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December 6, 2025

Cambridge Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Cambridge

00 Post to Chestertown Spy Health Health Notes

UM Shore Medical Group-Cardiology Welcomes New Interventional Cardiologist

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University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) and UM Shore Medical Group-Cardiology (UM SMG) recently announced the addition of interventional cardiologist Bishesh Shrestha, MD, to the team. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

Dr. Shrestha will provide advanced interventional cardiology care for patients with complex cardiovascular conditions, working closely with primary care providers and specialists to manage coronary artery disease, structural heart disease, arrhythmia, and other heart-related concerns. He brings expertise in minimally invasive procedures, including pericardiocentesis and complex coronary interventions, with a focus on patient safety, precision and individualized care.

“Dr. Shrestha’s exceptional training, research experience, and compassionate approach to patient care make him a valuable addition to our Cardiology team,” said Timothy Shanahan, DO, medical director of UM Shore Medical Group. “His advanced procedural skills and dedication to improving cardiovascular outcomes will strengthen our ability to provide cutting-edge, personalized care to patients across the Eastern Shore.”

Dr. Shrestha completed his interventional cardiology fellowship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Neb., and a cardiovascular disease fellowship at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, N.Y. He also completed his internal medicine residency at Bassett Medical Center and earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree (MBBS) from International Medical College in Bangladesh. Dr. Shrestha is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease and echocardiography, and is a member of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.

In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr. Shrestha has published numerous peer-reviewed research articles in areas including transcatheter valve interventions, arrhythmia and coronary artery disease. He is also passionate about teaching and mentoring future health care professionals.

Fluent in English, Nepali, Bengali, Hindi, and Urdu, Dr. Shrestha is committed to connecting with patients from diverse backgrounds and providing compassionate, culturally sensitive care.

For more information, visit umshoreregional.org/cardiology.

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

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McKenna Gillen, MS, OT, Joins University of Maryland Shore Regional Health Outpatient Rehabilitation Teams at Denton and Queenstown Locations

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University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services recently welcomed McKenna Gillen, MS, OT, to the outpatient rehab team. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

A resident of Stevensville, Md., Gillen presently provides outpatient care at both Shore Rehab at Queenstown and Shore Rehab at Denton. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in occupational therapy at Towson University, where she also served as a graduate assistant and was a recipient of the Bowes Family Occupational Therapy Endowed Fellowship. Most recently   as an occupational therapist with the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s International Center for Spinal Cord Injury in Baltimore. Previously, she spent two years at UM Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Institute where she assessed and treated adults for a range of conditions, including spinal cord injury, stroke, acquired brain injury, amputation, multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, transplant, orthopedic injuries/trauma and more. 

“We are excited to have McKenna on board with us,” said Frank Rath, outpatient services manager for UM SRH Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services. “Her warm, compassionate professionalism, credentials and experience make her a great asset to our team and the communities we serve.”

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

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Primary Stroke Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton Earns Honors for Tenth Consecutive Year

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For the tenth consecutive year, the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton’s Primary Stroke Center has received recognition from the American Heart Association (AHA)/American Stroke Association (ASA) with the Get With The Guidelines®- Rural Stroke Gold and Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, which recognize quality achievement. UM Shore Medical Center at Easton is a University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) facility; UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

These achievements highlight UM SRH’s commitment to providing the most effective stroke treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence and its dedication to prioritizing quality care for stroke patients.  

“It’s an honor to lead the Primary Stroke Center, where I witness the incredible dedication of our team,” said M. Walid Kamsheh, MD, the center’s medical director. “Being recognized by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association highlights the tireless work of everyone involved — from our EMS partners in the community to our Emergency Department, neurology, radiology, pharmacy, laboratory and nursing teams. These awards reflect not only our commitment to providing state-of-the-art, patient-centered stroke care but also inspire us to continue advancing treatment, embracing innovation and improving outcomes. Together, through collaboration and dedication, we give every patient the best possible chance for survival and recovery, and we are proud to serve our communities in this vital mission.”

To honor team members and departments who play a key role in working with the Primary Stroke Center, members of the senior leadership team and other UM SRH stroke care leaders delivered the good news and doughnuts to several departments, including the Intensive Care Unit, Radiology, Laboratory, Pharmacy, Telemetry and Emergency Medicine. 

UM Shore Medical Center at Easton was designated as a Primary Stroke Center in 2007. A Primary Stroke Center designation is given by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems when standards are met to support better outcomes for stroke care. Certification standards include having a dedicated program staffed 24/7 by specially trained medical professionals who provide fast diagnostic services and optimal stroke care.

According to the American Heart Association, in 2022, there were 453 deaths from stroke each day in the United States, totaling approximately 165,000 deaths for the year, which equates to about one in every six deaths from cardiovascular disease being due to stroke. UM Shore Regional Health continues to provide stroke care to approximately 600 patients annually.

Additional information about the Primary Stroke Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton can be found at UMShoreRegional.org/stroke.

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

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UM Shore Medical Group-Pulmonary Care Welcomes New Providers

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University of Maryland Shore Regional Health’s (UM SRH) Pulmonary Care team and UM Shore Medical Group-Pulmonary Care (UM SMG) are pleased to announce the addition of physician Andrew Pajak, DO, and nurse practitioner Melissa Eigenbrode, MSN, RN, CRNP, to the team. Dr. Pajak will also be providing critical care services to the Intensive Care Unit at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

Dr. Pajak and Eigenbrode will provide specialized care for patients with pulmonary and respiratory conditions, working closely with primary care providers and specialists to manage chronic lung disease, critical illness, and other respiratory concerns. Eigenbrode will also manage UM Shore Regional Health’s Lung Cancer Screening Program.

UM Shore Regional Health’s Lung Cancer Screening Program offers early detection and comprehensive support for individuals at high risk for lung cancer, including current and former smokers. The program uses low-dose CT scans to identify lung changes before symptoms appear and provides follow-up care, education, and coordination with specialists as needed. Under the leadership of Eigenbrode, the program emphasizes personalized care, patient education, and proactive management, helping patients take charge of their lung health while improving outcomes through early intervention.

“We are thrilled to welcome Melissa Eigenbrode and Dr. Andrew Pajak to our Pulmonary Care team,” said Timothy Shanahan, DO, medical director of UM Shore Medical Group. “Their exceptional expertise in pulmonary and critical care medicine, combined with their compassion and dedication to patients, will strengthen our ability to provide advanced, personalized care across the Eastern Shore. Melissa and Dr. Pajak are committed to guiding patients through every stage of their pulmonary health journey, improving outcomes, and helping our community breathe easier and live healthier lives.”

Dr. Pajak completed his pulmonary and critical care fellowship at Tower Health Reading Hospital in Reading, Pa., and an internal medicine residency at ChristianaCare-Sidney Kimmel Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Newark, Del. He received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pa. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and Bachelor of Science in microbiology from University of Maryland in College Park. He has conducted research in areas including asthma biologic therapy, vaping-related lung injury, and severe COVID-19 respiratory failure, with numerous peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. He is board certified in internal medicine and pulmonary medicine. He has an interest in interstitial lung disease, sarcoidosis, asthma and critical care medicine.

Eigenbrode is a certified registered nurse practitioner with extensive experience in pulmonary, cardiac, and gastroenterology care. She has worked as a respiratory therapist, in emergency and urgent care facilities, as well as in hospital-based specialty clinics such as cardiopulmonary fitness and wellness, and in community wellness programs as a transitional nurse navigator. She most recently served as a clinical preceptor for University of Maryland nursing students and a nurse practitioner with UM Shore Medical Group-Gastroenterology. 

She received her post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner degree from Wilmington University in New Castle, Del., her Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Clinical Nurse Specialist in Health Promotion and Wellness from Wesley College, in Dover, Del., her associate degree in Nursing from Chesapeake College in Wye Mills, and her Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Care from Salisbury State University.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with UM Shore Medical Group–Pulmonary Care, call 410-822-0110 or visit umshoreregional.org/pulmonarycare.

 

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

 

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Dorchester Shore Community Outreach Team Announces New Team Member and Free Health Screenings in November

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The Dorchester Shore Community Outreach Team (SCOT) recently welcomed Connie Coffman to the team as a community health advocate. The Dorchester SCOT is a population health initiative of University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, a member organization of University of Maryland Medical System. 

A resident of Dorchester County, Coffman brings more than 23 years of experience in population health services to the team and is fluent in Spanish as well as English. Most recently, she served as a domestic violence case manager for the Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence.

Coffman joins nurse coordinator Rochalla Jones, social worker Jessica Wise and community health advocate Courtney Thomas on the Dorchester SCOT team, which visits trusted community sites to provide health screenings and information to Dorchester County residents, free of charge. November screenings are scheduled as follows:

  • Wednesday, November 12, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 303 S. Main St., Hurlock; and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Neck District VFD, 954 Cooks Point Rd., Cambridge 
  • Thursday, November 13, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., Dorchester County Public Library, 303 Gay St., Cambridge 
  • Tuesday, November 18, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Shiloh House Apts., 6206 Shiloh Church Hurlock Rd., Hurlock 
  • Thursday, November 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Senior Center/Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Intergenerational Center, 108 Chesapeake St., Cambridge
  • Monday, November 24, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., East New Market Apts., 40 Academy St., East New Market

SCOT members also provide home visits and safety assessments; case management for those with chronic illness; group wellness activities; assistance in connecting patients with their providers via telehealth; and assistance with completing health-related paperwork, including insurance forms and Advance Directives.

To schedule an appointment or visit, or to learn more about the Dorchester Shore Community Outreach Team, call 443-225-7545 or email [email protected].

 

 

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

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Forty Years of Heartfelt Service: Honoring Dr. Jeffrey H. Etherton on Maryland’s Eastern Shore

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Dr. Jeffrey Etherton

For 40 years, Jeffrey Howard Etherton, MD, has been at the forefront of cardiac care, saving lives and shaping heart health on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. This summer, the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) and UM Shore Medical Group (UM SMG) community celebrated this remarkable milestone, honoring Dr. Etherton’s dedication, leadership and transformative impact on patients and colleagues alike.

“Dr. Etherton’s dedication, expertise and vision have shaped the very foundation of cardiac care at UM Shore Regional Health,” said Ken Kozel, President, UM SRH. “From program development to mentoring colleagues, his leadership has strengthened our ability to provide exceptional care to the communities we serve. We are deeply grateful that he chose to bring his talents to the Eastern Shore, and we take immense pride in the lasting impact he has made on patients, families and our entire organization, as well as to the community at large.”

A Foundation of Excellence

Dr. Etherton earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Md., in 1985 and completed a residency at University of Florida Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla., where he also began his medical career as a training physician. 

Three years later, he returned to the University of Maryland as a fellow of cardiology. Following additional training at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center and a brief assignment at Bethesda Naval Medical Center during Desert Storm, he returned to the Eastern Shore to establish the device-based interventional cardiology program, electrophysiology program and Cardiac Research Program at Peninsula Regional Medical Center on the Lower Eastern Shore.

Prior to coming to UM SRH, Dr. Etherton co-founded Delmarva Heart, LLC, and the Delmarva Heart Research Foundation, directed cardiology services at multiple institutions, and served as Radiation Safety Officer for nuclear cardiology programs. A U.S. Navy Reserve veteran, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Medical Corps in 1985.

Dr. Etherton has been with UM Shore Medical Group – Cardiology since 2016. He sees patients in Easton and Cambridge, and is board certified in cardiovascular disease.

Throughout his career, Dr. Etherton has shared his expertise as an instructor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine as well as at Sinai Hospital. His mentorship emphasizes both technical skill and compassionate, patient-centered care.

“Dr. Etherton’s colleagues in UM Shore Medical Group have benefitted greatly from his leadership, collaboration and example,” said Erika Jordan, Senior Director of Operations, UM SMG. “His impact reaches far beyond the exam room, bringing comfort, hope and trust to countless lives. We are deeply grateful for his tireless service.”

A Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Etherton has been honored with the Bausch & Lomb National Science Foundation Award and remains active in professional and civic organizations, including the Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S., the Maryland Medical & Chirurgical Society, and the Wicomico County Medical Society.

Building Care from the Ground Up

Since establishing himself on the Eastern Shore, Dr. Etherton has worked tirelessly to expand access to advanced cardiac care across the region. In addition to leading the development of interventional cardiology, electrophysiology and cardiac research at Peninsula Regional, transforming heart care for local residents, in 2016, he was invited to launch the Interventional/STEMI Program at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton. 

“It was truly a great day when Dr. Etherton agreed to come start the interventional cardiology program at UM Shore Regional Health,” said Timothy Shanahan, Medical Director, UM SMG. “Words cannot express the heartfelt gratitude Shore — and I personally — feel for his countless hours of dedication, ensuring that patients receive the highest quality cardiac care. It is both an honor and a privilege to work alongside him.”

During the 2017 construction of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Easton, Dr. Etherton collaborated closely with the builders to ensure the facility met the highest standards for patient safety and innovation. There were times when, during construction, Dr. Etherton could be found hammering alongside the construction team. Since then, the Cardiac Cath team has treated more than 1,000 STEMI heart attack patients and provided expert care to countless others.

“Dr. Etherton has dedicated his life to caring for the very community he grew up in, offering not only his extraordinary clinical expertise but also his heart, compassion and unwavering commitment to his patients,” said Jan McMichael, CMOM, PPMC, UM SMG-Cardiology practice manager. “He has touched countless lives, guided families through critical moments and strengthened the very fabric of our community. For four decades, he has led with humility, mentorship and encouragement, fostering a spirit of excellence and collaboration that continues to shape the future of cardiovascular care on the Eastern Shore.”

Dr. Etherton has been a driving force in advancing cardiovascular medicine on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, setting a lasting standard of excellence through his dedication to patients, colleagues, and cardiac science. His peers regard his work as a lasting legacy — for both him and UM SRH.

Reflecting on his career, Dr. Etherton said: “Providing care to the communities of Maryland’s Eastern Shore has been the greatest privilege of my life. Every patient, every family, and every moment in the clinic or the lab has reinforced why I chose this path. I am honored to serve and to witness the difference that compassionate, skilled cardiac care can make.”

 

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health  

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore. 

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System 

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org. 

 

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Shore Community Outreach Team Offers Free Health Screenings Around Dorchester County  

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Shown are Dorchester Shore Community Outreach Team members Jessica Wise, Social Worker; Rochalla Jones, Nurse Coordinator; and Courtney Thomas, Community Health Advocate.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health’s Shore Community Outreach Team – Dorchester will provide blood pressure checks and diabetes assessment screenings in seven convenient locations around Dorchester County this month. These screenings are offered free of charge as a community health service of University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System. The schedule for October is as follows:

  • Monday, October 6, 1 to 5 p.m. at One Mission, 614 Race Street in Cambridge
  • Wednesday, October 8, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 303 S. Main Street in Hurlock
  • Thursday, October 9, 3 to 5 p.m. at the Dorchester County Public Library, 303 Gay Street in Cambridge
  • Wednesday, October 15, 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Bradford House, 701 Race Street in Cambridge; and also 4 to 6 p.m. at the Neck District Volunteer Fire Department, 954 Cooks Point Road in Cambridge
  • Tuesday, October 21, 1 to 3 p.m. at Shiloh House Apartments, 6206 Shiloh Church Hurlock Road in Hurlock
  • Thursday, October 30, 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Farmers Market, Longwharf, Cambridge

Combining expertise in nursing, social work and community health advocacy, the Dorchester Shore Community Outreach Team visits trusted community sites to provide health screenings and information to Dorchester County residents. They also provide home visits and safety assessments; case management for those with chronic illness; group wellness activities; assistance with arranging telehealth consults with providers; and assistance with completing health-related paperwork, including insurance forms and Advance Directives.

To schedule an appointment or visit, or to learn more about the Shore Community Outreach Team, call 443-225-7545 or email [email protected].

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

 

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UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown Offers New State-of-the-Art MRI

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University of Maryland Shore Medical Center (UM SMC) at Chestertown recently acquired a new state-of-the-art MRI machine at its diagnostics center located at 100 Brown Street. The new MRI replaces an older machine and represents substantial advancements in patient imaging technology.  

“The new MRI features an 80 cm. bore that will increase access and comfort for larger patients and for those who suffer from anxiety or claustrophobia,” said Kelly Bottomley, Regional Manager, Radiology, UM Shore Regional Health. “In addition, it produces high-quality images made possible by using the latest innovations in digital imagery, and with flex coil technology, we will be able to offer a wider array of exams.” 

“A full retrofit of the space housing the MRI was completed over the summer to ensure all safety standards were met or exceeded,” said Katelyn Roskosky, Construction and Facilities Manager, UM SRH.  “We are thankful to our project and construction teams, who worked tirelessly to bring MRI services back on-line in Chestertown so quickly.”  

The Chester River Health Foundation has committed $1.2 million toward the purchase and renovations, including an initial gift of $600,000. If you are interested in making a gift to support this important project for our community, visit umcrhf.org/donate. 

“The Foundation’s steadfast support is bringing our community the power of state-of-the-art MRI technology improving the ability to diagnose and care for more patients close to home,” said Zack Royston, Executive Director/VP of Rural Health, UM SMC at Chestertown. 

MRIs are now available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. To schedule an MRI at Chestertown or any other UM Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) imaging location, call 443-225-7474. 

UM SMC at Chestertown is a University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) hospital; UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health  

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore. 

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System 

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org. 

 

 

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UM Shore Regional Palliative Care Program Announces Christina Ball as Director

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University of Maryland Shore Regional Health’s (UM SRH) Palliative Care Program has named Christina Ball, MS, AGACNP-BC, as the practice’s director. Ball has been a nurse practitioner with the practice since 2020. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

“Christina has been an integral part of our team, demonstrating exceptional clinical expertise, deep compassion for patients and families and an unwavering commitment to improving quality of life for those facing serious illness,” said Timothy Shanahan, DO, Medical Director, UM Shore Medical Group. “In this new leadership role, Christina will guide our palliative care program’s growth, ensuring that our patients continue to receive comprehensive, patient-centered care that reflects our mission and values. We are confident that Christina’s vision, leadership and dedication will strengthen our services and make a meaningful difference in the lives of the individuals and communities we serve.”

Ball has been a nurse practitioner with the UM Shore Regional Palliative Care Program, working collaboratively with patients’ primary care and specialists’ teams to relieve the stress and symptoms of serious or chronic illness, for the past six years. She previously worked as a nurse practitioner at Bayleigh Chase in Easton,and with Peninsula Regional Medical Center’s Neurology Department, was the University of Maryland Medical Center’s Comprehensive Stroke Center Coordinator in Baltimore and positions as staff nurse, clinical coordinator and neuroscience specialist with UM SRH. In 2012, she was recognized as the recipient of the UM SRH Outstanding Achievement in Professional Nursing Award.   

For more information or to request a palliative care consult, please contact the UM Shore Regional Palliative Care Program at 410-820-4434 or visit umshoreregional.org/palliativecare.

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

UM Shore Regional Palliative Care Program Welcomes Nurse Practitioner, Social Worker

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University of Maryland Shore Regional Health’s (UM SRH) Palliative Care Program recently announced the addition of nurse practitioner Megan Morrison, PhD, ARNP, FNP-BC, ACHPN, and Teresa “Terry” Rudman, LCSW-C, a licensed clinical social worker, to the team. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System. 

Morrison and Rudman will provide support for patients in the UM SRH Palliative Care Program, which works collaboratively with a patient’s primary care and specialists’ team to relieve the stress and symptoms of serious or chronic illness.

“Megan brings a breadth of experience and knowledge in the palliative care specialty and Terry brings incredibly valuable experience to serve our patients,” said Christina Ball, director, UM Shore Regional Health’s Palliative Care Program. “I have confidence that both will continue to complement our existing team and work diligently to serve our community in a positive way.”

Morrison is board certified as a family nurse practitioner and an advanced certified hospice and palliative nurse. She joined UM SRH from Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, Va., where she was a nurse practitioner. She has also worked as a nurse practitioner at Kaiser Permanente in Renton, Wash. Her clinical background includes critical care nursing, cardiac and hospice care, as well as in hospital, office and home-based palliative care. She has held teaching positions at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, Md.; Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash, and Seattle University in Seattle, Wash. She has been a part of extensive research into improving end-of-life care as well as research that focuses on patients with advanced heart failure who are living with left ventricular assist devices and has published many peer-reviewed journal articles. Morrison completed her post-master’s certificate in advance palliative nursing at the University of Colorado’s Anschutz Medical Center in Aurora, Colo., and her PhD at the University of Washington and the Cambia Palliative Care Center of Excellence in Seattle, Wash.   

Rudman, who recently relocated to the Eastern Shore, has extensive experience in addressing complex psychosocial issues with individuals and families. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va., and her Master of Social Work from New York University in New York, N.Y.  She will provide support for the psychological, social and spiritual needs of patients and families.

For more information or to request a palliative care consult, please contact the UM Shore Regional Palliative Care Program at 410-820-4434 or visit umshoreregional.org/palliativecare.

About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

 

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.