Tag Archives: Memorial Hospital at Easton

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.

Shore Health Nurse Initiates Operation Power Purse Program

Shore Health System recently kicked off “Operation Power Purse,” a new program to help sexual assault victims on the road to recovery.

After a sexual assault, women may come to Dorchester General Hospital or Memorial Hospital at Easton for a forensic exam. Since their clothing is often a key piece of evidence for law enforcement, the women often do not have any clothes to wear home other than paper scrubs given to them in the emergency department.

Through Operation Power Purse, victims will be given a bag filled with a change of clothes, toiletries and other personal items.

“Going through the experience of a sexual assault and the subsequent forensic exam is a traumatizing experience for these victims,” says Jessica Fluharty, RN, FNE-A, who initiated the Operation Power Purse program. “We hope that by giving them back a bit of their dignity, we can give these women a healthy and safe new start after such a terrible event.”

Donations of gently worn clothing, new packs of undergarments and socks as well as toiletries, such as shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste are needed to create the “Power Purses.” Donation boxes are set up in the waiting room areas of the emergency departments at Dorchester General Hospital and Memorial Hospital at Easton and at the Queen Anne’s Emergency Center. The Drop-off boxes at Zambino’s restaurant in Easton and MacSorley Real Estate in Cambridge will be available through the month of April.

Monetary donations are also being accepted for the Operation Power Purse program. Donations can be sent to the Memorial Hospital Foundation, Operation Power Purse, 219 S. Washington Street, Easton, Maryland 21601.

Operation Power Purse is an initiative of the Shore Health Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) program. The SAFE program meets the needs of sexually assault victims by providing immediate, compassionate, culturally sensitive and comprehensive forensic evaluation and treatment by a trained nurse expert. In place since the early 1990s, the SAFE program provides first-response care 24 hours a day to adults and children who have been the victims of sexual assault.

A forensic nurse is a nurse who has completed specialized training in forensic evidence collection. SAFE nurses are also trained to obtain a preliminary patient history and to conduct a physical examination, including a pelvic exam, to collect appropriate evidence.

“The SAFE nurse has a crucial role during the initial interactions with patients reporting sexual abuse or assault, since it is likely that the victims have been subjected to psychological and physical trauma,” says Karen Jackson, RN, FNE A/P, Coordinator for Shore Health’s SAFE program. “We hope that Operation Power Purse can make a major difference in how victims of assault feel about their experience in a hospital.”

For more information about the Operation Power Purse program, contact Jessica Fluharty at 410-822-1000, ext. 7976 or jkleppinger@shorehealth.org.

In photo: Jessica Fluharty, RN, FNE-A, collects some of the toiletries needed to create a “power purse” for victims of sexual assault.

Volunteer of the Week- Donyae Miles

By Ron Stafford

Q: Which organizations do you volunteer for?
A: Even though I am a busy senior at Queen Anne’s County High School, I was fortunate that, for the second straight year, I was able have my family, friends and community purchase toys for children hospitalized during the holiday season. I did this instead of getting gifts for myself. My sister, mother, grandmother, and I recently visited the Memorial Hospital at Easton on my birthday to deliver bags of goodies for the young children there.

Q: What do you find particularly rewarding about volunteering?
A: I live a life that is so blessed, and I feel that I should bless others and help others in return. I’m always looking for ways to help others. I do want to volunteer more in the future, and I’m looking for other ways to do so.

Pictured from left are Patty MacDougall, MSN, RN, Nurse Manager for the Women and Children’s Health, Wendy Sauca, RN, Marci Chambers, RN, Aryelle Miles, Donyae Miles, Natasha Miles and Fannie Wright.

Teen Gives Gifts to Hospitalized Children

For the second straight year, Donyae Miles of Centreville asked her family, friends and community to purchase toys for children hospitalized during the holiday season. Miles did this in lieu of birthday gifts. The teenager, along with her sister, mother and grandmother visited the Memorial Hospital at Easton on her birthday to deliver bags of goodies for young children. Pictured from left are Patty MacDougall, MSN, RN, Nurse Manager for the Women and Children’s Health, Wendy Sauca, RN, Marci Chambers, RN, Aryelle Miles, Donyae Miles, Natasha Miles and Fannie Wright.

Preston Youth Hold Book Drive

Memorial Hospital at Easton received a visit from two very special little boys and their mother this holiday season. Colin and Chris Baynard of Preston, held a book drive that they called “Cheer for Children” to gather books for children who would be spending the holidays at the hospital. Pictured with Colin, age 8 and Chris, age 6, are Patty MacDougall, nurse manager for Women and Children’s Health, Phyllis Pensel, RN, Marci Chambers, RN and their mother, Casey Baynard.

Local Businesses Donate Trees to Shore Health System

Two local businesses helped bring holiday cheer to Memorial Hospital at Easton recently with the donation of decorated trees from the 2011 Talbot Hospice Festival of Trees.

PNC Bank generously donated a tree from the 2011 Talbot Hospice Festival of Trees to the Same Day Surgery unit at MHE. The tablestop tree will greet patients, family members and staff throughout the holiday season. Pictured from left are Susan Walbridge, RN, MSN, Manager, Ambulatory Care Services; Stephanie Lutz, RNBC; Jane Henning, Branch Manager,PNC Bank, Marlboro Branch; Cindy Coulbourne, Unit Secretary; Chris Laznovsky, Branch Manager, PNC Bank, Elliott Road Branch; and Jorge L. Melendez, AVP WorkPlace Business Development Officer, PNC Bank.

The Pediatrics Unit at MHE will be a little brighter during the holiday season thanks to a donation from SeaWatch International. The Snoopy tree will remain in the playroom of the Pediatric unit to bring some extra holiday happiness to children and their families. Pictured from left are Connie Chambers, RN; Doug Morrow, Human Resources Director, SeaWatch International; Jan Smith, RN. (SeaWatchTree1211.jpg)

Malfunctioning Computer Cause of Odor In Memorial Hospital ED

This morning (11/22/11), at 4:33 a.m., staff from the Memorial Hospital at Easton’s Emergency Department called Talbot County Emergency Management to report an irritating odor that they had detected.

Thanks to the staff’s quick and professional response, the 12 patients who were in the Emergency Department were moved to an area not affected by the odor and the Emergency Department’s contained heating and air handling system was shut down. Responders from local and regional EMS, fire and police departments arrived at the hospital to assist and ensure the safety of everyone inside and outside of the building. The rest of the hospital remained safely in operation. Incoming ambulances were routed to Dorchester General Hospital and Queen Anne’s Emergency Center as needed during the event.

A specialized hazardous materials team from Anne Arundel County entered the emergency department to determine the cause of the odor. They found that one of the mobile computers in the emergency department had a malfunctioning battery, which was emitting the odor. By 7:15 am, members of the hazardous materials team and the Easton fire department chief confirmed that the hospital was safe. Shortly thereafter, patients were moved back into the emergency department and all other services resumed.

Ken Kozel, President and CEO, comments, “Thanks to the quick and professional response of our staff, we were able to keep everyone safe while the cause of the odor was found. The coordinated efforts of our staff and our community emergency response partners made it possible for us to get the hospital back to full services quickly.”

Students Donate Pumpkins for Pediatrics

Members of the Easton High School Interact and Students Helping Other People (SHOP) Clubs visited The Memorial Hospital at Easton this week to deliver a donation of decorated pumpkins for the Pediatrics unit. Interact is an Easton Rotary sponsored service club for young people ages 14 to 18. Students Helping Other People (SHOP) is a community service organization within the school system. Children who are patients at Memorial Hospital select a pumpkin to take home when they are discharged. Pictured are (left to right) Marcy Chambers, RN; Ariana McGuirk, Bailey Harris, Riley Walter and Madeline Beck, representing the Interact and SHOP clubs; and Jenni Chambers, RN.

Memorial Hospital Blood Gas Lab Earns Accreditation

The Memorial Hospital at Easton Blood Gas Lab Laboratory has been awarded re-accreditation by the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation of the College of American Pathologists (CAP) based on the results of a recent onsite inspection.

The Blood Gas Lab, which is under the medical direction of Greg Oliver, MD, is responsible for blood testing procedures that provide detailed information about how well a person is breathing. The results produced by the lab help physicians determine if patients require supplemental oxygen, breathing assistance through a ventilator, and other medical treatment.

During the accreditation process, CAP inspectors examine the laboratory’s records and quality control of procedures for the preceding two years. The inspectors also examine the entire staff’s qualifications, the laboratory’s equipment, facilities, safety program and record, as well as the overall management of the laboratory. This stringent inspection program is designed to ensure the highest standard of care for patients.

Memorial Hospital operates one of the more than 7,000 CAP-accredited laboratories nationwide. CAP, which is the world’s largest association composed exclusively of pathologists, is an advocate for high quality and cost effective medical care.

Camp Gets Kids Excited About Health Careers

For three days in June, 20 middle and high school students from the Mid-Shore region went to camp at the Memorial Hospital at Easton. During their Adventures in Health Science experience, the young scientists learned about bones and muscles by dissecting a cooked chicken and labeling their own bones, joints and muscles.

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.

The students used a computer simulation to perform virtual hip and knee surgery and they learned about the use of lifts and walkers for people who have orthopedic injuries or illnesses.