University of Maryland Shore Medical Group (UM SMG) recently welcomed Bernadette Wood, CRNP, to UM SMG – Primary Care in Denton.

Prior to joining UM SMG, Wood served as a family nurse practitioner at Rose Hill Family Physicians in Cambridge and at Choice One Urgent Care in Denton.  Earlier in her career, she served as a surgical care staff nurse at UM Shore Regional Health and as a registered nurse with Regis Storch, MD, PA, in Easton.

“We are so pleased to have Ms. Wood join our primary care team in Denton, the town in which she resides. Her skills and experience will be an asset to the community,” said William E. Huffner, MD, Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs, and Chief Medical Officer, UM Shore Regional Health.

Wood earned her Bachelor and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from University of Delaware in 2004 and 2014, respectively. She received her Family Nurse Practitioner Certification from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and is a member of the Nurse Practitioner Association of Maryland, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses.

To make an appointment with Wood, call 410-479-5900.

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 a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state’s future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore professional schools (Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry) in Baltimore. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system’s more than 29,500 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations, including 13 hospitals and 9 University of Maryland Urgent Care centers. The UMMS flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care. Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the State. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

Breast cancer now accounts for 30 percent of all cancer-related deaths among women in the U.S., but like many cancers, it is highly treatable if detected early. Thanks in part to improved imaging and diagnostic technologies as well as evolving treatment protocols, the national five-year survival rate for breast cancer patients is now 90 percent, and the 10-year rate is 84 percent.

With the observance of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October is always a time to promote public understanding of breast cancer diagnosis, treatment and support resources for patients. A key focus is encouraging women over 40 and women with a family history of breast cancer to get a mammogram.

“A mammogram is the best way to detect breast cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage – and even to detect breast tissue with abnormalities that may become cancerous in the future and therefore should be closely monitored,” said Roberta Lilly, Medical Director of the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health Clark Comprehensive Breast Center in Easton.

3-D mammography with tomosynthesis is provided by appointment at the Diagnostic and Imaging Center at Easton, the Leh Women’s Center in UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, and at the UM Shore Medical Pavilion locations in Denton and Queenstown. Mammography also will be available at UM Shore Medical Pavilion at Cambridge when the new facility opens.

Beyond mammography, The American Society of Breast Surgeons now also recommends genetic testing for all women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, including survivors who may be several years past their diagnosis. Genetic testing is offered to patients at the Clark Comprehensive Breast Center, via a blood test or a saliva test, followed by a session with a University of Maryland School of Medicine genetics counselor who reviews the patient’s personal and familial risk factors, provides information related to hereditary cancer genes, cancer screening and risk reduction strategies.

“Understanding your genetic profile can inform you of your possible cancer risks and also provide information that you may want to share with close relatives who might consider undergoing testing themselves,” said Dr. Lilly.

In collaboration with the Clark Comprehensive Breast Center, the Cancer Center at UM Shore Regional Health offers a wealth of support services for patients, including support groups (now offered virtually due to COVID-19), nutrition counseling and guidance to help lessen the financial, legal and emotional burdens of cancer. Oncology social workers are on hand to provide one-on-one counseling, advocacy, and assistance with financial needs related to treatment and medication, in-home assistance, and medical equipment and supplies.

The Cancer Center’s Pat Shortall Wig Room provides hats and other accessories, including free wigs, to patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation. The Women’s Health Boutique provides post-mastectomy garments, prosthetics and swimwear to accommodate the needs of pre- and post-surgery patients. Through the “Improving Your Look and Outlook” program, patients may also enjoy an appointment, free of charge, for hair care andr makeup at Salon Inspire in Trappe.

“In our five-county region, the Clark Comprehensive Breast Center offers the only truly comprehensive care and services for patients at all stages of the breast cancer journey, from diagnosis to completion of their treatment,” said Dr. Lilly. “During October, our dedicated clinical and support staff encourage all women to attend to their breast health and make an appointment for a screening if they are due for one.”

To learn more about breast health services offered through UM Shore Regional Health, call 410-820-9400. To make an appointment for a mammogram (which may require an order from your health care provider) at the location most convenient for you, call 410-822-1000, ext. 2600.

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 a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state’s future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore professional schools (Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry) in Baltimore. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system’s more than 29,500 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations, including 13 hospitals and 9 University of Maryland Urgent Care centers. The UMMS flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care.  Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the State. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

University of Maryland Shore Behavioral Health’s new Inpatient Care Unit at UM Shore Medical Center in Easton is now treating patients following the renovation and redesign of a unit on the hospital’s third floor to accommodate inpatient behavioral health care.

The new 12-bed unit has updated patient rooms (single and double occupancy) for the comfort and safety of patients while they are hospitalized, two large, patient-friendly group rooms, a bright and open day area, new therapy offices, additional space for staff conferences and teaching.  New to the program is a dedicated space where patients can receive medication injections to facilitate their transition to community providers, and treatment in the Substance Use Disorders Intensive Outpatient Program.

“We are very pleased to open the new inpatient behavioral health unit in our Easton hospital,” said Ken Kozel, UM Shore Regional Health President and CEO. “It is a safe and secure space where patients can benefit from the outstanding and compassionate care from our behavioral health team of staff and providers, and from members of our UM Shore Medical Group.”

Patients needing assessment for behavioral health issues may still present at any UM Shore Regional Health Emergency Department (at the UM Shore Medical Center sites in Chestertown, Dorchester and Easton, and UM Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown) where they will be seen by the Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT). Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this team provides mental health and substance abuse evaluations, and referrals for adults and children in need of behavioral health care.

In addition to inpatient care and rapid assessments for behavioral health issues in emergency care settings, UM Shore Behavioral Health provides a Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program and a Substance Use Disorders Program. When the new UM Shore Regional Health at Cambridge opens, the Mental Health IOP will relocate to this new facility, along with a separate suite of three designated behavioral health beds adjacent to the Emergency Department for patients needing assessment, observation and/or care prior to admission for inpatient care.

“Our team of behavioral health providers, nurses, therapists, licensed clinical social workers, certified addiction counselors and other support staff is committed to delivering compassionate, community-based care to those in need of behavioral health services,” said Laurence Pezor, MD, Medical Director, University of Maryland Shore Medical Group – Behavioral Health. “We are pleased to provide inpatient care in new, state of the art quarters in the Easton hospital and to continue our tradition of evidence-based practice and an integrated, collaborative approach to supporting patients in their recovery journey.”

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 a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state’s future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore professional schools (Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry) in Baltimore. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system’s more than 29,500 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations, including 13 hospitals and 9 University of Maryland Urgent Care centers. The UMMS flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care.  Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the State. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

At 72 years young, Tom Mendenhall of St. Michaels was enjoying the fifth year of his retirement from a career in business and administration. In his last full-time position, he’d spent seven years on the leadership team of Wye River Upper School in Queen Anne’s County, through which he came to understand the challenges experienced by teens with learning differences. Post retirement, he started a new venture advocating for children with special education needs and their parents.

A poker game with friends at the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Club was part of Mendenhall’s weekly routine. In early April 2021, he was enjoying the game until he tried to stand and discovered that he couldn’t put any weight on his left leg. Fortunately, one of the group knew the symptoms of a stroke and directed Mendenhall to smile and then to raise his arms. His smile was lopsided and his right arm was not as high as his left. “We think you’re having a stroke,” his friend said. “Say a complete sentence.” In typical fashion, Mendenhall replied, “I’m not having a stroke!”

Nonetheless, his friends called for an ambulance, which arrived quickly and transported him to UM Shore Medical Center at Easton, which is designated as a Primary Stroke Center. There he received the clot-busting drug tPA, also known as Alteplase or Activase, which restored blood flow to areas of his brain that were affected by the stroke.

Fortunately, the stroke had not impacted Mendenhall’s speech or cognitive ability, but walking – even standing – was impossible. During his admission for acute care he was evaluated by physical and occupational therapists who recommended him for acute rehab, and was admitted to the Requard Center for Acute Rehabilitation on the 5th floor of the Easton hospital. “Mr. Mendenhall’s proprioception, which means perception or awareness of the position and movement of the body, was very poor,” said physical therapy assistant Ren Boettger, who has served on the Requard care team since 2014. “This, along with weakness in his left leg, was causing him to lean and pull so much that it took three of us to help him walk even a few steps.”

Initially, Boettger had doubts about how quickly Mendenhall could progress. “He described how active he had been so I was really worried for him,” she said. “He was looking forward to a family vacation at the beach in July, and I was thinking, no, he’s not going to be ready to really enjoy that.”

Within a few days, however, Mendenhall was making rapid improvement. “He worked really hard, so much so that I sometimes had to reel him in a little,” Boettger said. “But about two weeks later, he was using a walker safely and ready for discharge. That’s the crazy thing about stroke recovery in the acute rehab setting – no two patients are alike and it’s hard to predict how long it will take. But we are always happy to be surprised by patients who progress more rapidly than we might have guessed.”

“The Stroke Center team and the therapists on Requard were excellent, everyone was so encouraging,” said Mendenhall. Ready to begin outpatient rehab, he was further motivated by the knowledge that for most patients recovering from stroke, the greatest progress is made within the first three months of the event.

On May 1, Mendenhall began outpatient rehab twice weekly at Shore Rehab at Easton, located in the newly expanded and renovated Orthopedic Center. His therapy team included physical therapist Carla Smith and physical therapy assistant Greg Terry, who focused on his endurance, balance and gait, along with occupational therapist/certified hand therapist Mary Hynes, who guided him through therapy to improve his left-hand grip and manual dexterity.

An important tool in Mendenhall’s gait improvement has been the Lokomat, a rehab technology that is usually found only in large research hospitals. A computer controls the pace of the Lokomat while recording the amount of weight Mendenhall places on the treadmill, his walking distance and speed, as well as his body’s response to movement. Using the data, Smith and Terry determine the balance between the assistance provided by the robotic legs and Mendenhall’s; as his gait improves, the technology adapts to provide minimal assistance and record his progress over time.

By early July, Mendenhall was able to walk up to 60 feet with the assistance of a cane, and when outdoors, with a brace on his leg to prevent foot drop. “The hardest part is walking on grass,” he said. “You have to really push yourself.”

He also was making progress with his grip and dexterity, thanks to the guidance of Hynes, who is the only certified hand therapist in the five-county region served by UM Shore Regional Health. “Fine motor skills seemed more challenging,” he said. “I could tell I was making progress — for example, I went from picking up pennies to picking up dimes — but I was surprised by how hard it was to do simple things, for example, clipping my own nails. And with all my therapy, I do better early in the day since I’m less tired.”

According to Hynes, Mendenhall’s early progress was promising. “In the first few months, his gross and fine motor coordination, endurance to activity and function, and strength had improved,” she said.“By early July he was able to perform self-care skills like buttoning, opening containers, jars and bottles, and shuffling cards. And he is always striving to do better, as he continues to work on endurance, strength, function, gross and fine motor coordination.”

Doing better has meant work at home as well as in rehab sessions. At his therapists’ recommendation, Mendenhall does hand and arm exercises at home and practices walking in his neighborhood. He no longer needs the leg brace, and he was able to navigate the sand dunes and the beach in South Carolina by using hiking poles.

As he continues his therapy and his advocacy work for students with learning differences, Mendenhall acknowledges the mental challenges of stroke rehab as well as the physical ones. “For success in rehab, you have to get over what you can’t do and focus on what you can,” he said. “I’m a type A personality and I want to get everything done NOW, but I’ve worked hard to be more patient.”

“National Rehabilitation Week, September 19-25, is the perfect time to highlight the excellent work our inpatient and outpatient rehab teams do for our patients,” said Erin Scheele, Director of Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services, UM Shore Regional Health. “Mr. Mendenhall’s story is a great example of our therapists work with patients to help restore their functionality, mobility and independence, and get them back to living their best lives.”

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 a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state’s future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore professional schools (Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry) in Baltimore. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system’s more than 29,500 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations, including 13 hospitals and 9 University of Maryland Urgent Care centers. The UMMS flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care. Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the State. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

In observation of September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the Cancer Program at UM Shore Regional Health and Shore Medical Group – Urology team members are sharing information about prostate cancer. According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime, about six cases in 10 are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older, and it is rare before age 40.

In particular, African-American men have higher risk, as they are more likely to develop prostate cancer at a younger age and may present with a more severe stage of prostate cancer disease.

“Maryland’s Eastern Shore has a higher percentage of older adults than many of the western shore counties, so we want to get the word out about the importance of prostate cancer screenings for men who are at higher risk,” said Dr. John Foley, Medical Director, UM Shore Medical Group – Urology. “As in the case of many other types of cancer, early detection of prostate saves lives.”

While prostate cancer can be present without any particular symptoms, signs that indicate prompt medical attention include difficulties with urination (increase frequency, interrupted flow, pain/burning, etc.), painful ejaculation, blood in the urine or semen, and pain in the back, hips or pelvis. These symptoms may indicate prostate cancer or some other health problem that warrants diagnosis and treatment, such as non-cancerous prostate enlargement.

“Due to COVID-19, for the second year in a row we are unable to provide the free prostate cancer screenings we have offered in the past,” says Nina Weisenborn, Clinical Research Nurse at the Cancer Center. “But screenings are still available by appointment at UM Shore Medical Group – Urology offices in Chestertown and Easton, and we encourage any man who is 55 or older, or who has a family history of prostate cancer, to talk with his health care provider about whether a prostate cancer screening is appropriate in his case.”

In addition to Dr. Foley, UM Shore Medical Group – Urology providers based in Easton are R. Duane Cespedes, MD; Andrew Riggin, MD, and Christopher Runz, DO. Christopher Parry, DO is located in the SMG-Urology office in Chestertown. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 410-820-0560.

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 a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state’s future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore professional schools (Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry) in Baltimore. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system’s more than 29,500 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations, including 13 hospitals and 9 University of Maryland Urgent Care centers. The UMMS flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care. Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the State. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

The University of Maryland Shore Regional Health Sleep Disorders Center at UM Shore Medical Center in Easton recently received program reaccreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Both the Sleep Disorders Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Dorchester and at UM Shore Medical Pavilion at Queenstown also received program reaccreditation, in December 2020. All three programs have been reaccredited for five years.

As the national accrediting body for sleep disorders centers, the AASM is dedicated to setting standards and promoting excellence in sleep medicine health care, education and research. To receive accreditation for a five-year period, a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional health care as designated by the AASM.  These standards address core areas such as personnel, facility and equipment, policies and procedures, data acquisition, patient care, and quality assurance.  Additionally, the sleep center’s goals must be clearly stated and include plans for positively affecting the quality of medical care in the community it serves.

Photo: The University of Maryland Shore Regional Sleep Disorders Centers’ team recently celebrated the reaccreditation of Sleep Disorders Centers at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton, at UM Shore Medical Center at Dorchester and UM Shore Medical Pavilion at Queenstown. Lyndsey Feather, Manager, Cardiopulmonary Services; Stephen Eisemann, Director, Cardiopulmonary Services; M. Walid Kamsheh, MD, Medical Director, Regional Sleep Disorders Center; Douglas Rousseau, Lead Technologist; Kimberly Breeding, Sleep Lab Administrator; Irene Hansen, Polysomnographic Technologist; and Lori Bratten, Sleep Lab Assistant.

UM Shore Regional Health’s sleep medicine program includes two in-lab locations (one in Easton and one in Queenstown) and two home sleep testing setup centers, one in Chestertown and one in the new UM Shore Regional Health at Cambridge opening in September 2021. Serving as an important resource for patients and medical providers in the five-county region served by UM Shore Regional Health, the sleep centers provide high-quality care for patients suffering from sleep disorders.

“This achievement is a testament to the dedication and patient-focused work of our entire team,” said M. Walid Kamsheh, MD, Medical Director of the UM SRH Regional Sleep Disorders Center. “This is a true team effort at every level, including sleep lab office staff, technical staff, managers and the staff and providers in UM Shore Medical Group practices in Neurology and Sleep Medicine and Pulmonary Care offices. Accreditation of our Sleep Center locations lets patients know that these are state-of-the-art facilities operating in accordance with the highest standards.”

In addition to Dr. Kamsheh, pulmonologist Peyman Otmishi, MD specializes in sleep disorders, including insomnia, narcolepsy, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, sleepwalking and snoring. They are supported by other physicians and advanced practice providers in Pulmonology and Neurology and Sleep Medicine, as well as sleep center technologists and support staff.

Sleep disorders and deprivation are more than just annoying – they’re known to contribute to many serious health problems, including obesity, depression, and even heart attacks and strokes. Approximately 1,500 patients receive testing and/or treatment for sleep disorders each year at UM SRH Regional Sleep Disorders Center locations in Cambridge, Chestertown, Easton and Queenstown.

To learn more, talk to your primary care physician about a referral or call UM Shore Medical Group-Neurology and Sleep Medicine at 410-770-5250, or visit www.umshoreregional.org and search for sleep.

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 a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state’s future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore professional schools (Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry) in Baltimore. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system’s more than 29,500 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations, including 13 hospitals and 9 University of Maryland Urgent Care centers. The UMMS flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care.  Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the State. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

Plans for the transfer of University of Maryland Shore Behavioral Health’s Inpatient Care Unit from UM Shore Medical Center at Dorchester to UM Shore Medical Center at Easton have begun.

“As our newly renovated and secured, 12-bed unit on the third floor of the Easton hospital is being readied for occupancy, we are making plans for the transition period, August 25 through September 9,” said Laurence Pezor, MD, Medical Director, UM Shore Behavioral Health. “We have notified our community partners and referral sources that as of August 25, we will discontinue involuntary psychiatric admissions at the Dorchester hospital, and as of September 1, we will discontinue voluntary psychiatric admissions. Both types of admission will resume on September 9 at UM Shore Medical Center in Easton.”

Patients needing assessment for behavioral health issues may still present at any UM Shore Regional Health Emergency Department for evaluation by the Behavioral Health Response Team (BHRT). This team is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide mental health and substance abuse evaluations and referrals for adults and children in need. Patients needing inpatient behavioral health care during the transition will be referred to other community providers.

In addition to inpatient care and rapid assessments for behavioral health issues in emergency care settings, UM Shore Behavioral Health provides a Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). When the new UM Shore Regional Health at Cambridge opens in late September 2021, the Mental Health IOP will relocate to this new facility along with a separate suite of three designated behavioral health beds adjacent to the Emergency Department for patients needing assessment, observation and/or care prior to admission for inpatient care.

”Our team of providers, nurses, therapists, licensed clinical social workers, certified addiction counselors and other support staff is committed to delivering compassionate, community based care to those in need of behavioral health services,” said Dr. Pezor. “We are looking forward to moving into our new space in the Easton hospital and continuing our tradition of evidence-based practice and our integrated, collaborative approach to supporting patients in their recovery journey.”

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 a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state’s future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore professional schools (Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry) in Baltimore. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system’s more than 29,500 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations, including 13 hospitals and 9 University of Maryland Urgent Care centers. The UMMS flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care. Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the State. For more information, visit www.umms.org.