DGH Hospitality Shop Offers Holiday Gift Items

After being closed for two days in November for a much-needed facelift, the Dorchester General Hospital Hospitality Shop is back in business, just in time for the holiday shopping season.

Shoppers will find a more spacious display of unique gift items. The holiday inventory features jewelry, handbags, scarves, candles, serving dishes and throws. For the kid in everyone, look for a collection of talking and singing plush toys posing as cats, dogs, dragons, Santa and Rudolph.

The HospitalityShop is  located at Dorchester General Hospital, 300 Byrn Street, in Cambridge, and operated by the Dorchester General Hospital Auxiliary. Shop sales benefit programs and services of the hospital. For more information, call 410-228-5511, ext. 8424.

DGH Auxiliary volunteer and Hospitality Shop Chair Barbara Lipe and Hospitality Shop Manager Joyce Still invite shoppers to check out the a collection of unique merchandise perfect for holiday gift giving.

DEMOCRATS HOLIDAY CONFAB

The Democratic Club of Queen Anne’s County holds its Holiday Meeting at the Fisherman’s Inn, Kent Narrows starting at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments and program starting at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4^th.  The Club will offer  a light fare with the normal cash bar availability.  In addition, we ask that everyone PLEASE bring a non-perishable food item and/or a new toy for the “Toys for Tots” program sponsored by the U.S, Marine Corp.  This year, more than ever, these organizations will need everyone’s support.

Snow Signals the Start of the Tree of Lights Campaign

On November 18 for the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony marked he beginning of Easton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary’s Annual Tree of Lights fundraising campaign. Entertainment was provided by the Bay Country Chorus and the children of the Shore Child Development Center. The Auxiliary has set a goal to raise $7,500 for an upgraded quality assurance radiation monitoring system for Shore Regional Cancer Center.

The quality assurance radiation monitor is used by specially trained staff at the cancer center’s Requard Radiation Oncology Center to check the amount of radiation being generated from the machines that are used to treat cancer patients. The monitor also measures the shape and energy of the radiation beam that will penetrate the targeted tumor. All of these measurements must be accurate to ensure treatment that is precise for each patient.

Addressing the tree lighting guests, Memorial Hospital Auxiliary President Joe Shultz said, “The annual Tree of Lights ceremony rings in the holiday season and reminds us that this is a time of giving. The people of Easton and surrounding communities have donated over $250,000 to the Tree of Lights campaign during the past 25 years.” Each year the Auxiliary chooses from a list of requests for the hospital service that will benefit from Tree of Lights fundraising.

Rosalie Bryan, chair of the Tree of Lights fundraiser, has been a cancer services volunteer for the Auxiliary for over 10 years. “I am sure that everyone of us knows someone whose life has been touched by cancer,” Bryan said. “We are very fortunate to have a first-class cancer center right here in Easton. It is critical that the equipment at the center is always state of the art. That is why the Auxiliary is asking for your help to raise the funds needed to purchase the quality assurance radiation monitor.”

Donations to the Auxiliary’s 25th Annual Tree of Lights fundraiser can be made by purchasing lights that illuminate the Memorial Hospital holiday tree. A one-season donation of $5 buys a red light to honor family members and friends, living or deceased, or a gold light to honor people serving in the military. A $100 contribution purchases a white Life Light, which will be lit each year. The names of the people honored will be displayed in the Memorial Hospital lobby throughout the holiday season.

Donation forms are available at the Memorial Hospital Information Desk, 219 S. Washington Street in Easton. For more information, call the Auxiliary office at 410-822-1000, ext. 5839.

Shore Health System Board Approves Regional Strategic Plan

The Board of Shore Health System has voted to endorse the conclusions of its strategic planning committee, whose recommendations include the development of a regional healthcare facilities and services network distributed throughout the Mid-Shore, and the development of a new regional medical center to be located in Talbot County, with the site offered by the Talbot County Council identified as the favored location.

“The community can have great confidence in the quality of what we have accomplished,” commented John Dillon, chair of the Shore Health System Board.  “The  strategic planning process has been thorough, thoughtful and comprehensive and responds to the challenges and opportunities that we expect to encounter in the next two decades, a period in which we expect to see a doubling of inpatient admissions to our hospitals, a near-doubling of emergency room visits, and exponential growth in outpatient visits.”

In announcing what he emphasizes is the favored location, Dillon states that while there remain several issues which need to be considered further before the selection can be final, the Board is optimistic that this site is ultimately the right one.

Dillon said the Board was releasing information about the status of the planning process earlier than originally scheduled for a number of reasons. “First, the planning committee has completed the substance of its work, so we see no reason to delay sharing information that may help relieve any anxiety in the community,” he said. “Second, we want to spend the next several months focused on an in-depth study of the favored location only.”

“ Third, by conducting an in-depth study of one site instead of two, we can direct our attention sooner to moving ahead with the very important ambulatory strategy that will place new and expanded outpatient centers and increase physician access in Caroline and Queen Anne’s counties,” Dillon explains. Dillon said he anticipates the Board will approve a final decision on the location of a new regional medical center by early 2009, pending resolution of several remaining issues.

The strategic planning committee studied the region’s health care needs using data projected through 2030. It examined many factors, such as population growth projections, the aging of the regional population, emerging trends in health care delivery, physician recruitment needs, drive times, changes in the region’s transportation network, and current and projected regulatory and reimbursement trends.

The planning committee’s recommendations anticipate building approximately 500,000 square feet of space dedicated to health care services, and, factoring inflation, could cost as much as $500 million through completion.

Recommendations endorsed by the Board include the following:
Development of a regional healthcare facilities and services network in Queen Anne’s and Caroline Counties. The network would include:
o    A freestanding emergency center in Grasonville, as well as new or expanded ambulatory care facilities and physician office buildings in Centreville and Grasonville
o    New or expanded ambulatory care facilities and physician office buildings envisioned in northern and southern Caroline County

Ongoing enhancements to outpatient and emergency services at Dorchester General Hospital in Cambridge, where a renovated and expanded emergency room is now under construction.

Development of a new regional medical center in Talbot County, with the site adjacent to the Talbot Community Center identified as the favored location. The plan recommends the development of a new 187-bed regional medical center of approximately 400,000 square feet. The new medical center is envisioned as a comprehensive regional healthcare center with expanded medical specialties and capabilities and advanced inpatient, surgical and diagnostic services. The site adjacent to the Talbot County Community Center has been identified as the favored location, pending satisfactory resolution of the following issues which remain outstanding:

o    Evaluating any issues related to the site’s adjacency to the Easton airport
o    Confirming that the site offers no overly significant engineering challenges or other obstacles to construction
o    Securing satisfactory indications of cooperation by the State and County to plan for and improve highway access to the site
o    Conducting a study of the community’s willingness to provide philanthropic support
o    Conducting preliminary assessment of the likelihood of securing a Certificate of Need from the State for a new regional medical center at the favored location

The Board has approved taking the following actions to reach closure on each of the remaining questions about the favored site:
o    engaging a consultant to identify any issues with the site’s adjacency to the airport and to identify solutions
o    hiring a civil engineering firm to complete an in-depth site evaluation
o    working with county officials to schedule a meeting with the State Highway Administration to discuss access issues and solutions
o    hiring a philanthropy consultant to conduct a formal study of the community’s capacity and willingness to provide philanthropic support

Additionally, the Board has authorized conducting a preliminary assessment of the viability of securing a Certificate of Need from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for a new regional medical center at the favored site.

A comparison of the favored site with a second site, located at Routes 50 and 404, demonstrated that while the two sites were nearly equal on many selection criteria used by the planning committee, the site adjacent to the Talbot County Community Center offered two distinct advantages. Financial modeling favored the site, and construction of a new medical campus could likely begin there sooner. The Board acted to maintain its option on the second site but to suspend any further action on it.

The medical center would be built in phases, with the timing of the phases determined by availability of funding. The Memorial Hospital site would continue to be used for health care until the phased construction is completed.

Recent investments in new facilities at Memorial Hospital at Easton, including a new emergency center and a new ambulatory care center, would continue to be used until similar facilities at a new regional medical center can be constructed. This extended time frame would allow ample time for the Board of Shore Health System to determine the best approach for planning future uses of the site.

Groundbreaking for the first phase of the regional medical center is not expected to occur before 2012.

The plan calls for creating a sustainable practice model to recruit and retain the next generation of primary care physicians and medical specialists who will be needed to meet the increased demand for physician services that will result from the region’s population growth, the aging of its residents and the retirement of physicians now in practice.

The next step in moving forward with the strategic plan is prioritizing the committee’s recommendations and developing a timeline for their implementation. Then, the health system’s managers will address such matters as facilities design, construction, financing, zoning and regulatory approvals, clinical operations, and more.

“Throughout this planning process, we have solicited the input of elected officials, civic and community organizations and citizens throughout the Mid-Shore region in hundreds of meetings,” Dillon said. “In the months ahead, we will be equally active in communicating this plan to those same audiences and in listening to their feedback.”

Dillon concluded, “We appreciate the patience the Mid-Shore community has demonstrated during this 2-year-long planning process. Our priority has always been on getting the right result, not the fastest. I am confident we have accomplished that goal and a significant milestone in the process.”

KIVFD BREAKFAST

KIVFD offers another all you can eat breakfast in our NEW hall (1610 Main St. Chester) on Saturday November 22nd from 7:30-11am.

If you have not had a chance to see our NEW station well then here is your chance! Adults $8.00, kids 10 and under $4.00. Breakfast will include, Cream chipped beef, eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, home fries, biscuits, danishes, coffee, orange juice and chocolate milk. Please come out and support your Volunteer Fire Department! All monies raised are to help benefit the fire house.

Breakfasts will be held the 4th Saturday of each month except for December, (it will be December 13th and it is with SANTA). For more info. call 410-604-1710.

Research on Breathing Conducted at Shore Health System

Richard Wales, BS, RRT, Manager of cardiovascular and pulmonary services for Shore Health System, is actively involved in research that helps improve patient safety, locally and around the world.

Wales, who has been involved in three major research projects in the past two years, has presented his findings to researchers, scientists and physicians at international conferences since 2007. He is preparing for international congresses scheduled for the spring of 2009.

In December of 2007, Wales completed research on methods to recognize breathing disorders. Key to this study was an analysis of 20 independent projects. In his study, Wales evaluated devices used to determine cessation of breathing across all health environments, including emergency medical services. The results of the study identified a specific medical tool that can be utilized across all patient populations and environments to monitor ventilation, known as the fifth vital sign. Wales’ study indicated that a product manufactured by Oridion Capnography could be applied to all patients, including those that enter the healthcare system through the emergency room.

His study, which was presented at the American Association for Respiratory Care during its international congress in Orlando, Florida in 2007, has generated worldwide interest. As a result, Wales was invited to a recent think tank with physicians and scientists from Harvard Medical School, University of Alabama – Birmingham, Medical College of Georgia, Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Georgia, DEBORAH Heart and Lung, and from Jerusalem, Israel. This group is investigating the use of new discoveries to improve patient care.

During 2008, through the Regional Sleep Disorders Center located at The Memorial Hospital at Easton, Wales worked with polysomnographer Douglas Rousseau, MAT, RRT, RPSGT and Peter Whitesell, MD, a specialist in pulmonology and sleep medicine, to study pressure measurements created during breathing while patients slept. This study indicated that a simple calibration on a pressure transducer captured all breaths while using a “Smart” filter line, the SmartCapnoline Plus by Oridion. This filter line captures exhaled breathing gases and flows them to a device that measures carbon dioxide. The novel application of this technology provides additional information related to the patients’ breathing flow patterns. This is important when seeking information related to breathing in patients at risk for obstructive sleep apnea. The study will be submitted to an international medical conference in the spring of 2009.

Wales is currently conducting research that evaluates the interactions between the heart and lungs. This study, which began with computer generated human data, has evolved into a real device which is undergoing clinical trials in Israel and is pending FDA clearance in the US. The results of this research were presented to the American Society of Anesthesiology in October. This research, which involved more than 30 multinational scientists and physicians, may result in a new measure to warn medical professionals of breathing disorders well before these problems become critical and life-threatening.

The studies Wales conduct do not require any invasive techniques. Rather, the studies measure the air being exhaled from the body and use a simple finger sensor that attaches like a Band-Aid to measure the body’s oxygen levels.

Wales, a resident of Denton, is a graduate of Salibury University and a Registered Respiratory Therapist.

Silgen Appointed Vice President of Planning and Marketing for Shore Health System

Michael Silgen is the new vice president of planning and marketing for Shore Health System. As a member of the senior leadership team, he will work with the planning committee of the board of directors in defining and implementing the system’s strategic planning. Silgen will continue to oversee marketing of Shore Health System and growing its inpatient and outpatient volumes and market share.

A healthcare executive for over 30 years, Silgen is versed in the complexities of healthcare delivery systems, including commercial health insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, managed care,  hospital administration and physician relations.

He relocated to Easton in 2007 to join Shore Health System as director of marketing and physician relations. Prior to moving to the Eastern Shore, Silgen was director of strategic planning and business development for Centra Health, a three-hospital regional health system in Lynchburg, Virginia. He also served as vice president of marketing and managed care for Rush-Riverside Healthcare in Illinois and vice president of marketing and public relations for Wuesthoff Health System in Florida. He also held executive positions with Blue Cross Blue Shield United of Wisconsin, MetLife Health Plan of Wisconsin and Prime Care Health Plan in Wisconsin.

Silgen earned an undergraduate degree in political science and a master of science in health care delivery systems from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. He is a member of the Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development of the American Hospital Association. Locally, he is a member of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, the Blood Bank of Delmarva, the Centreville Rotary Club, the Easton Elks Club, and the YMCA of Talbot County. A 2007 graduate of Shore Leadership, Silgen is a member of that organization’s finance committee.

Joseph P. Ross, FACHE, president and CEO for Shore Health System, comments, “I am pleased to welcome Mike to the Shore Health System senior leadership team. His experience and unique perspective will be a great asset as we plan for the future and continue to expand the services we provide to the growing Mid-Shore community.”

Cutline: Michael Silgen (silgen 08.jpg)

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DNR News for the Eastern Shore

NOVEMBER 15 MARKS DNR’S 14TH ANNUAL MARYLAND JUNIOR DEER HUNT DAY

DNR invites junior hunters to try deer hunting and refine their hunting skills during Maryland’s 14th Annual Junior Deer Hunt Day on Saturday, November 15, 2008. White-tailed and sika deer firearms hunting will be open exclusively to hunters aged 16 years and younger who are accompanied by an unarmed, licensed (or exempt from license requirement) adult who is at least 21 years of age.

Upcoming Public Meetings

Draft Oyster EIS Public Comment Meeting

Thurs., Nov.13 at 6 p.m.
Miller State Senate Office Building, 11 Bladen St. in Annapolis

Draft Oyster EIS Public Comment Meeting

Fri., Nov. 14 at 6 p.m.
Minnette Dick Memorial Hall, 2000 Hambrooks Blvd. in Cambridge (Dorchester County)

Bird Photography Session

Sat., Nov. 15 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; $10

Pocomoke River State Park, 3461 Worcester Highway in Snow Hill (Worcester County)

Photograph native birds of prey including red-tailed hawks, great horned owls and turkey vultures in their natural habitat.

DNR Appoints Three Members to New Somers Cove Marina Commission

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin appointed three individuals to the Somers Cove Marina Commission. The Commission, established by the Maryland General Assembly in April, will oversee the operations and future development of the marina located in the center of historic Crisfield in Somerset County.

“I am very confident that this new commission will continue providing outstanding service for boaters, and help ensure the marina’s economic vitality,” said Secretary Griffin.

The newly DNR appointed commissioners are:

• Susan Engle, a Somers Cove Marina slip holder and Crisfield resident;
• Mike Grant, Boating Services Facilities Manager for DNR, an avid boater and Past Commodore of the Kent Island Yacht Club; and
• Less Hardy, Director of Operations of Washingtonian Coach and a Somers Cove Marina slip holder.

“Somers Cove Marina is a true gem of Maryland. I’ve long supported doing everything we can to support and enhance the marina,” said Delegate Norm Conway, who chief sponsor of the legislation that created the Commission. “Establishment of this commission begins a new era in the marina’s management that will bring great benefits to Crisfield.”

The marina is a key to the area’s revitalization and requested the legislation to gain a formal voice in its operation and development. The Commission is comprised of 7 individuals; 2 appointed by the Mayor of Crisfield and the Somerset County Commissioners and 3 appointed by DNR. The Commission will meet quarterly and employ a full time Executive Director to oversee the operations of the Commission and marina.

The city and county appointed commissioners include Dr. Mike Atkins, Crisfield City Councilmember; Ladell Dorman, Somerset County public school teacher and Somers Cove Marina slip holder; Jay Tawes of Tawes Insurance Company; and Casey Todd of MeTompkin Seafood Company. The commission expects to hold its first meeting in January 2009.

Somers Cove Marina offers boaters 515 slips within walking distance to some of the Chesapeake Bay’s and Somerset County’s finest restaurants, antique and gift shops, and bed and breakfast accommodations. Daily tours and sightseeing are available for Smith Island, Tangier Island, Janes Island State Park and Crisfield Heritage Museum which includes tours of the Crisfield Seafood industry. For more information about the marina, visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/eastern/somerscove.html.

Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate Opens at Memorial Hospital

The Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at Shore Health System, now open at The Memorial Hospital at Easton,  will provide services to individuals age 18 and older for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Over 20 million Americans have diabetes, which is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. Diabetes can lead to many medical complications, including heart attack, stroke, blindness, nerve damage, kidney failure and poor circulation. In America, diabetes leads to the death of an estimated 224,000 people each year.
Priya Krishnamurthy, MD, medical director of the Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at Shore Health System, says, “At our center, we will work with people newly diagnosed with diabetes and those who have had the disease for many years. They will have at their disposal years of research and an array of medical and lifestyle strategies to help them live with the disease.”

Dr. Krishnamurthy adds, “We will maintain collaborative relationships with primary care physicians for whose patients we provide diabetes consultation, education and ongoing management of their health.”

The Joslin Diabetes Center is the foremost diabetes research, clinical care and education center in the world. Joslin’s concentrated focus on a single disease allows it to discover, create and distribute new knowledge about diabetes prevention, treatment options and research toward a cure and to expand global efforts to combat the disease.
The Shore Health System Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate is part of the University of Maryland Medical System Joslin Affiliate Program and is the only diabetes specialty clinic on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at Memorial Hospital offers a multidisciplinary program, which includes the services of endocrinologists and nurses who are certified diabetes educators and a registered dietician.
Nancy Barger, RN, CDE, manager of the Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at Shore Health System, says, “Education is the primary focus at our Joslin Diabetes Center. Even before someone receives a diabetes diagnosis, we are here to discuss pre-diabetic conditions and to offer advice on how to prevent the early symptoms from developing into a more serious medical condition.”

The Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at Memorial Hospital will offer nutrition counseling and other educational support, including advice on exercise, stress reduction and lifestyle modifications.

The Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at Shore Health System is located at Memorial Hospital, 219 S. Washington Street in Easton. Patients coming for an appointment enter the hospital through the Edward B. and Mildred H. Freeman Outpatient Center on the south side of the hospital. Free valet parking is available.  For more information, call 410-228-1000 or 410-228-5511, ext. 5757.

Members of the Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at Shore Health System pictured are (left to right) standing, Cynthia Tucker, BSN, RN, CDE, Diabetes Educator; Barbara Von Kleeck, RN, CDE, Diabetes Educator; Nancy Barger, RN, CDE, Manager of the Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate; Priya Krishnamurthy, MD, Medical Director; James Mersey, MD; seated, Michelle Harrison, Medical Assistant; Sharon Slacum, Patient Access Representative; and Carolyn Crist, Medical Secretary. Unavailable for the photos: Bonnie Stone, RD, CDE, Nutritionist and Diabetes Educator.