A Week In Business

A Week In Business
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Taylor Bank Earns Highest Rating

BERLIN – Bauer Financial Inc. has announced that Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company has earned its highest 5-Star Superior rating for financial strength and stability.

Bauer Financial Inc. has been analyzing and reporting on the nation’s banks for over 25 years. The rating is based on the overall financial picture of the bank and a 5-Star rating indicates that Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company is one of the strongest banks in the nation. This is the 75th consecutive quarter that Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company has earned this highest honor. Only 6 percent of the nation’s banks can claim this distinction.

“The number of 5-Star rated banks is diminishing,” said Karen L. Dorway, president of Bauer Financial Inc., “but that doesn’t mean they are extinct. Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company is an excellent example of traditional, conservative banking. In this new era of ‘back to basics’ thinking, this is exactly what you should be looking for in a bank.”

Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company was established in 1890 and has been serving the banking needs of its neighbors and friends for 119 years. It operates through 10 conveniently located offices, one in Ocean View, Del. and the rest in Worcester County.

Main Street Program Accredited

BERLIN – The Berlin Main Street Program has been designated an accredited National Main Street Program for meeting the commercial district revitalization performance standards set by the National Trust Main Street Center.

Each year, the National Trust and its coordinating program partners announce the list of accredited Main Street programs that have built strong revitalization organizations that have demonstrated their ability to follow the Main Street methodology.

"We congratulate this year’s nationally accredited Main Street programs for meeting our established performance standards," said Doug Loescher, director of the National Trust Main Street Center. "Rebuilding a district’s economic health and maintaining that success requires broad-based community involvement and support, in addition to establishing a solid organization with sound management that is committed to long-term success."

PRMC Recognized

SALISBURY – Peninsula Regional Medical Center has earned Quality Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) under a national program aimed at helping patients and their families make informed decisions about the quality of the respiratory care services available in United States hospitals. The recognition program was established in 2003 by the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC).

Only 700 hospitals, about 15 percent of all hospitals in the U.S., have earned this award.

“This prestigious award is a testament to our highly skilled respiratory therapists and their dedication to our patients and community,” said Michael Hewitt, Director of Respiratory Care, Pulmonary Diagnostics, Sleep & Neurology at Peninsula Regional Medical Center. “These folks come to work every day and deliver effective care in a caring and compassionate manner at a level that rivals any of the academic centers I have worked at in the past.”

Hospitals that have been awarded the QRCR designation, like Peninsula Regional, ensure patient safety by agreeing to adhere to a strict set of criteria governing their respiratory care services. To qualify, Peninsula Regional was required to meet a stringent set of conditions including that all respiratory therapists employed at the Medical Center to deliver bedside respiratory care are legally recognized by the state of Maryland to provide that care or hold the CRT or RRT credential, and that they be available 24 hours per day.

Bank Awards Presented

BERLIN – Farmers Bank of Willards recently announced its employee awards for the first quarter of 2009.

Receiving the Customer Service Award was Carrie Wilson, who has worked at the Farmers Bank of Willards for three years. 

Earning the Employee Appreciation Award was Judy Smack, who joined the Farmers Bank of Willards in 1986 and has worked as a teller for 15 years before being appointed to the position of OFAC Officer.

AGH Ad Campaign Honored

BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital’s advertising campaign, 30 Minute ER Promise, garnered a first place award in the annual Alfred Knight Awards competition, sponsored by the Maryland Society of Healthcare Strategy & Market Development.

In 2008, it achieved the Platinum Award from the prestigious MarCom Awards, an international competition for marketing and communications administered by the Association of Marketing & Communications Professionals. The same year, the campaign won first place in the Summit International Awards for its marketing effectiveness.

“It is extremely rewarding to receive the award; however the true success lies in the return on our investment that we have demonstrated throughout this campaign,” said Toni Keiser, vice president of public relations at Atlantic General. “We are fortunate to be able to provide our community with convenient, compassionate, quality care and simply wrapped a basic message around a superb service. Through the success of this campaign we have witnessed first hand the tremendous confidence our community places in the services provided by Atlantic General Hospital and Health System.”

Commenting on the awards won for the program, Phillip Nones, president of Mullin/Ashley Associates, said, “This was a very exciting campaign to develop. It’s inspiring to promote a service like the 30 Minute ER Promise that is fulfilling a genuine need. Atlantic General Hospital was willing to make a significant commitment to the community – the first hospital on Delmarva – and the results have been a spectacular success.”

Top Producer Named

WILLARDS – Atlantic/Smith, Cropper & Deeley Insurance Brokers has recognized Bob Frederick as Top Producer for the month of April.

Frederick joined the agency in November 2008 as an account executive. He is licensed in Maryland and Delaware for property and casualty as well as life and health, which is his primary focus.

Top Agents Announced

BERLIN – Hileman Real Estate has named Sonia Zaffiris as top listing agent and Bethany Drew as top sales agent for the month of April.

Ribbon Cutting On Tap

BERLIN – Atlantic Office and the Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce are hosting a Ribbon Cutting on May 20 at 11:30 a.m.

Located in the Cathell Professional Building on Route 50, Atlantic Office offers an alternative for small businesses and non-profit organizations to provide a professional atmosphere for those needing office space, business machines, accounting and payroll services at an affordable price, considerably reducing overhead costs of operating a full-service office. In addition, The Atlantic Room will provide the community with a multi-purpose space for meetings, parties, weddings, seminars and any other gatherings.

Members of the community who are interested in learning more about Atlantic Office or the Atlantic Room are invited. Refreshments will be served.

Hospital Names Employee Of Year

SALISBURY – Ann Turner of Cambridge, Maryland, who works in the Education Department at Peninsula Regional, was recently named Employee of the Year at the Medical Center’s annual employee recognition banquet held in conjunction with National Hospital Week.

While presenting the Employee of the Year, President Peggy Naleppa described Turner, a critical care clinical specialist/educator and nurse, as a 27-year veteran of the Medical Canter who’s always there when you need her. Naleppa added that what you hear most about Turner is that she’s extremely knowledgeable, has an incredible ability to make learning fun, and is a consummate educator, a role model and mentor to her peers.