Dr. Abhilash Desai Joins Keswick Multi-Care Center
BALTIMORE—May 8, 2011—Keswick Multi-Care Center, a long term care facility in north Baltimore, has announced that it has contracted with Sheppard Pratt Physicians, PA for onsite psychiatric services. Representing Sheppard Pratt is Dr. Abhilash Desai, who will serve as Medical Director of Memory Care and Psychiatric Consultant for the Special Care Unit of the nursing home. In this position, Desai will be responsible for overseeing the care of Keswick’s residents with cognitive and mental health issues and he will implement policies, procedures and best practices. He will also oversee training and continuing education for the staff.
In addition to his role as Medical Director at Keswick, Desai is the Director of the Memory Clinic in the Outpatient Neuropsychiatry Program and Medical Director of geriatric psychiatry for Sheppard Pratt Health System. Dr. Desai came to Sheppard Pratt from St. Louis University School of Medicine, where he was an associate professor in the Department of Neurology and Psychiatry.
In addition to his academic and professional work, Desai is also the co-author the book Psychiatric Consultation in Long Term Care: A Guide for Health Care Professionals, released in October 2010 through the Johns Hopkins Press. The book offers a basic framework for a humanistic, team-based approach to meeting the needs of elder persons with mental disorders in long-term care facilities.
“Studies show that residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities are at a greater risk to suffer from psychiatric disorders,” said Dr. Desai. “Because of the aging process, psychiatric disorders are often not identified. This is a population that is generally underserved in the area of psychiatric diseases. With my extensive background in geriatric psychiatry, I am confident that I will be able to meet the needs of the patients at Keswick to help keep everyone healthy.”
“Dr. Desai is very accomplished in the field of psychiatry and geriatrics, and we are looking forward to working with him as he lends his experience and knowledge to the programs at Keswick,” said Susan Push, Director of Memory Care at Keswick.
Desai is on the editorial board of the “Journal of the American Medical Directors Association” and was selected by peers as one of the best doctors in St. Louis by St. Louis Magazine in 2009 and 2010.
Keswick Multi-Care Center Hires New Chaplain
Reverend Medgar Reid is new Chaplain for Pastoral and Spiritual Care at senior care facility
BALTIMORE, Md.—February 23, 2011—Keswick Multi-Care Center, a long-term care facility in north Baltimore, has announced the hire of Reverend Medgar Reid as the new Staff Chaplain for the center’s Pastoral and Spiritual Care services.
In this role, Reid will be in charge of scheduling worship and memorial services for all faiths, teaching seminars, providing informational programs and preserving and restoring faith among Keswick’s residents, their families and the staff. He will also be proactive in making rounds and doing initial spiritual assessments, and will be available to residents and their families for spiritual counseling. Reid oversees a staff of volunteers that support him in his daily work.
“The role of Chaplain at a facility such as Keswick is a multi-faceted, challenging job requiring an individual to connect with residents, families and staff on many levels – emotional, spiritual and religious – but we believe Medgar Reid is up to the task,” said Libby Bowerman, CEO of Keswick Multi-Care Center. “Medgar has a long history of serving those in need and I am confident his services will be well-received.”
Reid, a Baltimore native, has more than 20 years of experience as a minister. Before joining Keswick, he founded Reid Memorial Community Chaplain Ministries, which is dedicated to providing emotional and spiritual support to the sick, traumatized, terminally ill and their families. He also served as the staff chaplain for the University of Maryland Medical System/Shock Trauma Unit and as the director of pastoral care at Union Memorial Hospital. Reid was voted Father-of-the-Year by Black Professional Men in 1995 and by the 100 Black Men Music Association in 2004.
Reid is married and the father of two daughters.
Keswick Multi-Care Center to Host Alzheimer’s Seminar
BALTIMORE—(October 25, 2010)—Keswick Multi-Care Center, a long-term care facility in northern Baltimore, has announced it will host “An Evening with Dr. Ann Morrison: Understanding Alzheimer’s to Maximize Caregiving” on Wednesday, November 17, 2010. This event is being held in recognition of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.
Dr. Ann Morrison is a clinical nurse specialist who is the coordinator of the Education Core at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Alzheimer’s Diseases Research Center. She has lectured extensively on biological topics related to Alzheimer’s disease, as well as sociological topics related to the care of individuals with Alzheimer’s and families. There will be an opportunity to ask questions following the seminar.
The seminar is being hosted by the Memory Care and Adult Day programs at Keswick Multi-Care Center in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association with the goal of raising awareness of the disease in older adults and their caregivers.
This seminar is free, but due to limited seating, registration is required. Free respite care will be provided. To register, call 410-662-4324 by November 10, 2010.
WHAT: An Evening with Dr. Ann Morrison: Understanding Alzheimer’s to Maximize Caregiving
WHEN: Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 5:30-7 p.m.
WHERE: Keswick Multi-Care Center Auditorium
700 West 40th Street
Baltimore, MD 21211
Keswick Multi-Care Center Hires New Director of Human Resources
Clifton Scott joins senior care facility
BALTIMORE—(November 1, 2010)—Keswick Multi-Care Center, a long-term care facility in north Baltimore, has announced the hire of Clifton Scott as director of human resources. In this position, Scott will be responsible for recruiting and staffing, employee relations and compliance with regulatory concerns.
Scott has more than 25 years of experience in the human resources field. Before joining Keswick, Scott was the chief human resources consultant at C.G. Scott Consulting Services where he conducted employee relations assessments, communication skills building and workforce diversity appreciation.
“Clifton has strong facilitation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills that will make him a great director of human resources at Keswick,” said Libby Bowerman, CEO of Keswick Multi-Care Center. “A senior care facility encompasses a large staff of varied individuals, each bringing something valuable to the team and I am confident that Clifton will recognize new talent, as well as nurture our existing group of skilled professionals.”
Scott holds a masters degree in human resources management from Indiana-Purdue University. He is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management, the World at Work Society of Certified Professionals and is a board member for the Treatment Resources for Youth, Inc.
Keswick Multi-Care Center Welcomes New Director of Adult Day Services
<Marina Tompkins joins senior care facility
BALTIMORE—(October 20, 2010)—Keswick Multi-Care Center, a long-term care facility in north Baltimore, has announced the appointment of Marina Tompkins as director of adult day services. In this role, Tompkins will be responsible for the successful administration of a 70 person medical day program which specializes in serving individuals with cognitive impairments.
Tompkins will oversee a staff of nurses and social workers who employ a Montessori approach to programming, which maintains a participants’ dignity while meeting them at their cognitive level. The result is a community where seniors are less isolated and more mentally and physically active. Previously, she was the patient and family services coordinator at Johns Hopkins University where she was responsible for the administration of the patient/family services program for the Johns Hopkins Memory and Alzheimer’s Treatment Center, an outpatient program.
“Marina’s background and past senior care experiences have given her a great combination of medical insight and social work intuition that are so important to have when dealing with the many challenges and complexities of an adult day program,” said Libby Bowerman, CEO of Keswick Multi-Care Center. “Her immediate implementation of the Montessori approach to programming has already set Keswick’s adult day program apart from others. We are happy to have her as a core member of our executive staff.”
Keswick’s adult day program provides an alternative to other types of senior care, enabling caregivers to have a respite for as much or as little time as needed. A qualified adult day program becomes a partner for families, helping them to relieve some of the stress and provide an added layer of care, medical attention, stimulation and engagement for seniors.
“Keswick has a great reputation as a facility that enhances the quality of life for the seniors living there and participating in their activities,” said Tompkins. “I look forward to upholding that reputation and putting my experience to work for the seniors who choose to participate in the adult day program.”
Tompkins is a licensed graduate social worker and a member of the Maryland Gerontological Association.
She is a past member of the Maryland NASW aging committee and now serves as its co-chairperson.