Three MedStar Board Members Stepping Down
MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital is extending its thanks and appreciation to three members of its board of directors, who are stepping down from their positions after years of dedicated volunteer service. Lewie Aldridge Jr., Donald Cather Jr., and Patty Vernon-Rusher have been a part of the team for many years and are leaving their positions.
The hospital’s board of directors is a volunteer body dedicated to fulfilling the mission, vision, and values of the hospital. There are 19 members of the board, comprising residents of St. Mary’s County, MedStar Health leaders, and representation from the hospital’s medical staff and foundation. Due to the guidance of the board, the hospital has expanded the array of medical specialties on staff and directed the hospital toward the acquisition of many cutting-edge technologies, such as its fully integrated electronic medical record system.
All three of the outgoing board members said their experience as board members has been enriching to their lives.
Mr. Aldridge is a resident of Lexington Park, MD, and has been a board member for 11 years. He said he decided to join the board after having family members treated extremely well at the hospital, and he wanted to give back.
“Without the wonderful staff, the hospital wouldn’t be as great as it is,” Mr. Aldridge said. “I’m truly honored to have served with so many respected board members and the hospital administration, and I feel privileged to have been a part of the decisions, especially the one to sign on with MedStar. It was a soul searching time that I will always remember.”
Mr. Cather is a resident of Colton’s Point, MD, and has been a member for nine years. When he first joined in 2007, he was paramedic and wanted to be part of a team that could improve the hospital’s emergency department.
“I feel extremely lucky to have been involved in that as well as the difficult decision to sign on with MedStar and the move to become more computerized. I wish I could continue on the board to be a part of all the great new things that are happening at the hospital,” he said.
Ms. Vernon-Rusher is a resident of California, MD, and has been a member for 11 years. She said she first joined so she could do more for her community and contribute her experience in information technology to the hospital’s plan to implement electronic medical records.
“Until you experience the business of health care, you cannot possibly imagine or appreciate the associated complexities,” Ms. Vernon-Rusher said. “I take great pride in playing a role in the decisions and actions that bring the finest quality medical care to St. Mary’s.”
For more information and one-click access to a full list of resources available at MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, visit its Leader member page.
