CHESTERTOWN — Maryann Ruehrmund, executive director and chief development officer of the University of Maryland Chester River Health Foundation, is retiring this month after nearly three decades of service.
The foundation raises funds to support patient care at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown, a member organization of University of Maryland Shore Regional Heath and the University of Maryland Medical System.
In 1994, Ruehrmund was recruited for the newly created position of director of development at what was then known as Kent & Queen Anne’s Hospital. She was tasked with establishing a development program to enhance patient care services through funding capital projects, new and replacement medical technology, and funding employee scholarships.
In the early 2000s the Chester River Health System was formed and the foundation became incorporated, tasked with fundraising activities for the hospital as well as for a skilled nursing facility and home care and hospice organizations serving Kent and northern Queen Anne’s counties.
Ruehrmund left that position in 2004 and established Success by Design, a consulting firm serving not-for-profit organizations and small for-profit businesses.
Also in 2004, she became a Certified Fund Raising Executive.
In 2009, Ruehrmund returned to the health care system as executive director of the University of Maryland Chester River Health Foundation. She became a member of the UM Shore Regional Health senior leadership team.
In 2022 she received the Mid-Shore Community Foundation’s prestigious Town Watch Award, which recognizes individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership and service in the Mid-Shore community.
Ruehrmund also is a member of the Kent County Ethics Commission and was recently elected chairperson.
Under Ruehrmund’s leadership, the community donated more than $28 million to support the continued advancement of health care services, the acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment and the growth of scholarship funding for team members at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown.
“On behalf of the UM Shore Regional Health family, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Maryann for nearly three decades of service to our community,” UM Shore Regional Health President and CEO Ken Kozel said in a written statement.
Kozel added, “Throughout her tenure, Maryann has been a driving force behind the Chester River Health Foundation’s success. Her passion for our mission and her exceptional ability to build strong relationships with the Foundation board and our community have made a lasting impact. Her efforts in fundraising and community engagement have not only advanced our organization but have also enriched the lives of countless individuals we have served.”