University of Maryland Medical System seeks capital for Easton regional hospital, Shock Trauma upgrades and cancer center expansion

DLS presented the University of Maryland Medical System's FY27 capital request and recommended approval of general obligation bond authorizations for three projects totaling approximately $226.4 million.

Analyst Naomi Camaro summarized the requests: $208.7 million for the new University of Maryland Shore Regional Medical Center in Easton (planning, construction and equipment), $12.8 million for ongoing Shock Trauma renovation work in FY27, and a comprehensive cancer center expansion that includes a $5 million unused deficiency included in the FY27 request.

UMMS representatives told the committee construction on the Shore Regional Medical Center is underway (foundations and geothermal well drilling in progress), that private fundraising has raised more than $70 million toward a $100 million goal, and that the project will provide regional access for five counties and roughly 175,000 residents. Will Silberg and Ken Cassell said Shock Trauma Phase 3 upgrades will modernize trauma resuscitation, expand hyperbaric medicine services, and increase trauma acute care beds from 10 to 16 to improve patient flow.

Shar Koch, vice president of operations at UMMC, said the Center for Advanced Medicine and the Greenebaum Cancer Center construction is progressing and that the hospital expects to see its first patients in mid‑September, with substantial completion targeted for April. Committee members praised the projects and asked follow‑up questions about clinical trials and cancer center operations; UMMS agreed to provide additional detail after the hearing.

DLS recommended approval of the UMS bond authorizations and the subcommittee adjourned after the final panel.