COLUMBIA—Howard County General Hospital received $1.5 million from The Kahlert Foundation, a private Maryland-based family foundation and longtime donor, to enhance women’s health services in Howard County by bringing a Johns Hopkins Kelly Gynecologic Oncology Service clinic to the hospital’s campus.

“We are thrilled to support the vision for women’s health in Howard County,” said Roberta Kahlert, member of The Kahlert Foundation board of directors. “We raised our family in Ellicott City, and it is gratifying to us to give back so others are able to enjoy the best health and quality of life.”

The clinic at Howard County General Hospital will be led by Johns Hopkins gynecologic oncologist Dr. Katherine Ikard Stewart. The addition of a full-time gynecologic oncologist will enable the hospital to provide treatments and surgical approaches to prevent, detect and treat gynecologic cancers.

“Our role is to oversee the full scope of care for women with gynecologic cancers. This often includes the use of various combinations of treatment modalities including surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy,” Ikard Stewart said. “Expanding gynecologic oncology care in Howard County allows more patients to be seen closer to home for the many appointments that come with a cancer diagnosis. We also know that patients with gynecologic cancers have better outcomes when they live close to and have access to a GYN oncologist.”

In addition to bolstering clinical services, the gift will fund the establishment of a new cancer peer mentor program through the hospital’s Claudia Mayer/Tina Broccolino Cancer Resource Center. The mentorship volunteer program will match cancer patients seeking support with mentors who have had a similar diagnosis to provide hope, encouragement and reassurance.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Kahlerts for their investment in the hospital,” said Dr. Elizabeth Edsall Kromm, vice president of population health and advancement at Howard County General Hospital. “Their gifts have left an indelible mark on the health of our community, and this most recent donation will further our ongoing commitment to move health care forward in Howard County by expanding access to world-class care for patients when they need it most.”

The Kahlert Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Atlantic region and Utah to improve the quality of life and well-being of the community in the areas of health care, youth programs, education, veteran organizations and human services.

About Howard County General Hospital
Howard County General Hospital: A Member of Johns Hopkins Medicine is a not-for-profit health care provider with 226 licensed beds located in Columbia, Maryland. A comprehensive, acute-care medical center, Howard County General offers a full range of services, from neonatal care and oncology to outpatient treatment and critical care.

The hospital has a professional staff of nearly 1,000 physicians and allied health professionals, representing 120 specialties and subspecialties and a workforce of more than 1,800 employees.