University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is operating a new Infusion Center at Shore Medical Center at Easton to provide monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment for certain individuals with COVID-19.

When administered within 10 days of the onset of symptoms, mAb treatment has been shown to reduce severe illness related to COVID-19 and an increased risk of patients’ hospitalization and death. The new COVID Infusion Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton provides Ab treatment to eligible COVID-19 patients over age 18 with mild-to-moderate symptoms who are deemed to be at high risk for progressing to severe COVID-19 and/or the need for hospitalization, and who are referred as possible candidates for infusion by a physician or other provider.

All referrals are reviewed and evaluated by Rosa Mateo, MD, infectious disease specialist.“We recommend referrals be made as soon as possible – and definitely within seven days of symptom onset –to allow time for review and scheduling before the patient reaches the 10-day ‘time out’ for receiving the treatment,” said Dr. William Huffner, MD, chief medical officer and senior vice president for Medical Affairs at UM SRH.

Photo: Shown in UM Shore Regional Health’s Monoclonal Antibody Infusion Center are (front) infusion nurses Mary Scott and Stacy Dion, and (back) Debbie Henson, infection prevention nurse, and Ron Lewis, director, Security/Emergency Management.

The Infusion Center is operating on Wednesday and Friday mornings by appointment only, and referred patients who meet the eligibility criteria are contacted and scheduled for the infusion treatment based on timeliness of treatment, the availability of medications, and other logistics.

In addition to being over 18 and within 10 days of symptom onset, patients likely to be eligible for monoclonal antibody infusion treatment include those who are high-risk, meaning 65 years of age or older and/or with certain chronic medical conditions. High-risk patients include those who have conditions such as obesity (body mass index greater than 35); chronic kidney disease; diabetes;or immunosuppressive disease (with or without treatment). Patients over age 55 with cardiovascular disease, hypertension or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other chronic respiratory disease also are considered high risk.

Monoclonal antibody treatment is not authorized for use in patients who are hospitalized due to COVID-19, require oxygen therapy due to COVID-19, or for those who are on chronic oxygen therapy due to an underlying non-COVID-19 comorbidity and require an increase in baseline oxygen flow rate due to COVID-19.

UM SRH is authorized by the Maryland Department of Health to administer the EUA approved mAb treatment for COVID-19. These investigational treatments are authorized for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and currently include products made by Eli Lilly and Regeneron.

“While there is continued focus on access to the COVID-19 vaccines for people in our communities, it is critical that we keep utilizing all available tools in our COVID-19 response,” said Dr. Huffner. “Offering mAb treatment to patients is an important part of our plan to continue providing patients with the most appropriate and effective care, and also to alleviate additional strain on our hospitals.”

Healthcare providers and county health department officials throughout the five county region served by UM SRHhave been informed of the treatment availability, eligibility criteria and the referral process. Individuals with COVID-19 or their caregivers interested in seeking monoclonal antibody treatment are encouraged to contact their primary care or urgent care provider to request a referral.

The Infusion Center is located at 219 South Washington Street, in the advanced medical tent building behind the Emergency Department, Patient parking is available adjacent to the medical tent. Before arrival, patients will be given detailed instructions related to parking and a number to call upon arrival; someone will escort patients to the medical tent for the treatment. Only patients and Infusion Center staff are allowed inside the Center.

The National Association of Social Work (NASW) honors the 700,000-plus social workers nationwide during of March as National Social Work Month. This year’s theme, Social Workers Are Essential, emphasizes the important role social work professionals play in community wellbeing. Trained to help people address personal and systemic barriers to optimal living, their mission is to effect positive change with individuals, families, groups and entire communities.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health’s medical social workers help patients and caregivers during their most vulnerable times through effective communication skills and a holistic approach to patient care needs.

Deserving special recognition and appreciation this month are a host of social workers in several departments. They include: in Behavioral Health – Katey Carroll, Pam Young, Chelsea Slacum, Kirby Meredith, Audra Cherbonnier, Tyler Betz, Christina Acree, FaundaCrowson, Robert Martin, Jr., and Susan Ingersoll; at the Cancer Center – Patty Plaskon and Jennifer Buckler; in Home Care, April Sharp (Chester River Home Care) and Alice Ofano (Shore Home Care); Palliative Care – Monick Conway and Sarah Hopkins; and in Transitional Care Coordination / Population Health — Michelle Matthews, Stacey Kuhn, Melissa Kleppinger, Sarah Demers, Brittni Conn and Angela Meekins.

Photo: Shown celebrating National Social Work Month are UM Shore Regional Health social work care coordinators Stacey Kuhn, Sarah Demers, Melissa Kleppinger, Brittni Conn and Angela Meekins.

Among several determinants of successful patient outcomes are access to adequate food supply and housing. During the past year, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Shore’s medical social workers saw higher numbers of patients whose post-discharge plans were made more complicated by deficient housing and food access. They addressed these challenges by getting to know each patient, gaining his or her trust during consultations with effective listening and compassion, and by having the knowledge of community resources and support that can be enlisted once the patient is discharged to home.

As Brittni Conn, who works in telemetry in UM Shore Medical Center at Easton, explains, “Hospital social work is meaningful to me because during a very stressful time in their lives, I get to help patients and their families navigate the health system and connect them to resources to help simplify their next steps. Social work is a work of heart.”

Being a medical social worker means also means being a voice for patients who lack adequate resources to manage their health conditions after leaving the hospital. “To me, being a social worker means being an advocate for all patients, especially those who are vulnerable and/or oppressed,” says Sarah Demers, who works in the Requard Center for Acute Rehabilitation. “It means speaking up for patients who need support during difficult times, helping patient’s meet their needs, and also linking patients with resources so that they may succeed.”

UM Shore Regional Health’s Clinical Nutrition Manager Christine Allen, RD, CSO, LDN, along with her fellow Shore dietitians Hunter Plog, RD, LDN, Kathy Toepfer, RD, LDN, and Xingyue (Joy) Zhang, MS, RD, LDN, do their part to help achieve UM Shore Regional Health’s mission, Creating Healthier Communities Together. As they visit hospital inpatients to discuss dietary guidelines and serve outpatients through dietary consultations, the dietitian team provides guidance to patients and also their fellow SRH team members on nutritious eating options for optimal health.

Created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, National Nutrition Month is celebrated in March as a nutrition education and information campaign. The national campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

According to Joy Zhang, while adopting a healthy diet is important, being mindful of the food you consume can help you to gain control of your eating habits. “Mindful eating takes the concept of mindfulness and applies it to why, when, where, what, and how you eat,” she explains. “Mindful eating is about listening to our physical sensations, like hunger, fullness and satisfaction cues, and taking time to notice our thoughts and emotions while eating so we can have a more enjoyable and healthful eating experience.”

Photo: Shown is the UM Shore Regional Health Clinical Nutrition team: Christine Allen, RD, CSO, LDN, manager (seated); and standing L-R: Hunter Plog, RDN, LDN, Xingyue (Joy) Zhang, MS, RDN, LDN and Kathy Toepfer, RDN, LDN.

Interested in seeking advice from a registered dietitian/nutritionist to help develop an individualized eating and activity plan to meet your health goals? With a referral from your health care provider, you can receive nutrition counseling services from dietitians at UM Shore Medical Centers at Chestertown (410-778-3300), ext. 2297), Dorchester (410-228-5511, ext. 8035) and Easton (410-822-1000, ext. 5339). For more information, contact Christine Allen, 410-822-1000, ext. 5351 or Christine.allen@umm.edu.

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.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health has announced a new check-procedure for patients visiting the Diagnostic and Imaging Center (DIC), the Clark Comprehensive Breast Center and Shore Rehabilitation Center at Easton, 10 Martin Court. The new procedure supports the enforcement of COVID-19 social distancing guidelines designed to ensure patient and team member health and safety.

Effective immediately, when you arrive at the DIC/Breast Center/Shore Rehabilitation at Easton, please park your vehicle and call 410-820-7778, and press 7, to check in for your procedure or appointment and respond to the required COVID-19 screening questions. Once our team members are ready for you, they will call you back on your mobile device and you may walk in for your procedure or scheduled appointment.

As always, Imaging Services (excluding x-rays) are made by appointment only by calling Central Scheduling at 410-822-1000, ext. 2600. Imaging Services at this location include CT scanning, MRI, PET/CT, Digital Mammography with Tomosynthesis (3-D) (evening appointments available for a mammography), Bone Density, Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound and US-guided biopsies and stereotactic biopsies. Laboratory Services, including blood draw and processing for other specimens such as urine and cultures, as well as EKGs and x-rays, do not require an appointment.

Patients who have access to MyPortfolio can access test results; check-in for your next visit ahead of time by logging in and following the e-check-in instructions for your appointment date; request prescription refills; meet your care team; and message your provider. E-check-in helps improve your patient experience and expedite your visit by going through the registration process, COVID-screening questions, as well as any other information related to your health history, ahead of time. You may e-check-in up to seven days ahead of your appointment date. (Those who visit the DIC, Breast Center or Shore Rehabilitation Center at Easton for an appointment and have e-checked-in via MyPortfolio or those who wish to walk-in for a laboratory service are still required to call 410-820-7778 and press 7 to alert staff to their arrival and wait in their cars until called in.)

Please note, UM Shore Rehabilitation Center at Easton will move to its new, permanent home at The Orthopedic Center, 510 Idlewild Avenue, Easton, on April 2.

To sign up for MyPortfolio today, please visit www.umms.org/patient-portal. For more information about UM SRH and this location, please visit umshoreregional.org.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation in helping to ensure your safety and that of all patients and health care team members.

About UM 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 2,600 employees, medical staff, board members and volunteers work with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

The Nearly New Shop, located at 320 High Street in Chestertown, will re-open on April 5, after being closed due to the pandemic since mid-March 2020. Donations of spring and summer clothing are needed now, said Nanny Porter, shop manager and member of the Chester River Hospital Center Auxiliary, which has owned and operated the shop for over 60 years to benefit the hospital.

The shop offers a variety of used clothing, including men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, jewelry, linens, china and household goods and is now accepting donations every Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Beginning Monday, April 5, the shop will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

CDC safety requirements will be in effect. All patrons will be required to wear a mask and socially distance.

“We are thrilled to finally be able to open our doors again,” said Porter, shop manager. “We are grateful to the hospital’s infection prevention and control staff as well as the maintenance staff for assisting in our efforts to ensure all the necessary safety and social distancing measures are in place to help ensure our volunteers and patrons remain safe.”

For more information, see their website here.

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 2,500 employees, medical staff, board members, and volunteers works with various community partners to fulfill the organization’s mission of Creating Healthier Communities Together.

Shore Rehab at Easton, University of Maryland Shore Regional Health’s outpatient rehabilitation service presently located at 10 Martin Court, will move across the street to The Orthopedic Center on April 2, 2021.

The renovation and addition now in progress at The Orthopedic Centerofferssignificantly expanded facilities to accommodate the full spectrum of rehabilitation services — physical and occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy.

“The first floor of the new addition has doubled the space dedicated to rehabilitation therapy services,” says Frank Rath, Outpatient Rehab Services manager for UM SRH.“Having all therapists under one roof will enable them to collaborate more easily on cases where the patient is receiving more than one kind of therapy, and will allow patients to receive all services in a single location.”

The Orthopedic Center’s expanded rehab space also will include new, state of the art equipment, including the Gould lift, which assists therapists working with patients who use wheelchairs or other assistive devices for mobility.

“Our therapists are excited to be part the largest and most experienced rehabilitation team in the Mid-Shore region,” says Rath. “We’re looking forward to serving our community in a first class facility.”

For more information about outpatient rehabilitation services offered by UM Shore Regional Health, visit umshoreregional.org/outpatientrehab

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.

University of Maryland Shore Medical Group (UM SMG) welcomes a new practice, UM Shore Medical Group – Nephrology, effective March 1, 2021. Formerly known as the Kidney Health Center of Maryland, UM SMG – Nephrology is located in Easton at 5 Martin Court and includes five providers: physicians Anish Hinduja, MD, Christina Turner, MD and Adam Weinstein, MD; and nurse practitioners Michelle Dennis, CRNP and Mary Kate Williams-Feldman, CRNP.

UM SMG – Nephrology offers a complete range of consultative, diagnostic and treatment services, including comprehensive renal function evaluation, kidney stone management, hypertension management, fluid and electrolyte management, diet and medication management, dialytic therapies (peritoneal and hemodialysis) kidney transplant evaluation and post-transplant care.

In addition to the Easton location, UM SMG – Nephrology providers see patients by appointment at UM Shore Medical Centers at Chestertown and Dorchester, and at UM Shore Medical Pavilion at Queenstown. Dialysis services are provided at Davita Dialysis Centers in Easton, Cambridge, Denton, Chestertown and Queenstown; Peake Healthcare at The Pines in Easton; and UM Shore Medical Centers at Easton and Dorchester.

“Kidney disease is more prevalent than many people realize – it’s estimated that one in seven adults has kidney disease, with older adults having an even higher rate, said Timothy Shanahan, DO, medical director, UM Shore Medical Group. “We are delighted to welcome this excellent kidney health team to UM Shore Medical Group and we look forward to new opportunities for closer collaboration between nephrology and other SMG practices, such as endocrinology and cardiology.”

UM Shore Medical Group includes 21 medical practices with office locations in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties. Specialties are: behavioral health, cardiology, the Clark Comprehensive Breast Center, diabetes and endocrinology, ENT, sinus and hearing, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology, neurosurgery and sleep medicine, oncology services, pain care, palliative care, pediatrics, primary care, pulmonary care, radiation oncology, rehabilitation, surgical care, urology/continence and pelvic health, women’s health and wound care.

To make an appointment to see a UM SMG – Nephrology provider or request more information, please call 410-820-9823.

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.