For All Seasons will host the fifth annual Frosty’s Holiday Village event on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Anchor Church at 620 Goldsborough Street in Easton, with parking available at The Country School. This year’s event will feature over 50 inflatables and a larger resource tent featuring 12 resource partners who will provide fun games and important resources for families.

All activities will be free and include favorites such as professional photos with Frosty and friends, holiday crafts, Letters to Santa, Cascading Carlos the Juggler, face painting, complimentary cocoa and sweet winter treats, and a continuous showing of “Frosty’s Winter Wonderland” on the big screen. Participants are encouraged to pre-register for their photos with Frosty to avoid long wait times.

Resource partners to be featured at the event to date include Talbot County Health Department, Talbot County Parks & Recreation, Sante Group, Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center, Talbot County Free Library, Talbot County Department of Social Services, Anchor Church, CareFirst BlueCross and BlueShield. Presenting sponsors include The St. John Foundation, Willow Construction, Eastern Shore Tents and Events, and Easton Utilities. Additional sponsors include PepUp, A Tri Gas Family Company; Talbot County Health Department, La De Da!, Mid-South Audio, Anchor Church, Christ Church Easton, Carl Pergler and  Mary Lou Butler, Beth Anne and Matt Dorman, Tom and Alexa Seip, Diane L. Rohman, Leslie Briggs, Bill Flook, Len and Ann Wolf, Diane Flagler, Sally Heckman, Melissa Kelly and family, Sharon Pepukayi, Teresa Snyder, Sidney and Jim Trond, and Lauren and Josh Weber.

“Through the generous support of our sponsors, we can continue to provide a free event for hundreds of families to celebrate the holiday season. It has become a community tradition that brings joy to those who attend each year,” comments Sidney Trond, Director of Development, For All Seasons.

Preregistration for professional photos with Frosty is encouraged at forallseasonsfrosty.org.

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For All Seasons Behavioral Health & Rape Crisis Center offers mental health services, victim and crisis support, and education and outreach on Maryland’s Mid-Shore and throughout the state. The agency’s unique model of care ensures that anyone can receive high-quality, trauma-certified mental health care when they need it – regardless of language or ability to pay. For information about For All Seasons’ walk-in hours, call 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

Stephen Carter-Hicks, a musical performer with a rich history on Broadway, national tours, and with Cirque du Soleil, will join the guests at the Talisman Therapeutic Riding Sleigh Celebration on December 5th from 5:00 to 8:00 at the Hyatt Kent Island. 

Known for his powerful vocal performances and engaging stage presence, Carter-Hicks performed in Cats as Old Deuteronomy, played key roles in Beauty and the Beast

and served seven years as wig master, vocal coach, and performer with Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity.  He is an accomplished cabaret artist with three recorded albums, including Step Into My Parlor, available on Apple Music and other streaming platforms.

Beyond the spotlight, Carter-Hicks carries an important message of resilience. Diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), he is a dedicated advocate and long-time volunteer for the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA). He frequently leverages his performances to raise awareness and funds for the incurable disease.

Tickets are $150 per person and $1,500 for reserved table of eight. For further information, go to www.talismantherapeuticriding.org or call 443-239-9400.

Choptank Community Health System is proud to join communities across the country in celebrating National Rural Health Day on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

The observance was created in 2011 by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health. It is held each year to spotlight the unique challenges facing rural communities and to honor the resilience of the nearly 61 million people who call rural America home.

“Rural communities are the backbone of our state, and their health is vital to our collective future,” said Choptank Health President and CEO Sara Rich. “We’re proud to celebrate National Rural Health Day and honor the unwavering commitment of rural healthcare providers, organizations, and community leaders who work every day to improve the lives of others.”

This year, Choptank Health marked the occasion by participating in the Rural Maryland Council’s Health-Focused Bus Tour, which highlighted Choptank Health’s new Federalsburg Health Center. The tour highlighted the innovative approaches Choptank Health is using to improve health and wellness for the Mid-Shore’s rural communities.

“Our Federalsburg Health Center is a great example of the critical role that accessible, community-based medical, dental and behavioral health services play in supporting our communities,” said Rich. “Each of our seven health centers is strategically located to address the needs of each community we serve.”

Founded in 1978 as Caroline Health Services, Inc., Choptank Health began as a private, nonprofit organization with a clear mission to provide comprehensive primary health care to the residents of Caroline County.

In 1980, the organization opened its first health center in Goldsboro, staffed by two providers. Choptank continues to serve patients in Goldsboro, a testament to Choptank Health’s longstanding dedication to community health.

Over time, Choptank Health expanded its services and regional footprint. The organization began establishing school-based health centers in 1999, and dental services were added in 2001.

“Today, Choptank Health provides medical, dental, behavioral, and school-based health services to more than 30,000 children and adults in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties,” said Rich.

Rich noted that programs such as telehealth, mobile health, and school-based health help Choptank Health reach more people in the most rural regions.

Choptank Health’s Mobile Health Unit travels weekly to communities such as Marydel and Millington, offering same-day and walk-up medical, behavioral, and dental services. The unit also takes part in community health fairs and other regional events.

In partnership with local public schools, Choptank Health operates School-Based Health Centers in Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties. These centers offer coordinated medical, dental, nutrition, and behavioral health care for enrolled students and school staff.

Rich said that by bringing care directly into neighborhoods, schools, and underserved areas, Choptank Health continues to reduce barriers and make services more accessible to Mid-Shore residents.

Choptank Community Health System provides medical and dental care to more than 30,000 adults and children, fulfilling its mission to deliver exceptional, comprehensive, and integrated health care for all. New medical patients are welcome at all Choptank locations. More information is available at www.choptankhealth.org.

Details about National Rural Health Day are at www.powerofrural.org.

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.

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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.

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.”

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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.

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.

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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.

In honor of Veterans’ Day this month, For All Seasons is bringing the focus to the mental health of families and caregivers of veterans, active service, and reserve members who can experience a unique set of challenges, stressors, and traumas, from deployment and combat to reintegrating into civilian life after leaving the military.

According to Timothy Nowicki, a licensed clinician at For All Seasons, family members of veterans and service members have varying experiences and perspectives on how the military experience affects them.

“Veterans often have intense jobs and need to learn more about the mind-body connection, particularly as it relates to trauma, when reintegrating into civilian life and their homelives,” Nowicki shares.

“Those who have served have followed a military chain of command, and learning to manage the fluidity of familial relationships can be challenging,” he adds.

Other family stressors for active service members’ and veterans’ families include extended and repeated deployments, financial and housing instability, and food shortages – all risk factors for poor mental health. Caregivers of veterans also have an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety themselves.

Mental health tools that can help families and veterans cope include:

• psychoeducation – giving people the knowledge, language, and tools to help them manage their mental health. This can include connecting bodily reactions to emotional awareness.
• developing open and ongoing communication – listening without judgment helps veterans and family members feel understood and supported
• helping veterans feel a part of the community
• engaging in individual and group therapy

According to Beth Anne Dorman, president and CEO of For All Seasons, 100% of the For All Seasons team is trained in cultural competency around service members, veterans, and their families. “We strive to meet veterans where they are and provide a safe space for them to sit,” Dorman shares.

For All Seasons offers therapy, psychiatry, victim and crisis support, and education to the community – including veterans and their families. This includes Open Access, which is the agency’s walk-in and telehealth service that allows individuals and families to begin therapy with no appointment needed and no waitlist.

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For All Seasons Behavioral Health & Rape Crisis Center offers mental health services, victim and crisis support, and education & outreach on Maryland’s Mid-Shore and throughout the state. The agency’s unique model of care ensures anyone can receive the highest-quality, trauma-certified mental health care when they need it, regardless of language or ability to pay. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

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.

 

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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.

 

This year, Choptank Health is recognizing two decades of providing women across Maryland’s Mid-Shore with compassionate, comprehensive care. This milestone underscores the organization’s growth and commitment to the communities it serves.

 

Choptank Health’s women’s healthcare services are provided by a trusted care team of physicians, physician assistants, certified midwives, nurse practitioners, and other healthcare professionals.

The team of specialists provides preventive screenings, gynecological care, prenatal care, postpartum care, and other essential services, enabling women to access trusted care at every stage of life.

President and CEO Sara Rich said the anniversary highlights how women’s health has long been at the center of Choptank Health’s mission.

“Choptank Health remains committed to ensuring that women in our communities have access to high-quality, affordable, and compassionate care close to home, regardless of their ability to pay,” Rich said. “Our women’s health services are a vital part of how we fulfill our mission and build healthier communities.”

Recent partnerships are helping advance that mission. Through collaboration with Upstream, a national nonprofit that supports health centers in expanding patient-centered care, Choptank Health has strengthened and expanded counseling and women’s health services within primary care visits.

Upstream’s mission is to increase access to person-centered contraceptive care. They cultivate active partnerships across more than 30 states with over 200 healthcare organizations, including Choptank Health.

“Partnering with Upstream helps us bring additional support and resources to the care we provide,” said Sarah Worm, Choptank Health’s Director of Clinical Services. “This work is about giving women more opportunities to have meaningful conversations with their providers and ensuring they feel supported in their health decisions.”Worm says the partnership also enables Choptank Health to equip all exam rooms with patient education materials, which are provided to patients who express a desire to discuss their women’s health concerns during their visit.

Choptank Health serves more than 30,000 adults and children across Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties. With medical, dental, and school-based health services, its reach extends across the region. For many women, the most personal connection is with the midwives and nurse practitioners who accompany them through life’s most significant moments.

As Choptank Health celebrates 20 years of women’s health care, its message is clear: this work is about building healthier futures for women and families across Maryland’s Mid-Shore.

New medical patients are welcome at all Choptank Health locations. More information is available at www.choptankhealth.org