Mark L. Plaster, MD, JD

Annapolis, MD, — Today, the American Red Cross Greater Chesapeake Region announces Mark L. Plaster, MD, JD as Executive Director of the Red Cross’ Southern Maryland Chapter.

 

The highly visible role leads and directs volunteers and employees in the Southern Maryland Chapter to ensure the American Red Cross’ goals and mission are achieved. The population served by the Annapolis-based chapter ranges between 500,000 and one million that reside in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties.

 

“Mark’s openness, incredible depth in the medical and emergency services field and willingness to serve make him a stellar selection for this position,” said American Red Cross Greater Chesapeake Region CEO Scott R. Salemme. “Southern Maryland will benefit greatly from his expertise, drive and compassion.”

 

As the face of the Red Cross, the executive director promotes an inclusive, team-based culture centered on leading and empowering volunteers. In addition to enhancing community presence through key media, government and community partner relationships, Red Cross executive directors also steward their local board of directors. The role also cultivates and manages select donors.

 

Plaster is publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Emergency Physicians Monthly and is affiliated with the Maryland Emergency Medical Network.

 

“As my medical career winds down, it is a great privilege to transition to working with this wonderful organization,” said Plaster. “At a time when our country seems deeply divided on so many issues, there is one place that all Americans come together — that is in caring for one another when disaster strikes. That’s why I’m proud to work with this fine organization with such a long and storied history.”

 

A graduate of Abilene Christian, Missouri and Widener universities, where he received medical and legal degrees, Plaster is a retired U.S. Navy Medical Corps commander that served 15 years. Part of that time was with a U.S. Marine Corps shock trauma platoon deployed to Iraq.

 

In civilian life, his medical career has taken him to hospitals and facilities throughout the mid-West, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania, where he repeatedly served as director of emergency services. He has also held medical school instructor posts at three universities.

 

On average, the American Red Cross of the Greater Chesapeake Region provides help to Maryland, Delaware and Virginia families four times each day. After disasters, the Red Cross provides services including: emergency shelter, food, clothing and counseling, thanks to the generosity of financial donors and the commitment of volunteers.

 

The Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters every year, most of which are home fires. Each day the Red Cross also provides lifesaving blood to area hospitals, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission.

 

For more information or to donate, please visit RedCross.org/gcr or follow us on Twitter @RedCrossGCR and on Facebook @RCChesapeake.