The Chester River Health Foundation has announced the public phase of a two-year capital campaign titled, Health Care Excellence: Close to Home, Close to Your Heart. The campaign goal is to raise $450,000 to fund two crucial pieces of medical technology for UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown: the new GE Revolution EVO (128-slice) CT scanner for Radiology and a chemistry analyzer for Laboratory Services. Serving as co-chairs for the capital campaign are Jane Hukill, Melvin Rapelyea, MD and Susan Ross, MD.

 

 

“The Foundation has been on the forefront of efforts to ensure the future of services at the hospital in Chestertown by raising funds for equipment and services that maintain and enhance the standard of excellence,” said Barrie Meima, Foundation Board chair. “In past years, this work has included spearheading the development of the Eleanor & Ethel Leh Women’s Center, providing state-of-the-art equipment for the Emergency Department, replacing most all surgical instruments for the operating rooms, and funding scholarships for advanced education and certification of employees.”

“The Foundation has once again stepped forward to raise significant funding for the purchase of these two pieces of equipment that will enhance the capabilities of the hospital now and into the future,” Meima continued. “Although the CT scanner has arrived on site, it still needs to be paid for. We expect the arrival of two new chemistry analyzers before the end of calendar year 2020 and the Foundation has committed to fully fund one of them.”

 

 

“The new CT scanner is the indispensable tool used to diagnose illnesses and damage involving the brain and other soft tissues,” said Melvin Rapelyea, MD. “The most common yet critical CT exams identify strokes, heart attacks, trauma to the abdomen, shortness of breath, clots, internal bleeding and cancer.”

“Chemistry analyzers are the backbone of all diagnostic laboratory work at every hospital,” said Susan Ross, MD. “These absolutely essential pieces of equipment perform a broad spectrum of critical diagnostic testing, which doctors rely on to assist us in the care we provide for our patients.”

 

 

Since the hospital’s inception, the Kent and northern Queen Anne’s communities have benefitted from access to state-of-the-art medical technology, in large part due to the community’s steadfast and passionate charitable support.

“The Foundation is standing very tall today as I proudly announce that we have reached 50 percent of our $450,000 goal,” Meima said. “The community is now being asked to once again affirm the need for excellent health care at its hospital in Chestertown by supporting this
campaign.”

For more information about how you can help, or if you would like to receive a printed or digital copy of the Health Care Excellence: Close to Home, Close to Your Heart campaign booklet, please contact Maryann Ruehrmund, Foundation executive director, 410-810-5660 or
[email protected]. You may also visit the Foundation’s website: www.umcrhf.org to make a gift.

The Chester River Hospital Center Auxiliary has stepped up in a big way to be the lead sponsor of the Chester River Health Foundation’s 24th annual golf tournament fundraiser, scheduled for Friday, June 1, at Chester River Yacht and Country Club just outside of Chestertown, Maryland. The proceeds will help fund the purchase of state-of-the-art surgical equipment for the hospital.

“For 24 years, the Foundation’s premiere fundraiser has always been our golf tournament because it raises funds for the highest priority project or equipment that benefit the people served at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown,” says Carl Gallegos, Ph.D., Foundation board chair. “This year, proceeds will help purchase all-new arthroscopic (joint procedures) and laparoscopic (abdominal and other procedures) equipment for the surgical services department. We are very pleased that the Auxiliary not only understands but significantly supports our efforts to provide this vital equipment for our community.”

“All nine of our surgeons — general, orthopedic, obstetricians/gynecologists and podiatrists –use this equipment for exploratory, diagnosis and treatment procedures,” says Peggy Roca, RN, manager of perioperative services for the hospital. “This equ1ipment allows a technique that significantly reduces a patient’s surgical pain and healing time while also reduces the chance of infection and post-op complications.”

“Our patients deserve the best,” says Roca. “So whether you play golf or not, we hope you will support the Foundation’s endeavor to raise $200,000 for this equipment, with a donation of any size by June 30^th. Eight of our Operating Room, Same Day Surgery and Recovery Room nurses will be volunteering at the golf tournament, so if you  happen to be on the course on June 1^st, please be sure to ask any one of them how important this equipment is to providing the best health care community!”

Last year’s golf tournament attracted 128 players and raised over $96,000 toward the purchase of 10 suites of patient room furnishings. This year’s format will be a step-aside scramble and will feature four Hole-In-One competitions and will include a putting contest for a. $10,000 prize (50% to the winner, 50% to the Foundation) and many other events along the course with chances to win some terrific prizes.

Registration for golfers and sponsors is now open online at: www.umcrhf.org

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Deb Lauser, development specialist, 410-810-5661 or [email protected].

The University of Maryland Chester River Health Foundation will host an informative seminar, “The Importance of Advance Directives, the MOLST Form and Their Relationship to Elder Law,” on Saturday, April 1, 2017 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. in the second floor meeting room of the Chestertown Town Hall.

      

Photos: From left – Wayne D. Benjamin, M.D, Ann K. Goodman, Esq, and Madeline Steffens, BSN, RN, CHPN 

Guest presenters will be Wayne D. Benjamin, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician and a member of the medical staff at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown; Ann K. Goodman, Esq., a partner in the law firm of Parker Counts, whose practice focuses on estate and tax planning and estate administration with a special concentration in elder law, asset protection and planning for individuals with disabilities; and Madeline Steffens, RN, BSN, CHPN, palliative care nurse and Shore Regional Health’s Palliative Care Program Coordinator.

This informational seminar will explore the importance and implications of an Advance Directive, the Maryland MOLST (Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment) form, how they are different, what they mean “at the bedside,” and their legal utilization.  In additional, Attorney Goodman has been asked to provide a list of the “Top Five” suggestions for actions to take now in order to prepare for the future.  Ample agenda time has been scheduled for questions and answers.

To register for the seminar, please contact Debra Lauser at UM Chester River Health Foundation at (410) 810-5681 or by email at [email protected].  This event is free and open to the public. However, seating is limited and therefore pre-registration is required.  Light refreshments will be served.