Easton Elks Lodge Member Donates to Benefit Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab in Easton
Pictured, from left, are Hilary Schmitt, MBA, BSN, RN, Director of Operations, UM Shore Regional Health (UM SRH); Hope Meredith, RN, PCCN, Cardiopulmonary Rehab nurse, UM SRH; Ralph Starkey; Sally Worm, RN CCRP, Cardiopulmonary Rehab Manager, UM SRH; and Rebecca Bair, Vice President of Philanthropy, UM SRH.
A $5,200 donation used to purchase a new treadmill for patients was recently made by a member of Easton Elks Lodge #1622 in honor of UM Shore Regional Health (UM SRH) Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation nurse Hope Meredith, RN, PCCN.
Ralph Starkey of Easton (pictured center), a patient at UM SRH’s Easton Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab location and treasurer for the Lodge, said the Elks hosted a “Cash Bash,” or 50/50 raffle, this past spring. Starkey purchased a ticket in Meredith’s honor and the ticket was later chosen for the top prize of $5,000. Starkey donated another $200 of his own winnings from the Cash Bash, as well as the winnings in Meredith’s honor, to the UM SRH Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab Department.
A retired postmaster for the Easton Post Office, Starkey has been exercising at UM SRH’s Easton Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab location since recovering from coronary artery bypass surgery in the 1990s. Starkey noted the program is important to his overall health and well-being and he was glad to see the money go to a good cause. “The more I participated in the cardiopulmonary rehab program, the more I really enjoyed being there,” he said.
This was the second year that Elks Lodge #1622 has held the Cash Bash. The organization invests in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free, meet the needs of today's veterans, and improve the quality of life.
“I’m not sure who is luckier,” said Rebecca Bair, Vice President for Philanthropy, UM SRH. “Ralph, who purchased the winning ticket, Hope, the provider being honored with Ralph’s purchase, or Shore Regional Health as the recipient after Ralph donated the winnings. This is such a thoughtful tribute and gift!”
UM Shore Regional Health's Centers for Cardio-Pulmonary Fitness & Wellness, located at UM Shore Medical Centers at Cambridge, Chestertown and Easton, provide a safe and supervised setting for cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation. Personal exercise programs are designed to help patients meet their specific goals using a wide selection of professional cardiovascular and resistance training equipment with built-in monitoring systems. UM SRH’s Cardiopulmonary Rehab primary staff includes highly-trained registered nurses and clinical exercise physiologists who offer guidance, monitoring, support and a record of superior outcomes.
“We are absolutely filled with gratitude that Ralph was so kind to purchase a ticket on our behalf,” said Meredith. “We were more than pleased when we were notified that we won the grand prize. We are delighted to use the funds to benefit our community's health and wellness. Thank you very much to the Easton Elks for this opportunity to enhance our program.”