USCG release

For Immediate Release:
July 29, 2009

Media Contact:
Jessie Benson/ Jamie Watt
Profiles, Inc.
(410) 243-3790

SAINT AGNES EXPANDS HEPATOBILIARY AND PANCREATIC SURGERY SERVICES
Richard Mackey, Jr., M.D., to serve as Director of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery

(Baltimore, MD)— In an effort to provide the highest quality care to its patients, Saint Agnes Hospital announced today that hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeon, Richard Mackey, Jr., M.D., has been appointed Director of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery. An expert in minimally invasive liver and pancreas surgery, Dr. Mackey will provide Saint Agnes with added expertise in these types of surgery and will work to position Saint Agnes as a recognized destination for the treatment of surgical diseases of the liver and pancreas.

A practicing surgeon at Saint Agnes for the past year, Dr. Mackey will take on several new responsibilities as Director of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery including participation in community outreach programs to educate residents in Saint Agnes’ neighborhood about liver and pancreatic diseases; assist the Chair of Surgery in the peer review of cases relating to management of liver and pancreas pathology; and the enrollment of patients with liver and pancreas malignancies in clinical trials at the hospital in conjunction with the Chief of Medical Oncology.  Additionally, Dr. Mackey will educate surgical residents about the management of liver and pancreatic diseases and malignancies.

“With the increasing demand for minimally invasive procedures across all surgical specialties and the complex methods involved in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, we look forward to what Dr. Mackey will be able to do in this position,” said Dr. David Levien, Chairman, Department of Surgery at Saint Agnes Hospital.   “He brings a great deal of expertise in the field and has developed a highly specialized skill set that positions him as a leader in the field of laparoscopic approaches to these particular disease processes.”

Dr. Mackey is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and completed his surgical residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Dr. Mackey’s hepatopancreatobilary fellowship was also completed at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation where he received specialized training in minimally invasive surgical techniques for the treatment of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases.   He is currently a practicing physician at both Saint Agnes Hospital and St. Joseph Medical Center.  Dr. Mackey currently resides in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Saint Agnes Hospital is a 307-bed hospital founded by the Daughters of Charity in 1862.  Saint Agnes is a full service teaching hospital with residency programs in a number of medical and surgical specialties.  Key services include: The Saint Agnes Cancer Center and Center for Blood Disorders, The Chest Pain Emergency Center, The Bariatric Center of Excellence, Joint and Spine Care, Cardiovascular Services, Women’s Health Services, and Seton Medical Group.  Saint Agnes is a member of Ascension Health, the largest non-profit health care organization in the nation.  Ascension Health is dedicated to reaching new heights in health care and service to communities, as well as serving as a model for faith-based health care throughout the world.  For more information on Saint Agnes Hospital, visit www.stagnes.org.

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Baltimore County release

Baltimore County Visitor Center Relocates to Downtown Towson

Towson, Md. (July 28, 2009) — Visitors, meeting planners, and Baltimore County residents looking to explore Baltimore County’s hotels, restaurants, and attractions can find that information at the new Baltimore County Visitor Center in downtown Towson. The Visitor Center has moved to the Jenifer Building at 44 West Chesapeake Avenue, a convenient location in an historic building recently purchased and renovated as the new home of the Towson Chamber of Commerce.

“This new location provides great visibility and access for our residents and visitors,” said Jill Feinberg, Baltimore County Conference and Tourism Director. “We look forward to growing our partnership with the Towson Chamber of Commerce and invite everyone to visit the new location.” “It’s a natural partnership,” said Nancy Hafford, Towson Chamber of Commerce Executive Director. “We are working together to provide customer service to visitors and guests to the area.”

More than 750 Things to Do

The Baltimore County Visitor Center provides free tourist information including maps, visitor guides, hotel, attraction, and restaurant information, custom itineraries, and personalized recommendations. The Visitor Center also provides meeting planning services and group tour itineraries. The hours for the Baltimore County Visitor Center are Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Information on more than 750 things to do in Baltimore County is available 24/7 at www.visitbacomd.com.

Feinberg added, “Look to the Baltimore County Visitor Center as your one-stop shop for destination information. We can help with ideas on what to do this weekend, how to entertain your out-of-town guests, make recommendations on restaurants and attractions, and provide a Free Family Fun guide.”

The Jenifer building was built for prominent attorney Courtney Jenifer whose ancestor was one of the signers of the Constitution.

The Maryland Zoo has started a new video series at its YouTube channel -MarylandZooTV.

Their third video in this series is Wildly Dull Restaurant Date

The Zoo is also on Twitter and Facebook.

Dixon release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 27, 2009
CONTACT: Scott Peterson 443-740-5412

Visit the International Festival on August 1 & 2

Baltimore, MD (July 31, 2009). Enjoy a celebration of Baltimore’s diverse cultures with traditional music, dance, art from around the world, and live entertainment at the International Festival 2009. On Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2 from noon-9pm, visit the Poly/ Western High School Complex, located at 1400 West Cold Spring Lane for a fun-filled weekend. The festival offers activities for all ages with martial arts, and cooking demonstrations, dance performances, fitness classes, soccer games and much more. This year’s featured entertainment includes Ashford and Simpson, Image Band, TolumiDE and Heatwave. The opening ceremony takes place Wednesday, July 29, 10am at the War Memorial Building, located at 101 N. Gay Street. Admission to the festival is free. The International Festival is a part of the 2009 Showcase of Nations Ethnic Festivals presented by Mayor Sheila Dixon and the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts.

Returning for its fifth consecutive year is the Mayor’s Cup Tournament. Throughout the weekend, international soccer teams representing Africa, Europe, Asia, South America and more will vie to become tournament champions. During the festival, there will be an “International Taste of Baltimore” with a variety of authentic foods from the Philippines, Caribbean, Russia, Korea, among others. The International BBQ Fest takes place Saturday at 3pm. The cook-off showcases the various barbecuing techniques of each participating cook and nation.

The International Festival has continuous music with regional and international musicians and vocalists performing pop, rock, folk, funk and Latin selections. On Saturday, August 1 at 6pm, the Image Band performs soca, followed by soul legends Ashford and Simpson at 8pm. On Sunday evening, visitors to the festival can hear music by afro-pop singer TolumiDE at 6pm and the Rollex Band at 7pm. Closing the festival is funk and disco group Heatwave taking the stage at 8pm. Children activities, including soccer clinics and arts and craft projects are scheduled for the weekend. Additionally, festival-goers can participate in free fitness classes such as Zumba, Pilates, yoga and Indian Bhangra influenced exercises. The annual festival promotes opportunities for people of all ethnicities and backgrounds living in the Baltimore region to come together, build relationships, and embrace unity.

For more information on the International Festival, call 410-396-3151 or www.baltimorecity.gov/ifest. For updates on the Showcase of Nations Ethnic Festivals, call 1-877-BALTIMORE or visit www.promotionandarts.com.
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