Health

Choptank Health Launches “Ask a Provider” Video Series

November 23, 2022 by Choptank Community Health Leave a Comment

Choptank Community Health System has launched an “Ask a Provider” video series in partnership with the Avalon Foundation to provide educational resources and advice from physicians and advanced practice providers.

“We want to continue empowering more people to take control of their own health,” says Choptank Health Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer Megan Wojtko, DNP, MBA, FNP-BC. “This series addresses the concerns we hear most often in our offices while helping to provide essential information for the community at large.”

In the most recent episode of the series, Avalon host Jessica Bellis interviews Wotjko to discuss the best ways to stay well this holiday season, including protecting individuals and children from viruses like influenza and RSV.

Other topics covered in the series include the importance of taking care of your mental health and childhood immunizations.

“Accessibility to health care is at the core of our mission,” says Choptank Health CEO Sara Rich. “Our continued partnership with the Avalon Foundation is an important component of expanding our mission, and we’re grateful for their help in producing this series.”

“This partnership is an important part of the Avalon’s work in fostering a strong community on the Eastern Shore,” says Avalon Foundation COO/CFO Jessica Bellis. “Sharing this information through video brings reliable, trustworthy medical advice for more people to count on throughout the Mid-Shore”

Choptank Health began partnering with the Avalon Foundation during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with numerous outreach efforts, including producing a series of videos addressing COVID-19 concerns. Choptank Health also worked with the Avalon to host vaccination clinics at the 2021 Chesapeake Multicultural Festival and Easton Carnival and continues with fresh produce prescriptions for local students at the Easton Farmer’s Market and through Caroline County Public Schools this past summer.

The video series can be found on YouTube at www.youtube.com/MidshoreCommunityTelevision.

Choptank Community Health System provides medical and dental services in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties to more than 30,000 adults and children, with a mission to provide access to exceptional, comprehensive, and integrated healthcare for all. Choptank Community Health’s medical services include primary healthcare, women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health, chronic health management, and care navigation, with new medical patients now being accepted. More information is at www.choptankhealth.org.

UM Shore Medical Group-Cardiology Welcomes Two New Providers

November 19, 2022 by UM Shore Regional Health 1 Comment

University of Maryland Shore Medical Group – Cardiology recently welcomed two new providers to the practice based at UM Shore Medical Pavilion at Easton, 500 Cadmus Lane, suite 207; Robert Malacoff, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FHRS, CCDS, and Robyn Lanasa, CRNP, FNP-BC.

Dr. Malacoff’s career includes extensive clinical cardiology experience. He previously served as Director of the Cardiac Catheterization and EP Laboratories at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass.; as Medical Director and Chief of Cardiology and Director of Electrophysiology at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Bethlehem, Pa; and as Medical Director of Cardiology at Orange Regional Medical Center in Middletown, N.Y. Most recently, he served three years with the Veterans Administration Hospital in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in Allentown, Pa. He also has lectured and published widely in the field of cardiology, and organized several cardiology symposia.

A graduate of Columbia University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science in New York, N.Y., Dr. Malacoff earned his medical degree from Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn., and completed his residency at Yale New Haven Hospital. He also completed research and clinical fellowships in electrophysiology and cardiovascular medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital and at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, respectively, in Boston, Mass.

Robert Malacoff, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FHRS, CCDS and Robyn Lanasa, CRNP, FNP-BC

Lanasa completed her Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner at Simmons College in Boston, Mass. During her clinical rotations, she gained experience in internal medicine/geriatrics, women’s health, emergency medicine, cardiology and pediatrics. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Maryland School of Nursing in Baltimore. Prior to her nursing career, she received her Bachelor of Science in Emergency Services from University of Maryland Baltimore County and worked as an emergency medical services coordinator for University of Maryland Medical Center’s R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center.

Lanasa was employed by Luminis Health Kent Island Primary Care for several years after obtaining her nurse practitioner degree. Prior to becoming a nurse practitioner, she worked in pre-operative/post-anesthesia care at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, and in cardiac surgery intensive care at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. She also worked in several emergency departments, including at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton.

Dr. Malacoff and Lanasa are accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, please call 410-822-5571.

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, visit www.umms.org.

Choptank Health Expands with Chestertown Health Center

November 17, 2022 by Choptank Community Health Leave a Comment

Choptank Community Health System has expanded into Kent County at 126 Philosophers Terrace in Chestertown, Md. The community health center is providing primary care and behavioral health services at the location, with new patients currently being welcomed.

Choptank Community Health System and UM Shore Regional Health announced their collaboration to expand healthcare services in Kent and Northern Queen Anne’s Counties in April 2021.

“Choptank Health is always exploring opportunities on Maryland’s Eastern Shore where we can expand our services and support healthy communities,” said Choptank Health CEO Sara Rich. “Our expansion helps to address Kent County’s shortage of primary care, dental, and mental health providers and aligns with our mission of providing access to health care for all.”

Choptank Community Health System has expanded into Kent County at 126 Philosophers Terrace in Chestertown, Md.

Medical services include primary healthcare, women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health, chronic health management, and care navigation.

Rich says same-day appointments are now available, with a family physician and nurse practitioner leading the practice team. Integrated behavioral health services are also available to Choptank Health’s medical patients on-site.

Choptank Health will be adding a mobile health care unit as part of the new health center’s services in 2023, which will be used to help reach populations outside of Chestertown including those living in Millington, Galena, and Betterton. Dental services will be available at the Chestertown Health Center in 2024.

Choptank Community Health System additionally has opened its first Kent County School-Based Health Center at Rock Hall Elementary School. The center is made possible through partnerships with Kent County Public Schools, Kent County Health Department, and Maryland Department of Health.

The School-Based Health Center provides in-person, virtual, curbside well and urgent care during the school year and over the summer months, with student enrollment required. Other services include health education and risk assessment, sports and other physical exams, dietary support, asthma management, and sick or acute care.

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. In addition to accepting most major insurance plans, Choptank participates in Medicare and Medicaid and offers a sliding fee scale to uninsured patients.

Choptank Health’s Chestertown Health Center is open Mon. through Fri., 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and can be reached at 443-215-5353. Enrollment forms for school-based services are available at Rock Hall Elementary, or online at www.choptankhealth.org/schoolbased. More information about Choptank Health is at www.choptankhealth.org.

University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton Earns “A” Safety Grade

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

University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton, a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), has received an “A” Hospital Safety Grade in The Leapfrog Group’s fall 2022 reporting period. This marks the fifth consecutive period that the hospital has received an ‘A’.

Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grade is a national distinction recognizing a hospital’s achievements in providing safer healthcare by protecting patients from preventable harm and errors.

“We are extremely pleased to once again achieve The Leapfrog Group’s highest safety grade,” said Ken Kozel, President and CEO, UM Shore Regional Health. “This national award reflects the tremendous dedication and commitment of our doctors, nurses and all team members who work hard every day to provide the highest-quality medical care to our patients.”

“I applaud the hospital leadership and workforce for their strong commitment to safety and transparency,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “An ‘A’ Safety Grade is a sign that hospitals are continuously evaluating their performance, so that they can best protect patients. Your hospital team should be extremely proud of their dedication and achievement.”

The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization with a 10-year history of assigning letter grades to general hospitals throughout the United States, based on a hospital’s ability to prevent medical errors and harm to patients. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent, and free to the public. Hospital Safety Grade results are based on more than 30 national performance measures and are updated each fall and spring.

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, visit www.umms.org.

Choptank Health Launches Scholarship Program

November 11, 2022 by Choptank Community Health Leave a Comment

Choptank Community Health System recently announced a new scholarship program for the nonprofit’s staff and new hires completing Chesapeake College’s Dental Assistant (DA) and Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) certification programs.

The program is intended to supplement the recruiting and retention efforts of Choptank Health’s offices in Cambridge, Chestertown, Denton, Easton, Federalsburg, Goldsboro, and St. Michaels. Choptank Community Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center and one of 17 community-based health centers in Maryland serving more than 377,000 individuals, including those without insurance or the ability to pay.

An application for the scholarship must be submitted and approved by Choptank Health before receiving funding, along with a commitment to work for Choptank Health. The funding can be used to cover course fees and tuition, textbooks, and licensure costs for Choptank Health’s current and future DA and CMA staff.

“We want to especially encourage high school students to consider applying for this scholarship,” says Choptank Health CEO Sara Rich. “Students can get a head start enrolling at Chesapeake College while still in high school for rewarding careers as dental or medical assistants.”

Choptank Health will pay tuition and fees directly to Chesapeake College for each scholarship recipient. Books and educational materials will be reimbursed to the employee upon submitting an expense report with the receipt. Choptank Health will additionally reimburse employees or new hires for an exam fee upon certification of passing the exam.

Once the licensing exam is successfully completed, new hires and current staff approved to participate in the program will be required to agree to a two-year employment commitment with Choptank Health for DA positions or a three-year commitment for CMA positions.

“Choptank Health offers a competitive benefits package for all full-time employees as well,” said Rich. “Our full-time employees enjoy paid time off, and we offer health and life insurance, retirement investment packages, and more.”

Individuals interested in applying for the program can reach out to Choptank Health Human Resources Director Melissa Book at mbook@choptankhealth.org.

Choptank Community Health’s medical services include primary healthcare, women’s health, pediatrics, behavioral health, chronic health management, and care navigation, with new medical patients now being accepted. More information is at www.choptankhealth.org.

Shore Home Care is now VNA of Maryland – Shore

November 11, 2022 by UM Shore Regional Health 1 Comment

For many years, the professional clinicians and staff at Shore Home Care have served the Easton community and the region with quality healthcare in the comfort and convenience of home.

With the announcement of a partnership between the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) and LHC Group, the agency is taking on a new name – VNA of Maryland – Shore. With their combined experience, resources, and infrastructure, the two organizations – through affiliated agencies like VNA of Maryland – Shore – will be able to offer more families and patients the high-quality, efficient, and effective in-home healthcare they deserve.

What is not changing is the agency’s commitment to Easton, neighboring communities, and the people they serve. VNA of Maryland – Shore will continue providing a full range of services from the same location – with the same local staff of highly trained clinicians and support staff professionals.

With its new partners at LHC Group, the agency is embarking on a mission to enhance in-home healthcare services and make quality care available to even more people throughout the region. The health and well-being of patients remains the top priority, and agency staff members are committed to continuing the level of care they are known for providing.

Home healthcare is convenient, cost-efficient, effectively reduces the risk of avoidable readmissions and supports faster recovery and patient independence. The specialized home care and therapeutic services provided by VNA of Maryland – Shore help reduce hospitalizations and allow many patients to live more independently and remain in their homes. For many patients, recovering in the comfort of home has a therapeutic value that enhances the healing process.

Professional home health nurses, therapists, and social workers treat a wide range of medical conditions. They help patients recovering from illness, injury, or surgery, as well as people living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, congestive heart failure, and many others. Home health also offers several specialized therapy programs.

Under the direct supervision of their physicians, VNA of Maryland – Shore helps patients of all ages make the transition to the right kind of home care for their needs. The agency’s primary goal is – and has always been – the health and well-being of the patients and families it serves.

VNA of Maryland – Shore values the relationships it has established with so many friends and neighbors through the years – and the staff looks forward to remaining friends and neighbors for many years to come.

Chester River Home Care & Hospice is now VNA of Maryland – Chestertown

November 10, 2022 by Shore Regional Health System 2 Comments

For more than two decades, the professional clinicians and staff at Chester River Home Care & Hospice have served the Chestertown community and the eastern shore of Maryland with quality healthcare in the comfort and convenience of home.

With the announcement of a partnership between the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) and LHC Group, the agency is taking on a new name – VNA of Maryland – Chestertown. With their combined experience, resources, and infrastructure, the two organizations – through affiliated agencies like VNA of Maryland – Chestertown – will be able to offer more families and patients the high-quality, efficient, and effective in-home healthcare they deserve.

What is not changing is the agency’s commitment to Chestertown, neighboring communities, and the people they serve. VNA of Maryland – Chestertown will continue providing a full range of services from the same location – with the same local staff of highly trained clinicians and support staff professionals.

With its new partners at LHC Group, the agency is embarking on a mission to enhance in-home healthcare services and make quality care available to even more people throughout the region. The health and well-being of patients remains the top priority, and there will be no interruption in the timeliness or level of care provided.

Home healthcare is convenient, cost-efficient, effectively reduces the risk of avoidable readmissions and supports faster recovery and patient independence. The specialized home care and therapeutic services provided by VNA of Maryland – Chestertown help reduce hospitalizations and allow many patients to live more independently and remain in their homes. For many patients, recovering in the comfort of home has a therapeutic value that enhances the healing process.

Under the direct supervision of their physicians, VNA of Maryland – Chestertown helps patients of all ages make the transition to the right kind of home care for their needs. The agency’s primary goal is – and has always been – the health and well-being of the patients and families it serves.

VNA of Maryland – Chestertown values the relationships it has established with so many friends and neighbors through the years – and the staff looks forward to remaining friends and neighbors for many years to come.

For All Seasons’ Community Conversation About Suicide Prevention Offers Practical Tips For Reaching Out to Those Who Are Struggling With Suicidal Thoughts

November 10, 2022 by For All Seasons, Inc. Leave a Comment

At a recent community conversation, “Life is Better with You Here: A Community Conversation about Suicide Prevention,” at the Avalon Theatre in Easton, CEO Beth Anne Langrell, Chief Clinical Officer Lesa Lee, LCSW-C, and moderator Bruce Grove, QACTV, shared practical strategies and tips for reaching out to those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts.

The conversation began with the acknowledgment that most people in the room had been impacted by suicide in some way, either directly or indirectly, and explored the impact suicide has had on the community as a whole. Beth Anne shared a concept that she and Lesa learned through their training by Brené Brown as Dare To Lead© Program facilitators, “One of the things that Brené says is that what we all need is human connection. Our brains are hardwired for connection. And what we know is that for each of us sitting in this room, when we peel away all the layers, what we want is to be seen, heard, and valued. When one of those things is missing, it makes a difference.”

“And so part of this conversation is about how can we, as a community, lean into the thought that if every single person who could start and end their day and feel that they were seen and heard and valued, imagine what our community would look like.”

Pictured left to right at For All Seasons’ recent “Life is Better with You Here: A Community Conversation about Suicide Prevention” at the Avalon Theatre in Easton are CEO Beth Anne Langrell, Chief Clinical Officer Lesa Lee, LCSW-C, and moderator Bruce Grove.

“Our job at For All Seasons is to help you live your best life and to find hope. And the No Matter What … You Matter campaign is as simple as it sounds. We want our community to be leaning into what is happening, no matter what situations have happened in the past, it’s okay. And there is hope. And there is an opportunity to be able to talk through whatever is happening,” she explained.

Lesa shared, “My first invitation to you all would be to acknowledge that everyone is going through something. We don’t know what somebody is experiencing behind closed doors . . . and to recognize that everyone is not necessarily living a good life, which is what things look like sometimes on Facebook and other social media. It can look like this picture-perfect place, when in reality, sometimes we’re struggling and we just don’t know how to communicate that.”

She explained that sometimes people who struggle with suicide are afraid to be seen struggling because they don’t want anyone to know that they’re suffering and provided ways to communicate with people when this happens. One of the tips she mentioned is paying attention and noticing changes in our loved ones’ behaviors – as an important first step in suicide prevention.

Beth Anne added the next step is asking the question, “How are you doing” and sticking around to listen to the answer, and if you don’t get an answer, circling back with someone later. She stated, “It’s our responsibility as a community, to be responsible for our circle. Regarding suicide prevention, our responsibility to one another is to ask the question, listen, and then share the resources that we have within our community. We’re all busy, we all have things that are going on, but we need to find that time that you can connect with somebody who may be struggling. . . And sometimes it’s about showing up more than once – showing up time and again.”

Lesa shared with the audience that asking about suicide does not put the idea of suicide in someone’s head. Research shows that asking the question is not going to cause somebody to feel suicidal. She added, “And in fact, it often is a relief for the person who is feeling suicidal, that they can maybe share that.”

For people suffering from suicidal thoughts, Lesa offered, “We want to offer hope that there is a way and that we can help with pain and suffering. Because no one wants to live in that space. There is a way and you might have to try several clinicians because there will be somebody there that can help you.”

Beth Anne concluded, “So the more we talk about it, and the more we share about what is happening, the more that we recognize that we’re not alone in the conversation – the better we can address this issue.”

If you or someone you know needs help, reach out. For help throughout Eastern Shore, call For All Seasons 24-Hour Crisis Hotline: Text: 410-829-6143 I English: 410-820-5600 I Español: 410-829-6143.

For help throughout Maryland and the United States Crisis Hotline dial: 988.

UMMS Hospitals Light Up in Green Across the State to Honor Military Veterans

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

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) will visibly demonstrate support for the state’s veterans this week by illuminating all of its hospitals in green. Each evening, as part of the national Operation Green Light initiative, member hospitals will literally shine the light on veterans and available resources to help them transition into civilian culture.

This is the inaugural year of Operation Green Light. Governor Hogan recently announced Maryland’s participation in the initiative, which at the state level is being led by the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs among other state organizations. Landmark buildings throughout the state will light up in green as part of Operation Green Light – including 12 UMMShospitals and medical facilities.

“We are grateful to all of Maryland’s veterans, including those who have continued their selfless service for others as health care professionals in our System. On behalf of all our team members we thank veterans this week and beyond,” said Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, President and CEO of UMMS.

UM Shore Regional Health Operation Green Light

Participating UMMS sites:

Anne Arundel County:

UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center (301 Hospital Drive, Glen Burnie)

Baltimore City:

University of Maryland Medical Center—Downtown Campus (22 S. Greene St)
University of Maryland Medical Center—Midtown Campus (827 Linden Avenue)
University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute (2200 Kernan Drive)

Baltimore County:

UM St. Joseph Medical Center (7601 Osler Drive, Towson)

Charles County:

UM Charles Regional Medical Center (5 Garrett Avenue, La Plata)

Dorchester County

UM Shore Medical Center and Pavilion at Cambridge (713-715 Cambridge Marketplace Blvd., Cambridge)

Kent County:

UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown (100 Brown Street, Chestertown)

Harford County:

UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center (500 Upper Chesapeake Drive, Bel Air)
UM Harford Memorial Hospital (501 South Union Avenue, Havre de Grace)

Prince George’s County:

UM Capital Region Medical Center (901 Harry S. Truman Drive North, Largo)
UM Laurel Medical Center (7300 Van Dusen Road, Laurel)

Talbot County:

UM Shore Medical Center at Easton (219 South Washington Street, Easton)

About the University of Maryland Medical System

Bosom Buddies Charities Supports Purchase of New Ultrasound System

November 4, 2022 by UM Shore Regional Health Leave a Comment

During the last week of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Bosom Buddies Charities presented a gift of $28,000 to UM Memorial Hospital Foundation to benefit the Clark Comprehensive Breast Center. Presented by Bosom Buddies Charities Chair Claudia Boldyga, the donation supports the purchase of a new Terason ultrasound system used in diagnosing breast cancer and other breast conditions.

“Over the past 10 years that Bosom Buddies Charities has provided support to the Clark Comprehensive Breast Center, their donations have totaled more than $208,000,” said UM Shore Regional Health President and CEO Ken Kozel. “These funds have enabled the center to keep up with ongoing advancements in diagnostic technologies that ultimately save lives. We are grateful to Bosom Buddies for the support that has helped make this possible.”

The establishment of Bosom Buddies Charities in 2006 was the fulfillment of a long-time dream of the late Susan Ponchock, who passed away in 2021. After surviving an aggressive breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, Ponchock, who lived in Queen Anne’s County, founded Bosom Buddies Charities to raise breast cancer awareness and provide diagnostic services to the residents of the Eastern Shore. Since its founding, the organization has raised over $2 million in support of her mission.

SRH Oncology Services Director Jeanie Scott; Bosom Buddies’ Chair Claudia Boldyga, Clark Comprehensive Breast Center Medical Director Roberta Lilly, MD; Memorial Hospital Foundation staff members Mary Windsor and Stephanie Bryan; and SRH President and CEO Ken Kozel.

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 work with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

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