July 2018 – Crossroads Business Journal

Hendrix leads a university, a cancer lab

Updated July 24, 2018

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — Mary J.C. Hendrix sees Shepherd University as “a tremendous resource to the community and the region.” Hendrix, the university’s 16th president, also is a leading cancer researcher. A Taiwanese company recently licensed 10 of her lab’s patents to develop new cancer treatments. “On a daily basis, my life is driven by lists. Detailed lists keep me focused and on task, and they provide benchmarks about progress on key initiatives,” she reported when asked about juggling her responsibilities. Hendrix holds a bachelor’s degree in pre-med/biology from Shepherd and a doctorate in anatomy/cell biology from George Washington University. From 1977-1980, she was […]

Meritus cath lab receives third award

Updated July 24, 2018

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Meritus Medical Center’s cardiac catheterization lab has earned its third award since 2015 from the American Heart Association for consistent, high-quality care. The Mission: Lifeline Silver Receiving Quality Achievement Award for 2018 was presented to the lab staff for its treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks. The Meritus cardiac cath lab treats approximately 136 patients each year for STEMI or “ST elevation myocardial infarction.” According to a Meritus news release, STEMI is a deadly type of heart attack caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart. It requires timely treatment by restoring the […]

Bankers welcome Dodd-Frank changes

Updated July 24, 2018

By MIKE LEWIS mlewis@crossroadsbizjournal.com Some area bankers are taking a long look at this year’s reform to the Dodd-Frank banking regulations. “It could be months, if not a year or two, before we really see the impact of this,” said Mark Harrell, president and CEO of CNB Bank, a community bank with offices in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia and in Washington County, Md. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was passed in the wake of the banking crisis of the last decade. But critics contend that the measure went too far in many respects. And community bankers […]

The Calendar for August 2018

Updated July 24, 2018

Have a calendar item? Submit your business calendar items to calendar@crossroadsbizjournal.com, or by mail to Crossroads Business Journal, 100 Summit Ave., P.O. Box 439, Hagerstown, MD 21741. If you have questions, call editor Joseph Deinlein at 301-791-7591, or reporter Mike Lewis at 301-733-5131. MARYLAND Eggs and Issues Wednesday, Aug. 1 — Join the Washington County Chamber of Commerce members for breakfast, discussion and networking. 7:30 to 9 a.m. Applause Caterers, 58 E. Washington St., Hagerstown. $15 for Washington County Chamber of Commerce members; $25 for nonmembers. Call 301-739-2015, ext. 100, email info@hagerstown.org or go to www.hagerstown.org. Pros and Cons […]

USDA grants Hood College professor $100,000 for biofuels project

Updated July 24, 2018

FREDERICK, Md. — The United States Department of Agriculture has awarded Hood College biology professor Craig Laufer $100,000 over an 18-month period to fund research and development of cost-effective biofuels. Successful completion of this project would qualify Laufer’s lab for larger grants for commercialization, according to a news release from Hood. The research will focus on a new biotechnology idea that could significantly lower the cost of enzymes needed to produce biofuels and bioproducts, making them more cost-competitive with petroleum fuels. The project will provide hands-on experiential training for master’s-level and undergraduate students at Hood College. Hood will work with […]

Criswell revving up for another new building in Thurmont

Updated July 24, 2018

THURMONT, Md. — Criswell Auto plans to expand its presence in Thurmont, Md. The company previously acquired the Chevrolet dealership in Thurmont and built a new facility on Frederick Road. Now the business is planning to build a new Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram showroom and service center across the street. “We’re just very, very happy with the community and the business environment up there,” said Neil Kopit, Criswell’s director of marketing. Criswell, a family-owned and operated business, started in 1972 with a Chevrolet dealership in Gaithersburg, Md. Over the years the company has grown to include a Chrysler Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Fiat outlet in […]

The Record for August 2018

Updated July 24, 2018

About this section: Crossroads Business Journal runs public records of interest to the business community in Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. This includes building permits and deed transfers, as noted. Maryland Allegany County Deed transfers of note • Address: 1929 Frederick St., Cumberland Buyer: Luriana Investments LLC Seller: Walter Ray Beall Price: $565,000 Date: June 5, 2018 Structure type: Multiple residence • Address: 215 N. Mechanic St., Cumberland Buyer: Michael P. Hilditch Seller: William R. Michaels Jr. Price: $1,016 Date: June 12, 2018 Structure type: None listed • Address: 209 N. Mechanic St., Cumberland Buyer: Michael P. Hilditch Seller: […]

Summit Health, WellSpan agreement spells out goals

Updated July 24, 2018

The affiliation agreement recently signed by officials of Summit Health and WellSpan Health supports several goals for health care in Franklin County and Central Pennsylvania. In early April, leaders from both organizations announced they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Following a phase of due diligence, the respective volunteer boards of Summit Health and WellSpan Health approved the definitive affiliation agreement that will enable Summit Health to join WellSpan Health’s regional nonprofit health system. The agreement will be submitted to state and regulatory agencies for review. Officials expect that a process to take a few months. The two organizations already […]

Business goes to school

Updated July 24, 2018

Companies, colleges work together to better educate students By MIKE LEWIS mlewis@crossroadsbizjournal.com Most days, Regina Twigg is a professor of nursing, helping teach Towson University students at the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown. Some days, she’s a working nurse, providing care at a Maryland trauma center. One role supports the other, she said. She stays current with nursing students and the health care facilities that will employ them. “We see what’s going on at the bedside, what the employers are looking for,” she said. There’s a big push in the state of Maryland for hospitals and academia to work […]

Martinsburg, W.Va., hospital buys land for future growth

Updated July 24, 2018

By MIKE LEWIS mlewis@crossroadsbizjournal.com MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center recently closed two deals to buy about 75 acres off Tavern Road. Taken together, the deals total $1.6 million. “It’s basically just for future expansion,” Teresa E. McCabe, the hospital’s vice president of marketing and development, said. “… We have no place for future growth on the existing campus.” McCabe said the current campus houses the 195-bed hospital, three medical office buildings and a WVU health services building. There is space for one more medical office building, which is in the hospital’s strategic plan. “We’ve grown so much, […]