November 28, 2001

FOR RELEASE: Immediately

Magnolia Hall Appoints New Administrator

Scott Murray has been named administrator at Magnolia Hall Rehabilitation & Nursing Center. He will replace George E. Smith who is retiring after an eight year-career at the local facility.

Murray is a New Jersey native who earned a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University and a master's degree in business administration from Cornell University where he focused on hospital administration. He worked in hospital administration as president and CEO of several acute care hospitals including six years at Memorial Hospital and Medical Center of Cumberland, in Cumberland, Maryland. He then moved into long-term care administration. Most recently he worked as executive director of the Masonic Homes of Virginia in Richmond.

Murray is a diplomate in the American College of Healthcare Executives. His wife, Joanne, is a fourth grade teacher who will be moving to Kent County in January. The couple has three grown children.

Theodore H. Chase, president of Magnolia Hall's board of trustees notes, "Scott brings a strong work ethic and dedication to long-term care to this position. His experience and vision will be vital as Magnolia Hall develops and implements a master plan to insure the quality and effectiveness of Magnolia Hall's service to the community in conjunction with the other entities of the Chester River Health System."

Murray will be supported by Patricia L. Gaffney, RN, who was appointed director of clinical services/assistant administrator on November 1. Gaffney joined the staff of Magnolia Hall in March 2001 as Quality Assurance/Staff Development Coordinator after serving as a consultant to the organization for a year. She will continue to strengthen the quality assurance program with particular emphasis on staff development.

Smith came to the local nursing center in October 1993 after working in southern Maryland as a long-term care administrator and in hospital administration and serving in the United States Navy. During his tenure, Magnolia Hall became licensed as a skilled nursing facility. To achieve this status a wider array of therapies was added, as were the activities and resident resources departments and an admission coordinator position.

"George has managed the revitalization of resident care and the establishment of a solid financial base," Chase continues. "He has also been very active in the community and in long-term care organizations, making him a very effective ambassador for Magnolia Hall."

Smith and his wife, Dot, have purchased a motor home and plan to see the USA but will keep Chestertown as their home. "We have lived in many small towns and rural areas, but never have we felt so welcomed as we did when we moved to Kent County. That is why we plan to stay here," Smith points out.
Magnolia Hall Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, which has served the community since 1970, offers a full range of high quality services and therapies designed to help residents reach and maintain the highest level of independent living and quality of life. The Center is dedicated to meeting individual care needs with consistency, warmth and respect. # # #

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