WELCOME TO MERITUS HEALTH
Expert Care,
Close to Home.
Dedicated to improving the health of our community.
Ready to schedule an appointment?
Our experts are ready to support your health needs. Meritus Health offers our patients the option of virtual or in-person appointments at one of our convenient locations. We promise to treat our patients with respect and provide professional, compassionate care.
Virtual Visit
In-Person Visit
Featured Services List
MERITUS STORIES
Meritus receives 2026 Specialty Excellence Award from Healthgrades
Meritus Medical Center’s achievements place the organization among the top 10% nationwide for key services in surgical care. Meritus Medical Center announced today that it has achieved numerous distinctions for exceptional clinical performance from Healthgrades, the No. 1 site Americans use when searching for a doctor or hospital. Among Meritus’ new recognitions are a Specialty Excellence Award, which places the hospital among the top 10% nationwide for surgical care. Meritus is also five-star rated for four services, including hip fracture treatment, spinal fusion surgery, respiratory failure treatment, and diabetic hospitalizations. In addition to this top honor, Meritus ranked second among Maryland hospitals for surgical care. The hospital also has maintained a five-star rating for respiratory failure treatment for the past nine years and diabetic hospitalizations for the past two years. These achievements further affirm Meritus’ status as a premier destination for specialty care and underscore the organization’s longstanding commitment to excellent patient care. “These rankings, which are based on Medicare data, show just how seriously we take caring for our community at Meritus,” said Carrie Adams, chief operating officer of Meritus Medical Center. “It shows our commitment to providing high-quality specialty care, close to home, through the dedication of our team members across the hospital.” “To be ranked second in the state for surgical care and among the top 10% in the nation is a testament to the extraordinary skill, teamwork and commitment of our surgical teams,” said Brian McKinnon, M.D., chair of surgery at Meritus Health. “These results reflect the precision, innovation and patient-first mindset that guide every procedure we perform at Meritus Medical Center.” Meritus’ achievements are based solely on what matters most: patient outcomes. Each year, Healthgrades evaluates risk-adjusted mortality and complication rates for over 30 common conditions and procedures at approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide to identify the top hospitals in key specialty areas, including surgical care, hip fracture treatment, spinal fusion surgery, respiratory failure treatment, and diabetic hospitalizations. Through easy-to-understand, objective measures of hospital performance, Healthgrades empowers patients with the information they need to find a hospital that excels in their procedure or condition. As performance gaps persist between the nation’s highest- and lowest-achieving facilities, seeking care at a top program has never been more important. Healthgrades’ 2026 analysis revealed that if all hospitals, as a group, performed similarly to five-star hospitals during the 2022-2024 study period, on average, 230,466 lives could have been saved and 156,797 complications could have been avoided.* “Healthgrades’ specialty awards identify the nation’s top-performing hospitals in key service areas, helping consumers find high quality care tailored to their specific needs,” said Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH, medical advisor at Healthgrades. “We’re proud to recognize Meritus Medical Center for its consistently superior outcomes in key service areas, including surgical care, hip fracture treatment, spinal fusion surgery, respiratory failure treatment, and diabetic hospitalizations.” Consumers can visit Healthgrades’ Specialty Excellence Patient Advocate Center to learn more about how Healthgrades identifies the top-performing hospitals for specialty care. *Statistics are based on Healthgrades analysis of MedPAR data for years 2022 through 2024 and represent three-year estimates for Medicare patients only. Click here to view the complete 2026 Specialty Awards and Ratings Methodology.
NEWS & UPDATES
Meritus surgeons bring skill, experience, care to the job
Surgery is a cornerstone of care at Meritus Medical Center. In fact, the hospital ranks second in Maryland for the quality of surgical care according to Healthgrades, the top site Americans use when searching for a doctor or hospital. According to data from Healthgrades, the Meritus surgical program also surpasses all hospitals in the bordering states of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. That might be because Meritus Health has added several top-ranked surgeons over the past few years. The goal has been to bring advanced procedures and minimally invasive techniques to patients without requiring trips to Baltimore or Washington, D.C. Brian Cantor, M.D., a general and bariatric surgeon with Meritus Surgical Specialists, joined the practice in 2023. With more than 20 years of medical experience, he treats patients with hernias, gallbladder conditions, colorectal and endocrine disorders, and bariatric needs using minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques. Dr. Cantor earned his medical degree from University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore and completed his residency at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, N.J. He completed a fellowship in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at Saint Peters University Hospital in New Brunswick, N.J. “I believe in empowering patients to participate in the development of their treatment plan through shared decision-making,” Dr. Cantor said. “In the process of caring for a patient, we focus on their goals and what matters most to them as we create an individualized plan of care. I treat my patients in a timely manner and strive to deliver patient-centered, advanced, quality care with empathy.” Mohammad Jafferji, M.D., is a thoracic surgeon who performs procedures of the chest. Jafferj joined Meritus Surgical Specialists in 2024. His interests include treating patients with diseases such as lung or esophageal cancer, and he specializes in minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Jafferji earned his medical degree from the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington, Vt., and completed his residency at Dartmoth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Additionally, he completed a thoracic surgery fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Heart Institute in Houston, Texas. "I have always loved being able to have a meaningful and positive impact on people's lives,” Dr. Jafferji said. “Being a physician and surgeon affords the incredible opportunity to not only find solutions for ailments but allows me to meet and hear the stories that shape different people's lives. Being a doctor provides a unique experience where art, science, technology and the human touch interplay around the human experience.” Nasir Bhatti, M.D., joined the health system earlier this year as medical director of the new Meritus Advanced ENT. He comes to Meritus after 23 years on faculty with the Johns Hopkins Head and Neck Surgery program. He completed his ENT residency at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. “We have the training and many years of experience at top institutions that will allow us to provide world-class care to patients,” Dr. Bhatti said of the ENT practice. “We know how to work hand-in-hand with emergency medicine, pulmonary critical care, allergy and immunology and neurosurgery disciplines. We want to have very easy access for our patients, bringing expert care close to home.” To learn more about Meritus’ general surgery program, visit www.meritushealth.com/SurgicalCare. To learn more about Meritus Advanced ENT, visit www.meritushealth.com/ENT.
CHECK OUT OUR
Upcoming Events
READ MORE
Meritus News
Meritus had an average of 19 applicants per job opening in FY '25
High minimum wage, strong employee recognition and benefits programs a factor in people wanting to work at the health system. Meritus Health is known as a top employer in healthcare in the state of Maryland, and recent statistics show that people want to work here. Meritus, the largest private employer in Western Maryland, has more than 4,000 team members spread across Meritus Medical Center, Meritus Medical Group, Brook Lane Health System and the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. In fiscal year 2025, the health system received an average of 19 applications for every one job opening, said Scott Salzetti, vice president of Team Member Services. “We are pleased to be such a prominent employer in the region,” Salzetti said. “We had more than 37,000 applications for positions in the health system including team leaders, clinical staff and other roles.” The health system, Washington County’s only integrated health system, is also in the process of raising its minimum wage to $20 per hour by 2027. So far, pay has been increased to at least $18 per hour for all employees. Meritus has also been recognized several times by Forbes as a Best-in-State Employer, and most recently was named to Forbes’ America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals 2025. And Meritus took honors for its Employee Recognition Program and Benefits Program in the annual Tri State’s Best Community’s Choice Awards, which are chosen by public nomination and voting. To learn more about career possibilities at Meritus Health, please visit www.meritushealth.com/careers.
The power of early detection: Why mammograms save lives
Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers among women worldwide, but when caught early, it is also one of the most treatable. The simplest and most effective way to detect it early? A mammogram. A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of the breast used to look for early signs of cancer, often before symptoms develop. The process is quick, typically lasting about 20 minutes, and while it may be slightly uncomfortable, it’s not usually painful. A radiologist examines the X-ray images for any abnormalities, such as lumps or microcalcifications, that may indicate the presence of cancer. “A mammogram can find cancer years before you can feel a lump,” said Ann-Marie Hugh, M.D., medical director for the Meritus Center for Breast Health. “That window of early detection often makes the difference between a simple lumpectomy and more extensive surgery or even months of chemotherapy. It can truly be lifesaving.” Dr. Hugh recommends that women with an average risk of breast cancer begin screening mammograms at age 40, though those with a family history of breast or ovarian cancer should discuss earlier screening with their healthcare provider. Despite the benefits, some women avoid mammograms due to fear, discomfort or misconceptions. Common myths, such as the idea that radiation exposure is dangerous or that only women with symptoms need screening, can discourage people from scheduling their exams. In reality, the radiation from a mammogram is minimal, about the same as what you would receive from your natural environment over a few months. And since early breast cancers rarely cause pain or noticeable lumps, waiting for symptoms could mean detecting the disease at a more advanced stage. “I always tell my patients: The few seconds of discomfort during a mammogram are worth the peace of mind, and potentially, your life,” Dr. Hugh said. Breast Cancer Awareness Month serves as a reminder not just to wear pink, but to act. Encourage your loved ones to schedule their screening mammograms, support local awareness events, and learn your personal risk factors. For many women, a mammogram offers reassurance. For others, it provides a lifesaving early diagnosis. From prevention and screening to diagnostics, treatment and recovery, Meritus Center for Breast Health offers a comprehensive approach to breast health, including treatment of breast cancer, lumps, pain and cysts as well as providing high risk assessments. To learn more about the Meritus Center for Breast Health, please visit www.meritushealth.com/BreastHealth.
PROMOTING A
Healthy Washington County
NOTES OF PRAISE
Featured Moments of Praise
— Donna Bassin
2025-07-17— Rocky D.
July 2025— Rhona
August 2025— Ann Palmer
2025-08-14— Amy B.
August 2025— Tisha Palmer
2025-08-22— Wanda Baker
2025-08-25— Heidi B.
August 2025— Kathy Chambers
2025-09-09— Donna Cameron
2025-09-09— Donna Cameron
2025-09-09— Kirstie Burkett
2025-09-11