Dr. Maria Maguire Joins Talbot County Children’s Advocacy Center Medical Team
Maria Maguire, MD, of Easton, MD has recently been appointed Medical Director of the Talbot County Children’s Advocacy Center, joining Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SAFE) nurses Karen Denny and Leslie Collier, current members of the Center’s medical team. Dr. Maguire is currently a Physician Advisor with the Maryland Department of Health, providing consultative services to the Maryland Medicaid program. She previously was a pediatrician, with the University of Maryland Community Medical Group in Easton, MD.
Dr. Maguire received her Doctor of Medicine from Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville, TN. She completed her Internship and Residency in Pediatrics at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital in Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN. She also holds a master’s degree in public policy, with a concentration in health policy, from Princeton University Woodrow Wilson School of Public & International Affairs in Princeton, NJ.
As the medical director, Dr. Maguire provides support to help each child that comes through the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) to heal from the trauma and confusion they’ve endured, while also ensuring they receive the medical services and treatment they need. She comments, “I am delighted and honored to join the (CAC) and serve as its new medical director. The services that the CAC provides are so important to families as they navigate such a difficult period in their lives. Unfortunately, abuse of children is much too common, and it is imperative that our community provides a safe, comfortable place for children to receive services.”
Lauren Krasco, Coordinator of the CAC adds, “The medical director of the CAC ensures that each child receives the highest quality medical services, including mental health services. She is an excellent addition to our team of SAFE nurses, as well as can serve as a resource to local pediatricians and provide education to the community on these important issues.”
Karen Denny, SAFE Nurse with the Center for 11 years, comments, “As SAFE nurses, we help assist with exams, as well as perform them independently, providing a standard of care here that is practiced nationwide. Having the children be seen at the CAC helps for a more pleasant atmosphere for the child victim.”
Leslie Collier, another SAFE nurse on the team, comments, “Our team works so well together, we are a family without a doubt. Everyone has the best interest of the kids at heart, and work side by side to ensure they have the best possible outcomes.”
Talbot County Department of Social Services partnered with the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton to develop the Regional Medical Program for child sexual abuse victims. Medical services necessary for child sexual abuse victims were not available in the Mid-Shore region in 2002 (Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne, and Talbot counties). Families and children often had to travel to Baltimore or Washington, DC. Today, the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton provides the physical space for the Children’s Advocacy Center, infrastructure support to the Mid-Shore Medical Program, including security, partnership through the Nurse Manager of the birthing center, services of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Coordinator and support from Pediatrics.
In addition to the Talbot County Department of Social Services and the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton, pediatricians and nurses, a number of other agencies are represented on the multi-disciplinary team, which assists the Center in providing services to the victims and their families on the Mid Shore. These partners include the State’s Attorney’s Office, a mental health therapist, the Talbot County Sheriff’s Department, the Maryland State Police, the Easton Police Department, and the St. Michael’s Police Department. Regional service delivery is choreographed to the needs of the victim and within the best practice standards for the investigation. Since its beginnings, over 516 children, who have been sexually abused, have received forensic medical examinations through the Mid-Shore Medical Program. Talbot County Children’s Advocacy Center is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance.
Talbot Community Connections (TCC), a 14-member volunteer nonprofit board, was formed to raise funds to enhance the Talbot County Department of Social Services’ capacity to respond directly to problems of safety and well-being of county citizens. The funds raised by TCC help abused children through the CAC. In addition to grant funds, the Center operates on donated funds from the community. The generous contribution of space and facility infrastructure from Shore Health System is essential to keeping the Center’s doors open. To donate to Talbot Community Connections for the Children’s Advocacy Center, visit talbotcommunityconnections.org. For further information about the CAC or to make a donation, contact Lauren Krasko at 410-820-7141.