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- News & Notes
- Incentive Point Opportunity: AGH's 30th Anniversary Celebration Volunteers
- Incentive Point Opportunity: Ocean to Bay Bike Tour Volunteers
- Hospital Week is Quickly Approaching
- Get Answers to Human Trafficking: Lower Shore Anti-Human Trafficking Conference
- Thanks for Celebrating 50 Days C-Diff Free with Us
- PTO Donation
- Happy National Volunteer Week!
- Nursing Awards Nominations
- Earth Day Celebration
- PTO Sellback
- Dr. Williams, Board Certified Medical Oncologist
- Happy National Health Information Professionals Week
- REMINDER: Sign Up for Your HUGGS Communication 2023 Session
- Education Department has Relocated
- It's Time for Biometrics!
- Wellness Update
- Infection Prevention: Weekly Quiz
- Weekly Reflection
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Your Monthly Message from President & CEO Don Owrey | |
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Spring is officially upon us and so is the heavy green pollen. As I enjoy my 1st Spring season in Ocean City, I continue to experience and discover new things. One of those is the new allergies that I thought I had long outgrown. I thought I just had the worst cold ever (and no, not Covid) but there are worse things to endure for sure.
Since my last eLert message, our organization has undergone a significant disruption as a result of the cyber-attack that occurred on January 28. I want to express my sincere gratitude for the resilience, ingenuity, and cooperation that all of our associates, medical staff, and volunteers displayed. In the midst of our recovery and the restoration of services, AGH underwent several unannounced surveys, including from the Maryland Office of Health Care Quality and the Joint Commission. The surveyors were very complimentary of our staff, the downtime processes and procedures implemented to support patient care, and the teamwork that was on display. While certainly less than ideal, your work and dedication enabled the hospital and our ambulatory operations to continue serving our patients without sacrificing the safety of our care.
As the investigation has continued, we have learned that the threat actors did have unauthorized access to files on our network devices which contained protect personal and health information. As a result, most of you have likely received a letter advising you on what you can do to further protect you. I am truly sorry that this has happened. I can assure you that AGH takes the security of its information systems very seriously and has taken additional measures to further harden our environment from outside threats. A reminder for all of us is to ensure that prior to opening any external email, we verify that it is from a legitimate source and for necessary purposes. In addition, you should maintain difficult password combinations and avoid social media sites on hospital equipment as these are common points of vulnerability. Taking these steps helps to keep our computer systems safe from unauthorized access.
Finally, I want to extend appreciation to the Volunteers who support Atlantic General Hospital. During this week, we celebrate and honor the men and women who donate their time to support the hospital. If you see or work alongside a volunteer, let them know how much you appreciate their sacrifice of time and the help they provide to our staff and our patients.
As always, thank you for the work you do. It matters. Onward and upward, together!
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Incentive Point Opportunity: AGH's 30th Anniversary Celebration Volunteers | |
Incentive Point Opportunity: Ocean to Bay Bike Tour Volunteers | |
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Spring is in the air and that means the 34th Annual Ocean to Bay Bike Tour is just around the corner! The Ocean to Bay Volunteers have become the backbone of this event over the years and the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce team is currently searching for volunteers for this year's event. About 2,000 cyclists will be coming to the area to ride on April 28-29, but the opportunities to help out start this week!
Click here to view available opportunities and sign up!
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Hospital Week is Quickly Approaching! | |
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It’s almost here! Atlantic General Hospital’s celebration of National Hospital Week.
Join us in celebrating “We Are Healthcare” Monday, May 8th through Friday, May 12th. Free breakfast, massages by Ric Timbol, ice cream, prizes, giveaways and more! It’s one of the best weeks of the year where we get to celebrate you, our Healthcare Heroes.
In preparation for the festivities associated with Hospital Week, we are asking for photo submissions from all the departments – staff posing for the camera, team accomplishments, celebrations – if you have it, we want it. A slideshow will be created from all submitted images to be played during the Service Awards celebration.
Please send photos to pr@atlanticgeneral.org by May 1, and let us know they’re for Hospital Week.
Thank you for all you do here at Atlantic General Hospital.
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Get Answers to Human Trafficking: Lower Shore Anti-Human Trafficking Conference | |
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Every year, millions of people around the world are trafficked, and unfortunately, Worcester County is not immune to this heartless crime. Join Atlantic General Hospital’s Faith-Based Partnership on April 22 at SonRise Church in Berlin, Md., for the Lower Shore Anti-Human Trafficking Conference. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., a team of experts from local community organizations will provide you with a deeper understanding of human trafficking, including how it affects Worcester County, how to identify warning signs, how to report suspected trafficking and information on available resources, among other things.
The speakers who will provide education on human trafficking include:
Kelly Richardson: Board Chair, Harriett's House
Kelly Richardson, a wife and mom of five, is a domestic violence survivor and a Marine veteran. She holds her degree in homeland security. Richardson has been a board member with Harriett's House of Cambridge, Md., for the past three years. Her passion to combat human trafficking started about eight years ago at a Faith Filled Women's Conference in Salisbury, Md.. She simply listened to a breakout session about human trafficking 101 with the Samaritan Women, of Baltimore, Md., and it triggered her to take action for those that have no voice and are locked in a world of modern day slavery. Since then, Richardson tries to take every opportunity to do local mission work throughout the Eastern Shore by educating and raising awareness. She strives to open the eyes of those that are unaware that human trafficking is happening right here on the Eastern Shore.
Julie Crain: Founder & Executive Director, Harriett's House
Julie Crain is the founder and executive director of Harriett’s House, an anti-human trafficking organization in Cambridge, Md.. Harriett’s House currently operates as a drop-in center for survivors of human trafficking, with plans to expand into residential housing in the future. Julie began her work in human trafficking through traveling internationally, doing short-term mission work in after-care programs for women who had escaped sex trafficking. Realizing the need for services in the United States compelled her to start Harriett’s House with the goal of raising awareness and educating communities about human trafficking, providing outreach, drop-in centers and developing residential programing for women survivors of sex trafficking.
Dr. Danielle Thomas: Child Sex Trafficking Regional Navigator, Life Crisis Center
Dr. Danielle Thomas is the regional navigator for Maryland's Lower Shore. She supports children and young adults who are survivors of sex trafficking or at risk of being trafficked. Thomas completed her doctoral degree in traumatology, where she focused her dissertation research on the resources available to survivors of child sex trafficking in nonmetropolitan communities. She also holds a master's degree in addictions and recovery counseling. Thomas has previously worked as a crisis clinician for children and adolescents in southern Delaware. Most recently, she worked for Worcester County's CRICKET Center, where she helped provide outreach and education on child abuse.
Mandi Mendoza: Survivor Leader, Delaware Anti-Trafficking Action Council
Mandi Mendoza is a survivor leader who has lived experience with both familial trafficking as well as domestic violence. She currently is a survivor leader with the Delaware Anti-Trafficking Action Council. She has a passion and desire to use her voice through her lived experience to help others and to raise awareness, and credits where she is today to her faith in God.
This event is free of charge, with the sole purpose of educating and raising awareness of human trafficking in our area. After all, an educated community is the first line of defense in keeping the Eastern Shore free of human trafficking.
Scan the QR code below or contact Thomas at dthomas@lifecrisiscenter.org for more information and to register for the Lower Shore Anti-Human Trafficking Conference.
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Thanks for Celebrating
50 Days C-Diff Free with Us!
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Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate AGH’s accomplishment of 50 Days C-Diff Free. The “fun and games” proved to be a huge hit.
Congratulations to those below for winning our gift card contest:
Richard Angelo
Mark Scott
Chuck Gizara
Bryuana Menafee
Tonya Givens
Tynisha Brittingham
While the festivities are over, the hard work will continue as we strive to make it to our next goal - 100 days C-Diff free!
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Deborah Townsend from Imaging has notified us that she is willing to accept any P.T.O. that associates may be willing to donate to her for Family Medical Leave.
If you are interested in donating P.T.O. to Deborah Townsend, please complete the Donation of P.T.O. Form by clicking the button below and return it to Jennifer O’Leary in Human Resources. Fax 410-641-9715 or email: joleary@atlanticgeneral.org or Inter-Office Mailbox #27. Additional forms are available in the HR office.
Thank you for your consideration of this request to assist a fellow associate.
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Happy National Volunteer Week! | |
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National Volunteer Week 2023: April 16 - April 22
As we observe National Volunteer Week, Atlantic General Hospital would like to extend a warm thank you to the many volunteers who give their time to make our patients and visitors to AGH feel welcomed. We are fortunate enough to have a strong team of volunteers who play such a vital role in keeping our hospital running smoothly.
This week-long celebration is about placing a spotlight on inspiring individuals whose invaluable seeds of kindness through volunteering are bettering the community and our world in general. Typically our volunteers collectively generously give approximately 30,000 hours of personal time each year. They support our associates at every level and financial support the organization through our thrift shop. This helps us to provide top of the line care to our patients.
Their dedication to serving our community is unwavering, and we would like to take this time to recognize them for all they do.
Every day, and especially during this week, National Volunteer Week, we recognize and thank our volunteers for their service, empathy and compassion — and for their selfless dedication to our patients and our mission at Atlantic General Hospital.
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Nursing Awards Nominations | |
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Our annual nursing awards ceremony is quickly approaching, so please be sure to submit your nominations!!! Below you will find nomination forms for the Nurse of the Year, Friend of Nursing, DAISY and Honeybee. The DAISY and Honeybee pamphlets can also be found throughout the hospital and AGHS offices.
The deadline for submissions is April 28. Please return any nomination forms to Kelly Fox, RN (kfox@atlanticgeneral.org), Jarrett Snoots (jsnoots@atlanticgeneral.org), interoffice mailbox #12 or the Education Department office.
Thank you!
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Join us this Thursday, April 20, from 3pm - 5pm for the Atlantic General Community Garden Committee's Earth Day Celebration!
We will have an on-site petting zoo, face painting, the Kona Ice truck, plant sales and more! You don't want to miss out!
***NOTE: Please bring cash!
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It is time for eligible associates to have the opportunity to sell back accrued PTO. All PTO hours sold will be paid at a rate of 50% of the associate’s base pay rate. In order to sell back accrued PTO an associate must:
- Have at least eighty-eight hours of PTO in their bank;
- Sell a minimum of eight hours of PTO;
- Retain at least 80 hours of PTO in their bank; and
- Provide written notification to Human Resources no later than Monday, May 22, 2023.
If you are interested in selling your PTO back to the organization please e-mail Akiliah Church at achurch@atlanticgeneral.org. E-mail notification must be received by the end of business no later than Monday, May 22, 2023.
Please note, Finance will no longer issue a check for this. Your PTO Sellback will be paid to you via Direct Deposit on Friday, May 26, 2023.
If you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Alicia Warren, Director, Human Resources at awarren@atlanticgeneral.org or 410-641-9935.
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Dr. Williams, Board Certified
Medical Oncologist
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With insurance credentialing nearly complete, we will begin promotion of Dr. Rodney Williams and his medical oncology services to the community this month.
Dr. Williams joined the medical staff of Atlantic General Hospital in January to provide care alongside Rabindra Paul, M.D., nurse practitioner Paige Wildmann and radiation oncologist Manoj Jain, M.D., at the John H. ‘Jack’ Burbage, Jr. Regional Cancer Care Center.
About Dr. Williams
Dr. Williams earned his medical degree at University of California School of Medicine. His training and clinical experience includes a fellowship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, after a residency at the University of Colorado Affiliated Hospitals in Denver. He comes to Atlantic General most recently from coastal South Carolina, where he provided cancer treatment in a rural clinic and in the hematology/oncology division at the Medical University of South Carolina, in Charleston. His expertise includes breast and solid tumor cancers.
Dr. Williams has held medical leadership positions at several healthcare organizations, including the Greater Baltimore Medical Center. He is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology.
Dr. Williams is currently accepting new patients. For more information and appointments, please call the Burbage Regional Cancer Care Center at 410-629-6888.
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Happy National Health Information Professionals Week! | |
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During Health Information Professionals Week, we encourage you to join us in raising awareness about the HI profession and recognizing HI professionals’ valuable contributions to healthcare. To learn more about the Health Information profession and their significant role in the field, please click here.
This week, and every week, we would like to thank and recognize all Atlantic General Health Information associates!
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Education Department has Relocated! | |
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The Education office previously located across from CR #2 is now located on the first floor, across from the vending machines that are next to Surgical Services.
This will be the new location for Karen Cooper, Sophia McGowan and Kelly Fox.
Thank you!
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REMINDER: Sign Up for Your
HUGGS Communication 2023 Session
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Use the links below to sign up for your HUGGS Team Mandatory Communication 2023 one hour session: | |
It's Time for Biometrics! | |
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The Associate Getting Healthy Wellness Program is available to all benefit eligible associates.
For more information or if you need assistance registering or earning points, please contact
Tracey at tmullineaux@atlanticgeneral.org or call 410 629-6442.
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If you have already had your annual labs completed by your PCP – you do not need to do on-site biometrics.
Have your Biometric Screening form completed by your PCP or contact Employee Health for assistance.
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- SPACES ARE LIMITED - Please make every attempt to keep your scheduled appointment.
- If you need to cancel, contact Crystal Mumford 410 641-9190. 24 hours’ notice is appreciated
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Wellness Program Requirements:
All program participants must register on the secure health portal in order to receive credit for completing wellness program requirements.
To earn/maintain the insurance premium differential in 2024, associates must complete the following by August 31, 2023.
1. Complete a biometric screening either on-site or through your primary care provider (PCP)
2. Complete an online Health Risk Assessment (HRA)
3 .Earn 100 wellness points or more
Don’t forget to take your Wellness forms to your next preventive screening appointment …see below
Annual Physical and Preventive Screening Form (PDF)
Physician Biometric Screening Form (PDF)
Integrative Health Therapy Form (PDF)
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Clear Your Clutter: A Comprehensive Guide
Is your kitchen table covered in unopened mail? Is your bedroom floor covered in clothing? Is your basement a total disaster? Living with clutter is exhausting. Learning how to approach clearing the clutter can feel daunting. This seminar will offer specific, strategic ways to approach clearing it and staying organized! We'll go room-by-room to help you have an organized and restful home.
April 26, 11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Register HERE.
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Is It an Allergy or a Cold?
Seasonal allergies and colds have similar symptoms but some important differences.
The following information from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
(NIAID) can help you determine if you're suffering from allergies or a cold.
Hay fever
Symptoms are more common in the spring, summer and early fall:
- Runny or stuffy nose, mucus is generally clear and watery
- Bouts of sneezing, often brought on by exposure to offending agent
- Wheezing, most frequently seen in individuals with asthma; wheezing is unusual in people without asthma
- Watery eyes, with whites of eyes possibly reddened or bloodshot
- Fluid-filled and puffy areas around the eyes
- In young children, "allergic shiners," a darkened appearance around the eyes cause by congestion of blood in the blood vessels
- In young children, a frequent "allergic salute," or the habit of wiping the nose upward with the palm of the hand; this can lead to an "allergic crease," a prominent horizontal crease across the nose at the end of cartilage that is produced by repeated "allergic salutes"
Development of symptoms: Symptoms appear soon after you're exposed to an allergen. Seasonal pollen allergies appear at about the same time every year.
Duration of symptoms: Symptoms last as long as you're exposed to the allergen. Weeks or months of symptoms are not unusual with seasonal pollen allergies.
Colds
Colds and their symptoms are more common in the fall and winter, but can occur year-round. Possible symptoms include:
- Nasal symptoms similar to those of hay fever
- Increased mucus production in the nose, may begin clear but changes to white, yellowish, or if secondary infection present, murky yellow, brown or green
- Lack of energy
- Burning in the nose or sore throat may be present
- Muscle aches and pains
- Low grade fever in some cases
- Wheezing, but only in people with asthma
Development of symptoms: It generally takes a day or two for full symptoms to develop.
Duration of symptoms: A cold should clear up within a week or so. Symptoms lasting longer than a week or worsening symptoms may suggest a secondary infection.
© 2023 The StayWell Company, LLC
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Infection Prevention: Weekly Quiz | |
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Question of the Week
An airborne disorder is any disease that is caused by a microorganism that is transmitted through the air. There are many airborne diseases that are of clinical importance and include bacteria, viruses, and fungi. These organisms may be spread through sneezing, coughing, spraying of liquids, the spread of dust, or any activity that results in the generation of aerosolized particles.
Name three examples of AIRBORNE infections:_______________
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Last Week's Question
List one of the most common isolated gram-negative organisms present on linen.
Answer: The most commonly isolated gram-negative organisms present on hospital linens include: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacterales.
Winner: Tara Sandler, Patient Accounting
Prize: Rubik's Cube keychain and a hanging car scent
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