Marylanders win awards: April 11, 2008

Daily Record, The (Baltimore), Apr 11, 2008

Ascend One was presented with a Best Practices Honor from the American Psychological Association (APA) at the annual Psychologically Healthy Workplace Awards. The organization was recognized for its innovative telecommuting option, which is used by more than 50 percent of its contact center employees. Ascend One was one of nine organizations to receive the Best Practices recognition at the ceremony.

Rebuilding Together Montgomery County (RTMC), an affiliate of the national volunteer organization, presented the "RT Honors Community Service Award" to Michael Rand, regional director of property development and facilities at Adventist HealthCare Inc. In addition to serving as a House Captain (project leader) on Adventist HealthCare-sponsored projects for the last four years, Rand served as a Co-Captain on RTMC's recent Heroes at Home Project.

Sister Sharon Slear, dean of education at College of Notre Dame of Maryland, will receive The Catherine T. McNamee, CSJ, Award from the National Catholic Education Association at its annual convention March 26 in Indianapolis. Sister Sharon celebrates her 20th anniversary at College of Notre Dame this year. She has served in numerous roles including chair of the education department and director of graduate studies.

The Maryland Department of the Environment recently awarded Barbara Brown, of the Environmental Restoration and Redevelopment Program, Employee of the Year. MDE honored three other Employee of the Year nominees. They are: Cindy Dailey of the Water Management Administration; Denise Hartzell of the Air and Radiation Management Administration; and Matthew Rowe of the Technical and Regulatory Services Administration.

Dr. Peter Basch, medical director, ambulatory clinical systems for MedStar Health, is the recipient of the HIMSS Physician IT Leadership Award presented at the 2008 Annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Conference & Exhibition. As one of the first physicians to adopt an electronic health record (EHR) in his practice at MedStar, Basch now is leading the effort to implement EHRs throughout all MedStar-owned ambulatory practices.