Statewide Pitch Competition Makes a Stop at the P.G. County Economic Development Corporation Local Entrepreneurs Show Out with Record High Company Pitches

By PRESS OFFICER
PGC Economic Development Corporation

Largo, Md. (November 20, 2018)—Last Wednesday, the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) along with 12 Innovation Station Accelerator partners hosted the Global Entrepreneurship Week StartUp Maryland Pitch Competition. Several local entrepreneurs participated, poised to share their latest innovations, products and services giving potential investors and supporters an up-close look at their value propositions. EDC President and CEO Jim Coleman was excited to host the event in Innovation Station.

“At the EDC, we’re all about small business growth,” said Coleman. “We’re proud to host the StartUP Maryland Pitch Competition as it gives our small businesses much needed and much deserved visibility. We’ve got entrepreneurs from all industry sectors here to pitch and gain access to some valuable resources. I’m so proud that the EDC is playing a major role in the success of these great companies!”

The EDC’s Innovation Station Accelerator hosted an entrepreneur expo where attendees could engage the innovators one on one. Guests were able to get a firsthand account of why the founders and developers believed their product should receive support. One young man has created an app to schedule haircuts in addition to keeping up-to-date one’s health. Another is creating virtual reality solutions that will shape the future. There were also a natural haircare guru and two restaurants that provided delicious food. Some products were available for guests to try out. Andrew Suggs, founder of the Live Chair App, has already made his software available for both Apple and Android users.

“Two weeks ago, we moved our headquarters to Maryland,” said Suggs. “We had a meeting with Mr. Jim Coleman who then invited us to participate in the StartUP Maryland Pitch Competition. We’re using the unique social environment of the barbershop to encouragement African-American men to visit the doctor. We’re honored to participate in this event so that we can tell Maryland and the world that we’re here to solve a huge problem and we’d love support.”

Suggs and the other entrepreneurs boarded the StartUp Maryland Tour Bus in front of the EDC headquarters to pitch their businesses on camera for up to four minutes each. The video recording will be distributed to the StartUp Maryland network for review. Winners will be connected to valuable resources included coaches, mentors, as well as potential investors. Mike Binko, Co-Founder of StartUp Maryland was excited about the turnout for the Prince George’s County competition.

“Compared to the other counties, Prince George’s County had the most pitches on the road show this year,” said Binko. “To make StartUp Maryland work, we need an eco-system. It takes economic development corporations, incubators, universities and academia, and other experienced, successful entrepreneurs to make the StartUp Maryland tour worthwhile. This tour is a celebration of entrepreneurs, helping them prove to investors why they are right for investment. That usually takes a little bit of coaching. We like to surround them with the resources that will get them to the next level.”

Learn more about activities taking place at the EDC Innovation Station Accelerator by contacting Alicia Moran, EDC Small Business Resource Manager, at amoran@co.pg.md.us or (301) 583-4604.

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Donors Beware!

By PRESS OFFICER
MD Agency News

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (November 19, 2018)—As the holidays approach, Secretary of State John Wobensmith warns citizens to beware of scam charities and deceptive practices. Charities in Maryland and beyond rely upon the generosity of citizens to provide programs and services to those in need across our great state.

The holidays inspire a spirit of generosity. Charities step up efforts to solicit donations during the holidays. Many of us respond and dig deep to help. Sadly, scam artists abound and often prey upon generous hearts.

Did you know that all charities who solicit money in Maryland must register with the Office of the Secretary of State before they can begin to solicit money? Check our website to confirm if a charity is authorized to raise money in Maryland: http://sos.maryland.gov/Charity/Pages/SearchCharity.aspx.

Recognize red flags. Ask questions. Be suspicious of any charity that won’t answer your questions. Here are some red flags that should help you question whether a charity worthy of your support:

•Did the organization refuse to send you written material or financial information?

• Did the solicitor offer to send a person to collect your contribution?

•Did the charity send you an invoice or statement that indicates a payment due for a contribution you never pledged?

•Does the organization’s name and logo closely resemble another charity with a similar purpose?

Con artists abound. If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam, or change your mind and choose not to donate for any reason, it’s okay. Did you know that you have the right to change your mind after you pledged to donate? Well, you do!

Call 800-825-4510 to check if a charity is registered. More information about charities can be found on the Secretary of State’s Charity page at http://sos.maryland.gov.

The Secretary of State’s Office investigates complaints about charity fraud. To report a potentially scam charity, contact our Investigations Unit at 410-260-3859 or 800-825-4510.

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University of Maryland Capital Region Health Names Permanent Governance Board
Transition Effective January 1, 2019; New Board Replaces Interim Board in Place Since 2017 Affiliation with University of Maryland Medical System

By PRESS OFFICER
UM Capital Region Health

CHEVERLY, Md. (Nov. 15, 2018)—In another key milestone in the evolution of a new health care delivery system in Prince George’s County, University of Maryland Capital Region Health has named its permanent Board of Directors per the terms of the September 2017 affiliation agreement with the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS).  Per those terms, the current 7-member interim board will be replaced in January 2019 with a permanent Board of Directors with representation from Prince George’s County and the Southern Maryland region.  

The board appointments represent a cross-section of talented individuals, bringing a range of professional and personal life experiences, who are well-positioned to help UM Capital Region Health succeed.

UM Capital Region Health Board of Directors (effective January 2019):

• The Hon. Alexander Williams, Jr. (Board Chair); retired federal judge and current member of UMMS Board

•John Ashworth, Senior Vice President, Network Development, UMMS

• Bijan Bahmanyar, M.D., UM Prince George’s Hospital Center Medical Staff President

• Stephen T. Bartlett, M.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, UMMS

• Aminta Breaux, PhD, President, Bowie State University

• Karmen Bailey Brown, government affairs and communications consultant

• Robert A. Chrencik, MBA, CPA, President and Chief Executive Officer, UMMS

• Robert DiPietro, former Mayor of Laurel; real estate developer

• Jim Estepp, President and CEO, Prince George’s Business Roundtable

• Michelle Gourdine, M.D., Senior Vice President for Population Health and Primary Care, UMMS

• Pastor John Jenkins, First Baptist Church of Glenarden

•Melonie Johnson, President and Chief Operating Officer, MGM National Harbor

• Orlan Johnson, Chairman, Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation

• Kenneth Jones, Senior Executive, Comcast

•Hon. Mac Middleton, retiring State Senator representing Southern Maryland

•Sherry Perkins PhD, RN, FAAN, President and Chief Executive Officer, UM Capital Region Health

•Liaison to Prince George’s County Board of Health

•Prince George’s County Health Officer

•Representative from Prince George’s County Medical Society

“I am incredibly fortunate to have such an esteemed group of individuals to help our leadership team steer UM Capital Region Health toward meeting our strategic goals designed for the benefit of our patients, staff, physicians and community,” says Sherry B. Perkins, PhD, RN, FAAN, President and Chief Executive Officer, UM Capital Region Health.  “The collective perspectives, expertise and commitment to our mission will serve all of us very well in both the near and long term.  I also express my sincere thanks to the members of our interim board who have been instrumental to our operations in the critical first year of our affiliation with UMMS.”

The responsibilities of the University of Maryland Capital Region Health Board are aligned with the regional health system’s strategic goals.  These duties include, but are not limited to:

• Measuring performance against national benchmarks for clinical quality, patient safety and customer service excellence

•Promoting financial viability

•Overseeing community benefit and mission effectiveness

• Recommending strategic direction and monitoring performance

• Establishing policies

• Overseeing compliance and internal auditing

“I am tremendously pleased with the prestigious group of individuals assembled to drive success for UM Capital Region Health,” says Robert A. Chrencik, MBA, CPA, President and Chief Executive Officer, UMMS. “They represent many of our key stakeholders who are collectively committed to improving the health of the population of this region. This Board and the excellent management team that is being assembled, supported by our relationship with the University of Maryland, Baltimore and the University of Maryland School of Medicine, will allow us to do great things for our citizens.” 

University of Maryland Capital Region Health also seeks to serve as a catalyst for redevelopment and economic growth in the County, including the Largo region, with the construction of the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center (to replace the current Prince George’s Hospital Center in Cheverly) currently being built and estimated to open in early 2021.  Additionally, work is underway to modernize and transform the University of Maryland Laurel Regional Hospital, with significant investments proposed to enhance the range, quality and caliber of services offered, with special consideration for around-the-clock emergency care including critical care stabilization and short stay beds; behavioral health; outpatient surgery; and other services to revitalize the Laurel campus and make it a destination for high quality health care.  University of Maryland Capital Region Health will also evaluate opportunities for expansion of services offered by University of Maryland Bowie Health Center.

“I am honored to chair the Board of Directors of University of Maryland Capital Region Health as it does the important work of restoring confidence and pride in the health care delivery system for our deserving residents and neighbors,” says the Hon. Alexander Williams, Jr. incoming Chair of the Board of Directors of University of Maryland Capital Region Health.  “In a county as unique, prosperous and forward-thinking as Prince George’s, we are making tremendous progress toward having the caliber of health care we have long been waiting for.”

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state’s future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the UM Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry in Baltimore.  For more information, visit www.umms.org.

Providing primary and specialty health care services to Prince George’s County and the neighboring area, University of Maryland Capital Region Health was established in September 2017 upon formal affiliation with the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), and is committed to making a positive impact on the health and well-being of patients and families.  University of Maryland Capital Region Health operates the University of Maryland Prince George’s Hospital Center in Cheverly, University of Maryland Laurel Regional Hospital, University of Maryland Bowie Health Campus, and the University of Maryland Family Health & Wellness Center in Suitland. A new state-of-the-art regional medical center is expected to open in Largo in 2021.  Visit www.umcapitalregion.org

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