The Department of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Services celebrated Respiratory Care Week with a series of events during the week of October 21-25.

Cambridge resident Pat McCubbin, left, took advantage of the free spirometry screenings offered at UM SMC at Dorchester during respiratory care week. Janet Riley (right), Cardiopulmonary Tech, provided the test. Riley has worked in respiratory care at the medical center for 27 years.

Spirometry screenings were offered free of charge at UM Shore Regional Health medical centers at Chestertown, Dorchester and Easton.  Spirometry, which measures the amount and speed of air that can be inhaled and exhaled, is an important tool used in the diagnosis and assessment of many pulmonary conditions. More than 30 people from Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot counties took advantage of the opportunity to check their lung function by signing up for this most common pulmonary function test.

According to Gary Jones, FACCA, Director of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Services, in the course of a year, approximately 100,000 cardiovascular and pulmonary testing and treatment procedures are conducted in UM Shore Regional Health medical centers at Chestertown, Dorchester and Easton. The majority of patients are treated for COPD, but other conditions seen are asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, lung transplant, congestive heart failure and pneumonia.

On Wednesday, October 23, Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Services hosted a luncheon at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton for staff and students from Delaware Technical Community College’s Associate in Arts degree program in Respiratory Care.

After a welcome and introductions by Ed Liske, RT, Lead Respiratory Therapist at UM Shore Medical Center at Dorchester, the luncheon featured remarks by Greg Oliver, MD, Medical Director for Pulmonary Services at Shore Regional Health.

Respiratory therapy students from Del Tech Community College enjoyed a lunch and tour hosted by UM Shore Regional Health’s Department of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Services during Respiratory Care week.

Dr. Oliver noted that 10 of the 43 respiratory therapists now employed by UM Shore Regional Health are graduates of the Del Tech program. He also pointed out that respiratory therapists often move on to specialize in other areas; in fact, several of the UM Shore Regional Health therapists work in such  areas as the Sleep Center, the Vascular Lab, the Pulmonary Function Lab, and Cardiac Rehab. After lunch, the Del Tech group enjoyed a tour of UM Shore Medical Center at Easton, where three of the students are currently enrolled in the clinical rotation requirement for their A.A. degree.

On Thursday, October 24, Dr. Anna Ahn, of Mid Shore Pulmonary Associates, presented a free talk, “Living Well With Obstructive Lung Disease,” at the Talbot County Senior Center in Easton. Dr. Ahn is one of five pulmonologists associated with UM Shore Regional Health, along with Dr. Oliver, William D. Trainor, MD, Peyman Otmishi, MD, and Funlola Famuyiwa, MD.

Celebrating Respiratory Care Week: Greg Oliver, MD, Medical Director of Pulmonary Services; Gary Jones, FACCA, Director of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Services; Steve Eisemann, Manager of Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Services; Jessica Rickards, RRT, Clinical Instructor for Del-Tech Community College; Ed Liske, Lead Respiratory Therapist, UM SMC at Dorchester; Terri Fisher, RT, Respiratory Therapist at UM SMC at Easton; James Little, M.Ed., Respiratory Care Program Chair at Del-Tech; Amy Thomas, M.Ed., RRT, Director of Clinical Education for Respiratory Care at Del-Tech; and Charles McElroy, M.Ed., RRT, Clinical Instructor for Del-Tech.

After outlining various types of pulmonary problems, their symptoms and treatments, she addressed individual questions posed by the attendees. Dr. Ahn’s presentation was one of several events in UM Shore Regional Health’s free health information series, called “Ask the Expert.” The series will resume in early spring, 2014.

Information about cardiovascular and pulmonary testing and treatment available through UM Shore Regional Health may be obtained by calling 410-822-1000, ext. 5810.

Members of the Radiology team at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown in The Eleanor and Ethel Leh Women’s Center. Back row from left are Kelly Bottomley, manager, radiology; Melvin Rapelyea, MD; and Susan Herr. Front row from left are Olivia Ringgold; Sheila Dixon; Connie Branham and Brenda Ewing.

With the opening of the Eleanor and Ethel Leh Women’s Center at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown earlier this month, women in Kent County and neighboring areas now have access to the latest diagnostic equipment used to detect breast cancer. The centerpiece of the Women’s Center is a new, 3-dimensional, digital mammography system. This new state-of-the-art system, the first of its kind on the Delmarva Peninsula and the only one currently in use on the Mid-Shore, plays a vital role in helping to detect breast cancer at the earliest stages. The incidence of breast cancer in Kent County is more than 25 percent higher than the national rate, according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

“This new technology gives us the most technologically-advanced breast images possible and will play a vital role as we work to detect breast cancers at the earliest possible stage,” says Melvin Rapelyea, MD, radiologist at UM SMC at Chestertown.  “This new equipment reduces patient exposure to radiation and also reduces the time it requires to do an exam which, in turn, will reduce stress for many patients.”

Annually, UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown’s radiology department performs an average of 3,523 screening and diagnostic mammograms.  In 2010, nearly 13% of those studies had “suspicious findings.”  And, 30 percent of those suspicious findings were in fact, breast cancer, according to hospital radiology statistics.

Kelly Bottomley, RTR, radiology manager at UM SMC at Chestertown says. “We are thrilled to be able to offer the latest in breast cancer diagnostics to our patients in a facility that has been designed to be a female-friendly environment. This new technology detects breast cancer at the earliest possible stage, which is critical to successful treatment.”

In addition to 3-D mammography, the Women’s Center also offers other state of the art diagnostics including a new Dexa Scan machine used to measure bone mineral density (BMD).  This non-invasive test generally takes less than 20 minutes to complete and is performed with low levels of radiation, less than the radiation from a typical chest x-ray.  The scan measures bone mineral density at the patient’s spine and hip.  When taking a bone density measurement, the mineral density of a segment of bone is measured to see if there the level of calcium and other minerals present indicative of healthy bones.  Results from this test are useful in diagnosing bone loss and certain conditions such as osteoporosis and osteopenia. Testing bone density and osteoporosis helps predict future fracture risk. Minimizing that risk is important because as women age, the more debilitating a fracture can be.

Funding for this technology was provided by the generous support of the community, including the Chester River Hospital Center Auxiliary, University of Maryland Chester River Health Foundation and a massive grassroots fundraising effort by the employees of UM SMC at Chestertown.

“The staff was committed to supporting this project because each of us knows someone, including several of our co-workers, who have had this horrific disease,” adds Bottomley, who hopes to increase the number of screening mammograms by at least 10 percent in the first year. “We are enormously grateful to everyone who helped make the dream of having these services here in Chestertown a reality.”

The new mammography machine and Dexa Scan are housed in the Eleanor and Ethel Leh Women’s Center, located in the Medical Services Building. The Center was funded by a bequest by the Leh sisters to “provide the highest priority medical equipment and technology needed at the time for the greatest benefit of the people they serve.”

A public open house will be held on Saturday, November 2 from 10 am to 2 pm at the Women’s Center. To schedule an appointment for a mammogram or bone density scan, contact the Women’s Center at 410-822-1000, ext. 2600.

Urology, depression and flu season take front and center as UM Shore Regional Health’s “Ask the Expert Series” continues in November with stops in Dorchester, Kent and Queen Anne’s Counties. “Ask the Expert,” is a free community health program sponsored by UM Shore Regional Health. The “Ask the Expert” series is an ongoing program that will be offered throughout the year.

Upcoming sessions remaining this fall are:

Dr. Duane Cespedes – “Fixing the Leaky Faucet: Evaluation and Treatment of Urinary Incontinence” — Tuesday, November 5, 7 p.m., UM Shore Medical Pavilion at Queenstown

Dr. Christopher Parry – “Urology Today: Treating Urulogical Conditions” –Thursday, November 7, 2 p.m., Kent County Library

Jackie Weston, BSN, BN-BC – “Stress, Depression and the Holidays: Keeping it Together During the Season” — Monday, November 11, 2 p.m., Dorchester County Library

Dr. Frederick VanDusen – “Facts About the Flu” — Thursday, November 14, 2 p.m., Kent County Library

Seating is limited. Please RVSP to Cathy Wright at cwright@shorehealth.org or 410-822-1000 ext. 5222.

Auxiliary volunteer, Joyce Wilhelm, modeled the final outfit at the Bazaar’s annual fashion show featuring apparel available for purchase at the shop.

The Bazaar at 121 Federal Street recently held its annual fashion show in conjunction with the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary’s annual service awards luncheon and meeting.

Operated by the Auxiliary, the Bazaar accepts donations of gently used clothing ranging from casual attire to eveningwear, accessories and small household items that are resold at reasonable prices.  The shop is managed and staffed by Auxiliary volunteers and raises funds to benefit programs and services at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton.

For additional information about the Bazaar at 121 Federal Street, which is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm, or volunteer opportunities, call 410-822-2031.

The Memorial Hospital Auxiliary recently celebrated those members who reached service award milestones. 100 volunteers were recognized for 216,750 hours of service at the annual awards luncheon.

The Memorial Hospital Auxiliary recently held its annual service awards luncheon at the Tred Avon Yacht Club in Oxford.  The Auxiliary celebrated 216,750 hours of service volunteered by 100 members who reached service milestones in 2013.

The Memorial Hospital Auxiliary service award program recognizes members’ volunteer milestones.  During the ceremony Marion Miller and Julie Wojcik were each honored for volunteering 18,000 hours. Other distinguished honorees were Pauline Lane and Elizabeth Lechthaler for 13,000 hours, Dolores Mothershead for 11,500 hours and Margaret Blair for 11,000 hours.

Other service awards were presented to Carolyn Behr, Codie Codispoti, Ernest Fisher, Joyce Kent, Ellicott McConnell, Sabine Simonson and Bertha Wilson (4500 hours); Else Ross (4000 hours); Iris Fricker, Janet Granger and Edith Hayman (3500 hours); Doralice Cassidy, Joyce Cohee, Alex Collins, Williams Jenkins, Carol O’Hare and Frances Sloane (3000 hours); Virginia Blades, Barbara Brown, Lorraine Kelly, Nan Newcomb, Irene Phillips and Mary Turkington (2500 hours); Janette Black, Juanita Haddaway, Virginia Lemon, Jackie Martino, Beverly Micklus and Barbara Reinhardt (2000 hours); Celia Bodmer, Bill Bruckner, Ruth Cecil, Karalene Councell, Sandle Engle, Nancy Espenhorst, Regina Holland, Valery Miller, Dorothy Palmer, Anita Rowan and Nancy Wolf (1500 hours); Anna “Polly” Carroll, Sonja Eades, Carolyn Gillman, Audrey Luetters and Florence Tarleton (1000 hours); Gail Black, Thomas Cronshaw, Joyce Doebler, Alice Engle, Lillian Hall, William Hough, George King, Christina O’Hara, Edna Pettit, Joan Sellers, Susan Silver and Noel Slattery (750 hours); Myrna Darragh, Pauline Figliozzi, Cecelia Laufert, Leslie Leadbeater, Joe Murphy, Ethel Palmer, Robert Savoie, Mary Seiter, Bernadette Serie, Joyce Wilhelm, Penny Womack and Eleanor Woolford (500 hours); Kathy Busen, Sandra Dunker, Elaine Eveland, Robert Gretzinger, Jean Hobbs, Norman Klug, Eileen Kornas, Mary Elizabeth Lacy, Annabel Lesher, Muriel Murphy, Barbara Runz, Eleanor Spurry, Elmira Weber, Ronald Weber and Gracie Wilson (250 hours); and Anna Brennan, Diane Daffin, Richard Douma, Erin Fee, Virginia Ann Harvey, Jane Hopkins, Mary McArtor, Genenieve Murray, Barbara Nickerson and Gretchen Smith (100 hours).

Since its establishment, the Auxiliary has been instrumental in raising funds for various hospital projects and services at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton.  Auxiliary funds are primarily raised through sales at Maggie’s Gift Shop, located at the hospital, and at the Bazaar at 121 Federal Street, which accepts donations of gently used clothing, accessories and small household items that are resold at reasonable prices.  Both retail establishments are managed and staffed by auxiliary volunteers.  In addition, auxiliary volunteers are a resource in clinical areas both at the hospital and offsite, providing assistance to staff members, patients and visitors in multiple areas.  Free blood pressure screenings are also provided to the community by Auxiliary volunteers every Monday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. until Noon at the Diagnostic and Imaging Center located at 10 Martin Court in Easton.

For additional information about volunteer opportunities with the Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, visit www.shorehealth.org or call 410-822-1000, extension 5839.

Hertrich Honda of Easton was a hole-in-one sponsor for the annual UM Shore Regional Health Golf Invitational. Pictured are (left to right) Joanna Pierce, development specialist, UM Memorial Hospital Foundation; F. Graham Lee, vice president for philanthropy, UM Shore Regional Health; and Paul Longaker, general manager, Hertrich Honda of Easton.

The Shore Bancshares team won first place in the Invitational’s Low Gross Score category. The team consisted of (left to right) Butch Townsend, Golf Invitational Chair; Scott Beatty; Will Shannahan; and Moorhead Vermilye.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health recently held its annual Golf Invitational at the Talbot Country Club in Easton.  This year’s tournament netted $60,000 for Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Services at UM Shore Regional Health, the beneficiary of the event.

Joining the presenting sponsor, Pepsi Bottling Ventures, Inc., in sponsoring the annual event were Masters Sponsor: Clark Charitable Foundation, Inc.; Birdie Sponsors: Maryland Primary Care Physicians, LLC, Sysco Eastern Maryland, KPMG, Eastern Shore Emergency Medicine Physicians, LLC, Bruce and Sandy Hammonds and Clark Construction Group, LLC; and Pro Sponsors: Bob and Ruth Carmean and Hearthstone Health & Fitness.  Hole-in-One sponsors for the Invitational were Aqua Pool & Spas and Hertrich of Easton.

“The Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Services department at University of Maryland Shore Regional Health has always been very appreciative of the support of the University of Maryland Memorial Hospital Foundation and the generosity of our local community,” says Gary Jones, Director of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Services, UM Shore Regional Health. “Funds given this department as a result of this year’s Shore Regional Health Golf Invitational will be used to enhance our Holter/event monitoring systems which are used to evaluate patients’ heart rate and rhythm disturbances.”

The following is a list of tournament winners:

• Low Gross Score First Place: Shore Bancshares, Inc. Team (Scott Beatty, Will Shannahan, Butch Townsend and Moorhead Vermilye);
• Low Gross Score Second Place: Choptank Transport Team (Steve Ford, Steve Covey, Geoff Turner and Al Turner);
• Low Gross Score Third Place: Pepsi Team (Mike Harvis, Mike Roberts, Daryl Gregory and Eddie Morris);
• Net Score First Place: Aramark Team (Keith Gould, Michael Zimmerman, Brian Leutner and Mike D’Arcangelo);
• Net Score Second Place: Pepsi Team (Brian Biggs, Greg Stutzman, David Goslee and Mark Christensen);
• Net Score Third Place: Advisory Group Team (Doug James, Ron Young, Steve Hershey and Chris Runz);
• Net Score Fourth Place: Best Care Ambulance Team (Wayne Gardner, Brenan Cole, Dan Jewell and Shirley Gardner);
• Closest to the Pin – Hole No. 16 Ladies: Mindy Goodroe;
• Closest to the Pin – Hole No. 4 Men: Steve Ochse;
• Closest to the Pin – Hole No. 8 Men: Scott Beatty;
• Closest to the Pin – Hole No. 18 Men: Matt Brooks;
• All Ladies Foursome Low Score: Delia Denny, Ann White, Polly Watts and Linda Roughley.

The UM Memorial Hospital Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization serving the fundraising needs of University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton and UM Shore Regional Health.   Through its philanthropic efforts, the Foundation supports UM Shore Regional Health’s ability to provide quality healthcare to the local community by contributing to hospital programs and services. For additional information contact Joanna Pierce, development specialist, at 410-822-1000, extension 5481 or e-mail jpierce@shorehealth.org.

We went LIVE on the 2014 Meaningful Use Certified version of Meditech on Wednesday, October 2^nd.  The upgrade went very well and we thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through any remaining issues.

This upgrade has put us in a great position for the CPOE (Computerized Provider Order Entry) rollout to all three UM Shore Regional Health facilities.

The CPOE Go Live dates have changed!   CPOE will GO LIVE at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton and UM Shore Medical Center at Dorchester on Tuesday, January 14, 2014.  It will GO LIVE at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown on Tuesday, February 11 , 2014.  Physician training will start the week of December 2at both UMSMC at Easton and UMSMC at Dorchester.  Training will consist of classroom and one-on-one training.  We will also have a Computerized Base Training (CBT) tool that will be burned to a CD and distributed as needed. The Physician Training schedule for will be distributed in future Compass editions.  The training for UMSMC at Chestertown will start at the beginning of January.  The training format for SMC-C will be the same.

Stay tuned for updates in upcoming editions of Shore Compass.

EMPLOYEES OF THE FORMER SHORE HEALTH: Due to a delay in the printing of materials, employees should receive their packets in the mail next week.  The on-line benefit enrollment system will still begin on October 27, 2013. Even without the packet, it is still possible to use the on-line system to enroll or make changes. PLEASE NOTE: With the exception of Flexible Spending or PAL Sell for Benefits, this year’s open enrollment is passive, which means that current benefit elections will transfer to the 2014 benefit year.  If you wish to enroll in Flexible Spending or PAL Sell for Benefits for the 2014 year, you will need to re-enroll.

Vendor Expos provide the opportunity to talk with representatives of our benefit vendor companies and ask questions. The Vendor Expos are scheduled this coming week, as follows:  EASTON – Tuesday, October 29,^, 8am- 5:30pm, UM Shore Medical Center at Easton, HEC; CAMBRIDGE – Wednesday, October 30, 8am-5:30pm, UM Shore Medical Center at Dorchester,^, 3^rd Floor Conference Room.

EMPLOYEES OF THE FORMER CHESTER RIVER HEALTH AND OF THE ORTHOPEDIC CENTER IN UM MEDICAL CENTER AT EASTON:  Human Resources is finalizing the information regarding benefits for 2014 and packets will be in the mail next week or the week after.  Vendor Expos will be scheduled.  More information will be shared via email and Compass as it become as available.

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Any questions? Contact the HR Benefits Team: Dawn Cecil, ext. 8496; Audrey West, ext. 8428, and Julie James, ext. 8423.

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) recently unveiled a new app to help residents with their own emergency preparedness efforts. The official “Maryland Prepares” mobile application provides iPhone, iPad, and Android phone and tablet users the ability to access emergency preparedness information on the go.

Maryland Prepares enables families to make a communications plan and assess their disaster supply kit through an interactive checklist. Other features of the app include:
•    View emergency preparation guides for different types of emergencies;
•    Send an “I’m Safe” message via email, text, and social networks;
•    View real-time alerts for emergencies, weather and traffic;
•    Monitor current cyber threats and suspicious activity;
•    Access Maryland Emergency Management Agency news and events; and
•    View current and extended National Weather Service forecasts based on current location.
The app is available for Android users via Google Play and via the iTunes store.

Facebook is a great way to let people know about the good things happening at Shore Regional Health. Please take a look at our page and “share” those items of interest to you and your Facebook friends. Posts over the last several days include:

~ Pictured inside one of the two new elevators that was recently completed during the renovation project at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown …

~ Shore Regional Health celebrates the hard work and dedication of Patient Financial Services and the assistance the team offers the patients we care for…

~ The Chester River Hospital Center Auxiliary recently provided funding for three staff members from the radiology department at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown to attend a training focusing on 3-D mammography …

~ The Robin Hood Shop, located at 416 High Street in Cambridge, will hold its Annual Christmas Event on Tuesday, November 5 …