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New hearing specialist joins Meritus Advanced ENT
January 30, 2026
Kristin Jones, AuD, has started at the Robinwood office. Meritus Health is pleased to welcome Kristin Jones, AuD, to Meritus Advanced Ear, Nose, and Throat. Jones, an audiologist, is a doctor who helps people with hearing and balance problems. She focuses on testing patients’ hearing to find the best treatments, such as hearing aids. She joins Nasir Bhatti, MD, and Brian McKinnon, MD, at the recently opened practice in Suite 250 (Blue Entrance) of the Robinwood Professional Center. Jones received her doctorate degree from Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg, Pa. She is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and has 10 years of clinical experience. “I am happy to be serving the community at Meritus Advanced ENT,” Jones said. “Our goal is to provide expert audiology care here in Hagerstown so patients don’t have to travel out of the area.” To learn more about Meritus Advanced ENT or to make an appointment, visit www.meritushealth.com/ent or call 301-665-4960.
Go For Bold: Health, Community and the Power of Small Steps
January 26, 2026
If you’ve resolved to live healthier in the new year, Washington County’s Go For Bold initiative gives you more than a goal. It gives you a friendly community walking right beside you. Launched in 2020 through a collaboration between Meritus Health and Healthy Washington County, Go For Bold is a decade-long, county-wide movement aimed at strengthening public health and wellness with an ambitious mission: to collectively lose 1 million pounds by 2030. Far from being a fad diet or a short-lived challenge, Go For Bold centers on three core pillars: Do, Eat, and Believe, said Beth Fields Dowdell, CRNP, director of community health and outpatient care management at Meritus. The “Do” part encourages residents to increase physical activity through accessible events and daily movement, which is especially crucial for older adults. Active lifestyles help reduce the risk of chronic disease and preserve mobility, which is vital for aging well. Go For Bold emphasizes activities that can be as simple as walking, gardening or taking part in community events. The “Eat” component focuses on nutrition, but not with rigid rules or restrictive plans. Instead, participants are offered practical tips and recipes rich in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, helping people of all ages make sustainable, healthy food choices. For older adults managing conditions like diabetes or heart disease, these nutrition insights can play a meaningful role in daily life. “Believe,” the third pillar, is just as important. It encourages mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques, acknowledging that health isn’t only physical, it’s emotional and mental too. Practices such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindful reflection help reduce stress and improve sleep, which are essential for overall well-being at any age. Go For Bold doesn’t just motivate individuals. It brings the community together. Residents can sign up on the Weight Tracker to log pounds lost, either as individuals, teams or local organizations. This tool tracks overall community progress (not individual weights) toward that million-pound goal. For older residents, participation can start simply: Put on comfortable shoes and walk around the neighborhood, join a group walk at a local park, or attend Go For Bold events that are scheduled throughout the year. Social activities linked to the initiative often include free or low-cost opportunities to be active, learn about nutrition or connect with neighbors. “Go For Bold isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress,” Dowdell said. “For older adults especially, it’s the small, consistent steps that build strength, spark confidence and remind us that good health isn’t a distant goal. It begins here, together.” Older adults can also ease into Go For Bold by taking advantage of local resources tied to the initiative: wellness classes at the YMCA, walking groups hosted by community centers or nutrition workshops through the health department. At its core, Go For Bold is more than a weight-loss campaign; it’s a framework that invites everyone, especially older residents, to make meaningful, lasting changes. By doing just a bit more each day, eating with intention, and believing in their capacity for growth, participants contribute not only to a community goal, but to a healthier, happier life. To learn more about Go For Bold, please visit www.meritushealth.com/goforbold.
New year, new you? Meritus physician offers advice for healthy 2026
January 12, 2026
It’s a new year, and you might be thinking of ways to improve your health in 2026. Andrew Ditto, M.D., is offering some advice for folks looking to make a change. Dr. Ditto, who recently moved from Meritus Family Medicine in the Robinwood Professional Center to the newly opened Meritus Primary Care at the Valley Mall, said it’s the sort of things he’d tell his patients at their yearly physical. “The single highest-value change that someone can make is to stop drinking dessert, to stop drinking high-sugar beverages,” he said. “Whether it’s Mexican Coke or soda with high-fructose corn syrup, it doesn’t matter. Stop drinking sweetened things.” The reason why? “It is high calories with zero nutritional value,” he said. “It can be the cause of diabetes and pre-diabetes.” Related to that, Dr. Ditto’s second piece of advice also has to do with food. “Try to eat foods that are as close to coming out of the ground, off the plant, from the animal, etc., as possible,” he said. “When you’re grocery shopping, try to stick to the outside edges of the grocery store. You should try to avoid all the processed and boxed foods in the middle of the grocery store.” In other words: Fresh is best. Just like soda, processed foods often have little nutritional value and are loaded with additives that the body has trouble processing. Another new year suggestion is to get moving, Dr. Ditto said. The average person should be getting about two and a half hours of exercise per week. That can be broken up however it best fits your schedule, he said. “If you want to do 30 minutes a day five days a week, or an hour Saturday and an hour Sunday, then another 30 minutes another day, that’s fine,” he said. Ideally, the exercise should be broken down into half strength training and half cardio — the kind of workout that gets your heart pumping. “That said, something is better than nothing,” Dr. Ditto said. “Don’t let time be a factor. Five minutes of walking around is better than five minutes of sitting.” He said to find ways to build exercise into your daily routine. Park farther away from the store entrance and walk. Take the stairs. One last thing Dr. Ditto recommends is to not go it alone. “Try to interact with friends and family,” he said. “Relationships are good for someone’s wellbeing, helping to prevent dementia down the line.” For those who feel lonely and don’t have friends or family to talk to, he recommended the Meritus Care Caller program. Meritus started the program based on studies that found loneliness and social isolation can impact life expectancy as much as smoking, obesity and physical inactivity. For 15 or 20 minutes once every few weeks, a volunteer or paid caller will call a person who has said they feel lonely. Those interested can learn more by calling 301-790-8491 or emailing carecaller@meritushealth.com. In the end, Dr. Ditto’s advice for the new year is common sense, though admittedly it can be tough to put into practice. “It’s never too late to start again,” he said. To learn more about Meritus Primary Care at the Valley Mall, visit www.meritushealth.com/ValleyMallPC or call 301-790-9236.
Meritus doctor named Physician of the Year by MD association
January 12, 2026
Dr. Catherine Feaga practices at Meritus Family Medicine in Robinwood. Meritus Health is proud to announce that Catherine Feaga, D.O., was named the Maryland Association of Osteopathic Physicians’ 2025 Physician of the Year. She was recently recognized by the MAOP for “exemplary professional achievement, dedication to the osteopathic profession, and distinguished service to the citizens of Maryland.” Dr. Feaga is part of Meritus Family Medicine Residency and practices full-scope family medicine, including obstetrics, in Robinwood and at Meritus Medical Center. She is also director of osteopathic education at Meritus and clinical faculty at the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. For more information about Meritus Health, please visit www.meritushealth.com.
You have the flu. When is it time to see a doctor?
January 6, 2026
Meritus chief medical officer highlights symptoms, treatments, importance of taking care during viral illness season. As the community continues to struggle with a spike in cases of influenza, RSV and other viral illnesses, Meritus Health is offering more information about what you can do to start feeling better. Why it’s important to stay home when possible Rest is one of the best ways to deal with viral illness, and there’s no place like home for that. But there’s a second benefit: Avoiding contact with others while you’re showing symptoms can help stop the spread of illness, said Anand Budi, M.D., Meritus chief medical officer. Visiting the doctor when symptomatic can compound the situation. Not only are other patients potentially exposed, so are healthcare workers. While Meritus is committed to treating all patients, if healthcare workers are sick, it becomes harder to treat patients who are most in need. There are options to diagnose your illness, should you need it. Over-the-counter rapid testing kits can determine if you have COVID or flu. And you can consult with healthcare providers virtually using MeritusNow and your smartphone or computer. Just visit now.meritushealth.com to start. What are the symptoms and treatments? The symptoms tend to include a fever of 101 or 102 degrees, but can go as high as 105 in children, Dr. Budi said. Fever should be treated with over-the-counter fever reducers such as Tylenol as well as plenty of fluids. “When you are on the dry side, it can cause your temperature to go up by as much as a degree,” Dr. Budi said. “That makes you more dehydrated and can worsen other symptoms. So, drink plenty of fluids.” Other symptoms can include headache, chills, cough, congestion, sore throat, body aches, vomiting and diarrhea. Over-the-counter medications are available to treat these. When it’s time to see a doctor There might come a time when you should see your primary care provider, visit urgent care or even go to the emergency room. Generally, if your symptoms persist for more than four or five days, if they get worse, or if they aren’t responding to over-the-counter medications, you should see a healthcare provider, Dr. Budi said. “If it persists for longer than five days, it may lead to pneumonia, or sinus infections or ear infections,” he said. Parents should seek care promptly for infants and young children who show signs of breathing difficulty, dehydration or lethargy. For your safety, the Emergency Department should be used only for life-threatening or extremely serious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing. Urgent care or your primary care provider are best for flu or viral illnesses without relief. To check the wait times at the Emergency Department and urgent cares on Crayton Boulevard and at the Valley Mall, as well as after hours pediatrics at both locations, visit www.meritushealth.com/emergency. Meritus Health is strongly encouraging all visitors to wear a mask while inside Meritus facilities, especially if they are feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms.
Meritus welcomes first baby of 2026!
January 2, 2026
The first baby born in 2026 in Washington County arrived in the morning of New Year’s Day. Nylah Grace Hamby, a girl, was born at 1:43 a.m. to Cheyanne Davis and Tyshaun Hamby of Hagerstown, MD. Nylah weighed in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces and was 20.75 inches long. Meritus Medical Center’s Family Birthing Services provides expert medical care, compassionate nursing, and a family-centered environment. If your newborn needs advanced care, our Level II Special Care Nursery provides specialized care, eliminating the need to travel outside of the area. To learn more, visit www.meritushealth.com/Maternity.
Public Health Advisory: Meritus Health Urges All Visitors to Mask Up
January 2, 2026
Meritus Health is urging community members to take proactive steps to protect themselves and others as influenza, RSV and other viral illnesses continue to circulate at elevated levels across the region. Healthcare teams throughout Meritus facilities are seeing increased cases of flu and RSV, particularly among young children, older adults and those with underlying health conditions. To help slow the spread of illness and protect vulnerable patients, Meritus Health is strongly encouraging all visitors to wear a mask while inside Meritus facilities, especially if they are feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms. Steps the Community Can Take to Help Stop the Spread Meritus Health recommends the following actions to reduce the risk of getting sick or spreading illness to others: Wash hands frequently with soap and water or use hand sanitizer Avoid close contact with people who are sick If you are sick, stay home whenever possible Wear a mask if you must be around others while symptomatic, including when visiting a healthcare facility Visitors experiencing symptoms such as fever or chills, cough, congestion, sore throat, body aches, vomiting or diarrhea are strongly encouraged to delay non-urgent visits or use virtual care options instead. When It’s Time to See a Doctor While many viral illnesses can be managed at home, it’s important to seek medical care if symptoms worsen or do not improve. Community members should contact a healthcare provider if they experience: Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Persistent high fever Chest pain Dehydration or inability to keep fluids down Symptoms that worsen after initially improving Parents should seek care promptly for infants and young children who show signs of breathing difficulty, dehydration or lethargy. Treatment and Care Options at Meritus Meritus Health offers a range of treatment options to meet patients where they are, including: Primary Care and Pediatric offices for routine and follow-up care Urgent Care and Fast Track services for non-life-threatening conditions MeritusNow virtual visits, allowing patients to consult with a provider from home Emergency care for serious or life-threatening symptoms “Our goal is to ensure patients receive the right care at the right time, while also protecting those who are most vulnerable,” said Anand Budi, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Meritus Health. “Simple steps like frequently washing your hands, staying home when sick and wearing a mask can make a meaningful difference during this peak illness season.” Meritus Health will continue to monitor illness trends in the community and adjust recommendations as needed. For more information on symptoms, care options or current health advisories, visit MeritusHealth.com.
Self-acceptance a key to dealing with holiday stress
December 22, 2025
The holiday season can be tough. “Christmas and New Year’s are wrapped around a lot of heightened emotion,” said Jaquita Marshall, LCPC, NCC, a counselor with Meritus Mental Health Urgent Care. “There are a lot of stereotypes associated with the holidays that end up causing more stress because they don’t fit with your life.” Marshall said there are ways to deal with the holidays to help lessen, if not avoid, the potential negative feelings and depression. The Meritus Mental Health Urgent Care, found at the Orange entrance to Robinwood Professional Center on the Meritus campus, offers support to anyone in the community on a walk-in basis as well as by appointment. That has included patients from Pennsylvania and West Virginia, as well as Maryland. The practice offers support for individuals ages 5 and older, including children, adolescents and adults. It’s for those who are facing a mild-to-moderate mental health crisis, such as anxiety, depression or challenges with drug or alcohol use. “We try to provide that sense of emotional support on a one-to-one basis,” Marshall said. “A part of that is providing tools and strategies to help manage things going on.” One key is to realize that our thoughts dictate our mood and behavior. Perception plays a big part in that, so turning off social media or the television is a good place to start. “If you have someone who feels they are missing out on a lot, who is seeing posts of things they want that others are doing, they can internalize that,” Marshall said. “People get stuck on the old-school traditions, so if you need to think outside the box and create something that works for you, that's OK. Your tradition doesn't have to mimic what you see in a Hallmark movie.” However, humans are social creatures. Interacting with others — in person — is important for lessening depression symptoms. “It’s helpful, as far as our mental health, to be able to laugh and have conversations with people,” Marshall said. “But the more you interact on social media instead of in person, the more awkward your in-person interactions become.” That, again, has to do with perception. “With the electronics, you don't see someone's facial expression, so you don't feel you’re being judged as much,” Marshall said. “A big culprit of social anxiety is that feeling that you're going to be judged. But when you’re isolated, that, too, can contribute to depressive feelings.” That’s not to say you must go to a gathering of hundreds of people. “I know there are people who want to isolate, for whom being around a whole lot of people is overstimulating, and that's OK,” she said. “If you want to share your social time with one or two people, that's OK.” Things can be complicated by grief. Marshall says grief can come from a loss by death or a change in relationship. Getting support from a counselor, a community group or just friends can be a lifeline during the holidays. Perhaps the best strategy for dealing with holiday stress is embracing who you are and what you can handle. “The biggest thing is self-acceptance,” Marshall said. “It’s being OK with not wanting to do what everyone else is doing.” To learn more about mental health services Meritus offers, please visit www.meritushealth.com/mentalhealth.
Meritus Health opens new practice at Valley Mall
December 19, 2025
Meritus Primary Care joins several other practices in the former Sears. Meritus Health’s offices at the Valley Mall are expanding as a new practice has opened. Meritus Primary Care, 17301 Valley Mall Road, on the southwest side of Hagerstown, is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. “By opening a primary care practice at the Valley Mall, Meritus is making it easier to get to primary care appointments for those who live on the western side of Hagerstown and the Interstate 81 corridor,” said Miranda Ramsey, vice president of physician services. “The mall is a logical place to locate the practice, bringing high-quality healthcare services directly into communities where people live and work.” The office is more than 13,000 square feet with 26 dedicated exam rooms in the former Sears store. It will join Meritus Physical Therapy, Meritus Sports Medicine, Meritus Urgent Care and Meritus After Hours Pediatrics. The practice will start off with two providers — Andrew Ditto, M.D., and Ashley Simmons, D.N.P. — but expand to include others. Logan Robertson, P.A.-C, and Ethan Bulger, M.P.A.S., are scheduled to start in January. The providers will see patients of all ages. As a primary care practice, our providers treat chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart disease; acute illness such as colds, flu or infections; and preventative care such as vaccinations, screenings, etc. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.meritushealth.com/valleymallpc or call 301-790-9236.
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.