Constellation Energy donates $200,000 to CMH expansion
Constellation Energy has announced that it will contribute $200,000 to help expand and renovate Calvert Memorial Hospital's emergency department.

Kevin Nietmann and George Vanderheyden of Constellation Energy's Calvert Cliffs plant present a check for $200,000 symbolizing the company's pledge to CMH Capital Campaign co-chairs Wanda and Michael King, CMH Board Chairman Cliff Stewart and CMH President and CEO Jim Xinis.

"Constellation Energy values its tradition of helping to improve the communities in which it operates, and because of that, a donation to Calvert Memorial is a logical choice," said George Vanderheyden, site vice president of Constellation Energy's Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby. "This contribution is indicative of the importance we place on giving back to the community and helping others."

The $200,000 contribution and pledges from Calvert County and the towns of North Beach and Chesapeake Beach, when combined with employee and physician drives, push the Calvert Memorial Hospital capital campaign past the $2.4 million mark.

In November 2004, the hospital broke ground on the largest expansion in its 85-year history. The CMH Capital Campaign, chaired by Wanda and Michael King, is expected to raise $3 million to help equip the new facility with the latest medical technology.

The $33 million capital project will create a substantially larger emergency department, projected to be three times the size of the current facility.

"The extra space will enable us to add beds, new technology and many special features," said James Xinis, Calvert Memorial's president and CEO. "These improvements will allow us to provide a higher level patient privacy and comfort."

"We genuinely appreciate and thank Constellation Energy for its contribution," he added. "Through generous donations like this one, we are ensuring that the area's emergency care needs are met for the future."

The expanded emergency department will provide other important features. "The new emergency department will dramatically increase our ability to deal with cardiac and trauma cases, especially motor vehicle accidents," added Bob McWhirt, vice president for nursing at CMH.

Another important feature is the rapid decision unit. "This unit will allow us to monitor patients up to six hours," he explained, "providing us time to either rule out a heart attack or to complete the necessary tests before the patient is admitted."

The facility will also have an orthopedic suite to treat complex fractures and two additional trauma care rooms for a total of three. Other changes include a bereavement suite for staff to meet privately with families and a specialized pediatric suite and waiting area for parents.

According to Dr. Kraig Melville, chief of emergency medical services at Calvert Memorial Hospital, "These changes put us on a par with much larger city hospitals."