The University of Maryland Medical System has received nearly $170,000 in grant funding from the Nora Roberts Foundation for its acute-care hospitals and freestanding medical facilities that are engaged in the COVID-19 response. The funds will be used by individual hospital foundations to support a variety of projects and initiatives related to COVID-19 including employee and patient assistance, meals for the community, personal protective equipment (PPE) and mental health care resources.
“This gift from the Nora Roberts Foundation will be felt across our entire University of Maryland Medical System and the communities we serve and will support our efforts as we continue to respond to the unprecedented COVID-19 challenge. We are incredibly grateful for their support and generosity,” said Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of University of Maryland Medical System.
“Philanthropy is a powerful resource, especially during this crisis,” added Janice Eisele, Senior Vice President of Development for the University of Maryland Medical System Foundation. “We are so very grateful to the Nora Roberts Foundation for shifting their focus and prioritizing the immense needs brought on by COVID-19. Their support will
The funding includes:
| Institution and City | Grant Amount |
| University of Maryland Medical Center – Downtown Campus (Baltimore) | $48,000 |
| University of Maryland Medical Center – Midtown Campus (Baltimore) | $8,000 |
| University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (Glen Burnie) | $17,000 |
| University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center (Towson) | $12,000 |
| University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center (Bel Air) | $10,500 |
| University of Maryland Harford Memorial Hospital (Havre de Grace) | $6,500 |
| Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital (Baltimore) | $7,000 |
| University of Maryland Prince George’s Hospital Center (Cheverly) | $14,500 |
| University of Maryland Laurel Medical Center (Laurel) | $8,000 |
| University of Maryland Bowie Medical Center (Bowie) | $5,000 |
| University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center (La Plata) | $7,500 |
| University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton (Easton) | $9,000 |
| University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Dorchester (Cambridge) | $5,000 |
| University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown (Chestertown) | $5,000 |
| University of Maryland Shore Emergency Center at Queenstown (Queenstown) | $5,000 |
| Total Funding | $168,000 |
Statement from the Nora Roberts Foundation Board:
“Our sincere thanks to all essential workers, to everyone keeping us safe and fed. We’re so grateful to everyone who’s staying home, for putting responsibility to your community over your own wants and needs. And we’re grateful beyond words to the hospital workers, the doctors, nurses, specialists, cooks, cleaners, maintenance workers, and all those who show up every day, despite the risks. We’re humbled by your willingness to put yourselves in harm’s way to care for the sick, to save lives, and to be witness to the final moments of those who can’t be saved. You’re more than heroes, more than the frontline. You’re children, siblings, parents, and friends. You’re human, and you, individually, matter.”
The Nora Roberts Foundation was created in 2001 by Roberts, a successful businesswoman as well as a best-selling author, as an avenue of support for organizations promoting and encouraging literacy, children, the arts and humanitarian efforts. These areas, particularly important to her and her family, serve as the focus of the foundation.
More information about the UMMS response to the global pandemic can be found on our dedicated COVID-19 information webpage, https://www.umms.org/
About the University of Maryland Medical System
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. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system’s 28,000 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations and at 13 hospitals. UMMS’ flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore is partnered with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care. Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the State. In addition, UMMS operates health insurance plans serving Medicare and Medicaid members. For more information, visit www.umms.org.
