Schlager to head medical staff at CMH
Longtime local physician Robert Schlager has been elected chief of the medical staff at Calvert Memorial Hospital. He replaces Dr. Issam Damalouji who held that position 28 years. Schlager, who joined CMH in 1978, has a family practice in Prince Frederick.

Other appointments included Dr. Craig Jeschke to vice chief and Dr. Barbara Estes to secretary-treasurer. She replaces Dr. Nancy Ulanowicz, who held that position since 1992. Schlager and Jeschke will represent the medical staff on the hospital’s board of directors, along with Dr. Varkey Mathew and Dr. Charles Judge.

“Bob has a track record at CMH as a strong leader,” said CMH President and CEO Jim Xinis. “He also has a keen desire to make sure the hospital is current in technology and service capability.”

Xinis went on to add, “He has a tremendous rapport with the other physicians and specialists on the medical staff. Bob focuses on the big picture and has a really good sense of the challenges facing doctors now and in the future.”

Schlager came to Calvert County in 1978 and worked with Dr. Gerald Sterner for two years before starting his own practice. “I’ve seen many changes over the past 26 years,” he said. “When I started, there were less than 20 physicians on the medical staff at CMH. Now, there are almost 200.”

Schlager was chief of staff from 1986-87 and vice chief of staff since 1998. Additionally, he has served on many medical committees and the board of directors. Most recently, he was involved with the Medical Leadership Development Program at CMH.

“We want physicians who are aware of the unique problems that hospitals face that are different from private practice,” said Schlager. “This program gives them the knowledge and skills to achieve their goals. It’s mutually beneficial.”

Schlager said it’s essential to have medical representation on the hospital’s board of directors. “As physicians, we’re active participants in the delivery of care,” he said. “We have a unique perspective on patient care and safety. Our role is to help the board and the community understand these issues.”

His short-term priority is to make sure the hospital is prepared for the flu season. “We have good plans in place,” he said. “We need to continually assess these and update them, where needed.”

The long-term challenges, such as the looming malpractice crisis, Schlager said, will take everyone working together to resolve. “These are going to be difficult times, physicians are facing increasing financial pressures,” he said. “My goal is to involve the entire physician community. It is essential to continue to provide the quality of care the community is used to.”

Another area, Schlager said, which needs attention is physician recruitment. “Over 90 percent of our doctors are board certified,” he said. “They are competent, caring and dedicated … but there are shortages.”

Every five years, the hospital surveys local practices to determine how many physicians and specialists are needed to serve the community. “It’s important for the medical staff to have a large input into this process,” he said. “It’s vital for physicians and the hospital to work together on this critical area.”

Schlager says the new position is time-consuming but he will continue to practice, as well. “I’m willing to spend the time,” he said. “I feel I can actively contribute. The bottom line – CMH is in good shape and we want to keep it that way.”

He will be joined by Jeschke, who will serve as vice chief. Jeschke joined the CMH medical staff in 1981 and its Emergency Department in 1995. He is currently Assistant Medical Director for Emergency Medical Services at CMH. He is board certified in both family practice and emergency medicine.