Over 80% of our overall health status is influenced by factors unrelated to direct clinical care, known as Social Drivers of Health. This discussion will focus on defining, identifying, and addressing the impact of these Social Drivers of Health on an individual’s overall health status. Overcoming the
effects of Social Drivers of Heath requires strong partnerships in our communities where we live, work, and play. We will also discuss the role and resources the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Chestertown and UM Shore Regional Health play in compassionate, high-quality, patient- and family-centered care in our communities.

Aaron “Zack” Royston joined the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health in August of this year as the Vice President of Rural Health Care Transformation and Executive Director at UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown. His 30 years in health care span a variety of roles, including as a critical care paramedic, academic instructor in emergency health services and paramedicine, and leadership roles in patient access, revenue cycle, hospital operations, and medical practice management. Mr. Royston holds a master’s degree from UMBC in Emergency Health Services Management and a master’s from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Population Health Management. In 2019, he was honored as a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives.