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Meritus a U.S. News & World Report 2026 Maternity Care Access Hospital
December 9, 2025
The hospital is one of 16% of all evaluated facilities nationwide to earn the designation. Meritus Medical Center is honored to be named a 2026 Maternity Care Access Hospital by U.S. News & World Report. It’s the third time in three years the hospital has received the designation that recognizes hospitals offering essential maternity services to underserved communities. The Maternity Care Access Hospital designation recognizes essential hospitals serving communities that would otherwise be in danger of becoming maternity care deserts if they were to stop providing crucial maternity care services. “Meritus is ‘community obsessed,’ and with that means providing expert care close to home for our patients,” said Carrie Adams, Pharm.D., Meritus chief operating officer. “Our Labor, Delivery, Recovery, and Postpartum (LDRP) unit is filled with skilled team members who are committed to our patients, and this designation is a reminder of how important their job is.” U.S. News evaluated approximately 900 hospitals nationwide for the 2026 ratings, and just 147 hospitals — or 16% of all evaluated hospitals — have been designated as Maternity Care Access Hospitals. Hospitals were evaluated based on detailed data submitted to U.S. News via the annual Maternity Services Survey. “The Maternity Care Access Hospital designation is a crucial acknowledgement of hospitals that deliver high-quality maternity care in underserved areas,” said Jennifer Winston, health data scientist at U.S. News. “These 147 hospitals are essential — they meet U.S. News’ strict quality measures for safety and outcomes while simultaneously ensuring that geographical isolation does not prevent families from receiving the care they need.” The designation is part of U.S. News' Best Hospitals for Maternity Care ratings. These ratings are intended to assist expectant parents, in consultation with their prenatal care providers, in making informed decisions about where to receive maternity services that best meet their family’s needs.
Don’t give the gift of illness this holiday season. Wash your hands
December 8, 2025
If you’re at a gathering this holiday season, two infection prevention specialists at Meritus Health have some advice for you. “Pass the gravy, not the flu,” said Cathy Ware, BSN, RN. Tommie Blalock, BSN, RN, agreed. “Hands are the number one way germs get from place to place,” he said. “They do travel when we sneeze or cough, but for the majority of us who aren’t sneezing or coughing, it’s the hands.” Indeed, the instructions your parents gave you when you came in from playing still apply today: Wash your hands to prevent getting yourself or others sick. Everything from the flu, rhinovirus, COVID and other viruses can hitch a ride on our hands. So can bad bugs such as E. coli or streptococcus (also known as strep throat), Ware and Blalock warned. While they might not make those with strong immune systems ill, they could prove serious for people who have compromised immune systems, open wounds or other conditions. When it comes to washing your hands, soap and water or hand sanitizer are good, but not the key ingredient to getting rid of germs. “It’s the friction that breaks up the cell walls of bacteria and viruses,” Blalock said. “And the friction washes them off your hands. It’s more the action and the mechanism.” That’s not to say the kind of soap or hand sanitizer are unimportant. Antibacterial products are effective, and sanitizer should be at least 60% alcohol. Along with scrubbing, the length of time is important, too. Ware and Blalock recommend washing for at least 20 seconds. “A chorus of ‘Jingle Bells’ will give you 20 seconds,” Blalock said. The World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and numerous other health organizations generally recommend these steps: After getting your hands wet with water and adding soap, rub your palms together. Put your right palm over the back of your left hand, then rub in between your fingers. Repeat with your left palm over the back of your right hand. Put your palms together and rub between your fingers again. Put your right-hand fingertips overtop of your left-hand fingertips, then make a fist with both hands so your fingers interlock. Rub the backs of your fingers in your palms. Wrap your left thumb with your right hand, then rotate back and forth, like you’re revving a motorcycle. Repeat with the right thumb and left hand. Scrub your fingernails of your right hand on the palm of your left hand. Repeat, switching hands. Rinse your hands with water and dry your hands thoroughly with a single-use towel. Use that same towel to turn off the water before you throw the towel in the trash. Ware stressed cleaning under your fingernails, a spot often forgotten in the routine. “We know that some specific organisms, when your fingernails are long, tend to harbor there,” she said. “If you’re going to have longer nails, make sure you’re keeping them clean.” Keeping your hands clean and observing respiratory etiquette — coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the crook of your arm — can go a long way to having a happy end to 2025. “We’re trying to spread joy this holiday season, not germs,” Blalock said. For the latest, up-to-date information on the flu season, viral illnesses, testing, treatment, and vaccination options, please visit MeritusHealth.com/Viralillness.
Meritus breast health clinic helps those without insurance
December 1, 2025
Program has evolved over more than a decade. Meritus Health has been offering breast health care for more than a decade for those who can’t afford it. It started with a grant from the Susan G. Komen Foundation for mammograms for patients without insurance, though these days the mammograms are funded through the Meritus Health Foundation. And when it started, the clinic was quarterly and served four patients aged 40 and older at each session. It grew to monthly this summer and treats up to six patients. It also expanded to include uninsured women 18 to 40 years old who are complaining of a specific breast problem. The program relies on doctors in the Meritus Family Medicine Residency Program operating out of Suite 200 in the Robinwood Professional Center. In keeping with Meritus’ “community obsessed” philosophy, social workers use the clinic as a chance to connect patients with other health and social services, said Helen Harrington, D.O., family medicine residency associate program director. “Breast health is an easy thing to underdiagnose,” said Dr. Harrington, who has overseen the clinic for three years. “And every touchpoint with health care, from a clinic visit to a follow-up phone call, improves patient outcomes.” Jennifer Miller, Meritus language services advocate and a Spanish interpreter who has worked with the clinic for about five years, said the program serves many Spanish-speaking women. “It’s such an important program because there a lot of people who don’t have insurance in that community,” Miller said. “We have detected cancer early in some women over the years and been able to get them help.” To learn more about the breast health clinic or to schedule an appointment, call 301-714-4400.
Meritus Home Health provides care where patients are most comfortable
November 24, 2025
Kylie Ayers, RN, said her job with Meritus Home Health fills a gap for patients. “I describe it as kind of a transitional tool between being in the hospital and being home independently,” she said. November is National Care at Home Month, and Meritus Home Health provides in-home medical care to help patients recover from injury, surgery, serious illness, or disability, allowing them to maintain their independence and privacy. To qualify, a patient must be homebound and require a skilled reason for the in-home care. A referral is required, though it can come from any healthcare provider, such as a primary care provider or a specialist. The Meritus team also includes physical and occupational therapists. “Physical therapy helps the patient improve their mobility, strength, balance and safety so that they can remain living in their home and prevent falls and hospitalizations,” said physical therapist Jennifer Pryor. Occupational therapist Natalie Mackrell said her job focuses on the everyday tasks. "OT is there to help the patient do all the things they want and need to do in their daily routine safely and as independently as possible," she said. The team also includes medical social workers to help patients with the needed community resources so they can stay home. “I’m the middleman between the patient and any resource Washington County has to offer,” said Katelyn Phillips. “Depending on the patient's specific need, I assess for community resources to apply to for the patient and get any help that the patient can get". But the team has an arguably more important role, said Casie Przywarty, RN. “Because it’s difficult for our patients to get out of their homes for an appointment, we’re the eyes and ears for the physicians,” she said. “We communicate back to them what’s going on with the patient in the home.” The goal of Meritus Home Health treatment is to get the patient back to being independent and able to leave their homes, Przywarty said. “We want them to be able to resume their usual activities and lifestyle,” she said. The Home Health providers see between three and five patients a day, with visits lasting from 30 minutes to an hour and a half, depending on the patient’s needs, Ayers said. “We give them a head-to-toe assessment in addition to addressing any particular needs,” she said. “And we provide education to them or their families about the conditions affecting them.” Nurses also perform tasks including wound care, clearing drains on post-surgical patients, and managing IVs and catheters, as well as well as providing education and management tools for their chronic issues such as COPD or diabetes. “We’re taking care of their needs,” Przywarty said. “We’re calling their doctors with them if they need that, coordinating wheelchairs and power chairs, really just coordinating with everybody out in the healthcare community to get them what they need.” Ayers said she enjoys the job. “It’s kind of cool to see the other side of it from working in the hospital,” Ayers said. “It’s not as crazy or exciting as the hospital, but it’s still very rewarding. It’s nice to go into an environment where the patient is most comfortable.” To learn more about Meritus Home Health, visit www.meritushealth.com/HomeHealth, or call 301-766-7800.
Meritus earns elite national status as a straight-A for patient safety
November 13, 2025
Six consecutive ‘A’ grades from The Leapfrog Group demonstrate medical center’s dedication to patients. Meritus Medical Center was awarded an “A” Hospital Safety Grade for the sixth consecutive time by The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety. This designates Meritus as a “Straight A” hospital, defined as hospitals that have an A for fall 2025 and have sustained that grade for the last five or more grading rounds. Meritus earned its first “A” grade in the spring of 2023. It is in the top 12 percent of hospitals nationwide to achieve this consistent excellence, and 1 of 3 in Maryland to have "A" grades consecutively since spring 2023. “It’s gratifying to know the hard work and dedication of our team members is being recognized by achieving six straight A Hospital Safety Grades,” said Carrie Adams, Meritus chief operating officer. “We are community obsessed and patient focused, and we will continue to provide our patients expert care close to home. It’s why we’re here.” The Leapfrog Group assigns an “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F” grade to all general hospitals across the country using evidence-based measures of patient safety focused exclusively on errors, accidents, injuries and infections. “My sincere congratulations to Meritus Medical Center for upholding patient safety standards through thick and thin, achieving an ‘A’ Hospital Safety Grade for six consecutive rounds of the Safety Grade,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Consistently earning an A demonstrates a long-term, organization-wide commitment to putting patient safety first.” The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade is the only hospital ratings program focused exclusively on preventable medical errors, injuries and infections that can lead to harm or even death. The grading system is peer-reviewed, fully transparent and free to the public. Grades are updated twice annually, in the fall and spring. To see Meritus’ full grade details and to find essential patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit HospitalSafetyGrade.org. Connect with The Leapfrog Group on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and stay updated through The Leapfrog Group newsletter.
Meritus surgeons bring skill, experience, care to the job
November 10, 2025
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.
Meritus had an average of 19 applicants per job opening in FY '25
November 3, 2025
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.
Meritus receives 2026 Specialty Excellence Award from Healthgrades
October 28, 2025
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.
The power of early detection: Why mammograms save lives
October 27, 2025
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.
MSOM scholarships funded by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield grant
October 27, 2025
The Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine announced that CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst) has awarded the school a $400,000 grant to support student scholarships. The Long-Term Programmatic grant will provide $100,000 annually through 2027, funding four partial scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on merit, including academic performance and MCAT scores. “Meritus Health’s goal in creating the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine is to fill the need for physicians in our region and across the state,” said Brian Kessler, D.O., dean of MSOM. “Studies show that physicians tend to set up practice within 100 miles of where they’ve trained, so these scholarships provided by CareFirst are helping us meet our goal.” “Education is a powerful tool and a significant driver of better health outcomes,” said Dr. Bryan O. Buckley, Head of Public Health at CareFirst. “By partnering with Meritus, we’re investing in the next generation of clinical professionals to meet the growing need for physicians across our region and state. Many of these students will bring their knowledge and passion back to our communities — contributing to a stronger, more responsive healthcare system.” MSOM welcomed its inaugural class of more than 90 students, the class of 2029, in July. Future classes will number 180 students, meaning there will be 720 future doctors enrolled when MSOM is at capacity. Students are instructed by experienced and well-trained professors in the D.M. Bowman Academic Hall on the Meritus Health campus near Hagerstown. In addition, students are housed in one- and two-bedroom units in the Meritus Commons housing complex, adjacent to the campus.
Microgrid power project to keep Meritus humming during outages
October 24, 2025
Solar panels, combined heat and power generation plant went into operation in October. Meritus Health recently completed a project that will allow it to keep its medical center operating if the power goes out. Plus, the multi-phased microgrid project will save an estimated $1.6M annually and avoid creating 2,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. The health system installed the microgrid that provides power from on-site renewable sources and combined heat and power generation (CHP); electric vehicle charging; and absorption chilling. The project is controlled through an intelligent microgrid controls platform. “At Meritus Health, we want to be good stewards of our community and our environment,” said Meritus Chief Strategy Officer David Lehr. “Installing this equipment allows us to continue serving the community in times of power loss, plus it reduces our carbon footprint.” The project relies in part on 1,917 solar panels installed on the roof of Meritus Medical Center and the Link building that connects the hospital to Robinwood Professional Center. The solar PV system will generate 1421,991 kWh of renewable energy annually. The redundant 2.4-MW CHP plant simultaneously generates electricity and uses the waste heat created by that generation to provide chilled water resiliency. A high-efficiency absorption chiller takes the heat from the CHP plant to create chilled water, providing cooling throughout the year. The health system received grants totaling more than $1 million from the Maryland Energy Administration to cover feasibility analysis and preconstruction work, as well as to offset capital costs. The system was installed over the past year and went into operation in October. FESCO Energy LLC (FESCO), a Maryland based design-build energy infrastructure company, partnered with Meritus and other local companies to engineer and construct all phases of the turnkey design-build project.
Meritus recognized in annual community awards
October 23, 2025
Health system took four wins, four finalist awards in Tri State’s Best Community’s Choice Awards. Meritus Health is grateful to have won four awards and been named finalists in four other categories in this year’s Tri State’s Best Community’s Choice Awards. Each year, the awards recognize more than 390 businesses and organizations through public participation. The program begins with nominations, and voting determines the finalists and winners in each category. “Our Meritus team members recognize the honor and privilege of serving our community every single day, and it’s gratifying to see our community appreciates that hard work and dedication,” said Maulik Joshi, Dr.P.H., president and CEO of Meritus Health. Winners were tops in their category while finalists finished in the top three. Meritus winners include: Hospital/Medical Center (Washington County): Meritus Medical Center Cosmetic/Plastic Surgery Center: Meritus Cosmetic Plastic Surgery OB/GYN (Washington County): Jay Greenberg, M.D., Meritus Women’s Health Specialists Employee Recognition Program: Meritus Health Meritus finalists include: Benefits Program: Meritus Health Family Medicine: Meritus Internal Medicine Physical Therapy Clinic: Meritus Physical Therapy OB/GYN (Washington County): Bella Andele, M.D., Meritus Women’s Health Specialists “It’s also great to see that our employee recognition and employee benefits programs were recognized,” Joshi said. “Meritus strives to make this a great place to work, and winning and being named a finalist in programs designed specifically for employee satisfaction tells us that we’re on the right track.” The winners were recognized at an awards gala Oct. 22 at Fountain Head Country Club. To learn more about Meritus Health, including its services, locations and career opportunities, please visit www.meritushealth.com.