A Week In Business – May 26, 2017

Biz-A-1-150x150.jpg

Among those attending this month’s legislative breakfast were Coastal Association of Realtors (CAR) Director and Government Affairs and RPAC Committees Chair Joseph Wilson, Delegate Chris Adams, CAR President Don Bailey, Sen. Adelaide Eckardt, Sen. Jim Mathias, Delegate Charles Otto, Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes, Delegate Carl Anderton, Eastern Shore Intergovernmental Affairs Liaison for Governor Larry Hogan’s Office Bunky Luffman, Delegate Mary Beth Carozza, and Delegate Johnny Mautz. Submitted Photo

Realtors Hear From Officials At Breakfast

SALISBURY – The Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) held its annual Legislative Breakfast on Thursday, May 11, 2017 at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center.

Nearly 80 REALTOR® and affiliate members, state elected officials, and local elected officials attended the event, held in the Flanders Room. Attendees enjoyed a hearty Eastern Shore breakfast while listening to guest speakers Eastern Shore Intergovernmental Affairs Liaison for Gov. Larry Hogan’s Office Bunky Luffman, Sen. Adelaide Eckardt, Sen. Jim Mathias, Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes, Delegate Chris Adams, Delegate Johnny Mautz, Del. Charles Otto, Delegate Carl Anderton, and Delegate Mary Beth Carozza. The elected officials provided an update on what they accomplished during the 2017 Legislative Session of the Maryland General Assembly and their goals for the interim and next year.

The legislators also answered questions from the audience on topics such as the proposed offshore wind projects in Ocean City and Internet access issues in Somerset County.

“The talks were very informative and we appreciate our elected officials taking the time out of their busy schedules to have breakfast with us,” said CAR President Don Bailey. “It is imperative that all citizens, regardless of their profession, be engaged in the political process. We elect these fine representatives and they depend on their constituents who are on the ground to give them direction and communicate their needs and issues. Particularly as real estate professionals, we see legislation every single year that impacts our industry and our future, therefore it’s critical that we stay involved.”

Two door prizes were awarded at the event. Austin Whitehead, a REALTOR® with Whitehead Real Estate Executives in Salisbury, won a $200 Visa gift card courtesy of CAR. Alice Fisher, a REALTOR® with Long & Foster Real Estate in Salisbury, won a $200 gift card to Sello’s Italian Oven & Bar in West Ocean City, courtesy of Real Estate Title & Escrow.

 

Hospital Observes Critical Care Awareness 

BERLIN — Each May, the tireless efforts of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) physicians and clinical staff to care for a fragile patient population are celebrated through Critical Care Awareness Month. Atlantic General Hospital’s ICU staff have much to celebrate.

Medical procedures can make hospitalized patients, especially those in the ICU, more vulnerable to infection. Nationally, healthcare associated infections, or infections that occur while receiving medical treatment, affect one in 25 hospital patients on any given day, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
“When you think of a hospital, you think of it as a place you go to get well,” said Scott Rose, RN, director of the ICU at Atlantic General Hospital. “Unfortunately, patients who need medical or surgical care are often in a weakened state due to illness and it’s very easy for germs to attack. But, most healthcare associated infections are preventable.”

At Atlantic General, the ICU has had no pneumonia infections associated with the use of ventilators, the machines that assist patients with breathing, since 2008. Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) is very common in the U.S. According to studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and the BMJ, roughly half of the antibiotics given in the ICU are for the treatment of this type of infection.

Atlantic General has documented zero blood stream infections caused by central lines since March 2015. Central lines are catheters, or long thin tubes, inserted into major veins to provide nutrients, medication, or fluids or blood over an extended period of time. Because the central line creates an opening from the surrounding environment directly to the circulatory system, blood stream infections can occur. The CDC says central line-associated blood stream infections account for thousands of deaths each year and billions of dollars in additional healthcare costs. Atlantic General has also had no catheter associated urinary tract infections in their ICU since April 2014.

Efforts to prevent these kinds of infections are manifold, including extreme vigilance to remove central lines, catheters and ventilators the moment it is determined they are no longer needed.

Unlike most rural acute care hospitals, Atlantic General has two full-time board certified intensivists, Medical Director Susan Andrews, M.D., and Atif Zeeshan, M.D., on staff to care for ICU patients. Their expert care is augmented by ongoing remote monitoring through Maryland eCare, a collaborative Atlantic General joined in 2008.

In the ICU, patient conditions can change very quickly. Studies have shown improved patient outcomes and decreased lengths of stay for patients managed by critical care physicians. Complementing local ICU care, Maryland eCare’s critical care physicians and nurses – based at University of Maryland Medical Center – closely watch patient conditions 24/7 remotely, through video and audio technology combined with intelligent monitoring and alarm systems. While maintaining patient privacy, the Maryland eCare remote center closely monitors patients for any physical change, immediately alerting local caregivers and recommending corrective action.

 

Stroke Center Awarded

SALISBURY — Peninsula Regional Medical Center (PRMC) and its Peninsula Stroke Center have been presented with the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award with Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll. The award recognizes PRMC’s commitment to providing the most appropriate stroke treatment, according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.

Hospitals must achieve 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month periods and achieve 75 percent or higher compliance with five of eight Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality measures to receive the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award.

To qualify for the Target: Stroke Honor Roll, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke. If given intravenously in the first three hours after the start of stroke symptoms, tPA has been shown to significantly reduce the effects of stroke and lessen the chance of permanent disability. PRMC and the Peninsula Stroke Center earned the award by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period.

These quality measures are designed to help hospital teams follow the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients.

“A stroke patient loses 1.9 million neurons each minute stroke treatment is delayed. This recognition further demonstrates our commitment to delivering advanced stroke treatments to patients quickly and safely,” said Warner Crumb, Executive Director of Orthopaedics and Neurosciences. “PRMC and our Peninsula Spine Center continue to strive for excellence in the acute treatment of stroke patients. The recognition from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke further reinforces our team’s hard work.”

Peninsula Regional and the Peninsula Stroke Center have has also met specific scientific guidelines as a Primary Stroke Center and have been certified by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.

 

 Contractor Begins OC Church Project

SALISBURY — Gillis Gilkerson announced construction has begun on the addition for St. Paul’s By-The-Sea Episcopal Church at 302 North Baltimore Avenue in Ocean City.

Construction of a 2,300-square-foot, two-story addition will replace space lost from the destruction of the rectory in 2013 after a fire claimed two lives including that of Reverend David Dingwall, church rector.

“The fire was traumatic for the parish and the entire Ocean City community,” said Dwight Miller, president of Gillis Gilkerson. “We are grateful to have the opportunity to help a longstanding and reputable church rebuild to continue its mission of serving others.”

The addition will be equipped with a larger, more modern elevator, additional storage space, a new ground level lobby, gathering space at the sanctuary level, office and small meeting space, and a new driveway. Construction plans also include the addition of a restroom in the parish’s community hall. The expansion fills the void left on the north side of the church created by the demolition of the rectory and will create a positive presence on Baltimore Avenue and facing downtown Ocean City.

“We are very pleased with how the project has proceeded so far,” said Tom Shuster, St. Paul’s By-The-Sea Episcopal Church construction liaison. “The Gillis Gilkerson team was very thoughtful and considerate with our staff while developing the scope of work and reaching a contract. They were off and running the exact day they said they would be.”

The new addition is set for completion in December.

 

New Board Members

Biz-B-Abercrombie-150x150.jpg

Kathleen Abercrombie

SALISBURY — The Wor-Wic Community College Foundation recently welcomed Kathleen Abercrombie, Joey Gilkerson and Chris Mancini as new members of the board of directors.

Biz-C-Gilkerson-150x150.jpg

Joey Gilkerson

Abercrombie is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Salisbury. She serves on the Trinity ASP team and the Coastal Hospice activities committee. She also volunteers at the Lazarus Food Pantry in Salisbury. Abercrombie is a former member of the board of the Asbury Child Development Center in Salisbury and the Salisbury Lacrosse Club. She has been involved with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and Worcester Preparatory School’s fundraising events. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Delaware.

Biz-D-Mancini-150x150.jpg

Chris Mancini

Gilkerson is a principal and real estate advisor with SVN (formerly Sperry Van Ness) in Salisbury. He serves on the board of directors of Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County and is a member of the Remedy Church in Salisbury. He is a former member of the board of Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore and a former member of the Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Network. Gilkerson was a student at Wor-Wic before transferring to Salisbury University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business.

Mancini is an attorney at the law office of J. Harrison Phillips III. He is a volunteer varsity lacrosse coach at Worcester Preparatory School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business management from Washington College and his law degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law. He is a member of the Maryland State Bar Association, the Worcester County Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association.

 

 

 

Health Officer Named

SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Commissioners announced the appointment of Rebecca L. Jones as incoming health officer. She will step into her new role in late June following the retirement of longtime Health Officer Debbie Goeller.

Biz-E-Jones-150x150.jpg

Rebecca L. Jones

“Becky has demonstrated her strong commitment to improving and protecting the health of Worcester County,” Goeller said. “She is a compassionate and respected leader who will serve the public health needs of the community well.”

Jones is a dedicated and service-oriented Nurse Program Manager, with 16 years of experience in community health with the Worcester County Health Department and with a demonstrated history of setting standards to ensure that the programs and services her organization provides are responsive to the needs of area residents.

“I am grateful to the Worcester County Commissioners for extending me this opportunity to serve as Health Officer,” Jones said. “The Worcester County Health Department is an amazing organization that has assembled some of the most outstanding professionals that I have ever met. It is with humility and enthusiasm that I now assume the reigns from Debbie Goeller, one of the most remarkable leaders that I have had the privilege of knowing.”

During her time with the health department, Jones has headed up a number of programs. She is the current Nurse Program Manager for Adult Services and Director of the Maryland Access Point for Worcester County, which offers County residents a single point of access to long-term support services through the health department, Social Services and Commission on Aging (COA). She previously served as the Community Health Nurse Supervisor.

Jones is a Salisbury University graduate, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, with a minor in Psychology, in 1996 and a Master of Science Degree in Nursing-Leadership in 2008. Her areas of expertise include leadership and systems training, policy development, and program and financial planning and management.

She currently represents the health department on the Worcester County Commission on Aging Board of Directors. She is part of the outstanding Care Coordination Team whose standard of excellence and innovation earned the Worcester County Health Department national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board in 2014, making it one of the first two health departments to be accredited in Maryland, and the Team Innovation Award for 2016 from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.