HomeMy WebLinkAbout24.05.08 - Minutes, Womens Commission
100 WEST WASHINGTON STREET HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740 ~ WCCWMD.COM
Minutes of the Washington County Commission for Women
May 8, 2024 6 p.m.
Members Present: Laurie Chrzanowski, Beth Harvey, Skyla Heise, Mary Hendrickson, Danielle Sweeney,
Elise Weber, Karen Hays (not yet sworn), guest
Not Present: Dawn Nally, Melissa Peters, Randall Wagner
President Beth Harvey brought the meeting to order at 6:06.
A guest speaker from the Meritus Care Caller Program, Lynnae Messner, Director of the Outpatient Care
Management, spoke. The Care Caller program is an outgrowth of the social determinants of health study
that Meritus Health conducts with its patients in an attempt to determine their needs. Lynnae
explained that a majority of variables that relate to positive health outcomes are social in nature. Health
care itself explains about 20% of those outcomes. One of the most consequential variables that
negatively impacts healthiness is loneliness and social isolation.
Loneliness and social isolation are strongly correlated with poor outcomes for life expectancy by
contributing to disease risks including for dementia, heart disease, and stroke, according to the CDC.
The Care Caller program invites volunteers to spend around 30 minutes weekly (two, 15-minute calls) on
the phone with a person who has self-reported that they are socially isolated, which could be due to
illness, inability to travel, or other factors. The program is modeled after the one started by the
Colorado Gerontological Society. The Care Caller program’s success in reducing loneliness has been
verified by participants’ survey responses indicating that 95% of participants feel less lonely.
Lynnae was invited to speak by Laurie Chrzanowski, who is a program volunteer and commission
member. Laurie spoke enthusiastically to the commission about her involvement in the program as a
caller. Laurie has become very close to the woman, a senior citizen, with whom she was paired. The Care
Caller program continues to seek out volunteers to participate in the program.
Beth continued the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance at 6:33. She announced that four
commissioners would be traveling to Annapolis for an excursion on May 22 that will involve a visit to
Government House. Laurie, Elise, Dawn, and Beth will participate.
Beth reminded commissioners that early voting is occurring and urged them to vote. The Presidential
Primary election day in Maryland is May 14.
100 WEST WASHINGTON STREET HAGERSTOWN, MD 21740 ~ WCCWMD.COM
The minutes for the April meeting were brought forth and approved following a motion by Danielle and
a second by Skyla.
Beth reminded members of the Virtual Roundtable Meeting, hosted by the Maryland State Women’s
Commission, scheduled for May 30 at 5 p.m. Local commissions are invited to send representatives to
participate via Zoom. Washington County Commission members may register to participate. Beth will
be the spokesperson for the Washington County Commission at the meeting.
A closed session was held to discuss matters relating to personnel and the commission schedule.
A motion to adjourn was made by Danielle and seconded by Skyla. The commission adjourned at
6:47p.m. the next meeting is scheduled for June 12 at HCC. The July meeting will be waived with the
next scheduled meeting occurring in August.
MH