 Culinary Programs Get Boost from Local Experts

The St. Michaels Community Center’s current renovations are about more than just a building because the new Community Center will be home to new programs, including culinary and hospitality workforce training. A new Culinary & Hospitality Advisory Team is helping the St. Michaels Community Center plan and execute these new workforce training programs, with advisory members including: Chesapeake College Workforce Programs Dean Jason Mullen; Maryland 2022 Chef of the Year and The Inn at Perry Cabin Executive Chef Gregory James; Ava’s Pizzeria & Theo’s Steakhouse Executive Chef Derek Dilley; Gina’s Café Owner and Executive Chef Gina Werner; Perdue Farms Culinary Team Corporate Executive Chef Chris Moyer; and Hambleton House Events & Catering Owners Executive Chef Jordan Lloyd and Alice Lloyd.

“The St. Michaels Community Center has a three-point mission that includes connecting people to resources,” SMCC Executive Director Patrick Rofe says. “And now we have connected an incredibly talented group of culinary professionals to help build our future programs. We are extremely grateful for the insights and guidance from these advisory team members.” Learn more at stmichaelscc.org.

GUNSTON STUDENT ATHLETES SIGN LETTERS OF INTENT 

The Gunston School recently announced that six members of the class of 2023 signed their letters of intent to play sports at the college level. At a signing ceremony, students and their families, along with coaches and faculty, gathered in the Alice R. Ryan Family Library to celebrate their accomplishments. Damian René of Easton will be swimming for Swarthmore College. Andrew Rich of Annapolis will be swimming for Florida State University. McKinsey Brown of Centreville will be playing lacrosse for Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Kelby Booth of Denton will be rowing for Bryn Mawr College. Autumn Watson of Centreville will be rowing for Rutgers University. And Isabelle Wagner of Chestertown will be rowing for Washington College. Congratulations to all, and to learn more visit gunston.org.

Local Schools Earn STEM and Career Learning Distinction

Easton High School and St. Michaels Middle High School have been recognized as 2021–22 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished Schools. They are two of just 191 schools across the U.S. to receive this honor, for providing broad access to transformative learning opportunities for students through PLTW. This includes courses such as Computer Science, Biomedical Science, and Engineering. The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. Learn more at pltw.org.

Um Shore Medical Center Receives Honor

University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton has been recognized for the second time as High Performing in Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy) by U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals for Maternity Care.” Among nearly 650 hospitals providing labor and delivery services nationwide, fewer than half received the “high performing” designation; in Maryland, UM Shore Medical Center at Easton was one of only five hospitals so designated. “It was such an honor to receive this designation for the second time,” said Angie Wicks, DNP, RNC-OB, Nurse Manager at The Birthing Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton. “It’s a reflection of the dedication our obstetrics providers, nurses and techs maintain as they provide quality patient care.” Pictured from left are Angie Wicks, DNP, RNC-OB, Nurse Manager at The Birthing Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton; Jenny Bowie, Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services, and Chief Nursing Officer; Javier Cajina, MD, Medical Director for UM Shore Medical Group–Women’s Health and The Birthing Center at UM Shore Medical Center at Easton; and Ken Kozel, President and Chief Executive Officer, UM Shore Regional Health. Learn more at umms.org.

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