Roger L. Harrell, MHA

Health Officer
Dorchester County Health Department

Roger Harrell was born and raised in New Bern, North Carolina. He has been a Marylander since 1973. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he obtained his B.S. Degree in Business Administration in 1971 and earned his Master of Hospital Administration degree at the Medical College of Virginia in 1973.

He has served in Senior Executive Positions in investor owned, public and private healthcare entities. Roger has served as the Chief Public Health Official for Dorchester County Maryland since 1997.

He is active in his community and serves on numerous Community Boards:

• District Governor, Rotary District 7630, 2011-2012.
• Immediate Past President of the Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center and Past president 2011-2013.
• Past President of the Public Mental Health Authority.
• Past Campaign Chair for the County United Way Campaign.
• Current Member of the Governor of Maryland’s Councils on Cancer Control and Prevention, and Wellness Council.
• Recipient of the Clara Barton Award from local American Red Cross Chapter for volunteer work.
• Part time lecturer on the Faculty of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
• Recipient of the Cambridge Rotary Club Public Service Person of the Year award.
• Recipient of Cambridge Rotary Club Lifetime Achievement Award.

Kelley Callaghan

Kelley Callaghan is the founder and executive director of Grace Street, a recovery community organization in Easton. Callaghan also is the owner of Soul Candy Media, a niche marketing firm that focuses on substance use-related projects; and is the coordinator for the Talbot Teen Court Program. Callaghan holds a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Maryland. Prior to her work within the addiction community, she worked as a journalist and news editor. A native of Easton, Callaghan lives near Denton with her husband, their son, and a boisterous yellow lab.

DR. SANDRA GARBELY-KERKOVICH

Senior VP and Chief Dental Officer
Choptank Community Health System

Sandra Garbely-Kerkovich, DMD, has been the Vice President/Chief Dental Officer for CCHS since 2013. Dr. Garbely serves as a member of the National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) She is also an active member Maryland Dental Action Coalition (MDAC). She is also a contributing member of the Community Foundation of the eastern Shore Adult Oral Health Task Force. Dr. Garbely is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the Maryland State Dental Association (MSDA), and the Maryland Eastern Shore Dental Association (ESDA).

She was on the advisory Board for the PIOHQI whose focus is on the Oral Health Integration Model into Primary care. She is on the Board of Director’s at the Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center and active member of the Eastern Shore Oral Health Task Force.

Dr. Garbely’ s most recent appointment is as a Special Government Employee on the National Advisory Council for the National Health Service Corps under the Bureau of Health Workforce and the Health Resources and Services Administration where she hopes to continue to add influence in bringing quality healthcare providers to underserved populations.

Dr. Garbely has been an advocate and testified at the Maryland Legislative level in support of Maryland Medicaid Oral health Adult Dental Senate Bill #150 /House Bill #86.

Dr. Garbely graduated from Tufts University School of Dentistry in Boston Massachusetts in 1990 with a DMD degree. She worked as a general dentist at a private practice outside of Boston, Massachusetts from 1990-1995. Dr. Garbely joined the National Health Service Corps. (NHSC) and was a member from 1995 -2000. She served as Dental Director for a local Community Health Center from 1998-2000. She was the Dental Director and was instrumental in helping with the growth and expansion and providing direct patient care for the underserved populations of the local Wicomico County Health Department Dental Center (The Village Dental Center) in Salisbury, Maryland. Dr. Garbely was also a consultant and Dental Director and helped with the opening and providing direct patient care for the underserved population for the Worcester County Dental Center in Berlin, Maryland. Dr. Garbely was in private practice in Maryland from 2000-2013 until she became the Chief Dental Officer for Choptank Community health, from 2013 to present. Dr. Garbely holds academic appointments with the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, mentoring fourth year dental students in community-based oral health. She serves as external faculty member for the NYU/Langone Medical Center’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency program. She also participated as a volunteer in the Maryland Eastern Shore Mission of mercy in 2013 and 2015.

Jennifer Schermerhorn, LMSW

Clinical Associate Professor/Director of Graduate Field Education
College of Health and Human Services
Salisbury University School of Social Work

Jennifer Schermerhorn, LMSW, holds her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work from Salisbury University. She currently serves as the Director of Graduate Field Education and is a clinical associate professor in the School of Social Work at Salisbury University. Her practice background includes over ten years of experience in long-term care as a nursing home social worker. Jennifer is a Community Educator volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association, delivering education programs to both the local community and virtually. She currently serves as the co-chair of the Mid-Atlantic Field Consortium, the treasurer of the Social Work Distance Education Field Consortium as well as on numerous committees within the School of Social Work. Jennifer is also the chair of the Salisbury University School of Social Work Alumni Advisory Committee and a member of the Board of Directors of the Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center.

Katherine Rodgers, MPH

Board Chair
Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center

Kat Rodgers is the chairwoman of the Board of Directors for the Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center. She is the director of Community Health Initiatives for TidalHealth. In this role, she leads strategies to achieve health equity and reduce total cost of care through community-integrated health care initiatives. She oversees the Community Wellness and Nutrition/Diabetes Education teams in TidalHealth’s Population Health Management Division. She has a diverse experience in coalition building, provider relations, leadership and building public health infrastructure. Prior to her roles at TidalHealth, she held various leadership roles at Worcester County Health Department. Currently she serves on several boards and commissions including the Wicomico County Commission on Women and the Sussex County Health Coalition. Kat is a Mississippi native who graduated from the University of Colorado in Boulder with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism-News Editorial, and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. She holds an Master of Public Health from University of Maryland - College Park. She resides in Salisbury, Md. with her husband, two sons, and their dog, Ryker.

Community Involvement:

Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center, Board member
Sussex County Health Coalition, Board member
Wicomico County Commission on Women
TidalHealth Diabetes Advisory Board
Center for Living Well Advisory Board

Coalition Membership:

Delaware Diabetes Coalition
Delaware Hypertension Network
Wicomico Local Health Improvement Coalition
Worcester Local Health Improvement Coalition
Somerset Local Health Improvement Coalition
Lower Shore Vulnerable Population Task Force
Lower Shore Health Equity Collaborative

Lana Sherr, PharmD, BS Pharm

Secretary, Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center
Assistant Dean for Professional Affairs
Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice

Dr. Sherr is the Assistant Dean for Professional Affairs at UMES SOP; she assumed this role in October 2017. She is also the Residency Program Director of the UMES/Apple Discount Drugs PGY-1 Community Pharmacy Residency, and Assistant Professor of Pharmacy in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration. Dr. Sherr earned her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree and Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy Degree from the Lebanese American University in Byblos, Lebanon. She then went on to pursue a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency with emphasis on Ambulatory Care and Public Health at Samford University, McWhorter School of Pharmacy in Birmingham, AL. She developed and maintained a clinical practice site in the Ambulatory Care clinics at Chesapeake Health Care, (f.k.a. Three Lower Counties Community Services) in Salisbury, MD and Pocomoke, MD prior to assuming her new role in the Office of Professional Affairs. In her current role, Dr. Sherr focuses on student professionalism, continuing professional development, community service, and interprofessional education and collaborations. Dr. Sherr teaches in pharmacotherapy modules and in the Professional Development course series. She is a member of several professional organizations including ASHP, AACP, APhA, and Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center. Her areas of interest include interprofessional education, post-graduate education, public health, chronic disease prevention and management, continuing professional development, and professionalism in pharmacy.

Elizabeth Libby Yost, PhD

Elizabeth "Libby" Yost, PhD is an Associate Professor of Sociology, Director of Pre-Health Professions Programs, and the Director of the Public Health minor at Washington College in Chestertown, MD. Libby's research centers on health disparities in older adult populations. She also works closely with community partners in Kent County to assess health inequity broadly through community based participatory research projects. Libby earned her PhD in Medical Sociology with a certificate in Gerontology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She also currently serves on the UMD Shore Regional Health Hospital Community Advisory Council and the Southern Gerontological Society.

Bob Laun

Bob is the Recruiting Manager for Chesapeake Health Care. His mission is to bring top notch health care professionals to the Lower Shore. CHC sees more than 65,000 patients and clients every year. Prior to this position he served on the organization’s board of directors for eight years. He is a member of the Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment. Bob has 20 years experience in the world of health care, working in pharmaceuticals and home health care. He lives in Salisbury with his wife and son and has been an Eastern Shore resident for more than thirty years. Bob graduated from the University of Dayton.

Jan Willis, LAc, LCSW-C

Jan lives on a small farm on the Eastern Shore of Maryland with her husband surrounded by nature and animals.

Professionally, Jan is a Licensed Acupuncturist with a private practice in Easton, MD. She treats patients experiencing physical pain, functional medical issues and behavioral health issues.

Jan is also a Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of experience providing and administering mental health services in a variety of settings including schools, public housing, outpatient, inpatient and forensic. Jan provides consulting services to Local Management Boards in the area of Needs Assessments and Strategic Planning.

David Timms, M.DE., NRP

David Timms is the Director of Health Professions and the Director of Healthcare Simulation at Chesapeake College. He has worked for Chesapeake College for 7 years, and he has been a paramedic for over 20 years, the majority of that time with Talbot County Emergency Services. David has a Master’s Degree in Distance Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. He holds a number of instructor certifications and teaches local emergency services personnel. Mr. Timms volunteers as the President of the South Caroline Little League and is an active member of the Preston Volunteer Fire Company. David and his family live in Preston, and love taking advantage of the numerous outdoor opportunities the Eastern Shore has to offer.

Katherine Jacobson, MD, FAAFP

Dr. Katherine Jacobson is a dedicated family medicine physician with a broad clinical practice that encompasses treating patients of all ages, managing both acute and chronic conditions, and providing obstetrical services. Raised in Maryland, she is committed to serving her state with the expertise she gained from her medical education at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and her residency at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center's Family Medicine program.

In her role as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Dr. Jacobson combines her clinical practice with a strong passion for medical education. As the Director of Medical Student Education, she oversees the Family Medicine Clerkship, Sub-Internships, and Electives, having developed portions of the curriculum.

Dr. Jacobson's contributions to medical education extend beyond the local level; she played a key role in the development and implementation of a nationwide telemedicine curriculum. Her involvement with the Medical Education Leadership Academy further underscores her dedication to advancing medical education initiatives.

Her professional excellence is acknowledged through numerous awards, including induction into the Gold Humanism Honor Society, the Kowaleski Award for excellence in Family Medicine, the Thomas M. Holcomb Award for excellence in Pediatrics, and recognition as a "Top Doctor" in Family Medicine by Baltimore magazine. Additionally, she has been named a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the Maryland Academy of Family Physicians Family Medicine Educator of the Year, and has been inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.

As the new leader for the Program Office of the Maryland Area Health Education Center, Dr. Jacobson is excited to leverage her experience in family medicine and medical education to enhance community health initiatives. She aims to foster collaborations, develop innovative programs, and support the next generation of healthcare professionals in Maryland.

Del. Tom Hutchinson

Member of House of Delegates since January 11, 2023. Member, Health and Government Operations Committee, 2023- (health occupations & long-term care subcommittee, 2023-; public health & minority health disparities subcommittee, 2023-).

Member, Mid-Shore Regional Council, 2023-; Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, 2023-.

Born in Cape May, New Jersey, May 25, 1965. Attended Middle Township High School, Cape May Court House, New Jersey; Dickinson College, B.S. (computer science), 1987; Loyola University Maryland, M.B.A., 2002. Vice-President, Health Care Investment Analysts, 1992-2000. Vice-President, The Jackson Organization (healthcare market research), 2002-07 Vice-President, Health Stream, Inc., 2007-12. Vice- President, iVantage Health Analytics, Inc., 2012-15. Vice-President, Quality Health Strategies, 2015-17. Managing Director, The HGH Group, 2017-19. Vice-President, Alliance Franchise Brands, 2018-20. President and Owner, Hutchinson Homes Services, LLC, 2020-. Member, Cambridge Business and Professional Leadership Group, 2010-; Cambridge Main Street, 2011- (board of directors 2013-17); Cambridge Rotary, 2012-16; Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce, 2012-; Cambridge Center Advisory Committee, 2014-17; IronClub MD, 2014-. Board of Trustees, Chesapeake College Foundation, 2015-17. Member, Dorchester County Farm Bureau, 2022-; Dorchester Seafood Heritage Association, 2022-.

Terry Satchell

Terry is a Project Manager for Population Health at the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health where he is working on programs involving advance directives, diabetes prevention and the continuum of care, and timely follow up of discharged patients. Since 2000, he has worked as a RN in the ICU and the informatics and education departments, and served as the EMS/Nurse Liaison.

Terry graduated in 2000 with the first class of graduates from the combined MGW/Chesapeake College class. He has a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration as well as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Villa Julie College.

Terry is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society and the Golden Key Honor Society. He is a life member of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department, having been a firefighter and paramedic. Terry also serves on the Talbot County EMS Advisory Board and Talbot County Commission on Aging. Terry is an Easton native and lives in Easton with his wife, Luanne and their two sons. He enjoys family time, fishing and sports.

Virgena Saunders

Virgena is a woman of many talents. Born and raised in Salisbury, Maryland, she has always been passionate about healthcare and education. After completing her studies, Virgena began her career in the medical field as a certified medical assistant. She spent over 12 years working in various roles in the healthcare industry, wearing multiple hats and performing multiple skills.

However, Virgena's love for education was always present. After gaining extensive experience in the medical field, she decided to transition into teaching. She began working at Cecil Community College as a Healthcare Careers Instructor, where she has been making an impact since 2019.

As an AAMA-certified medical assistant, Virgena brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the classroom. Her students appreciate her practical approach to teaching and her ability to relate to their experiences. Virgena's passion for healthcare and education is evident in the way she engages with her students and encourages them to pursue their dreams.

But Virgena's interests don't stop there. She is also a yoga and meditation teacher, who cares deeply about humanity. She believes that taking care of oneself is just as important as taking care of others. Her students appreciate her holistic approach to healthcare and her emphasis on self-care and mindfulness.

Virgena is a true inspiration to her students and colleagues alike. Her dedication to healthcare, education, and humanity is unparalleled. She has made a significant impact on the lives of many, and her legacy will continue to inspire others for years to come.

Jaime Riley

Jaime Riley began her career as an addictions counselor, and has worked in the human services field for over 12 years. Ms. Riley holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and is currently in dissertation for a PhD in Developmental Psychology and Public Health Policy. She also holds a graduate certificate from the University of Baltimore in the Maryland Equity and Inclusion Leadership Program, as well as a graduate certificate from Georgetown University in Supporting the Wellbeing of System Involved LGBTQ+ Youth. She is currently the Assistant Director of Administration for the Wicomico County Department of Social Services. In her previous roles, her main priorities were filling gaps in services for children and families, determining sufficiency of existing programs for the community, equity and inclusion initiatives, and identifying solutions to systemic problems in her community. She has extensive experience in grant writing, grant management, community needs assessment, developing DEI initiatives, and governmental affairs. Ms. Riley specializes in identifying gaps in services and developing evidence-based programs to fill those gaps, particularly for underserved populations, as well as identifying funding sources to sustain the programs. She resides in Salisbury with her family and is active on the Community Advisory Board for Salisbury University’s REACH initiative.

Laura Chambers

Laura is currently the Allied Health Coordinator for Continuing Education and Workforce Development at Wor-Wic Community College. She is a Registered Nurse with 28 years of experience working in a variety of settings and facilities on the Eastern Shore. Laura lives in Worcester County with her husband, Brad.

Erica Courtney

Erica is a Registered Nurse and serves as the Director of Clinical Education at TidalHealth, where she leads the strategic development and implementation of educational programs for nursing team members across the health system. With years of experience in nursing and educational leadership, Erica is dedicated to fostering an environment of continuous learning and professional development. In her role, Erica oversees a variety of educational initiatives, including nurse residency programs, CNA training programs, clinical ladder programs, and many other clinical training sessions and continuing education workshops.

Erica holds a master's degree in nursing education from Wilmington University and is board certified in nursing professional development. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with family.