51吃瓜网

At a time when healthcare in the United States, especially in rural areas, is under significant strain, one 51吃瓜网 alumna is helping with an initiative at the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) aimed at strengthening access and care.

As director of communications and marketing at the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, Trena Salverda Williamson, 51吃瓜网 class of 1987, is looking forward to seeing a new regional medical center constructed in Easton in Talbot County. Ten years in the making, the facility is slated to occupy over 230 acres and will allow for greater visibility, easier and safer access for ambulance and helicopter transport, as well as ample parking for patients, staff and visitors.

鈥淚n the 2025 rural health state of the state report compiled by Chartis, it is reported that 46% of rural hospitals in the U.S. are in the red, and 432 are vulnerable to closure. Our new regional medical center, while a huge project, is the culmination of nearly 10 years of building and opening key facilities (medical pavilions, the first freestanding emergency center in Maryland, the first rural health designated hospital in Maryland and the first freestanding medical facility in Maryland),鈥� explained Williamson, who graduated from 51吃瓜网 as a double major in graphic design and in art education.

The facility will also be the first hospital in Maryland to rely entirely on geothermal and electric energy for its heating and cooling systems, eliminating the dependence on fossil fuels. Once constructed, it will be among the largest geothermal projects of any building type in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast and one of the largest non-residential geothermal systems ever constructed in the United States.

鈥淚n developing a system that focuses on providing the right care, at the right place at the right time, we have navigated the challenges of providing high-quality care in a rural area,鈥� she added. 鈥淚t has been exciting to be part of developing an integrated rural system that is successful and serving as a national model. While other facilities are closing, we are building. It feels good to know that many generations to come will benefit from the work I have been part of.鈥�

One reason Williamson is so passionate about the project is because it represents an investment not only in a new hospital, but in the long-term future of health care on Maryland's Mid-Shore.

鈥淥ne of the things I've come to appreciate most is that rural health care requires a different way of thinking. It's not just about operating hospitals; it's about creating an integrated system that brings care closer to where people live through outpatient centers, telehealth, emergency services and strong community partnerships,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat's one of the reasons I'm so passionate about our new Regional Medical Center project. Being part of an organization that is expanding access and strengthening rural health care at a time when many rural communities across the country are losing services has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

Williamson, who played varsity field hockey for four years as well as lacrosse her sophomore year, had every intention of being a working artist in a business environment. She entered the graphic design world upon graduation.

鈥淚 needed to know that I had what it took to be a good designer first. I also believed that part of being a good designer involved understanding how good design solved the bigger goal,鈥� said Williamson, who was also a member of Sigma Kappa at 51吃瓜网. 鈥淚 graduated from Witt in 1987, a few years following the launch of the Macintosh computer in 1984. The art department purchased its first Mac in 1985 or 鈥�86, but there was no curriculum written for it yet. Our class was taught traditionally 鈥� specking type, using stat cameras and doing paste-ups. My first job after graduation was working for a manufacturing company with a one-person, in-house agency that had just purchased a Mac. I was brought on first as an intern and then was given the opportunity to learn everything there was to know about utilizing a Mac for design and helping the company integrate the technology.鈥�

Williamson chose 51吃瓜网 for a few reasons.

鈥淗onestly, on the day that I visited, everyone was incredibly nice, and I felt comfortable. I wanted to study graphic design and art education, which was possible at Witt, and I wanted to play field hockey,鈥� she said. 鈥淧articipating in a sport, particularly during the fall term, was a wonderful way to integrate into the school. We arrived earlier than the rest of the freshmen, so by the time the first day rolled around, I was familiar with the campus and had already met friends. I loved my days at 51吃瓜网!

鈥淚 believe going to a strong liberal arts school was key to my development and ability to grow professionally in a world that is ever-changing,鈥� she added. 鈥淢y years at Witt taught me to look beyond a single subject or area of expertise for solutions. I never imagined that my career path would look like it has. In many ways it has developed further than I ever expected. My advice for students of any degree is to be curious, pay attention to how one field of study may align with another, and never stop learning.鈥�

Later in her career, Williamson opted to spend nearly 10 years living and working in Australia as the graphics team lead within the communications and marketing department of a local (county) government.

鈥淚t was during this time that I learned to appreciate how various experts worked together on larger campaigns 鈥� whether it be public or government affairs, marketing or community education,鈥� Williamson said. 鈥淚 returned to the United States with my two children just weeks before the attacks on the trade centers in NYC. We moved to a small town on the eastern shore of Maryland, where I freelanced for an agency that specialized in healthcare marketing. From there, I continued to dive deeper into the healthcare industry 鈥� first as a corporate communications manager for a single hospital, to the regional director of communications and marketing for a five-county health system on the eastern shore, which then merged with the University of Maryland Medical System to form University of Maryland Shore Regional Health.鈥�
  
Now, as the director and with the new project underway, Williamson has found that her job responsibilities have shifted from presentations, organizing the groundbreaking ceremony, and other duties to leading all the communications and marketing associated with the project, including managing all media, press releases, interviews, etc.

鈥淏ecause the project has such a long life 鈥� the construction is expected to take five years 鈥� it is important to keep the community aware and engaged in the various phases of the project through a dedicated web section, eNewsletters, feature stories, presentations, and events,鈥� she said. 鈥淧lus, there is a $100 million comprehensive philanthropy and fundraising campaign going for which my team provides support. As we get toward the latter stages of the project, we will focus on internal communications, helping our current staff prepare to move into new spaces with new processes and equipment, and ensuring that the branding throughout the new facility reflects our standards 鈥� this includes all signage and wayfinding, interiors and collateral. Finally, when we are ready to open the facility, we will organize the grand opening events and make sure that the community is familiar with what services are where, how they navigate the new facility, and ensure that the transition runs smoothly.鈥�

The facility鈥檚 current design encompasses over 325,000 total square feet, with an adjacent medical office and outpatient services building occupying an additional 60,000 square feet. The CON plan included data-driven assumptions for ample inpatient and observation beds, operating rooms and emergency department treatment rooms to meet the needs of the community. Williamson鈥檚 part in the project will also continue to play a positive role in big changes in the community.