Tag Archives: Memorial Hospital at Easton

It Is Never Too Late to Begin Improving Your Heart Health

IMG_1288 (400 x 300)Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Every year it kills one in four Americans. Coronary heart disease alone costs the United States $108.9 billion each year. Most heart disease patients can help lower their risk of future heart problems if they make changes to improve their health. Building a healthier future is a partnership between you and the doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals who can help you change your health habits.

Cardiac rehabilitation (cardiac rehab) is a professionally supervised program to help people recover from heart attacks, heart surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures such as stenting and angioplasty. Cardiac rehab programs provide education and counseling to help heart patients increase physical fitness, reduce cardiac symptoms, improve health and reduce the risk of future heart problems, including heart attack.

In recognition of National Cardiac Rehabilitation Week, Shore Health paid tribute to all current and past participants. This year’s theme was “Healing Hearts and Healthy Lives.” Participants currently enrolled in the programs at Dorchester General Hospital and Memorial Hospital who are 88 years and older were recognized for their commitment to maintaining healthy lifestyle changes.

When asked what a difference the cardiac rehab program has made in their lives, Bill Ginder says, “When I first started rehab, I was somewhat apprehensive. I am now feeling younger, happy and eager. Rehab is like a family, all of the personnel can’t do enough for you towards your physical goals of health and happiness. Want to feel good, healthy and young? Go to rehab.”

Charlie Wright, 93 adds, “I don’t think I would be living if it weren’t for cardiac rehab.”

Many participants also credited the staff for their professionalism and dedication.

“Any successful organization depends on its personnel. The staff in cardiac rehab are compassionate, dedicated and are skillful,” says Paul Long. Paul Winn, age 90, started in cardiac rehab following open heart surgery in 2001 and has continued his progress, citing the program as one of the reasons for his good health.

Take it from the 10 patients who are enrolled in the program who are between the ages of 88 and 9, it is truly never too late to make a healthy lifestyle change!

To learn more about cardiac rehab programs at Shore Health, visit www.shorehealth.org.

In photo, above: Dorchester General Hospital’s Cardiac Rehab program participants show off their progress. These gentlemen, all World War II veterans, all shared their stories of how cardiac rehab has improved their health. Pictured left to right are Robert Cannon, James Carpenter, William Mossegian and Frank Wright. Back row is Charlie Wright.

IMG_1292 (400 x 300)In photo, at left: Memorial Hospital’s Cardiac Rehab participants from left to right include front row, Phyllis Meintzer, Paul Long and Grace Covington. Back row are William Ginder and Paul Winn.

Local Youth Donates to Pediatrics Unit

Donyae Miles Donation1.13 (400 x 300)For the third year in a row, a young woman asked her friends and family to buy gifts for children staying at the hospital instead of buying birthday gifts for her. Donyae Miles recently celebrated her 18th birthday with a delivery of gifts to the Pediatrics unit at Memorial Hospital. Pictured from left to right are Jennie Chambers, RN, Aryelle Miles, Natasha Wright, Donyae Miles, Fannie Wright and Janice Smith, RN. Shore Health thanks Donyae for her continued generosity and commitment to brightening the day of children who come to the hospital!

Detrich Honored as Everyday Hero

EHDetricj1212 (400 x 300)The latest Everyday Hero is Terry Detrich, MD, neurologist and Medical Director for the Primary Stroke Center at Memorial Hospital.

In a note sent with their donation to the Memorial Hospital Foundation, a grateful family wrote, “A toast to another everyday hero, Dr. Terry Detrich. Please accept the enclosed to honor a good person, a caring doctor…”

The Everyday Hero Program gives patients and their families an opportunity to thank a Shore Health System physician, employee or volunteer by making a financial donation in their name. For more information, call 410-822-1000, ext. 5915.

In photo: Terry Detrich, MD, Medical Director for the Primary Stroke Center, center, receives his Everyday Hero pin from Graham Lee, left, Vice President of Philanthropy for Shore Health, and Pat O’Shea, Director of Development for Shore Health.

 

Shore Health ICU Units Recognized

Shore Health’s ICU units at Memorial Hospital and Dorchester General were honored by the Maryland Hospital Association (MHA) for their Target Zero efforts as part of a state and national collaborative to reduce healthcare associated infections.

MHA, in partnership with the Delmarva Foundation for Medical Care and the Maryland Patient Safety Center, is part of the largest national voluntary effort to reduce the rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). The ICU units at Memorial Hospital and Dorchester General are two of 78 units in 44 Maryland hospitals participating in the collaborative.

Maryland’s “On the CUSP: Stop BSI” effort had one of the nation’s highest hospital participation rates, 90 percent, compared to the average hospital participation rate of 24 percent in states across the country.

Central line-associated bloodstream infections are a leading cause of health care-associated infections in acute care hospitals. They are usually linked to a central line or central venous catheter — a long thin tube inserted into a large vein and used to provide medicine, fluid, nutrients or blood over an extended period of time to the sickest patients. Those patients, especially the elderly and very young, may have fragile immune systems, making them more susceptible to infections.

“It is remarkable to see the efforts of our staff to reach Target Zero continue to get state and national recognition and as a result, help save more lives,” says Julie Bryan, BS, RN, CIC, Infection Prevention Coordinator.

In photo: Ryan Foster, MS, RN, Manager of the Multi-Specialty Care Unit and Critical Care at Dorchester General (left) and Cindy Beemer, MSN, RN, Nurse Manager of ICU/Telemetry at Memorial Hospital, celebrate their units success in the Maryland Hospital Association’s “On the CUSP” Stop BSI” collaborative.

 

Shore Health System Vascular Labs Receive Accreditation

The Vascular labs at Memorial Hospital at Easton and Dorchester General Hospital each earned three-year accreditation from the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories. This clinical distinction recognizes these labs for commitment to providing a high level of patient care and quality testing for the diagnosis of vascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease in its many forms is the leading cause of death in the US. Early detection of these life-threatening conditions is possible through the use of non-invasive vascular testing.

Registered vascular sonographers staff the Vascular Laboratories at Memorial Hospital and Dorchester General Hospital. They use state of the art imaging technology to measure blood as it flows through the veins and arteries throughout the body. The results of these tests help physicians diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis, peripheral vascular disease, vascular complications of diabetes, and blockages in the carotid artery, which feeds blood to the brain.

Memorial Hospital’s vascular lab has been accredited for 30 years. The vascular lab at Dorchester General began in 2009 and, due to the requirements of accreditation, was only recently eligible.

“Accreditation is a continuous process that looks at our facilities, imaging equipment, the credentials, training and continuous education validation of our staff and interpreting physicians along with testing results and protocols,” says Gary Jones, RCP, FACCA, Director of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Services for Shore Health System. “Earning accreditation means that the work we do meets the highest clinical standards of the vascular testing profession.”

For more information about the Shore Health System vascular testing program, 410-822-1000, ext. 5809.

In photo: Members of the Shore Health System Vascular Laboratory staff celebrate their accreditation. Pictured (left to right) are Amanda Helgason, BS, RDCS, Cardiovascular Sonographer; Cilica Nita, MA, RDCS, Cardiovascular Sonographer; Charles E. DiNapoli, MD, Medical Director, Vascular Lab; Lori Bratten, Department Secretary; Dudley Soulsman, RVT, Clinical Vascular Specialist; and Russ Lucas, RVT, RRT, Vascular Sonographer. Not pictured: John Lacoco, RVT, RRT, CPFT, Vascular Sonographer; Kevin Stitely, MD; and Melissa Svehla, BS, RDCS, RVT, Cardiovascular Sonographer.

Shore Health System Vascular Labs Receive Accreditation

The Vascular labs at Memorial Hospital at Easton and Dorchester General Hospital each earned three-year accreditation from the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories. This clinical distinction recognizes these labs for commitment to providing a high level of patient care and quality testing for the diagnosis of vascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease in its many forms is the leading cause of death in the US. Early detection of these life-threatening conditions is possible through the use of non-invasive vascular testing.

Registered vascular sonographers staff the Vascular Laboratories at Memorial Hospital and Dorchester General Hospital. They use state of the art imaging technology to measure blood as it flows through the veins and arteries throughout the body. The results of these tests help physicians diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions, such as deep vein thrombosis, peripheral vascular disease, vascular complications of diabetes, and blockages in the carotid artery, which feeds blood to the brain.

Memorial Hospital’s vascular lab received its first accreditation in 2009, the same year that Dorchester General Hospital opened its vascular lab. This year, 2012, was the first year the DGH lab was eligible for earning its accreditation.

“Earning accreditation is a yearlong process that looks at our facility and equipment, the credentials and training of our staff, and the testing results we produce,” says Gary Jones, RCP, FAACA, Director of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Services for Shore Health System. “Earning accreditation means that the work we do meets the highest clinical standards of the vascular testing profession.”

For more information about the Shore Health System vascular testing program, 410-822-1000, ext. 5809.

In photo: Members of the Shore Health System Vascular Laboratory staff celebrate their accreditation. Pictured (left to right) are Amanda Helgason, BS, RDCS, Cardiovascular Sonographer; Cilica Nita, MA, RDCS, Cardiovascular Sonographer; Charles E. DiNapoli, MD, Medical Director, Vascular Lab; Lori Bratten, Department Secretary; Dudley Soulsman, RVT, Clinical Vascular Specialist; and Russ Lucas, RVT, RRT, Vascular Sonographer. Not pictured: John Lacoco, RVT, RRT, CPFT, Vascular Sonographer; Kevin Stitely, MD; and Melissa Svehla, BS, RDCS, RVT, Cardiovascular Sonographer.

Camp Gets Kids Excited About Health Careers

For three days in June, 19 middle and high school students from the Mid-Shore region went to camp at the Memorial Hospital at Easton. During their experience, the young scientists learned about careers in health care.

Adventures in Health Science was led by Sherry Councell, BSN, RN, HSMI, Shore Health System’s Nurse Support Program Specialist, Cindy Slacum from the Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center (AHEC), and Tom Hudson and Sharon Pahlman from the Talbot County and Caroline County 4-H programs run by the University of Maryland.

The camp activities introduced the students to health careers through computer learning and gave them an opportunity to interact with professionals in the fields of nursing, physical therapy, emergency medicine, nutrition and radiology.

In photo, above: Sherry Councell, BSN, RN, helps Kruti Patel with a diagnosis for HAL during a simulation at the Adventures in Health Science camp. HAL is a life-like mannequin used to train nurses and other clinical staff how to assess and respond to a variety of medical conditions.

In photo: Emma Welter learns how to take her own heart rate using a stethoscope during the Adventures in Health Science camp hosted by Shore Health System at Memorial Hospital.

2012 Golf Tournament to Benefit Birthing Center

The annual Shore Health System Golf Invitational will be held on Monday, September 24 at the Talbot Country Club in Easton. Pepsi Bottling Ventures LLC, with regional headquarters in Salisbury, is the presenting sponsor for this fundraiser that will purchase equipment for the Birthing Center at Memorial Hospital at Easton.

“We are so grateful to be the beneficiary of this year’s golf tournament and are looking forward to being able to purchase equipment for laboring mothers that really makes their experience here at the Birthing Center as comfortable as possible,” says Patty MacDougall, nurse manager for Women’s and Children’s Services at Shore Health System.

The tournament begins at 11:30 a.m. with a single shot gun start. All golfers will receive a deluxe gift package, and beverages, lunch and snacks will be served on the course during play. A reception and awards presentation will follow the tournament.

Individuals and businesses can support this fundraiser for women and children’s services by becoming a sponsor. Sponsorship levels are: Eagle – $5,000; Birdie – $2,500; Pro – $1,000. Tee sponsorships are also available at $100 with a team entry and $150 for individuals and businesses with no team entry.

The tournament entry fee is $1,500 for a foursome. For more information and to register, call the Memorial Hospital Foundation, 410-822-1000, ext. 5481.

In photo: Pepsi Bottling Ventures is the presenting sponsor for the Shore Health System Golf Invitational. Pictured with one of the wheelchairs that the Birthing Center hopes to purchase to enhance the comfort and safety of new mothers are (left to right) Graham Lee, Vice President of Philanthropy for Shore Health System; Butch Townsend, 2012 Golf Invitational Chairman; David Goslee, Pepsi Bottling Ventures; Patty MacDougall, nurse manager for Women’s and Children’s Health; and Sharon Liu, DO.

Youth Donates to Pediatric Unit at Memorial Hospital

The Pediatric Unit at Memorial Hospital at Easton was visited by a very special young lady recently. Instead of gifts for her recent eighth birthday, Hannah Greene asked for friends and family to donate gift cards that she then used to purchase games and toys for the playroom on the Pediatric Unit. “I have everything I need so I wanted to give to the children for my birthday,” says Hannah. Pictured from left are Graham Lee, Vice President of Philanthropy for Shore Health, Lisa Greene, Hannah Greene, Connie Collins, RN, Patty MacDougall, MSN, RN, Nurse Manager for Women’s and Children’s Health and Pat O’Shea, Director of Development.

Bozman Man Gives Back for Exceptional Care in Requard Center for Acute Rehabilitation

Marion Bevard of Bozman retired to the Eastern Shore in 1988, following a successful career in family-owned ready-mix concrete and sand and gravel business in the Washington, D.C. area. Bevard had hunted with his father and clients years before on the Eastern Shore and dreamed one day he would live on the water here. With views of the Choptank River, his Bozman home has plenty of room for his lifelong collection of antique Mack Trucks and is providing the ideal location to teach his eight grandchildren how to fish on local Chesapeake Bay waters.

In November 2011, Bevard, a healthy active 72-year-old, got up in the middle of the night and suffered a small stroke. Fortunately, his wife, Ginger, woke up and, when she saw her husband returning to bed, she noticed that he was dragging his leg. When he spoke to her, his speech was slurred. She immediately called 911. Bevard’s hospitalization at Memorial Hospital in Easton inspired him to give back to the hospital for which he has been a donor for several years.

Bevard recalls, “I was admitted to Memorial Hospital’s Neuroscience Unit for one night and they determined that the stroke had been caused by a 70 percent blockage in my carotid artery. I was given the option to be transferred to the hospital’s Requard Center for Acute Rehabilitation, where I could have intensive rehabilitation for five consecutive days, so that is what I did.”

According to Bevard’s wife, Ginger, that call to 911 followed by immediate rehabilitation made a tremendous difference in her husband’s recovery time. She comments, “They did physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy right away in the Requard Center. The treatment plan was comprehensive and they went over all of what he needed to know to help him resume his active lifestyle upon returning home.”

Commenting on his experience at Memorial Hospital, Bevard adds, “It was a very positive experience and they made us feel right at home there. The nurses and therapists were well trained and exceptional in patient relations. They got me up and moving right away. My rehabilitation program was custom-fit to my exact needs and I made great strides.”

Until he turned 70, Bevard had only been in the hospital one time. He quips, “At age 70, I started needing spare parts and had both back and shoulder surgeries at Memorial Hospital. I have had nothing but positive experiences at Shore Health System.”

After each hospital visit, Bevard wanted to do something to say ‘thank you’ for what Memorial Hospital had done for him. He comments, “My donations are my way of showing thanks to everyone who has cared for me. The staff there has been so positive and helpful in my recoveries. I believe in sharing and I know the Memorial Hospital Foundation can benefit from the funds.”

According to Pat O’Shea, Director of Development for the Memorial Hospital Foundation, “It is critical to the growth of our Foundation to have donors like Mr. Bevard, who send us a gift every year. As a donor since 1991, he has consistently given to the Foundation, making it possible for us to continue to support enhancements to technology and programs offered by Shore Health.”

The Requard Center for Acute Rehabilitation, located at The Memorial Hospital at Easton, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities The intense inpatient rehabilitation program meets the needs of people 18 and older who demonstrate a medical need for comprehensive medical rehabilitation in a hospital setting. The Requard Center is the first and only comprehensive acute rehabilitation center of its kind for the Upper and Mid-Shore region.

For more information about giving to the Memorial Hospital Foundation, contact Pat O’Shea at 410- 822-1000, extension 5915 or visit www.shorehealth.org/giving.

For more information about services offered through Shore Comprehensive Rehabilitation, visit www.shorehealth.org/services/rehabilitation.

In photo: Pictured left are Ginger and Marion Bevard of Bozman, annual donors to the Memorial Hospital Foundation.