“We’re very grateful for the long-standing support of community partners like the town of North Beach,” said CMH President and CEO Jim Xinis. “Their contribution puts us one step closer to our goal.”

In November, the hospital broke ground on the largest expansion in its 85-year history. The $33 million project includes a greatly expanded Emergency Department, a new 10-bed Critical Care Unit, 16 additional acute care beds and 300 new parking spaces. It also features a modernized laboratory and a concourse dedicated to outpatient services.

The campaign, chaired by Wanda and Michael King, is raising $3 million to help equip the new facility with the latest medical technology. In recent weeks, the yearlong effort has gained momentum with major gifts from community leaders, area businesses, physicians and CMH employees (see related story).

North Beach Mayor Mark Frazer joined by members of the town council presented an oversized check to Xinis and Sheryl Jones Alu, president of the CMH Foundation on the steps of town hall.

“The town of North Beach is happy to make this donation to the Calvert Memorial Hospital Foundation,” said Frazer. “The hospital through its community health center has been very supportive and helpful to our residents.”

In 2002, CMH opened the Twin Beaches Community Health Center (TBCHC). The hospital also has satellites in Dunkirk and Solomons. The center provides primary and preventive health care as well as free and low-cost screenings. It also offers health education programs for local residents.

Last year, the TBCHC had over 912 visits by North Beach residents. This represented 29 percent of the total visits. Of that number, 222 were uninsured. The center provided $20,717 in free care. It also helped 149 residents obtain free medication through its Medbank program valued at $177,669.