A Week In Business

A Week In Business
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Development Director Named

SALISBURY — The Delmarva Zoological Society (DZS), the non-profit organization set up to raise capital funds for the Salisbury Zoological Park, has hired Cathy Bassett as its first development director.

Bassett has been involved with the Salisbury Zoo for the past five years in a variety of volunteer positions. She was asked to help the zoo’s capital campaign in 2008 and provided marketing and public relations support. She joined the campaign cabinet in 2009 and then became a member of the Delmarva Zoological Society Board in 2010. She has led the marketing and fundraising committee and helped create the successful Just Zoo It! program with area school children last fall.

"Cathy has so much passion for helping the zoo, and we are thrilled she will be joining us in this new capacity," said J.P. DuBuque, chair of DZS. "Her enthusiasm is contagious and she has brought a number of wonderful people on board to help us fulfill our mission. With her help, we are taking DZS to the next level and we look forward to building on the momentum we’ve seen in this community for our zoo."

Among her goals will be to establish a successful planned giving program for the zoo and to boost corporate support for the free community institution.

"Whether you grew up here, are raising kids now, or just moved to the area, the Salisbury Zoo is a tremendous asset to this community," Bassett said. "We are so lucky to have it and I am really looking forward to tapping into that community support to ensure that it will be here for the next generation of families in Salisbury. It is one of those places that makes Salisbury special and it deserves our strong support."

Executive Director Appointed

SALISBURY — The Board of Directors of the Delmarva Education Foundation has selected Rota L. Knott to serve as its new executive director.

Knott began work in her new capacity on July 23, replacing Katherine A. Harting, who has retired from the position.

DEF is a nonprofit organization that helps residents of Wicomico, Worcester and Somerset counties find money to continue their education. Its mission is to improve college access and success for residents of the lower Delmarva Peninsula.

“We are excited about the experience and talent that Rota Knott brings to DEF and at the same time we will miss Kat Harting’s strong leadership,” said Michael Pennington, board president. “Fortunately, Ms. Harting has agreed to continue to support DEF as a volunteer, so we will be getting the best possible outcome that could be expected from this change.”

Knott has been a resident of the Lower Shore for more than two decades and now lives in Salisbury. A graduate of Salisbury State University with a degree in communications, she has extensive experience working with nonprofit organizations. Knott comes to DEF from Women Supporting Women, a breast cancer support and awareness organization. She previously worked for Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County as the ReStore manager. Knott’s commitment to nonprofits over the years has included involvement as an employee, volunteer and board member. A long-time journalist, she has also worked for several local and regional publications.

“I look forward to furthering DEF’s mission by building on the strong foundation already in place and expanding our reach in the three lower counties,” Knott said. “As a recipient of scholarships and grants that covered the cost of my college education, I know firsthand how important such assistance can be to the college-bound."

Medical Staff Addition

BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital and Health System announced that pulmonologist Peter Costantini, D.O, joined their medical staff to provide outpatient pulmonary care in their Berlin Primary Care office.

Costantini has been providing pulmonary and intensivist care for nearly 35 years. Prior to joining Atlantic General, he was the director of the Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Unit and the Respiratory Care Department at Shore Medical Center in Somers Point, N.J. He is board certified in internal medicine with certificates in medical diseases of the chest and in critical.

Agent Honored With Award

WILLARDS – The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research has announced that Alicia Woodhouse is the 2012 Outstanding CSR of the Year recipient for the state of Maryland.

In addition to an essay she wrote as part of the program, Woodhouse was selected for having demonstrated outstanding service and professionalism within the insurance community.

Woodhouse has been associated with Atlantic/Smith, Cropper & Deeley Insurance Agency for five years.

“Alicia was chosen as a state winner for exemplifying the characteristics and qualifications required to be eligible for the prestigious National Outstanding CSR of the Year Award,” said Dr. William T. Hold, president of

The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research. “She represents the backbone of the insurance community, those customer service representatives distinguished for providing exceptional service on a daily basis.”

New Medical Director Named

SALISBURY — Thomas M. DeMarco, MD was recently named the next Medical Director of the Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute at Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) in Salisbury.

“I am flattered that the Board of Trustees and the Executive Team of PRMC has entrusted me with such an important task,” said DeMarco. “Our goal will be to further integrate all aspects of cancer care for the community in one convenient location.”

In this role, Dr. DeMarco serves as the lead Medical Director of the Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute, and is charged with improving the overall quality of care and patient experience through the course of the oncology patient’s continuum of care. He coordinates and facilitates the development, integration and direction of the program, and offers guidance regarding services, staff, equipment and facilities. He provides continuing education, community outreach and marketing support for the program, plus serves as a liaison to other physicians while overseeing quality assurance, quality improvement and research activities.

DeMarco assumes medical director duties from medical oncologist Panpit Klug, MD.

“I would like to recognize and thank Dr. Klug for her dedication, knowledge, and passion to a comprehensive commitment to patient care, which has always been the foundation of our cancer institute,” said Joan Daugherty, executive director of the Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute. “I look forward to working closely with Dr. Demarco to build upon those qualities, and to continue enhancing the care and services we deliver to our patients.”

DeMarco is a practicing urologist with Peninsula Urology Associates, P.A.