Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc.’s board of directors recently welcomed Doncella Wilson of Denton, Md. as a newly appointed director. Wilson joins 17 other directors serving four-year terms in a voluntary capacity.

Doncella Wilson

Wilson is a State of Maryland board-approved licensed master social worker with more than 15 years serving in human services, which includes her current position as the Kent County Local Management Board Systems of Care Coordinator. She received an associate’s degree in human services from Chesapeake College, and a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from Salisbury University.

Wilson is a Kent County resident who has committed herself to highlighting the local history of African Americans on the Eastern Shore and celebrating the contributions of African Americans past and present. She is one of the creators of the 100 Men of Distinction annual celebration, which honors African American men on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Wilson volunteers on numerous boards, including Sumner Hall, Mannie Scott American Legion Post 193, His Hope Ministries, and the Caroline County Arts Council. She was appointed by Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to serve on the Uninsured Employers Fund Board for four years beginning in 2015 and is currently serving a second term. Wilson began to serve a five-year term as an elected Denton Town Council member in 2017.

“Watching my parents work in partnership and treating people kindly has followed me through all my endeavors and into my volunteer work,” said Wilson “I’m grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of the Mid-Shore through my work on the board.”

“Doncella’s experience and perspective are great assets for our board,” said MSBH President Ben Kohl, Ph.D., LCSW-C. “She is helping to forward our mission to continually improve behavioral health services for Mid-Shore regional residents through effective coordination of care.”

“Doncella adds to the clinical and cultural competency of our rural behavioral healthcare delivery system,” said MSBH Executive Director Katie Dilley, LCSW-C. “We’re grateful for her service in supporting a community-focused, cost-effective, accessible system to serve the community as a whole.”

MSBH’s board of directors includes diverse and engaged individuals representing multicultural audiences, financial businesses, faith-based organizations, law enforcement, health care, housing development, and homeless services. Members participate in steering the nonprofit in accordance to its mission and vision, and actively participate on board committees.

Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) regional Core Service Agency serving Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties. MSBH is one of Maryland’slargest CSAs, with primary responsibilities including community planning, management, and monitoring of publicly funded medically necessary mental health services for children, adolescents, adults, and the aging population.MSBH also serves as the lead agency for the Mid Shore Roundtable on Homelessness, which coordinates homeless services funding in the region, with more at midshorebehavioralhealth.org.

Compass will be offering their three-day training session virtually for any individuals interested in becoming a patient care volunteer.

The training session is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. February 12, 19, and 26. Due to COVID restrictions, the training will take place virtually through Zoom. Registration is required and completing the entire class is necessary for volunteers who wish to provide companionship and support to Compass patients and their loved ones in Queen Anne’s, Kent and Caroline counties.

“Most often, patient volunteers give companionship to patients by reading, playing cards, or just watching television with them. They also give caregivers a chance to have a much needed break to tend to other responsibilities.” said Robyn Affron, volunteer manager at Compass. “Occasionally our patients need some gardening or laundry done, or a quick errand run. Our volunteers provide the added support that our patients and families need during what can be an overwhelming time.”

Topics taught during the training will include an overview of hospice, the process of dying, spiritual care and its place in hospice care, the stages of grief, effective communications techniques, family dynamics, stress management and self-care for caregivers.

Compass relies on more than 300 volunteers of all ages to support its mission, and these individuals volunteer their time in a variety of ways. In addition to patient care volunteers, Compass is currently seeking volunteers for Estate Treasures, their upscale retail shop whose proceeds help cover uncompensated patient care. Whatever your motivation to volunteer, there is a place for you at Compass.

To register or find out more information about becoming a volunteer for Compass, contact Robyn Affron at 443-262-4112 or 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 centers in Centreville and Chestertown, 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.