The Chester River Health Foundation’s 22nd Annual Golf Tournament, scheduled for Friday, June 3, at Chester River Yacht and Country Club, will benefit UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown’s Surgery Department, according to Maryann Ruehrmund, executive director of the Foundation.
“This year, the Foundation Board is committed to helping the hospital purchase new and state-of-the-art equipment for use in colonoscopies and endoscopies,” Ruehrmund said. “By enabling our physicians to better diagnose and treat digestive diseases — including cancer, which is so prevalent in our region — this new equipment will certainly save lives.”
More than 1,600 colonoscopies are performed at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown every year, according to Peggy Roca, manager, perioperative services at the hospital. “The new, high-definition equipment the hospital will acquire is the standard for identifying and removing colorectal polyps, pre-cancers and cancer,” says Roca. “It also will help us diagnose and treat upper digestive gastric pain, ulcers and other bleeding.”
According to Ruehrmund, plans for this year’s event are rapidly taking shape. “We are now signing up sponsors to support this important project to benefit the health of people in our community, and also getting the word out to attract golfers,” says Ruehrmund. Like last year, it will be a “best ball” tournament, with each first place team receiving a $100 gift card per golfer for the club’s pro shot and each second place team receiving a $75 gift card per golfer.
Last year’s golf tournament attracted 128 players and netted $55,000 to help fund the purchase of the hospital’s iRounds™ technology.
Information about registration and sponsorship opportunities may be obtained by contacting Deb Lauser, 410-810-5661, dlauser@umm.edu.