Don Sincell guided health care conversations from the expert panel. He is no stranger to the the health care arena, as he served as a member of the Garrett County Memorial Hospital Board of Governors for 18 years, with several of those years as chairman. He also rendered emergency care as a member of the Southern Rescue Squad for 14 years and the National Ski Patrol for over 30 years. Over the past 40-plus years in his position as editor of The Republican newspaper (retired June 30), he has written hundreds of stories and editorials on health-related topics and has often served as a moderator on similar panels and for candidate forums.

Former Editor, The Republican

Mark Boucot joined Garrett Regional Medical Center in December of 2013 with 26 years of healthcare leadership experience in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.  He holds the Fellow Certification with the American College of Healthcare Executives, is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt from the Juran Institute, and is strongly rooted in Continuous Quality Improvement, patient safety, and high quality, patient centered care.

President & CEO, Garrett Regional Medical Center

Marjorie S. Fridkin, MD, FACS received her Bachelor’s Degree at the Univ. of Michigan in 1996, majoring in Neuropsychology, and her medical degree from The Univ. of Maryland School of Medicine in 2000. She completed her surgical internship and residency in general surgery at Boston Univ. Medical Center in 2005. Dr. Fridkin participated in the AHEC program, studying rural primary care in Garrett County. In 2009, she became the Medical Director of the Wound Care Center at Garrett County Memorial Hospital, and in 2011 she moved her general surgery practice to Garrett Surgical Group. She became the Chief Medical Officer/Vice President of Medical Affairs at Garrett Regional Medical Center in 2014.

Garrett Surgical Group

James "Smokey" Stanton brings forty years of executive experience in health policy, health system development, and regulation at the local and state levels in Maryland, and in health policy and emergency management at the national level. He holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from West Virginia University and the Professional Certificate in Environmental Management from The George Washington University.

Mountain Laurel Medical Center

Elizabeth Collins serves as President of Oakland Nursing And Rehabilitation Center Clinic. The physio clinic offers qualified physical therapists who deal with joint motion, muscle strength and endurance, function of heart and lungs, and performance of activities required in daily living to mention a few. Treatment includes therapeutic exercises, cardiovascular endurance training, and training in activities of daily living.

Oakland Nursing & Rehab

Jennifer Lee-Steckman is a Certified Nurse Midwife with 23 years of experience in health care. Before devoting herself to public health, she worked in private practices in Pennsylvania and Maryland providing full-scope obstetric and gynecological services. Currently, she serves in the capacity of the Director of Nursing at Garrett County Health Department and the clinician for the reproductive health clinic. She oversees five divisions, 32 employees, and has fiscal oversight of a $5,033.551 budget. At the present time, she is the chair person for the Maryland Public Health Nurse Director committee. She has also served as a speaker for various agencies and engagements throughout the state.

Garrett County Health Department