May is Mental Health Awareness Month | |
May is widely recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month-- a cause that impacts paitents and physicians alike. Mental health challenges can affect individuals in our communities every day and, as such, the right support means everything.
From survivors of intimate partner violence, to physicians who may be struggling at work, to students navigating challenges in their path, we support many people who are managing ongoing pressures that can impact their mental health.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’d like to share some of The Center for a Healthy Maryland’s resources where patients, physicians, and loved ones can receive support:
-
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline - This line offers immediate, 24/7 crisis support for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts or emotional distress. Call 988 for assistance.
-
The NAMI HelpLine – This is a free, confidential nationwide service that provides one-on-one emotional support, mental health information, and resources Monday through Friday, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM ET . Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text NAMI to 62640, or send a message to helpline@nami.org. NAMI offers additional help lines on the website for family caregivers, teens and young adults, and individuals who speak Spanish. You can find them here.
-
Pro Bono Counseling’s WARMLine – This resource offers mental health support through a confidential warmline (410-598-0234, weekdays 10am–8pm) and can be reached at 410-825-1001.
Here are a few other ways to support your mental health (you can try these on your own).
Taking care of your mental health looks different for everyone, and even small steps can make a difference. We hope these resources offer a starting point and a reminder that support is available when it’s needed.
Gene M. Ransom III
CEO
MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society
| | | | |
Maryland Health Care Commission Announces $6.3 Million in Grant Funding to Expand Access to Primary Care in Rural Maryland
The Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC) released a Request for Applications (RFA) under the Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) for a funding opportunity that supports expanding access to primary care in designated rural areas of the State. Approximately $6.3 million is now available to eligible organizations to establish or expand primary care in rural Maryland. The grant will focus on strengthening operational capacity and improving access to high-quality, whole-person care, including preventive care services, chronic disease management, and reduced hospital utilization.
The MHCC will competitively award up to 15 one-year grants with a maximum award of $1.6 million. Funding will strengthen primary care infrastructure in rural communities facing provider shortages and limited or delayed access to primary care.
“Access to primary care is foundational to a strong health care system, yet many rural communities continue to face barriers to timely, accessible, high-quality primary care,” said Dr. Douglas Jacobs, MHCC’s Executive Director. “This funding opportunity aims to break down these barriers with new or expanded rural primary care practices and approaches to care delivery so that rural Marylanders have more ready access to the primary care they deserve.”
Applications will be evaluated based on organizational experience and capacity, understanding of community needs in the target rural areas, proposed strategies to improve access to primary care, and financial feasibility and sustainability. Eligible applicants include new or existing primary care practices, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and other organizations that are prepared to sponsor an advanced primary care practice. Applications are due to MHCC by Monday, June 1, 2026.
The RFA outlines all requirements and submission instructions for applicants. The MHCC will host an RFA informational webinar on Monday, May 11, 2026 from 3:00-4:00pm ET. Registration details are included on the MHCC website.
The Maryland RHTP is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) totaling $168,180,837.61 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents of this RFA are of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government. The MDH has delegated Maryland RHTP funding to MHCC for this RFA.
| | |
Health Care and the Economy in Maryland: Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges Ahead
On April 29th, many gathered in-person and virtually alongside Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman, Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani, and other partners for Health Care and the Economy in Maryland: Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges Ahead.
This event marked an important moment ito better understand and support Maryland’s largest and fastest-growing private industry: health care. Attendees received an early look at key insights from our forthcoming report, Maryland Industry Analysis: Healthcare and the Economy, which highlights the sector’s economic impact, areas of rapid growth, and the challenges that lie ahead for providers, patients, and policymakers.
Below are a few resources from Wednesday’s event:
If you are interested in a presentation on the report’s findings or sector trends, please contact Policy Research Director Dani DiPietro at ddipietro@marylandtaxes.gov
| | |
MCMS Executive Director Transition
As of May 1, Susan D'Antoni, Executive Director of the Montgomery County Medical Society, retired after 20 years of serving MCMS representing physician members as their advocate, staff leader, and cheerleader.
Susan has served in organized medicine for more than 37 years since coming to Maryland from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. She was the Executive Director of the largest medical society in New Orleans until a year after the hurricane.
She has received the AMA's Medical Executive Meritorious Service Award, and MCMS' Physician Advocacy Award. She has served as MedChi's Director of Publications and coordinated MedChi's Capitol Hill visits held in conjunction with the AMA's National Advocacy Conference for more than 15 years, in addition to assisting MedChi in strategic planning, membership, and communications.
On April 29th, she was made an Honorary Member of Montgomery County Medical Society by a vote of the membership. She will continue to do consulting for the organization to ensure an effective transition.
James Bryant, MBA, PMP is MCMS' new Executive Director. James comes to MCMS from the College of American Pathologists. Also, he has been a practice administrator for several years. James is looking forward to building on the progress that Susan has made in the last 20 years.
MedChi congratulates Susan and welcomes James!
For more information, contact James at jbryant@montgomerymedicine.org. If you'd like to reach out to Susan, her email is sdantoni@montgomerymedicine.org.
| | | |
If you have news to share about yourself, a colleague, or your practice, and would like us to feature it in MedChi News,
please contact Olivia Ballmann. All submissions are subject to review and approval.
Submission does not guarantee inclusion, publication, or use.
| | | | |
Caring One Provides 24/7 Contact Center Coverage for Private Practices
Caring One delivers healthcare contact center and information services that enable hospitals, MCOs, TPAs, and healthcare providers to manage patient communications, treatment plans, and case information efficiently and effectively. Click here for more information.
| | | Thank you for your support! | | Your Advocate. Your Resource. Your Profession. | | |
|
MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society
800.492.1056 • www.medchi.org
| | | | | |
