National Doctors Day is Saturday, March 30^th. Please join us as we celebrate and honor the physicians who care for us every day.

We wish to express our gratitude for the care and dedication these special professionals provide for our community. Thank you, Doctors!

Click Here to Get Help Finding a Physician at Civista or call (888) 332-4847.

The Healthier Hearts Support Group is a new support group for people with Heart Disease. The first meeting will be Thursday, April 4, 2013 from 1pm to 2pm at the Nagula Conference Room #2 at Civista Medical Center.

This group includes patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), heart attacks (MI), coronary artery bypass grafts (CABG), PTCA or stents, valve replacement or repair, heart transplant, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) and stable angina. Together, members learn the skills that help manage their condition and improve their quality of life, take part in discussions and practice new skills. Some of the topics covered include: how blood pressure works, lowering secondary cardiac risk factors, exercise programs and understanding medicines and treatment.

This cost is FREE, but preregistration is required. Click here to register online.  If you have any questions, to register by phone, or for more information about our class schedule, please call us toll-free at (888) 332-4847.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, car accidents are the number one cause of death for children.

Don’t take a chance on your child’s life. Sometimes using a car safety seat isn’t enough, if it isn’t done right. Take the steps necessary to ensure that your child’s car seat is installed correctly—have your child’s car seat inspected by certified car safety seat technicians at our Free Child Safety Seat Check from 4 to 8 pm, Tuesday, March 19th at the La Plata OB/GYN Associates parking lot.

The seat check is free, but an appointment is required. Call (301) 609-4144 to make an appointment today!

Free Child Safety Seat Check
Tuesday, March 19th, 4:00-8:00 pm
La Plata, OB/GYN Associates Parking Lot
605 East Charles Street, La Plata

If it’s March, it’s National Nutrition Month®.  This year’s theme, “Eat Right, Your Way, Every Day,” encourages personalized healthy eating styles and recognizes that food preferences, lifestyle, cultural and ethnic traditions and health concerns all impact individual food choices.

National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign sponsored annually by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign is designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

Eating right is important to us at Civista, too. That’s why our website offers an extensive library of healthy recipes right at your fingertips! Visit our Health eCooking section for recipes and how-to cooking videos for flavorful heart-healthy, diabetes-friendly and gluten-free meal ideas.

Our publication has a new name and a new look with the same great health information you’ve come to expect from Civista Medical Center, a trusted partner in your good health.  Maryland’s Health Matters—formerly Healthy Today—is brought to you through the collaborative efforts of Civista Medical Center and the University of Maryland Medical Center.  Click here to view our digital issue of Maryland’s Health Matters.

In Maryland’s Health Matters, you’ll read firsthand accounts of how Civista Medical Center and the University of Maryland Medical Center work together to provide the very best care, close to home for you, your family and your neighbors. It is through this partnership that we provide preventative to advanced health care services for every stage of life, from babies to grandparents.

Click here to view our digital issue of Maryland’s Health Matters.

If you could prevent even one person from hearing the words, “you have cancer,” would you? Now is your chance. The American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3) is enrolling participants. Visit this website and learn how you can get involved!

Help save lives, and celebrate a world with more birthdays.

The American Cancer Society’s Epidemiology Research Program is inviting men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 years who have never personally been diagnosed with cancer to join this historic study. The ultimate goal is to enroll at least 300,000 adults from various racial/ethnic backgrounds from across the U.S. The purpose of CPS-3 is to better understand the lifestyle, behavioral, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer and to ultimately eliminate cancer as a major health problem for this and future generations.

Visit this website and learn how you can get involved!

Here’s a few tasty and heart healthy recipes to help you make the perfect romantic meal this Valentine’s Day!  For a complete library of healthy recipes including gluten-free and diabetic friendly recipes, visit our Healthy eCooking Library.

Chocolate Almond Strawberries Recipe Video
Buying chocolate strawberries can be expensive, but it’s easy to make them yourself. High-quality dark chocolate and crushed almonds make these chocolate strawberries healthy and delicious. Watch Now

Honey Glazed Veal Chops Recipe Video
These Honey Glazed Veal Chops are seasoned with a hint of lavender. The mild, fragrant flavor of lavender makes this romantic dinner special. You can find dry lavender in select supermarkets. Watch Now

Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles Recipe
Peanut butter and dark chocolate make a delicious pair in this healthy snack. Chopped pretzels give this sweet and salty treat a yummy crunch. Watch Now

“Chances to Celebrate” available now.  Buy a chance at winning one of three cash prizes totaling $20 Grand.  All “Chances” are $100 each.  Winners will be announced at the 2013 “C” Ball on February 23, 2013.  Winners need not be present to win.

Call the Civista Health Foundation at 301-609-4132 or go online to order.

Civista Medical Center is pleased to offer the “Matters of the Heart” heart disease risk screening program for men and women. This disease risk screening is FREE and appointments are available between 7am and 11am on February 9, 2013. Protect yourself from heart disease and meet Civista Medical Center staff.

This screening may help reduce your cardiovascular risk factors through awareness and education. Fasting is required prior to your screening and a continental breakfast will be served afterward.

Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Schedule your appointment today by calling 1.888.332.4847.

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) announces the addition of three new members – Sara Ann Middleton, D. Bruce Poole, Esq., and James T. Smith, Jr., Esq., – to the Board of Directors of the University of Maryland Medical System.

“As board members, one of our major tasks is to turn the challenges of a changing health care environment into opportunities to better serve the citizens of Maryland. We welcome the insights of Ms. Middleton, Mr. Poole and Mr. Smith and thank them for taking on this responsibility,” says Stephen A. Burch, Esq., chair of the UMMS Board of Directors.

“The Board of Directors has been a source of guidance and support to system leadership over the years, in our continued efforts to be good stewards of this ever expanding non-profit health system,” says Robert A Chrencik, MBA, CPA, President and Chief Executive Officer, University of Maryland Medical System.

Ms. Middleton is a member and past chair of the Boards of Directors of Civista Health/Civista Medical Center, in Charles County, part of the University of Maryland Medical System. She serves on the Medical Center’s executive and credentials committees. She is a past chair of the Charles County and Southern Maryland Chapters of the American Red Cross and the Delaware/Maryland Red Cross State Service Council.  She was a board member of Friends of Hospice and co-chair of their Festival of Trees event, and served on the boards of both Health Partners Foundation and Health Partners. Ms. Middleton has over 30 years of volunteer experience with numerous non-profit organizations.

Mr. Poole, an attorney and partner in the Hagerstown law firm Poole & Kane, is a member of the Board of Visitors for the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. He is chair of the Washington County Board of Education Ethics Committee; a member of the Maryland Video Lottery Facility Location Commission as well as the Maryland State Bar Association Emergency Response Committee. From 1987-1999 Poole was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates. Poole’s legal practice consists primarily of personal injury litigation, large scale real estate development facilitation, and domestic and civil trial work.

Mr. Smith, an attorney and partner in the Towson law firm Smith, Gildea & Schmidt and a former Baltimore County executive, is also a member of the Board of Visitors for the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center. Smith was appointed as an Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for Baltimore County from 1985-2001 and served two terms on the Baltimore County Council, beginning in 1978. Smith’s legal expertise includes complex litigation and business matters, land use, administrative law and governmental affairs.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System is a 12-hospital system with academic, community and specialty service missions reaching every part of the state and beyond. UMMS is a national and regional referral center for trauma, cancer care, neurocare, cardiac care, women’s and children’s health and physical rehabilitation. It also has one of the nation’s largest kidney transplant programs, as well as scores of other programs that improve the physical and mental health of thousands of people daily. UMMS has 18,000 employees, approximately 2,300 licensed beds, over 120,000 annual patient admissions and gross patient revenues of $3 billion. Additionally, the Medical System generates nearly $3.5 billion in economic activity in Maryland.