A Week In Business

Officer Named To Board

BERLIN Murray Oltman, Chief Information Officer of Atlantic General Hospital, has been selected to serve on the Governance Board for Maryland’s statewide health information exchange – Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP).

CRISP allows clinical information to move electronically among disparate health information systems. The goal is to deliver the right health information anywhere in Maryland, providing safer, more timely, efficient, effective, equitable, patient-centered care.

Oltman has led the successful implementation of numerous clinical, financial and technology initiatives at Atlantic General Hospital over the last 16 years on the Board of Advisors’ Finance Committee.

“Ensuring that healthcare quality is a paramount priority is the primary focus of everyone involved in healthcare today. However, the appropriate application of technology, like CRISP, can provide innovations that significantly enhance both quality and safety,” said Oltman. “I was pleased to be asked to be part of the CRISP team and to be able to make a positive contribution to the future of health information exchange within the state.”

Manager To Speak At Forum

BERLIN – The National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICHQ) has announced that Dawn Denton, community education manager at Atlantic General Hospital, has been chosen to speak at NICHQ’s 2010 Annual Forum for Improving Children’s Healthcare and Childhood Obesity Congress, being held March 8-11 in Atlanta, Ga.

The event will bring together hundreds of healthcare professionals of all disciplines to improve children’s healthcare quality.

Denton will present “How a Community Hospital Combats Childhood Obesity,” highlighting the hospital’s key role in bringing the Emmy Award-winning FOODPLAY production that tours the country to each of the public elementary schools in Worcester County.

“The best way to combat the obesity epidemic is by empowering our youth,” said Michael Franklin, president and CEO of Atlantic General Hospital. “Dawn discovered a wonderful tool to deliver important healthy living messages to our area youth, and the program has been embraced by the schools and the community. We’re honored that she will able to share our efforts at the forum.”

Free Retirement Plan Offered

BERLIN – Coastal Wealth Management, LLC, a wealth management firm with more than $50 million in assets under management, now offers a complimentary retirement income plan to those approaching retirement.

“Through our relationship with Fidelity Investments, we are able to offer a complimentary retirement income plan,” says Chip Gordy. “Following a consultation with one of our retirement income specialists, our clients receive a comprehensive plan that gives them a retirement roadmap they may follow.”

Coastal Wealth Management provides a 20-plus page customized report which includes suggested next steps.

“For years we have helped our clients build their retirement nest egg. Now, as they near retirement many clients are left with complex decisions on how best to distribute these assets,” says Troy Lennox.

Knowing that every client is unique, Coastal Wealth Management specializes in helping individuals develop a solid retirement income plan to align with their goals. In addition to retirement planning, Coastal Wealth Management, based off Racetrack Road in Berlin, also offers investment planning and asset management as part of its comprehensive investment and wealth management programs for high-net-worth investors.

WILLARDS – Top account executive, highest client retention, superior customer service and Ron Pasquariello excellence awards were presented during Atlantic/Smith, Cropper & Deeley Insurance’s Annual Meeting last month.

Gary Waldych was honored with the agency’s Top Account Executive Award for his outstanding work in providing comprehensive coverage solutions to new clients. He has over 23 years of experience understanding clients’ unique insurance needs and specializes in trucking, condominium associations and commercial insurance.

Nikki Strickler, Account Executive, received the award for the Highest Client Retention by meeting her customers’ needs and finding unique renewal solutions in this trying economy. She has been with the agency since 2006 and specializes in benefits solutions for companies with five to 5,000 employees.

Kiesha Lankford, Claims Manager, claimed the Superior Customer Service Award for her diligent claims follow through on behalf of the agency’s clients. She brings 10 years of insurance experience to the company.

Mary Jane Wharton, Personal Lines Team Supervisor, was recognized with the Ron Pasquariello Award of Excellence for her “above and beyond” service inside and outside of the agency. As a long-standing team member with over 30 years of service, she is always willing to help with coverage concerns, claims issues and other insurance questions.