HealthFocus Fall 2024
Making news
TidalHealth Edward Q. Wilgus Community Clinic
TidalHealth CEO Dr. Steve Leonard has called it one of our most important projects. Last fall, we broke ground for the new TidalHealth Edward Q. Wilgus Community Clinic on the site of the former Hotel Esther in Salisbury.
What makes this so significant, aside from being the new home for TidalHealth Graduate Medical Education internal medicine residents, is the new clinic's location in the East Church Street neighborhood, a community that has been historically underserved for clinical care due to a number of social determinants of health. It’s intended to bridge the gap between the neighborhood and healthcare, reconnect residents to resources, stimulate residential development and reduce emergency department usage for general medical needs when it opens in 2025.
It also completes the dream of Dr. Robert Naylor, who intended to open a hospital on the grounds when he purchased the Hotel Esther property in 1893 but passed away six years later.
Nylon Capital Center partnership
In February, TidalHealth announced that it was partnering with Ninth Street Development Company (“9SDC”) and will be one of the anchor tenants at the Nylon Capital Center in Seaford, Del.
9SDC is constructing a new, state-of-the-art +/-22,000 sq. ft. healthcare facility for TidalHealth in the heart of the campus overlooking the shared campus green and pickleball courts. The 22-acre redevelopment of the former Nylon Capital Shopping Center aims to create a diverse mix of education, healthcare, coworking, and retail spaces for the Seaford community and greater Sussex County area.
Upon its completion, the Nylon Capital Center will become home to the Seaford teams of TidalHealth Orthopedics and TidalHealth Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Highmark $1 million contribution to TidalHealth GME
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware awarded TidalHealth a $1 million BluePrints for the Community grant to support the health system’s Graduate Medical Education curriculum in 2024.
A portion of the funds is being used to purchase a daVinci Xi surgical robot console for TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford, Del. The dual training control consoles will be used by TidalHealth’s resident physicians and their proctors in the General Surgery Residency program. Additionally, the grant will support the construction of on-call rooms at the Seaford hospital for surgical residents, where they can rest and decompress between extended shifts.
Remembering Nevins Todd, Jr.
TidalHealth and its healthcare family deeply mourned the loss of Nevins Todd, Jr., MD, who passed on Feb. 18 at the age of 91.
Dr. Todd was TidalHealth’s oldest living surgeon and the only doctor until his retirement in 2000 to personally know every surgeon to ever practice at the Salisbury hospital, including its first, Dr. J. McFadden Dick, who was hired on the one-year anniversary of the hospital in 1898.
Dr. Todd, a healthcare visionary, U.S. Navy veteran, and the grandson of the founder of TidalHealth (then Peninsula General Hospital) will forever be synonymous with a revolutionary change in medicine on the Delmarva Peninsula.
On May 15, 1974, in partnership tableside with Dr. Richard Hughes, Dr. Todd performed TidalHealth’s first open-heart surgery. No other community hospital in Maryland had ever done so before.
Dr. Todd’s legacy, however, extends well beyond a groundbreaking surgery that would set TidalHealth on its path to becoming the region’s premier tertiary hospital.
He’s remembered best as a true gentleman and fondly as a world-class cardiothoracic surgeon. Dr. Todd’s healthcare achievements and lifelong dedication and passion to his profession and patients earned him the Salisbury Award in 2000, the city’s most prestigious honor.
In September, TidalHealth dedicated the Center for Surgical Excellence in his honor and memory at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional.
Dr. Doran reaches 1,000 Makos
William Doran, DO, FAAOS, orthopedic surgeon and joint replacement specialist of TidalHealth Orthopedics in Seaford, Del., reached a historic surgical milestone with his 1,000th joint replacement using Mako robotic technology.
Dr. Doran, who pioneered the use of Mako robotics for precision hip and knee joint replacement on Delmarva, is the first surgeon in Delaware to reach 1,000 Mako joint replacements and is, by far, the most experienced in the area with this technology. Since introducing the Mako system at TidalHealth Nanticoke in 2018, he has performed more robotics procedures in the state than any other surgeon.
“Mako robotic arm assisted surgery is a tool that helps surgeons produce consistent results with each operation,” said Dr. Doran, who has also trained and mentored other orthopedic surgeons in Mako techniques. “It limits the unnecessary removal of irreplaceable bone, thereby producing a safer procedure for the patient.”
2024 medical and clinical milestones in brief
Cancer care
- Linear accelerator replacement at the Allen Cancer Center in Seaford for radiation oncology was completed in this fiscal year. This aligns the same machine/technology across all three sites and allowed us to implement advanced cancer fighting measures at the Allen Cancer Center and across all locations.
- Achieved American College of Radiology (ACR) accreditation across all sites (first accreditation for Seaford/Allen Cancer Center and three more years for TidalHealth’s Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute in Salisbury and Ocean Pines).
- Added three additional infusion chairs in Seaford to support additional volume and demand.
Orthopedics and neurosciences
- The Joint Commission disease specific recertification survey for Advanced Hip and Knee Replacement was conducted.
- The Joint Commission disease specific recertification survey for Surgical Spine was conducted.
- The Joint Commission disease specific recertification survey for Advanced Primary Stroke was conducted.
- Achieved Bariatric Surgery reaccreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement (MBSAQIP) program.
- TeleNeurology services implemented at TidalHealth Nanticoke — now providing 24/7 neurology coverage and reducing transfers.
- Expanded Ceribell (rapid EEG) services at TidalHealth Nanticoke from the ICU and emergency department to the inpatient nursing units.
Cardiac and vascular services
- MIEMSS redesignation of TidalHealth Peninsula Regional as a Cardiac Interventional Center.
- MOU issued at TidalHealth Nanticoke from MIEMSS for services provided as a Cardiac Interventional Center.
- Collaboration with MedStar for an Advance Heart Failure Clinic at TidalHealth Cardiology North — monthly. Under the direction of Dr. Erica Feller, patients being evaluated for heart transplant or a left ventricular assist device from the Eastern Shore can now be seen in the Salisbury clinic location instead of “across the bridge.”
- Electrophysiology services continue to grow at TidalHealth Nanticoke.
- Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship program began in July 2024.
- The Certificate of Ongoing Performance for reaccreditation of PCI services was completed and submitted to the Maryland Health Care Commission.
Women’s and children’s services
- Standardized the maternal early warning signs at both hospitals to help improve early recognition and decrease maternal morbidity and mortality.
- Both TidalHealth Peninsula Regional and TidalHealth Nanticoke are performing audits on hypertension and timelines of medications. The goal is one hour.
- Teams at both the Salisbury and Seaford hospitals have drafted a process regarding babies that are born at home in collaboration with the Emergency Department.
- Both hospitals have measures in place to help with access of care that addresses diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Medical imaging
- The new Interventional Radiology Endovascular Suite is complete and online. This equipment has the latest technology for vascular imaging and high image quality that will improve the care that we provide to patients in a minimally invasive setting.
- Received accreditation from the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center (PSC).
TidalHealth Nanticoke renovations
The second phase of much anticipated renovations at TidalHealth Nanticoke to the fourth and fifth floors of the 72-year-old Seaford, Del., hospital will result in the temporary relocation of two services at different times over the course of the next couple of years.
The work to enhance the safety, appearance and delivery of healthcare is happening in the Specialty Surgical and Robotics Unit (SSRU) and the Obstetrics Unit (OB).
Phase one is complete, with the SSRU returned to its traditional fifth floor space. The OB unit and team has temporarily relocated to a new space on the first floor in the former Pediatrics Short Stay Unit (PSSU) and a portion of the Clinical Decision Unit (CDU B). The renovation project on the OB fourth floor unit is expected to last a few more months.
Once OB is complete, a second temporary move of the SSRU back downstairs is scheduled while a final refurbishing of their permanent fifth floor unit is completed. At that time, the OB unit will return, permanently, to the fourth floor. When the fifth floor is complete, the SSRU will return, permanently, to its unit.
In each move, the healthcare teams of professionals working on those units will relocate with the patients, resulting in no lapse or change in the quality of care.
TidalHealth will keep everyone updated on the progress of the renovations and the final timing of the second and third phases of the plan.
Graduate Medical Education
The following letter was written by our designated institutional official, Dr. Simona Eng.
Our Graduate Medical Education (GME) journey has certainly been very fruitful and rewarding. We are now in our third class of Internal Medicine residents with our inaugural class graduating in June 2025. Dr. Jack Snitzer is leading this residency as our program director (Dr. Qamar Iqbal and Dr. Simona Eng serve as associate program directors).
The mission of our health system is to improve the health of the communities we serve, and by supporting medical education, we are training our next generation of physicians to provide the needed care to our community.
I am happy to report that Dr. Karinnet Montero-Diaz, who is part of our inaugural class, will be joining our Internal Medicine Residency clinic as an attending physician in the summer of 2025. Dr. Juwairiya Shuroog, who is also graduating in 2025, will join the TidalHealth hospitalist group. We have many third year Internal Medicine residents who are interested in pursuing fellowships.
We are in our second year of our General Surgery Residency, with the start of six new residents and with a local face in the mix: Dr. Wyatt Glasgow from Salisbury. This program is led by Dr. Gopal Kowdley, who serves as the program director, with Dr. Brion McCutcheon serving as associate program director.
With the leadership of Dr. Steven Gibson as our program director and Dr. Biswajit Ghosh as associate program director, we started our inaugural class of four Anesthesiology residents this summer, hoping that they will stay and serve our community once they finish their four-year training.
Also, exciting news is the start of our three Cardiovascular Disease fellows this summer, led by Program Director Dr. Maninder Singh. Dr. Joseph Cinderella and Dr. Akhil Parashar both serve as our associate program directors supporting the program efforts. All fellows are learning from our great cardiologists.
Our Family Medicine Residency program (Dr. Kate Goth serving as the program director with Dr. Nicole Alu serving as the associate program director) was accredited Oct. 24.
The Infectious Disease Fellowship received initial accreditation status Sept. 6 (Dr. Areej Khan serving as program director with Dr. Makonda Shimukowa serving as associate program director), and the Hematology & Medical Oncology Fellowship received initial accreditation status Sept. 6 (Dr. Salahuddin Siddiqui serving as program director with Dr. Justin Kucinski serving as associate program director).
The Transitional Year residency program (Dr. Adnan Younus serving as program director) has a site visit scheduled for Oct. 15, with the review committee meeting Dec. 4. The Psychiatry Residency program (Dr. Eric Liao serving as program director with Dr. Ovais Khalid serving as associate program director) has a site visit scheduled for Oct. 2, with the review committee meeting on Feb. 7.
We were granted initial accreditation status by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education for our Gastroenterology Fellowship, led by Program Director Dr. Daniel Daniels. Dr. Andrew Canakis will join the program after completing his advanced endoscopy procedures in 2025 and will also serve as the associate program director.
We are currently completing applications in the following areas: Pulmonary Disease & Critical Care Fellowship (Dr. Yash Sangwan serving as program director with Dr. Pardeep Masuta serving as associate program director), Nephrology Fellowship (Dr. Kazi Khan serving as program director), Endocrinology Fellowship (Dr. Jorge Vivar Aguirre serving as program director), Rheumatology Fellowship (Dr. Robert Kimelheim serving as program director), Healthcare Administration, Leadership & Management Fellowship (Dr. Trudy Hall serving as program director), and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship (Dr. Jason Scopp serving as program director).
We are starting our Endocrinology, Diabetes, & Metabolism Fellowship and Nephrology Fellowship applications very shortly.
I am proud to announce that Dr. Katherine Layton has accepted the position as director of Undergraduate Medical Education. She will oversee all allied health students, medical students and observership requests and schedules.
We have a great collaboration with two medical schools: the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (formerly UMDNJ-SOM), where each year we have a cohort of third-year medical students who complete the majority of their clinical rotations within our health system. Some continued their fourth-year sub-internships with us, hoping to match into one of our residencies. This serves as a great pipeline for our GME programs because the students will have lived in this community and become part of our community.
There are a lot of moving parts that require a large team to support these programs. Not only do we need actual workforce support, but we need enough space to accommodate the growth of faculty and trainees, and we could not do this without the great support of the Board, community, hospital leaderships, medical staff members serving as faculty, and health system team members to make this come to fruition.
Simona Eng, DO, FACOI, SFHM, FACP
Associate Vice President of Medical Education/Designated Institutional Official
Associate Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency
Executive Medical Director of Acute Care
Awards and honors
CMS 5-star rating for TidalHealth Nanticoke
TidalHealth Nanticoke is proud to announce that it received a prestigious 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in its 2024 Hospital Quality Star Ratings. This distinguished recognition underscores the hospital’s unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care and achieving outstanding patient outcomes.
TidalHealth Nanticoke is the only hospital in Delaware to earn this top rating, highlighting its role as a leader in healthcare excellence within the state. Nationally, TidalHealth Nanticoke is one of only 381 hospitals out of approximately 3,000, representing the top 8% of hospitals across the United States, to receive the highest possible rating from CMS.
The 5-star rating reflects excellence across five critical quality measures: mortality, safety, readmissions, patient experience, and timely & effective care.
The Joint Commission recertifies TidalHealth Nanticoke
TidalHealth Nanticoke earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Hospital Accreditation last year by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a healthcare organization’s commitment to providing safe and quality patient care and is valid for the next 36 months.
During the site survey, a team of Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with hospital standards spanning several areas including emergency management, environment of care, infection prevention and control, leadership, medication management, and rights and responsibilities of the individual.
The team at TidalHealth Nanticoke joins its counterparts at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, Md., who earned the same Gold Seal Accreditation from The Joint Commission in 2022.
“TidalHealth Nanticoke is pleased to receive accreditation from The Joint Commission, the premier healthcare quality improvement and accrediting body in the nation,” added Penny Short, MSM, BSN, RN, president of TidalHealth Nanticoke. “Team members from across the hospital continue to work together to enhance, develop and implement approaches that are improving care for people in western Sussex County.”
US News recognizes TidalHealth
U.S. News & World Report, a global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, named TidalHealth Peninsula Regional the fourth Best Hospital (tie) in Maryland and a 2023-2024 High Performing hospital for 11 challenging and elective health conditions; the highest distinction a hospital can earn for U.S. News’ Best Hospitals Procedures & Conditions ratings.
The Salisbury hospital was recognized as high performing in heart bypass surgery, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, heart failure, the treatment of heart attack, stroke care, the treatment of pneumonia, lung cancer surgery, knee replacement, hip replacement, colon cancer surgery, and for the care of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The recognition by U.S. News acknowledges the care provided at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional is significantly better than the national average, as measured by factors such as patient outcomes.
TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford, Del., was ranked on average with peer United States hospitals in 13 categories (COPD, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, hip replacement, knee replacement, pneumonia, leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, stroke and kidney failure).
Leapfrog safety grades
TidalHealth Peninsula Regional was, again, awarded an "A" from The Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2024 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. The designation recognizes the Salisbury hospital’s efforts in protecting patients from preventable harm and errors and providing safer healthcare.
TidalHealth Nanticoke improved significantly and is rated a “B,” narrowly missing an “A” in the spring report.
TidalHealth, for three consecutive ratings periods, has been a recipient of the “A” grade at its Salisbury hospital. This spring, it was one of just 14 hospitals in Maryland to achieve an “A” and among only 29% of all hospitals in the United States to do so.
The Leapfrog Group, an independent national watchdog organization, assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to general hospitals across the country based on over 30 national performance measures reflecting errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems that hospitals have in place to prevent harm.
Healthgrades Awards place TidalHealth among nation’s BEST hospitals
Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians, and health systems, released its 2024 Star Report of hospital achievements in late 2023, and TidalHealth Peninsula Regional and TidalHealth Nanticoke were rated among the nation’s best in several clinical services.
At TidalHealth Peninsula Regional, new in the 2024 report was a designation as One of America’s 100 BEST Hospitals for Spine Surgery, placing it among the Top 10% in the nation. New 5-star ratings in the 2024 report include Pacemaker Procedures, Spinal Fusion, Treatment of Sepsis and Treatment of Respiratory Failure.
TidalHealth Peninsula Regional was also again One of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Vascular Surgery. This is the 10th consecutive year earning that recognition (2015-2024). The vascular team also maintained the Healthgrades Vascular Surgery Excellence Award for a 10th consecutive year (2015-2024), placing it among the top 10% in the nation for vascular surgery.
TidalHealth Peninsula Regional was also the only hospital in the state to earn a 50 BEST Hospitals for Vascular Surgery designation, and the only Maryland hospital 5-star rated in both the Treatment of Abdominal Aorta and Peripheral Vascular Bypass.
At TidalHealth Nanticoke, and new for 2024, the team was presented the Healthgrades Coronary Interventional Excellence Award, placing that service as top 10% in the nation. The Seaford hospital also was 5-star rated for the first time in Coronary Intervention, Treatment of Heart Attack and Treatment of Respiratory Failure.
TidalHealth Nanticoke was also honored again as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Gastrointestinal (GI) Surgery. The recognition was first awarded to the Seaford hospital in 2023. The GI Surgery Excellence Award keeps TidalHealth Nanticoke among the top 10% in the nation.
TidalHealth Nanticoke was also the only hospital in the state of Delaware to achieve the Healthgrades 5-star rating for the Treatment of Heart Attack.
Cardiac Interventional Center
The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) completed its 2024 review and consideration of TidalHealth Peninsula Regional as a Cardiac Interventional Center.
MIEMSS found substantial compliance with the required standards and re-designated TidalHealth Peninsula Regional as a cardiac interventional center (CIC) for the next five years. This designation was first received April 1, 2011, and TidalHealth Peninsula Regional has continuously held it ever since.
The CIC designation means TidalHealth Peninsula Regional is available to the public 24 hours per day, seven days per week with the required equipment and supplies and is staffed with qualified clinicians and team members to serve the needs of patients with acute ST-elevated myocardial infarction (heart attack), or STEMI.
“It takes coordination among all the team members involved in the care of the patient having a heart attack to achieve the best clinical outcome,” said Joseph Cinderella, MD, Cardiac Catheterization Lab medical director at TidalHealth. “It has been established that the sooner a heart attack patient is treated to relieve the blockage causing the STEMI, the better the heart muscle will recover resulting in fewer complications and better overall outcomes for patients.”
ACR accreditations in radiation care
TidalHealth’s Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute in Salisbury and Ocean Pines, Md. and the TidalHealth Allen Cancer Center in Seaford, Del., have all been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in radiation oncology in 2024 as the result of a review by the American College of Radiology® (ACR®).
Radiation oncology (radiation therapy) is the careful use of high-energy radiation to treat cancer. A radiation oncologist may use radiation to cure cancer or to relieve a cancer patient’s pain. This marks the first accreditation in this field for the TidalHealth Allen Cancer Center and three more years of accreditation for TidalHealth’s Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute in Salisbury and Ocean Pines.
“This incredible achievement is a testament to the unwavering dedication of every member of our radiation oncology team,” said Heather Turner, director of cancer center operations at TidalHealth. “They work tirelessly each day to provide the highest quality care possible, with patient safety always at the forefront of their minds. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all these team members for their exceptional work, and for proudly showcasing the great work done at TidalHealth.”
ALS Clinic recertified
The ALS Association recertified the ALS Clinic at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional as an ALS Recognized Treatment Center (RTC). TidalHealth was the first hospital in Maryland to earn the initial designation in 2018 and has held it ever since.
In again honoring the ALS Clinic team, the national association thanked the team for providing outstanding care and services to people on the Delmarva Peninsula who are facing this most horrific disease.
To earn the status of an ALS Recognized Treatment Center, the clinic at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional was required to achieve and maintain a set of standards and components. They include a multidisciplinary team of nursing and allied health professionals assigned to ALS patients, a neurologist with the specific knowledge base to evaluate and treat people living with the disease, a strong relationship with the ALS Association and an ongoing process of improvement initiatives.
TidalHealth Peninsula Regional has operated its ALS Clinic since 2009 and treats approximately 100 people annually.
By the numbers
Fiscal year 2024 by the numbers
- 1 physician network: TidalHealth Medical Partners (65+ sites and 377 primary and specialty care providers)
- 2 acute care hospitals (TidalHealth Nanticoke and TidalHealth Peninsula Regional)
- 3 emergency centers (Salisbury, Seaford and Crisfield)
- 4.5 average length of stay (days)
- 5 major campuses (Mears, McCready Pavilion, Millsboro, Ocean Pines and Woodbrooke)
- 8 venture partners (AHP Delmarva, Deer Pointe Surgical Center, Delmarva Endoscopy Center, Peninsula Home Care Salisbury, Peninsula Home Care Nanticoke, Peninsula Imaging, TidalHealth Pediatric Development & Therapy and Your Doc’s In)
- 414 licensed beds
- 2,823 babies delivered
- 5,000+ employees
- 20,668 adult admissions
- 27,368 total surgical procedures
- 115,861 emergency department visits
- 598,221 outpatient visits
- 743,043 physician office visits
- $44,000,000+ total community benefit
- $1.2 billion+ in total gross patient revenue
- $1.3 billion in assets
- 1,307 new team members have joined TidalHealth, including 258 RNs and 36 CNA trainees that have been hired through our on-site CNA training program
- 1,975 nominations to honor TidalHealth team members that include peer-to-peer Values in Action entries, manager to team member entries, the Daisy RN Award, Sunshine CNA Award and Team Members of the Quarter.
Into the community
TidalHealth focuses on community wellness
The goal of TidalHealth’s Community Wellness team is to improve equitable access to healthcare and resources. The team does this by bringing preventative services and health promotion information directly into communities. The team routinely conducts outreach and screenings throughout the four-county service area throughout the week. The outreach efforts are in addition to visiting patients in their homes to address social drivers of health like food, transportation, and housing.
In Delaware, Community Wellness partners with the Seaford Community of Hope and Children and Families First to routinely provide screening and health education to residents of Meadowbridge and Chandler Heights in Seaford. This partnership was key to having a successful community health fair at West Seaford Elementary this past spring. The Community Wellness Mobile Unit can also be spotted at other community sites such as the Salvation Army and Papayo Market to check blood pressure and conduct diabetes risk assessments. They connect community members to insurance coverage and healthcare providers for primary care.
In Maryland, the team visits low-income and hard-to-reach communities from Salisbury to Smith Island to screen for high blood pressure, diabetes, and conduct A1C or cholesterol testing. Community Wellness partners with Aetna Better Health of Maryland to do screenings and outreach at local laundromats monthly. They also partner with Rebirth, Inc., a community center and nonprofit serving primarily the Haitian population, to provide screenings and connect individuals to care. Twice a month the Community Wellness nurse practitioner visits Rebirth to see uninsured immigrants with chronic conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure to address their acute medical needs and bridge the gap until they can be connected to primary care.
SWIFT Program
The SWIFT Program continues to grow and receive accolades for the impact it has on the community. Last fall the Salisbury-Wicomico Integrated Firstcare Team (SWIFT) received the 2023 Outstanding Rural Health Program Award from the Maryland Rural Health Association. The program is a collaboration between TidalHealth’s Community Wellness Department and the Salisbury Fire Department (SFD). The initiative's purpose is to prevent and reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and readmissions.
The program, which serves Wicomico County, expanded services in fiscal year 2024 to include physical therapy and comprehensive medication management with a pharmacist, thanks to a $209,425 grant from the Rural Maryland Council.
SWIFT takes an innovative, interdisciplinary approach to coordinated care for patients at highest risk for readmissions or avoidable emergency department visits. The team is led by a nurse practitioner (NP) working with a SFD program coordinator paramedic. The NP and paramedic visit the homes of referred individuals to assess their health, medical, and social needs. They work with an extended care team including registered nurses, social workers, and community health workers to address needs identified through home visit assessments.
The program further operates the Minor Definitive Care Now (MDCN) model, in which a TidalHealth nurse practitioner and an SFD paramedic respond to low acuity 911 calls to assess and treat patients on scene to proactively prevent unnecessary emergency department visits and allow the ambulance to go back into service to respond to higher acuity calls. The MDCN program is the only program functioning in the State of Maryland and is one of only 25 programs nationally providing this innovative and cutting-edge service.
REACH Program addresses diabetes and high blood pressure on the Lower Eastern Shore
Diabetes and high blood pressure plague the Lower Eastern Shore, but TidalHealth has been working with partners throughout the region to prevent and reduce these chronic conditions through the grant-funded REACH Program.
The program, Rural Equity and Access to Community Health (REACH), was originally funded through the Pathways to Health Equity grant program of the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) until June 2024. The work that began under the REACH grant will continue and expand thanks to a new grant program of the CHRC, through development of the Health Equity Resource Community.
TidalHealth is now the recipient of an additional $4.8 million grant award to extend the REACH project for another five years. TidalHealth and its partners will continue to scale strategies that address health disparities, particularly among the Haitian community. The grant is made available under the Maryland Health Equity Resource Act, which provides funding and resources for local communities to address health disparities, improve health outcomes, expand access to primary care and prevention services, and help reduce health care costs.
TidalHealth improves access to care on Smith Island
TidalHealth recently used a $26,000 grant from the Somerset County Health Department to address health disparities and improve healthcare access on Smith Island. The grant allowed TidalHealth to complete critical upgrades to the clinic space, including a wheelchair ramp, and purchase a supply of blood pressure cuffs, patient educational materials, and new medical equipment.
TidalHealth partnered with Ewell United Church in 2018 to begin offering acute care visits to island residents in the church office space. The program initially involved a nurse practitioner and pharmacist traveling to the island every other week from April through November and offered telehealth visits when team members were unable to travel to the island.
The program has expanded to include an annual health fair with a variety of screenings and healthcare services and additional clinical professionals routinely visiting the island to provide physical therapy, chronic disease education and behavioral health.
The team outgrew the space, which included a single exam room. The grant funding allowed TidalHealth to retrofit the space to include two exam rooms, a room to check vitals and draw blood and a waiting area. Renovations were completed July 12, 2024. Patients seen at the clinic on July 31 said they were pleased with the improvements and grateful for the continued expansion of services provided.
HealthFest events in Salisbury, Seaford, and Laurel
TidalHealth’s annual health fairs were held in new locations in Salisbury and Seaford in 2024. Each event featured dozens of screeners, exhibitors, demonstrations, and entertainment.
The annual event in Salisbury was held at the Salisbury Fire Department Headquarters Station at 325 Cypress St. and featured more than 40 exhibitors, healthy living information, presentations and demonstrations, entertainment, and more. The Seaford event was held at West Seaford Elementary School in partnership with Children and Families First.
TidalHealth’s clinical professionals were available to provide a showcase of exhibits and free health screenings such as blood pressure testing and body max index, fall risk testing, diabetes assessments, A1C blood draws, cholesterol and kidney disease testing thanks to additional support from the National Kidney Foundation.
In addition to these events, TidalHealth again partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to support a special event at Tabitha Medical Clinic in Laurel to make prostate screening, A1C, and kidney disease testing available to community members, including many from the Haitian community.
Welcome new providers
TidalHealth continues to expand its network of providers in Maryland and Delaware to serve the needs of our community. We are pleased to welcome these providers who have joined our team since January 2024. To learn more about them or for information on any of our primary care or specialty care offices or services, please visit the Primary & Specialty Care page.
Samir Ahmed, BMMS
TidalHealth Endocrinology
Seaford
Nicole Alu, DO
Associate Program Director
TidalHealth Family Medicine Residency
Katherine Arensmeyer, NP
TidalHealth Allen Cancer Center
Seaford
Sarah Assali, MD
TidalHealth General Surgery
Saisbury
Griffith Batstone, MD
TidalHealth Urology
Salisbury
Julie Berry, MD
TidalHealth Ear, Nose & Throat Surgery
Salisbury
Colin Bobersky, PA-C
TidalHealth Urology
Salisbury
Maxine Cruz-am, NP
TidalHealth Cardiology
Salisbury
Gabrielle Culver, NP
TidalHealth Gastroenterology
Salisbury
Carrie Dawes, NP
TidalHealth Pediatrics
Salisbury
Maria “Patty” Deza, NP
TidalHealth Neurosurgery
Salisbury
Olivia Dorman, NP
TidalHealth Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine
Salisbury & Seaford
Kayla Esham, NP
TidalHealth Cardiology
Salisbury
Melody Evans, NP
TidalHealth Pulmonary
Salisbury
Leah Fetzer, NP
TidalHealth Primary Care
Ocean Pines
Sean Forsyth, NP
TidalHealth Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine
Seaford
Rina Ghorpade, MD
TidalHealth Primary Care
Millsboro
Michael Gilchrest, MD
TidalHealth Community Clinic
Salisbury
Katherine Goth, MD
Program Director
TidalHealth Family Medicine Residency
Richard Griffiths, DO
TidalHealth General Surgery
Seaford
Evelyn Hahn, PA-C
TidalHealth Medical Oncology & Hematology
Salisbury & Seaford
Nidia Hall, NP
TidalHealth Pulmonary
Ocean Pines
Stuart Hensley, NP
TidalHealth Primary Care
Delmar
Andrew Jacobs, MD
TidalHealth Family Medicine Practice
Salisbury
Penny Johnson, NP
TidalHealth Cardiology
Salisbury
Tashara Jones, MD
TidalHealth General Surgery
Salisbury & Seaford
Carrie Kellams, NP
TidalHealth General Surgery
Salisbury & Seaford
Robert Kimelheim, DO
TidalHealth Rheumatalogy
Salisbury
Nikkia King, PA-C
TidalHealth Primary Care
Bridgeville
Eric Liao, MD
Program Director, TidalHealth Psychiatry Residency
TidalHealth Behavioral Health
Salisbury
John “Jack” McCarthy, NP
TidalHealth Cardiology
Salisbury
Eric Munoz, MD
TidalHealth Cardiovascular Surgery
Salisbury
Bhaskar Palekar, MD
TidalHealth Primary Care
Lewes
Stephen Robinson, MD
TidalHealth Primary Care
Salisbury
Samantha Roman, MD
TidalHealth Neurology
Salisbury
Mohammed Saad, MD
TidalHealth Oncology & Hematology
Salisbury
Mary Beth Salmonsen, DO
TidalHealth Palliative Care
Salisbury
Najam Saqib, MD
TidalHealth Cardiology
Salisbury
Samantha Scott, PhD
Program Director
TidalHealth Postdoctoral Clinical Psychology Consortium
Evan Selsky, MD
TidalHealth Cardiology
Ocean Pines
Salahuddin Siddiqui, MD
TidalHealth Oncology & Hematology
Salisbury and Seaford
Shivam Singla, MD
TidalHealth Community Clinic
Salisbury
LaToya Stewart, NP
TidalHealth Cardiology
Salisbury
Aleksandra Ward, NP
TidalHealth Neurosurgery
Salisbury
Joseph Whittaker, PA
TidalHealth Orthopedics
Seaford
Ginger Wille, NP
TidalHealth Primary Care
Berlin
Giving back
The TidalHealth Foundation granted $3,059,158 to TidalHealth, supporting various needs in FY24.
As the president of the TidalHealth Foundation, I am pleased to share the unwavering support and dedication our community has demonstrated toward our mission through philanthropy. This support has been critical in advancing healthcare in our region, and this report highlights the significant impact we have achieved.
Throughout the past year, contributions from supporters have enabled us to fund programs, initiate capital projects, and launch community wellness initiatives. These efforts are not just numbers on a page; they represent real, tangible benefits for individuals and families who rely on our healthcare system.
Below are some of the highlights.
Jessica Hales, CRFE President
TidalHealth Foundation
"SPARK" a campaign to ignite our future
TidalHealth Foundation is in the midst of a $5 million campaign to establish a Graduate Medical Education (GME) program aimed at addressing physician shortages on the Eastern Shore.
To learn more about the SPARK campaign and how you can support it, visit tidalhealth.org/spark.
The Drive for Mobile Mammography
The Drive for Mobile Mammography is a $1 million campaign that focuses on creating survivors by bringing preventative breast cancer screenings to our community.
By mobilizing mammography services, we can bridge the gap in breast cancer screening accessibility. Our fully equipped mobile unit will travel to Sussex County, Delaware, and Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties in Maryland, visiting neighborhoods, workplaces, and community centers, offering high-quality mammograms in a convenient and comfortable setting.
These units will be staffed by experienced healthcare professionals dedicated to providing compassionate care and education about breast health.
To learn more on how you can support The Drive for Mobile Mammography, visit tidalhealth.org/mobilemammo.
Grateful engagement initiative launches
We proudly launched the Guardian Angel program to enable patients and their families to express gratitude to TidalHealth team members who have positively impacted their healthcare journey. Upon receiving a donation, the TidalHealth Foundation sends a letter to the honoree, notifying them of the tribute and acknowledging them as someone's Guardian Angel. Each recipient will receive a custom pin for their lapel or badge.
Community invests in simulation center
The new TidalHealth Center for Medical Training and Simulation provides cutting-edge training for residents and fellows in our Graduate Medical Education program. Equipped with high-fidelity mannequins and advanced procedural simulators, the center offers realistic, hands-on practice in a safe environment. By fostering interdisciplinary teamwork and allowing trainees to refine their skills without risk to patients, the center enhances both medical education and patient care, ensuring healthcare providers are well-prepared for real-world clinical challenges.
Rebecca & Leighton Moore Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit is open
In May 2024, TidalHealth opened the Rebecca & Leighton Moore Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Unit at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional. Currently accommodating a small number of patients, the unit will gradually expand to serve up to 10 adolescents and five children once modifications and safety renovations are finalized.
The campaign for child and adolescent behavioral health raised over $6 million to make this unit possible.
Making a difference: your generosity in action
Thanks to the many generous toy and monetary donations from our community, Brooke’s Toy Closet comforted nearly 17,000 children at our hospitals in the past year.
Donations to the pregnancy and infant loss program (STAR, or Special Treasures Are Remembered) have continued to make a profound impact on grieving families in our community. This year's contributions purchased meaningful keepsakes, such as matching memory bracelets, angel bears for siblings, journals for families, supplies for bereavement photography, and more. These donations have provided vital comfort and support to families during their time of grief.
Thanks to the TidalHealth Nanticoke Nursing Scholarship, funded by the Allen Family, seven nurses at TidalHealth Nanticoke received tuition assistance to further their education. This support is empowering our nurses to enhance their skills and knowledge, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes for our community.
Our Intensive Care funds purchased blankets for organ donors. When a patient in the ICU or CTICU reaches brain death, and their families consent to organ donation, TidalHealth presents the patient with a blanket that says "HERO." These blankets hold deep sentimental value for the families, who cherish them as a way to remember the incredible gift their loved one provided.
Dr. Alfred Beattie and his wife, Ruth, have generously funded critical initiatives and equipment at TidalHealth over the years. Recently, their contributions have provided a warming scale for the newborn pediatric unit, a vital signs machine for the oncology clinic in Salisbury, and uniforms and jackets for new hires. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to donors like the Beatties for their unwavering support of TidalHealth.
A message from the CEO
President/CEO, TidalHealth
I am proud to share the tremendous progress our health system has made over the past year, driven by our strategic focus on access, effectiveness, and engagement. These goals guide every step we take to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve.
Expanding access to care
Expanding access is a top priority as we work to meet the needs of our growing region. Our new Millsboro campus represents a major step forward. With site plan approvals secured, we are finalizing plans to introduce a range of services to the area, from primary care to specialty offerings that will significantly improve convenience and access for Sussex County residents.
Equally important is our commitment to early detection and prevention, exemplified by our investment in a mobile mammography unit. This unit will travel throughout our service area, bringing lifesaving breast cancer screenings to underserved and remote communities. By removing barriers to care, we are enabling more women to receive critical early diagnoses. To learn how you can support this vital service, visit tidalhealth.org/mobilemammo.
Enhancing effectiveness and quality of care
We are proud of the progress we’ve made in enhancing the effectiveness of our care. We are pleased to announce that we concluded FY24 in a stronger financial position than anticipated, enabling us to reinvest in our team members and services. Effectiveness extends beyond financial health; it encompasses the quality of care we deliver. This year, our health system received multiple awards for excellence in patient outcomes and safety.
TidalHealth Nanticoke received a prestigious 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in its 2024 Hospital Quality Star Ratings, highlighting our Seaford team’s commitment to providing exceptional care and achieving outstanding patient outcomes. In Salisbury, Healthgrades named TidalHealth Peninsula Regional one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Vascular Surgery and one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Spine Surgery.
Our providers across the region continue to shine through patient recognition awards such as “Best of Coastal Style,” “First State Favorites,” “Stars of Salisbury,” “Top Docs,” and more. These accolades reflect our primary and specialty care providers’ dedication to living our mission every single day.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to share that both hospitals are poised to receive an “A” rating from Leapfrog in the coming weeks. If achieved, we will be the only system in the region with this level of distinction across all our hospitals — a testament to our steadfast commitment to quality and safety.
Fostering engagement
Engagement is the foundation of our long-term success, particularly in the realm of medical education. Our Graduate Medical Education (GME) program continues to flourish, with four active programs, three additional accredited fellowship programs, and 44 residents currently training across various specialties, including anesthesiology, general surgery and internal medicine, along with three cardiovascular disease fellows.
Additional accredited fellowships on track to begin in July 2025 include gastroenterology, hematology and medical oncology, and infectious disease. This coming year, we are hopeful to add additional programs, including residencies in family medicine, and transitional year and fellowships in endocrinology, geriatrics, hospice and palliative medicine, nephrology, pulmonary and critical care, and rheumatology, further expanding our ability to train the next generation of physicians.
Additionally, in 2026, we are hopeful to begin residencies in psychiatry, neurology, interventional radiology, diagnostic radiology, and obstetrics and gynecology, as well as expand our fellowships to include healthcare administration/ management/ leadership, orthopedic sports medicine, cardiothoracic anesthesiology, interventional cardiology, and sleep medicine. By 2028, our GME program is on track to become the third-largest single-site program in Maryland, with anticipation of more than 200 residents and fellows across 29 programs.
At the heart of our educational mission is our exceptional team, whose expertise drives our success. Our team members are the heartbeat of TidalHealth, and to recognize their vital contributions, we accelerated merit increases from October to July this year, reaffirming our promise to support and invest in our workforce.
Our GME program reflects this dedication to our team, allowing us to offer advanced, tertiary-level care while training the next generation of physicians right here in our community. Supported by highly skilled faculty, each GME program elevates the patient care experience and enhances our clinical capabilities, ensuring patients can receive top-tier care without leaving the region.
We also prioritize professional development, offering training programs, mentorship, and clear pathways for career advancement. By investing in their growth, we empower our team members to reach their full potential, ensuring they feel valued and continue contributing to TidalHealth’s success as both an academic and healthcare leader.
Looking ahead
As we reflect on the past year’s successes, we are excited about the opportunities ahead. From expanding access through new campuses and innovative mobile services, to enhancing the quality of care with advanced technology and strong outcomes, we are building a healthier future for everyone we serve. Together, we will continue to improve lives and strengthen our community partnerships, ensuring that the needs of our patients remain at the center of all we do.
What we've accomplished
VELYS™ robotic technology
In 2019, there were approximately 900,000 primary knee replacements performed in the United States. Patients are often looking for the latest technology as they aim for improved outcomes, increased movement, and shortened recovery time.
Every knee is different, as is every patient requiring a knee replacement procedure.
Peninsula Orthopaedic Associates (POA) surgeons in the joint replacement program at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, Md., are now using the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution, a technology that helps surgeons perform a knee replacement with the use of data that’s tailored to each patient’s anatomy.
This new service at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional is the first use of robotic-assisted technology in knee replacement surgery at the Salisbury hospital. The collaborative partnership between TidalHealth and POA continues the commitment to bring innovative and advanced technology and new, less-invasive surgical options to patients on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Metal detection at Salisbury hospital emergency department
Last September, TidalHealth Peninsula Regional began renovating the walk-in entrance to the emergency/trauma center as part of a security enhancement effort that includes the placement of a metal detection system.
That effort began May 13 for anyone entering the walk-in entrance of the TidalHealth Peninsula Regional Emergency/Trauma Center (ED) in Salisbury.
The overall reaction from visitors and patients has been positive, cooperative and supportive.
The back section of the ED waiting area is also now secured with badge-only access, eliminating the possibility of visitors and/or patients trying to access the hospital without going through the lobby inside the Frank B. Hanna Main Entrance.
As the emergency/trauma center becomes its own stand-alone unit, anyone needing to leave the area or enter the hospital will have to exit through the ED entrance vestibule. Those returning will be rescreened prior to entry.
We will keep everyone informed of updates and additional security measures.
Linear accelerator at Allen Cancer Center
Cancer is unforgiving. To beat it, you need to be equally as relentless in your treatment approach. It requires a calculated and multidisciplinary plan using the most advanced technologies.
At the Allen Cancer Center at TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford, Del., a new state-of-the-art Varian TrueBeam linear accelerator is operational for radiation treatments, made possible through the continued generosity of the late Barbara Allen and Chick Allen and their devotion to improving healthcare for the Western Sussex County community.
The unit, dedicated with a ribbon cutting Jan. 10, aligns the Allen Cancer Center with the very same Varian TrueBeam linear accelerators in use at the TidalHealth Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute Peninsula Regional campus in Salisbury, Md., and at the Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute located at the health system’s Ocean Pines, Md. campus.
That’s important for not only continuity of care, but also for our Delaware patients who previously had to travel to Maryland for highly advanced procedures like stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic body radiation therapy.
Each of these specialized treatments is designed to provide highly focused, tightly conformed and precise beams of radiation to destroy tumors, while sparing surrounding tissue and greatly reducing the number of times and the duration of time patients must spend on the treatment table.
Flag wall at TidalHealth Nanticoke
In November 2023, TidalHealth Nanticoke dedicated a flag wall honoring the military branches of the armed forces, MIA/POWs and the hospital’s continued support for veterans and community. The flags — including all branches of the armed forces, Sussex County, the City of Seaford and the State of Delaware — are on permanent display in the hallway leading from the lobby to the emergency department.
TidalHealth Nanticoke, the former Nanticoke Memorial Hospital, will be forever linked to military service and veterans dating back to its origin. Groundbreaking for the hospital occurred on Independence Day, July 4, 1950. The official dedication of Nanticoke Memorial Hospital happened on November 11, 1951, on Armistice Day, now celebrated annually as Veterans Day.
Also unveiled as part of the dedication celebration was a plaque on display near the flags that speaks to TidalHealth Nanticoke’s beginnings and its historical and patriotic connection, dedication, and devotion to those who have served and continue to serve our nation.
Because it matters
Salvation Army bell ringing
In November 2023, TidalHealth was honored for the third consecutive year as the 2022 Top Bell Ringing Business in Wicomico County at the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Kickoff Breakfast at the Wicomico Civic Center in Salisbury.
In 2022, TidalHealth volunteers rang the bell for a total of 90 hours. The overall 2022 campaign raised $116,159 in support of the Salvation Army Salisbury Corps.
Adopt a Family
In December 2023, TidalHealth continued its tradition of giving back to community members on Delmarva with its annual Adopt a Family program.
Several departments and provider offices throughout the health system adopted 54 local families and 46 nursing home residents in need to spread cheer for the holiday season. Additionally, many "elves" throughout the health system volunteered to help with pickups and deliveries.
2023 United Way Campaign
TidalHealth raised $87,297 during its 2023 United Way campaign to benefit the United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore and United Way of Delaware in support of local agencies such as the Maryland Food Bank, Life Crisis Center, Chesapeake Housing Mission, CHEER Senior Centers, and Easterseals of Delaware and Maryland.
Like TidalHealth, the United Way has a strong tradition and history of opening doors and taking services and teams into the communities where people live, work and worship. They, too, are influencing positive change and providing the essentials required for healthy living, strong communities and positive role modeling for our young men and women.
Organ donation
TidalHealth proudly partners with Infinite Legacy, the nonprofit organ procurement organization (OPO) serving almost 10 million people in Maryland and the Metro D.C. area. Infinite Legacy honors patients’ decisions to be organ and tissue donors after death and provides families the opportunity to say “yes” to donation on behalf of their loved one if they did not sign up to be a donor while living.
TidalHealth staff collaborate with Infinite Legacy to ensure end-of-life wishes are honored, and together, we maximize the number of lives saved and healed. So far, in 2024, TidalHealth has had 31 organ and tissue donors who have saved 24 lives and healed hundreds more. We also recognize an additional 11 "donors in spirit" — people who intended to be donors, however, for various medical reasons, their organs or tissues were deemed not viable or transplantable at the time of their death.
You can give second chances by registering to be a donor at infinitelegacy.org.
Donate Life Month
In April, TidalHealth held Donate Life Month flag raising ceremonies to honor its donors and donor families and bring awareness to the need for organ and tissue donation.
TidalHealth Peninsula Regional partnered with Infinite Legacy to launch Donate Life Month in Salisbury on Monday, April 1. TidalHealth Nanticoke partnered with the Gift of Life Donor Program for its ceremony in Seaford on Thursday, April 11.
The Donate Life Month flag flew on the flag poles outside the Guerrieri Heart & Vascular Institute at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional and the Emergency Department at TidalHealth Nanticoke during the month of April.
Learn more about organ and tissue donation and register to become a donor at donors1.org.
Juneteenth
On June 19, 2024, TidalHealth joined the nation in commemorating an important milestone in American history and celebrating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans with flag raisings at its campuses in Seaford, Salisbury and Crisfield.
At 8 am, the official Juneteenth flag was raised at all three locations, and General Order Number 3, which alerted the slaves in Texas that they had gained their freedom, was read as it was on June 19, 1865.
Juneteenth represents freedom, resilience, and the power of unity. Let us honor the courage and perseverance of those who fought for freedom and recognize the contributions and achievements of Black individuals and communities. Juneteenth serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and encourages us to continue working toward a future where every person is valued, respected and free.
Thank a Police Officer Day
At the end of September, TidalHealth teams in Salisbury and Seaford put together baskets and delivered them to local police departments and its Protection Services teams in Salisbury, Seaford and Crisfield.
Special thanks to Roger Follebout, Chris Hall, Lori Lee, Jessica Perry and Capt. Anthony Tull for their efforts in putting together the baskets and arranging deliveries.
How cool is this?
First babies of 2024
Welcome, Kennedy Ismael Ramirez-Lopez!
Kennedy was TidalHealth Nanticoke’s first baby of 2024, born on New Year’s Day at 5:25 pm. He weighed 5 pounds and 7 ounces and measured 18 inches long at birth. He is the second child of Leidy Lopez-Yoc and Rutilio Ramirez-Ramirez of Millsboro, Del., and sibling to big sister, Irene.
Along with a memorable birthday, Kennedy and his family received a basket of beautiful baby items as a gift from TidalHealth’s Junior Auxiliary Board, as did our first baby in Salisbury.
TidalHealth welcomed Naylani Aeerah Moses, our first baby born at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury in 2024. This beautiful little girl, weighing 5 pounds and 15 ounces, arrived at 12:55 am on New Year's Day. She's being held by her mom, Daelynn Johnson, in the photo.
Dolan named VP of clinical operations
Steven Leonard, Ph.D., MBA, FACHE, president/CEO of TidalHealth, this year announced the advancement of Charles Dolan, Ph.D.(c), DHSc, MBA, MS, CPHRM, CPHQ, PHR, SHRM-CP, LSSMBB, FACHE, to vice president of clinical operations at the Salisbury, Md.-based health system.
Dr. Dolan, who joined TidalHealth in 2020 as ambulatory surgical services director, was most recently serving as the associate VP of clinical operations.
He brings to his new role a significant amount of healthcare leadership experience with and prior to his tenure at TidalHealth. Over the course of his career, he has led — at the director or vice-presidential levels — divisions of Patient Care Services, Acute Care, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Business Operations, Risk Management and Human Resources at some of the leading Maryland hospitals and private healthcare practices.
As VP of clinical operations, Dr. Dolan is responsible for system-level direction of ambulatory surgical services, pharmacy, radiology/medical imaging, and laboratory medicine.
He holds a Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc) degree in organizational leadership and will complete a second doctorate, a doctor of philosophy in health sciences, in 2025. He also holds an MBA in healthcare administration and a master of science degree in human resource management. His bachelor of science degree is in health care administration.
Short named Impactful Leader
Congratulations to TidalHealth Nanticoke President Penny Short on being named to the Delaware Business Times 222 list as "One of the Most Impactful Leaders in the First State." She joined TidalHealth Nanticoke (the former Nanticoke Memorial Hospital) in 1983 as a nurse and has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare field.
Fiddler among Top 100 Women
The Daily Record named Kathryn Fiddler, DNP, MBA, MSN, FNAP, RN, to its 2024 listing of Maryland’s Top 100 Women. Dr. Fiddler, TidalHealth’s vice president of population health, is a two-time recipient of this honor (2024, 2019).
In its 29th year, Maryland’s Top 100 Women was founded to recognize outstanding achievements by women demonstrated through professional accomplishments, community leadership and mentoring.
“The 2024 Maryland’s Top 100 Women, including Dr. Fiddler, are exemplary leaders from a variety of professions across the state," said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/The Daily Record. "They make significant contributions to their organizations and communities and are committed to mentoring to elevate future women leaders."
Simpson is Helping Hands winner
Graham Simpson, a cardiovascular technician in the cardiac catheterization (cath) lab at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional, was presented with the 2024 Leighton Moore Helping Hands Award by members of the leadership team and the TidalHealth Foundation.
The Leighton Moore Helping Hands Award was established by the TidalHealth Board of Directors in 2014 to honor team members who exemplify Moore’s spirit of giving back to the community. Moore, a longtime chairperson of the TidalHealth Foundation Board, is a renowned philanthropist and owner of Seacrets in Ocean City.
Simpson was chosen from a large field of nominees. He’s a 17-year veteran of the cath lab and a retired Maryland State Police trooper who still works standby for the Fruitland Police Department.
In his two nominations, Simpson was praised for his wealth of knowledge to the profession, and for his outstanding community service, which includes volunteering at the HALO shelter, where he also leads Bible study classes for men. Those who nominated Simpson acknowledge him as “an absolute pleasure to work beside and a person who has left a lasting impact on his community through his pride, poise and giving heart.”
Joyner receives Lifetime Achievement Award
Please join us in congratulating the director of the Richard A. Henson Research Institute, Robert L. Joyner, Jr., PhD, RRT, RRT-ACCS, FAARC. During the 2023 American Association for Respiratory Care Congress held in Nashville, Tenn., the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) awarded Dr. Joyner their highest honor, the Sister Mary Yvonne Jenn, CRNA, RRT Lifetime Achievement Award. This award is bestowed annually to an individual who epitomizes the respiratory care profession and contributes significantly to the respiratory care credentialing system during their career.
Dr. Joyner earned a B.S. in respiratory therapy from Salisbury University and a PhD in physiology from the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth in Hanover, N.H. He has been a respiratory therapist (RT) since 1988. Over the years, he’s held many roles in the respiratory world, including bedside RT, clinical instructor, director of clinical education, and the program director at Salisbury University from 2003 to 2019.
In 2019, Dr. Joyner made the decision to focus on his passion for research and accepted a position as director of the TidalHealth Richard A. Henson Research Institute. Despite this change in trajectory, Dr. Joyner’s lifelong passion for academia, leadership and research prepared him well for this role.
As director of the Richard A. Henson Research Institute, Dr. Joyner is responsible for the execution of clinical trials from start to finish. He is also responsible for providing research education across the TidalHealth system, a task he has taken in stride since joining the research department. Under his leadership, the Research Institute has transformed from a siloed oncology research effort to what it is today: a thriving, system-level resource that provides opportunities that extend care offerings for TidalHealth providers.
TidalHealth MyChart
Stay connected with your health and care team right from home with TidalHealth’s MyChart! This easy-to-use online tool lets you message your doctor directly, so getting answers to your health questions is as simple as logging in — no office visit needed.
With MyChart, you can check your test results as soon as they’re ready. Say goodbye to the waiting game — see results and read your doctor’s comments within days to stay fully informed about your health.
Need a prescription refill? Just request it online with a few clicks, and MyChart will help make sure you’re never without the medications you need.
Plus, managing appointments has never been easier! Schedule your next visit or check details of past and upcoming appointments, all in one place.
TidalHealth is here to make healthcare simpler and more accessible with MyChart. Sign up today at tidalhealth.org/mychart and take charge of your health anytime, anywhere!
Publication information
Leadership
Steve Leonard, Ph.D., MBA, FACHE, President/CEO
Memo Diriker, Chairperson, TidalHealth, Inc. Board of Directors
Christopher C. Hall, Vice President, Strategy/CBO
Roger A. Follebout, Jr., Director of Strategic Communications/ Contributing Writer/Editor
Contributing Writers
Laren MacMillan, Director of Brand Marketing
Jessica Perry, Coordinator of Strategic Communications
Katherine Rodgers, Director of Community Health Initiatives
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