering. He also talks about the five-year process that this new designation kicks off, including intensive community engagement. All to help determine precisely what a critical access hospital does, since Chestertown will be the first of its kind in the State.

This video is approximately six minutes in length. For more information about Shore Regional Health please go here.

Filed Under: Health Portal Highlights, Health Portal Lead, Spy Chats, Spy Highlights, Spy Top Story

Cohort Outbreak Reported on Campus; Students Affected Placed Under Mandatory Quarantine

February 16, 2021 by Washington College News Service

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From the Washington College News Service:

Be advised that due to a COVID cohort outbreak within one residence hall, this location only has been re-classified to the campus RED Alert level and all students living in this particular hall are under mandatory quarantine. This decision was made in partnership with the Kent County Health Department leadership, and following guidance issued by the CDC and the State of Maryland. This quarantine went into effect on 8 PM on Feb. 12, and is expected to last up to 14 days.

A cohort outbreak is defined as 5 more related COVID cases within a 14-day time period. In the last several days, there have been a total of 11 positive COVID cases, all linked to this one specific residence hall. There has been no further spread.

Because this cohort outbreak is confined to a specific residence hall, Washington College is still operating at a Yellow Alert Level overall.

The mandatory quarantine has been enforced in order to stop the spread of the virus throughout the rest of the Hall and prevent further spread on campus. While all students who have tested positive were quickly moved into the designated Isolation housing per the established protocols, the remaining residents were potentially exposed to the virus prior to the positive test, due to the congregate setting.

Students were given the option to return to their primary residence for the quarantine period, or remain in place in the residence hall.  Any student who opted to leave campus was required to complete paperwork that provides details on where they will be for their quarantine and acknowledges that the family members in the residence are aware of and accept the risks associated with having contact.

Any student departing campus is required to quarantine for a full 14 days, and must provide a negative COVID test result from within 72 hours of their return date.

Students who complete this quarantine on campus are to remain in their suite. Meals, mail, library materials and other necessities will be delivered. Students are able to sign up for daily outdoor exercise time, which will be done under the supervision of College staff.

All students who remain on campus for this quarantine will be tested on Tuesday 2/16 and again on Friday 2/19. Health Services staff will administer and supervise each test. Students who quarantine on campus may be able to clear quarantine sooner than Feb. 25, with a second negative test.

Filed Under: Health Portal Highlights, News Homepage, News Portal Lead

WC Students Returning Under Strict Guidelines

January 22, 2021 by James Dissette

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Vice President and Dean of Students Sarah Feyerherm attended Monday’s Town Council meeting to update the Council on Washington College’s plans for student attendance during the continuing pandemic.

Students began returning to the campus on Tuesday 19th. Feyerherm told the Council, with 400 students planning to be on campus, 238 off-campus, and 400 staying at home. The return will be staggered over two weeks.

With traditional classrooms closed, all students will attend classes online. Currently, the campus is closed except for deliveries.

Feyerherm states that strict guidelines are in place to prevent large student gatherings both on campus and off-campus. Aside from using the dining hall and exercise outside, campus activities will be limited.

As students return to campus, they will be tested for virus infection. Testing will be ongoing, with each student being tested every two weeks with 24-48 hour lab results from the University of Maryland. The students are expected to quarantine between initial tests.

If an on-campus student tests positive, quarantine and isolation places are available. Off-campus students will be allowed to quarantine at their residence. Weekly testing results will be posted on their website.

A re-evaluation of the safeguards will be made in late March.

Ward 4 Council Person Meghan Efland asked about concerns the town might have with off-campus housing and how to address them. Feherherm told the Council that any observed behavior concerns should be reported to the town police or directly to her office.

Mayor Cerino said he would be remiss if he did not air his concern, adding “this is definitely a conundrum for the mayor and council because we obviously want the College to succeed because it is a huge engine for Chestertown educationally, economically and culturally,” but that if guidelines are not met, non-symptomatic students with the virus could unintentionally endanger the more vulnerable in the community.

This video is approximately six minutes in length. More about Washington College may be found here.

Filed Under: Health Portal Highlights, News Homepage, News Portal Lead

Kent County Vaccine Roll-Out: A Chat with Health Officer Bill Webb

January 13, 2021 by James Dissette

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As the national and Maryland Covid-19 positivity rates spike, the need for clear instructions about how, when and where to get the vaccine is front and center in our lives.

The Spy interviewed Kent County Health Officer Bill Webb to discuss the Maryland vaccination plan and how it is being implemented in Kent County.

Maryland will distribute the vaccines to five different priority groups based on relative risk of exposure or developing serious illness.Vaccinations will be given at the Kent County Health Department in Chestertown.

Currently, Kent County is in part 1A of the three-part plan. 1A is the vaccination of frontline hospital staff health care workers, nursing home residents and staff, law enforcement and firefighters, EMS, all licensed, registered, and certified health care provider, correctional health care staff and officers. 1A is by invitation, and the injections are administered at the Kent County Health Department in Chestertown.

As the roll-out continues, an online application process will be required. For those without internet services or who have difficulty with the application, a network of volunteers is standing by.

Despite a recent Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendation that anyone above the age of 65 get the vaccine, Maryland Governor Hogan said yesterday that the State would continue its original immunization plan.  

The most accurate way to find out when you may get the two-shot vaccine is to go to the Maryland Covid Link here.

The Kent County Health Department at 125 South Lynchburg Street in Chestertown may be reached at 410-778-1350

This video is approximately seven minutes in length.

 

Filed Under: Health Portal Highlights, News Homepage, News Portal Lead

Exit Interview: Patti Willis Looks Back at Healthcare’s Transition on the Mid-Shore

August 19, 2020 by Dave Wheelan

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The Spy “Exit Interview” series is part journalism and part oral history. Over the last eleven years, the Spy has interviewed dozen of local leaders at the moment of their retirement to reflect on their work and some of the challenges they have faced in their professional careers.

We continue with our chat with Patti Willis, Shore Regional Health senior’s long-serving vice president for communications.

For more than four decades, Patti has had a front-row seat in watching the rapid and sometimes controversial health care changes on her native Eastern Shore. In her Spy interview, she recounts the transition from independent community hospitals to one sizeable regional organization serving five counties.

Patti also shares what lessons she’s learned over this complicated process, as well as her observations

Filed Under: Health Homepage, Health Homepage Highlights, Health Portal Highlights

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