HealthFocus Spring 2024

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware recently awarded TidalHealth a $1 million BluePrints for the Community grant to support the health system’s Graduate Medical Education curriculum.

A portion of the funds will be used to purchase a daVinci Xi surgical robot console for TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford, Del. The dual training control console 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.

“Highmark understands the need to develop and retain the healthcare workforce and acknowledges the unique challenges that are found in rural areas. We are pleased to support TidalHealth’s Graduate Medical Education program and the positive impact we anticipate it having on access, availability and quality of care in Southern Delaware,” said Nick Moriello, President of Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware.

The benefit of the daVinci dual console is that it allows a mentor to teach with both the surgeon and the resident each working at individual consoles while viewing and even participating in the same surgery simultaneously.

Of the many advantages of robotic surgery, patients experience smaller incisions, reduced pain, less scarring and a faster recovery and return to life’s daily activities. TidalHealth first introduced physician-guided daVinci robotic surgery to Delmarva in 2007. For the last 17 years, it has remained on the cutting edge.

“With the majority of today’s physicians graduating from medical school with robotic experience, it’s a necessity that our surgical residents have the same access during their specialized training with TidalHealth to ensure they can continue to refine their skills and be well-rounded and educated in the latest robotic techniques,” added Steve Leonard, Ph.D., MBA, FACHE and President/CEO of TidalHealth. “The dual console enables integrated teaching, surgical precision, and advanced supervision during an operative procedure.”

In the photo, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware recently awarded TidalHealth a $1 million grant for advanced robotic training at TidalHealth Nanticoke in Seaford, Del. Attending the check presentation were, from the left, front row, Penny Short, TidalHealth Nanticoke President; Dr. Jarrod Buzalewski, Bariatric and Robotic surgeon; Jessica Hales, TidalHealth Foundation President; Dr. Simona Eng, GME Designated Institutional Official and Nick Moriello, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware President. In the back row are Dr. Steve Leonard, TidalHealth President/CEO; Mike Warfel, Highmark Health Sr. Vice President of Government Affairs and Dr. David Winston, General Surgery resident.

On Friday, March 15, TidalHealth learned the names of the 20 physicians who matched with its Graduate Medical Education (GME) programs during its Match Day celebration.

TidalHealth’s Anesthesiology Residency Program welcomed its first round of four physicians. TidalHealth’s Internal Medicine Residency Program, now in its third year, matched with 10 physicians, and its General Surgery Residency Program, now in its second year, matched with six physicians. What’s more, two of these new physicians hail from Delmarva: Wyatt Glasgow of Salisbury, Md. and Alexandria Daniels of Wilmington, Del.

Residency programs allow new doctors who recently finished medical school to earn additional experience and knowledge over the next three to five years by working in hospital settings and community-based provider practices. TidalHealth’s GME programs produce competent, well-rounded physicians and increase access to healthcare for communities across the Delmarva Peninsula.

“We are excited to welcome these resident physicians into Team TidalHealth and the communities we serve,” said Simona Eng, DO, FACOI, SFHM, Designated Institutional Official and Chairperson of the Graduate Medical Education Committee at TidalHealth. “Once they graduate from their residency, we are hopeful some of them will stay with us to serve patients in our area and become incorporated into the Delmarva community.”

TidalHealth is committed to improving the health of the communities it serves through the continuous growth and success of Graduate Medical Education within the health system. Learn more about our GME programs.

Spring is in the air and, unfortunately, so are the triggers of seasonal allergies. In spring, many people return to the great outdoors to enjoy rising temperatures, blooming flowers and all the wonderful things that nature provides. At the same time, millions of people who suffer from seasonal allergies are visiting their local pharmacy for over-the-counter relief to prevent allergies from developing or getting worse.

What causes seasonal allergies?

The most common spring allergy trigger is pollen. The immune system mistakenly sees pollen as an invader and releases antibodies to attack it. This leads to the release of histamines into the blood. The histamines trigger the known responses of runny nose, stuffiness, itchy/watery eyes, and sneezing, among others.

Reduce your exposure to triggers

Here are ways to reduce your exposure to allergy triggers:

• Check your local forecast for pollen levels and stay indoors on dry and windy days.
• Keep your doors and windows closed.
• Avoid outdoor activity in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.
• After being outside, launder clothing and take a shower to rinse off pollen from your skin and hair.
• Wear a mask if you need to mow the lawn, pull weeds, or do other outside chores.
• Avoid drying laundry outside to prevent pollen from sticking to your clothes and towels.
• Change your indoor air filters regularly and clean your floors with a vacuum with a HEPA filter.

What treatment options do I have?

There are many over the counter (OTC) medications that can ease allergy symptoms:

• Antihistamines reduce sniffling, sneezing, itching and postnasal drip. They include Loratadine, Fexofenadine, Cetirizine, Diphenhydramine, Levocetirizine and Chlorpheniramine.
• Decongestants shrink the blood vessels in the nose to help relieve congestion and swelling. They include Pseudoephedrine and Phenylephrine.
• Steroid nasal sprays help reduce inflammation. OTC nasal steroids include Fluticasone, Budesonide and Triamcinolone.
• Eye drops help ease itchy, watery eyes. The ingredients to look for are Ketotifen, Olopatadine or Pheniramine.

Consult your pharmacist before starting any allergy medication. Pharmacists can determine if your symptoms are due to allergies or another underlying condition that needs additional medical attention, such as asthma or an infection. Also, be mindful of combination products that may affect an underlying medical condition that you have. Always consult your pharmacist or healthcare provider before choosing a combination product.

When home remedies aren’t enough

If your seasonal allergies are severe, talk to your healthcare provider. They may recommend skin or blood tests to discover which allergens are triggering your symptoms and determine the next steps to avoid triggers and identify the best treatment options for you.

TidalHealth Peninsula Regional’s ALS Clinic has served as a beacon of hope and support for those battling Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in the Delmarva area.

Recognized as Maryland’s pioneer ALS treatment center, TidalHealth has been steadfast in its commitment to providing unparalleled care to patients grappling with this debilitating disease since it the clinic opened in 2018.

The ALS Clinic’s multidisciplinary team is comprised of dedicated professionals, including social workers, neurologists, speech and language pathologists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. Their collective expertise ensures patients receive comprehensive care tailored to their individual needs.

A hallmark of the clinic is its monthly patient visitation day, held on the first Thursday of every month. On this day, patients gather at the clinic to meet with their caregivers and healthcare providers for evaluations and assessments, streamlining the process of accessing vital resources.

What sets the TidalHealth ALS Clinic apart is its convenience. Unlike traditional healthcare models where ALS patients must navigate multiple appointments with various specialists, the clinic offers a centralized hub where patients can access all necessary services in one location. This holistic approach not only enhances efficiency but also alleviates the burden on patients and their families.

Supported by the TidalHealth Foundation, the clinic aims to ease the burden of ALS on individuals and families. Despite the daunting statistics — ALS affecting approximately 5,000 people annually according to the ALS Association — TidalHealth’s Peninsula Regional ALS Clinic continually provides exceptional care to those in need.

To learn more about TidalHealth’s ALS Clinic, please contact Sandra Cove at [email protected] or 410-912-2889.