The next Safe Sitter® course, hosted by University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH), will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, November 8, at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, 100 Brown St. UM SRH is a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System.

The course is taught by UM SRH Women and Children’s Department skilled nurses and is designed for children ages 11 to 13. The course will also be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, January 24, 2026; March 14, 2026; June 20, 2026; and October 24, 2026, at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton, 219 South Washington St.; and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2026, at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown.

The course is designed to prepare students to be safe when they are home alone, watching younger siblings or babysitting other children. The instructor-led class is taught using games and role-playing exercises so that students can practice rescue skills. Participants in the program can also expect to learn safety skills, including how to prevent unsafe situations and what to do when faced with dangers such as power failures or weather emergencies; child care skills, such as tips to manage behavior that will help sitters stay in control of themselves and the children in their care; first aid and rescue skills, including CPR and choking rescue; and life and business skills to help sitters screen potential childcare jobs, discuss fees and greet employers.

The cost of the program is $50, and a Safe Sitter kit will be provided to all student participants. Students should bring a lunch on the day of the program.

To register for the course, email Gladys Peeples at [email protected]. Early registration is encouraged, as class size is limited. For questions, call Stephanie King at 410-822-1000, ext. 5234. 

 

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About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

Creating workplaces that support workers’ mental health is important as rising concerns about safety and mental health continue to appear in the news. For All Seasons is sharing ways businesses can create workplaces that support mental health and how to recognize the warning signs in a co-worker who might be struggling.

Since COVID, most workplaces have realized the need to address mental health concerns. From financial stress to feeling excluded or working in unhealthy environments, a range of factors can influence how employees experience mental health at work.

“More workers today are looking for workplaces that support mental health when they seek future job opportunities. In the U.S., one in five adults experiences a mental illness, and less than half receive treatment. As employers, we need to be aware of this,” shares Beth Anne Dorman, President and CEO of For All Seasons.

Dorman shares that employers can offer mental health support to their employees in different ways. These include:

• Connection and Community – fostering positive social interactions and relationships in the workplace supports worker well-being
• Work-Life Harmony –  supporting employees in balancing the demands of their jobs with their personal lives
• Recognition and Care – helping people know that their work is valued and as an individual they matter to those around them
• Opportunity for Growth – creating more opportunities for workers to accomplish goals based on their skills and growth

“Helping businesses and co-workers recognize the warning signs of common mental health conditions and getting workers the help they need is also top of mind for many employers today. Knowing the warning signs is an important first step.” Dorman adds.

General types of changes that could signal someone is struggling with their mental health include: changes in appearance, changes in behavior or mood, withdrawal, and changes in thinking.

Dorman shares that if someone sees a coworker exhibiting any of these types of changes over time, it is important to be proactive. Checking in with someone you have concerns about, listening without judgment, and connecting them to resources could help.

For All Seasons offers both mental health and leadership trainings in the community to help businesses and organizations improve workplace culture and lead from a place of courage and understanding when tackling some of these issues. For further information, contact For All Seasons at 410-822-1018 or visit www.forallseasonsinc.org.

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For All Seasons Behavioral Health & Rape Crisis Center offers mental health services, victim and crisis support, and education & outreach on Maryland’s Mid-Shore and throughout the state. The agency’s unique model of care ensures anyone can receive the highest-quality, trauma-certified mental health care when they need it, regardless of language or ability to pay. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.

For 40 years, Jeffrey Howard Etherton, MD, has been at the forefront of cardiac care, saving lives and shaping heart health on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. This summer, the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) and UM Shore Medical Group (UM SMG) community celebrated this remarkable milestone, honoring Dr. Etherton’s dedication, leadership and transformative impact on patients and colleagues alike.

“Dr. Etherton’s dedication, expertise and vision have shaped the very foundation of cardiac care at UM Shore Regional Health,” said Ken Kozel, President, UM SRH. “From program development to mentoring colleagues, his leadership has strengthened our ability to provide exceptional care to the communities we serve. We are deeply grateful that he chose to bring his talents to the Eastern Shore, and we take immense pride in the lasting impact he has made on patients, families and our entire organization, as well as to the community at large.”

A Foundation of Excellence

Dr. Etherton earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, Md., in 1985 and completed a residency at University of Florida Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla., where he also began his medical career as a training physician. 

Three years later, he returned to the University of Maryland as a fellow of cardiology. Following additional training at the Baltimore Veterans Affairs Medical Center and a brief assignment at Bethesda Naval Medical Center during Desert Storm, he returned to the Eastern Shore to establish the device-based interventional cardiology program, electrophysiology program and Cardiac Research Program at Peninsula Regional Medical Center on the Lower Eastern Shore.

Prior to coming to UM SRH, Dr. Etherton co-founded Delmarva Heart, LLC, and the Delmarva Heart Research Foundation, directed cardiology services at multiple institutions, and served as Radiation Safety Officer for nuclear cardiology programs. A U.S. Navy Reserve veteran, he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Medical Corps in 1985.

Dr. Etherton has been with UM Shore Medical Group – Cardiology since 2016. He sees patients in Easton and Cambridge, and is board certified in cardiovascular disease.

Throughout his career, Dr. Etherton has shared his expertise as an instructor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine as well as at Sinai Hospital. His mentorship emphasizes both technical skill and compassionate, patient-centered care.

“Dr. Etherton’s colleagues in UM Shore Medical Group have benefitted greatly from his leadership, collaboration and example,” said Erika Jordan, Senior Director of Operations, UM SMG. “His impact reaches far beyond the exam room, bringing comfort, hope and trust to countless lives. We are deeply grateful for his tireless service.”

A Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, Dr. Etherton has been honored with the Bausch & Lomb National Science Foundation Award and remains active in professional and civic organizations, including the Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S., the Maryland Medical & Chirurgical Society, and the Wicomico County Medical Society.

Building Care from the Ground Up

Since establishing himself on the Eastern Shore, Dr. Etherton has worked tirelessly to expand access to advanced cardiac care across the region. In addition to leading the development of interventional cardiology, electrophysiology and cardiac research at Peninsula Regional, transforming heart care for local residents, in 2016, he was invited to launch the Interventional/STEMI Program at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton. 

“It was truly a great day when Dr. Etherton agreed to come start the interventional cardiology program at UM Shore Regional Health,” said Timothy Shanahan, Medical Director, UM SMG. “Words cannot express the heartfelt gratitude Shore — and I personally — feel for his countless hours of dedication, ensuring that patients receive the highest quality cardiac care. It is both an honor and a privilege to work alongside him.”

During the 2017 construction of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Easton, Dr. Etherton collaborated closely with the builders to ensure the facility met the highest standards for patient safety and innovation. There were times when, during construction, Dr. Etherton could be found hammering alongside the construction team. Since then, the Cardiac Cath team has treated more than 1,000 STEMI heart attack patients and provided expert care to countless others.

“Dr. Etherton has dedicated his life to caring for the very community he grew up in, offering not only his extraordinary clinical expertise but also his heart, compassion and unwavering commitment to his patients,” said Jan McMichael, CMOM, PPMC, UM SMG-Cardiology practice manager. “He has touched countless lives, guided families through critical moments and strengthened the very fabric of our community. For four decades, he has led with humility, mentorship and encouragement, fostering a spirit of excellence and collaboration that continues to shape the future of cardiovascular care on the Eastern Shore.”

Dr. Etherton has been a driving force in advancing cardiovascular medicine on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, setting a lasting standard of excellence through his dedication to patients, colleagues, and cardiac science. His peers regard his work as a lasting legacy — for both him and UM SRH.

Reflecting on his career, Dr. Etherton said: “Providing care to the communities of Maryland’s Eastern Shore has been the greatest privilege of my life. Every patient, every family, and every moment in the clinic or the lab has reinforced why I chose this path. I am honored to serve and to witness the difference that compassionate, skilled cardiac care can make.”

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About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health  

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore. 

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System 

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org. 

 

Choptank Community Health System has recently welcomed Megan Harmer, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C, to its Bay Hundred Health Center’s medical team and Rebecca DeHoff, LCSW-C, to its Caroline County school-based behavioral health care team.

Harmer brings extensive experience in medical care, including work with adult patients and in pediatric intensive care and chronic pain units.

These experiences laid the foundation for her family-focused approach, which combines specialized knowledge with a passion for supporting patients and their families throughout their lifespan.

Harmer earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Colorado College of Nursing and is completing a 2025-2027 University of Arizona Integrative Medicine Fellowship. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Maryland School of Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Juniata College, where she minored in Religious Studies. She is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

DeHoff has extensive experience providing mental health care to children, adolescents, and families in both clinical and community-based settings. Her expertise includes conducting evaluations, delivering evidence-based therapies including CBT, MATCH, and TF-CBT, facilitating group therapy, and providing crisis intervention and collaborative treatment planning.

Her background also includes roles in school-based health, where she supported social-emotional development, coordinated resources, and led initiatives to engage families.

DeHoff earned a master’s degree in social work from Salisbury University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Maryland, University College, and an Associate of Arts degree in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix.

Choptank Community Health System provides medical and dental services in Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot counties, serving more than 30,000 adults and children. This includes school-based health services in all five counties, with a mission to provide access to exceptional, comprehensive, and integrated healthcare for everyone.

New medical patients and school-based health center student registrants are welcome at all Choptank Health locations and Mid-Shore school systems. For more information, visit www.choptankhealth.org.

University of Maryland Shore Regional Health’s Shore Community Outreach Team – Dorchester will provide blood pressure checks and diabetes assessment screenings in seven convenient locations around Dorchester County this month. These screenings are offered free of charge as a community health service of University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, a member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System. The schedule for October is as follows:

• Monday, October 6, 1 to 5 p.m. at One Mission, 614 Race Street in Cambridge
• Wednesday, October 8, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 303 S. Main Street in Hurlock
• Thursday, October 9, 3 to 5 p.m. at the Dorchester County Public Library, 303 Gay Street in Cambridge
• Wednesday, October 15, 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Bradford House, 701 Race Street in Cambridge; and also 4 to 6 p.m. at the Neck District Volunteer Fire Department, 954 Cooks Point Road in Cambridge
• Tuesday, October 21, 1 to 3 p.m. at Shiloh House Apartments, 6206 Shiloh Church Hurlock Road in Hurlock
• Thursday, October 30, 3 to 5:30 p.m. at the Farmers Market, Longwharf, Cambridge

Combining expertise in nursing, social work and community health advocacy, the Dorchester Shore Community Outreach Team visits trusted community sites to provide health screenings and information to Dorchester County residents. They also provide home visits and safety assessments; case management for those with chronic illness; group wellness activities; assistance with arranging telehealth consults with providers; and assistance with completing health-related paperwork, including insurance forms and Advance Directives.

To schedule an appointment or visit, or to learn more about the Shore Community Outreach Team, call 443-225-7545 or email [email protected].

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About University of Maryland Shore Regional Health 

A member organization of the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), University of Maryland Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) is the principal provider of comprehensive health care services for more than 170,000 residents of five counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore: Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot. UM SRH consists of approximately 2,000 team members, including more than 600 health care providers on the Medical Staff, who work with community partners to advance the values that are foundational to our mission: Compassion, Discovery, Excellence, Diversity and Integrity. For more information, visit https://www.umms.org/shore.

 

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is an academic private health system, focused on delivering compassionate, high quality care and putting discovery and innovation into practice at the bedside. Partnering with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and University of Maryland, Baltimore who educate the state’s future health care professionals, UMMS is an integrated network of care, delivering 25 percent of all hospital care in urban, suburban and rural communities across the state of Maryland. UMMS puts academic medicine within reach through primary and specialty care delivered at 11 hospitals, including the flagship University of Maryland Medical Center, the System’s anchor institution in downtown Baltimore, as well as through a network of University of Maryland Urgent Care centers and more than 150 other locations in 13 counties. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

 

Students of Saints Peter and Paul High School (SSPP) in Easton, Maryland, and Saint Andrew’s School in Middletown, Delaware, recently donated to For All Seasons, bringing hope and comfort to clients of the agency.

SSPP National Art Honor Students created and donated Mugs of Hope to first-time clients seeking mental health treatment. This heartfelt initiative was designed to remind individuals that they are not alone and to offer a tangible expression of care at a time that can feel overwhelming. Each hand-painted mug is a unique creation, lovingly filled with calming tea, hot chocolate, sweet treats, and a handmade bookmark carrying an uplifting personal message – small gestures of peace and encouragement.

While still a senior, Ember Theeke helped coordinate the donation effort to bring the work of For All Seasons to her community at Saint Andrew’s School in Middletown. Because Saint Andrew’s values networking and supporting the broader communities of its students, the vestry seeks out worthy causes for the school to support. Ember put forth For All Seasons as a possible recipient, spoke at one of the school’s services, and helped inspire staff and students to contribute.

Now an alumna, Ember reflects on the experience: “I believe that the work of For All Seasons should be shared as widely as possible. I was happy to talk about what the agency does with Saint Andrew’s. Our vestry was immediately on board with coordinating a staff and student donation. I have so much love for For All Seasons, for your amazing work, and for Saint Andrew’s for recognizing your value! I’m glad these two amazing places could connect,” shares Theeke, alumna of Saint Andrew’s School.

For All Seasons Behavioral Health & Rape Crisis Center offers mental health services, victim and crisis support, and education & outreach on Maryland’s Mid-Shore and throughout the state. The agency’s unique model of care ensures anyone can receive the highest-quality, trauma-certified mental health care when they need it, regardless of language or ability to pay. For information about For All Seasons walk-in hours, contact 410-822-1018 or visit ForAllSeasonsInc.org.