Bayhealth Strengthens Respiratory Therapy

Bayhealth Medical Center is strengthening its Respiratory Care Services with the recent appointment of Diane Schmeck, RRT, MBA, PHR, as the Manager of Respiratory Care Services for Milford Memorial Hospital.

"Diane has nearly 20 years of experience as a respiratory care professional and ten years of experience as a health care administrator.  She has the experience, leadership, and vision to ensure our respiratory care services continue as a model of excellence," said Bayhealth Respiratory Care Director Teresa Thompson, MBA, BSRC, RRT.

Schmeck will manage Respiratory Care Services for Milford Memorial Hospital, and will spearhead several key initiatives to improve services for respiratory care patients.  This includes plans to better coordinate patient care provided by physicians, Respiratory Care Services, and other departments caring for respiratory patients.  Another priority will be implementing additional components of the Planetree Model of Care, which emphasizes spiritual, emotional, mental and physical healing for patients.

"It's imperative that we provide top clinical care, outstanding customer service and the best possible environment for patients and their families," said Schmeck.

Prior to her appointment at Bayhealth, Schmeck served for ten years as Executive Director of Community Home Services, a home healthcare organization in Soudertown, Pennsylvania.  She previously served as a Respiratory Therapist for Geisinger Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania and Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown, Pennsylvania. 

Schmeck earned Professional Human Resource certification from Villanova University, received Registered Respiratory Therapy credentialing at the University of Chicago, and graduated with a Master's in Health Administration from Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia.  She earned her Bachelor's Degree from Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pennsylvania.  She has 19 years of experience as a respiratory care professional.

Bayhealth Medical Center's mission is to improve the health status of all members of the Bayhealth community.  Central and Southern Delaware's largest healthcare system, Bayhealth is comprised of Kent General and Milford Memorial Hospitals, Middletown Medical Center and numerous satellite facilities.  Bayhealth was ranked Best in Delaware for Cardiac Surgery by HealthGrades 2008 and was recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for the second year in a row for providing an "Outstanding Inpatient Experience."  Bayhealth is a technologically advanced not-for-profit healthcare system employing over 2,900 with a medical staff of 449 physicians.  Bayhealth is a member of the Penn Cancer Network and an affiliate of Penn Medicine - Penn Cardiac Care.  In the 2008 fiscal year, Bayhealth recorded 73,189 emergency department visits, 17,448 patients admitted to beds and 2,454 births.  Last year, as part of its mission, Bayhealth provided more than $30.9 million in unreimbursed care to patients.  A not-for-profit organization, Bayhealth supports our community through services or programs for the uninsured, underserved and for the broader community.