Thanks to the generosity of local residents, the courtyard at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown has undergone a much-needed refresh. The courtyard is a secure outdoor space used by patient and team members for meals, relaxation and occasional meetings.

Melissa Kelly of Easton has recently joined the Board of Directors of For All Seasons. Kelly is currently the Eastern Shore External Affairs Manager for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst). Before this, she was the Eastern Shore Regional Director for U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen. She has an extensive background in health care, having served as Operation Coordinator for the Diagnostic & Imaging Center for the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health and Practice Manager for the University of Maryland Community Medical Group, as well as Coordinator of the University of Maryland Clark Comprehensive Breast Center.

It is not widely known that TV’s Columbo first originated as a character in the play “Prescription: Murder,” by William Link & Richard L. Levinson. The play never made it to Broadway - it was first performed at the Curran Theatre in San Francisco on January 2, 1962, and ran on tour for 25 weeks playing to enthusiastic audiences. It tells the story of a brilliant psychiatrist and his mistress who hatch a plot to murder his neurotic, possessive wife. Auditions are scheduled for Saturday, February 18 at 2:00 PM, and Tuesday and Wednesday, February 21 and 22, both in the evening starting at 6:30 PM. Auditions will consist of cold readings from the script.

Kent County Middle School students in a special mentoring program got a behind-the-scenes look at college life late last month. On Jan. 27, students in the middle school's Achieving Academic Equity and Excellence for Black Boys (AAEEBB) program took a field trip to Washington College.

University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton has been recognized for the second time as High Performing in Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals for Maternity Care. Among nearly 650 hospitals providing labor and delivery services nationwide, fewer than half received the “high performing” designation; in Maryland, UM Shore Medical Center at Easton was one of only five hospitals so designated.

Maryland has one of the highest rates of "domestic" human trafficking in the nation. In Maryland, human trafficking affects all parts of the State. Human trafficking involves the use of force, fraud, or coercion to obtain some type of labor or commercial sex act. According to the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, three major airports, inexpensive bus transportation, train service along the east coast, large sporting events, and disposable income makes Maryland an attractive destination for traffickers. Over the last three years, there have been sex trafficking arrests across the Eastern Shore including in Easton, Cambridge, Federalsburg, Denton, and Salisbury. Again this year, For All Seasons is raising public awareness of this global issue, as well as sharing its impact locally, during the month of January which is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.

Due to an unforeseen construction event, mammography equipment at the Eleanor and Ethel Leh Women’s Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown is non-operational. University of Maryland Shore Regional Health is in the process of replacing the mammography machine with new, state-of-the-art equipment.

For All Seasons is hosting a Valentine's Day Silent Auction online from February 9 – February 14 featuring one-of-a-kind experiences and unique getaways to benefit the agency’s mental health and victim services.

Chester River Health Foundation (CRHF) recently elected Chestertown native Kristen Owen to its board of directors for a three-year term. Chester River Health Foundation raises funds to enhance excellence in health care at University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown.

Benedictine has been awarded a Maryland Capital Grant of $1.5 million from Governor Hogan’s FY’23 Budget. These monies will be used to fund construction and engineering costs associated with building a new student residential facility on Benedictine’s school campus located in Ridgely, Maryland.