Shore Regional Health
Andi-Beth Lloyd, a medical laboratory assistant with University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, recently was nominated as a Health Care Hero for going above and beyond to help keep patients and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UM SRH’s Laboratory at Roundtop draw site has been designated a pre-op COVID collection site. Due to the high volume of pre-op collections and a small waiting room, the site established the concierge on the front porch to help direct patient traffic.

“This is a very important job in all types of weather,” says Liz Principe, laboratory site coordinator at Chestertown. “Andi-Beth volunteered to be concierge on a cold Friday morning, above and beyond her regularly scheduled hours. Her bright smile and pleasant demeanor are soothing to the patients who are unsure of what to expect. She expertly gives them options to wait, whether it be on the porch or in their car, and assures they each get seen in turn. Andi-Beth is a real HealthCare HERO for braving the weather to assure the best in patient care!”

COVID-19 Visitation Policy
The University of Maryland Medical System encourages all Marylanders who are in need of medical care to seek it when appropriate and we remind everyone to follow all appropriate COVID-19 precautions, including physical distancing, wearing face masks and hand sanitizing.
Administrators will continue to limit the number of people who may come into the hospital as a visitor or designated support person. Under this revised policy, visitation to a UMMS facility will be determined based on both the patient’s COVID-19 status and the setting or type of visit. More details about the System’s visitation policy is posted at umms.org/coronavirus.

MD COVID Alert has 1M users
Governor Larry Hogan announced that since the Maryland Department of Health launched MD COVID Alert earlier this month, more than 1 million Marylanders have subscribed to the COVID-19 exposure notifications express system. MD COVID Alert complements traditional contact tracing efforts by using Bluetooth technology to notify a person if they may have been exposed to COVID-19 without compromising the identity or location of users.
For more information about MD COVID Alert, visit covidlink.maryland.gov/mdcovidalert. Learn about Maryland’s contact tracing initiative here. COVID-19 information and resources in Maryland are available at covidlink.maryland.gov and coronavirus.maryland.gov.

Skolka joins Atlantic General
Atlantic General Hospital and Health System officials recently announced that a new provider has joined its behavioral health program. Diane Skolka, ANCC board certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) provides psychiatric and behavioral health care at the Atlantic Health Center alongside psychiatrist Bryce Blanton, MD.
Skolka has 19 years of experience as a registered nurse. She has a background in critical care.
/post anesthesia care in addition to her previous role as a patient care coordinator in case management and population health. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Wilmington University and her master’s degree in PMHNP studies at Eastern Kentucky University.

Skolka provides diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders including, but not limited to, depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, PTSD, ADD/ADHD, and personality disorders, with use of psychopharmacology and therapy.
Her philosophy for practice is based on facilitating positive personal change and growth. She incorporates a whole person approach to care with respect to the mind-body connection. Skolka is currently accepting new patients ages 18 and older. To schedule an appointment, call 410-641-3340.

Funds for Western Md.
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman David Trone (all D-Md.) last week announced $100,000 in federal funding to purchase training equipment for the Allegany College of Maryland Allied Health Simulation Workforce Development Program. Funding comes from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and will benefit hundreds of students in the Western Maryland region. Allegany College of Maryland will be matching the $100,000 federal funding award.

The new technology will allow for nurses, respiratory therapists and physical therapy assistants to practice their consultation skills as well as treat and diagnose various injuries and conditions through simulations and hands-on learning activities. The federal funds will support the purchase of: Adult Tetherless Simulator Mannequin, an Anomatage Virtual Dissection Table, and an Advanced Multipurpose Patient Simulator and Software.