HomeMy WebLinkAbout220120 - Minutes, Community Health Adv.Washington County Community Health Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
January 20, 2022
Opening
This meeting of the Washington County Community Health Advisory Committee was called to order at 7:30am
by Douglas Spotts, MD, Chair, via virtual meeting.
Present
Earl Stoner, Jennifer Foltz, Rich Eichelberger, Rob Ferree, Cyndi Powell, Douglas Spotts, MD, Heidi Kendall,
Commissioner Randy Wagner, Allen Twigg, Peggy Pugh, Mark Bradshaw, and David Chisholm.
Old Business
• Approval of Meeting Minutes from November 18, 2021. Allen Twigg made the motion to approve as
presented, Jennifer Foltz seconded. All voting in favor, minutes approved.
• COVID-19 Update provided by Earl Stoner. Discussed current stats and forecasts both nationally and in
Washington County. Starting to have discussions and trying to look ahead to when the pandemic becomes
endemic. Projections showing we’ll experience peak of Omicron variant in next 2-3 weeks. Vaccinations
and multi-layered mitigation strategies are as important as ever to prevent future variants from forming.
o Doug and Allen spoke to status of operations at Meritus:
Incident command support from National Guard
ER Crowding, trying to funnel people to lower level care facilities
Infusion capacity concerns
• Community Needs Assessment Report for FY 2022 - Presentation by Allen Twigg
o Allen reviewed the preliminary report at our last meeting. Followed up on this conversation to
summarize the final findings and implications. The result of the study has not changed a lot in the
last 3 years. Top health concerns include behavioral health issues, overweight and diabetes.
Mertius’ Go for Bold Campaign and other entities will work to address the gaps identified from the
assessment and improve outcomes in the next 3 years.
• General Discussion.
o Horizon Goodwill in partnership with Meritus and other organizations plan to open new grocery
store in downtown Hagerstown to offer fresh produce and other grocery items in a “food desert”
area. Hoping for a Fall 2022 opening.
o Peggy shared there are currently 2 surveys linked on the WCPS website asking for input on the
school system’s return to learn plan. Please help spread the word to have more people complete
the survey.
o Rich reports Washington County government is going back to some remote work and rotating days
when people are in the office to help with social distancing.
Outlook
• Future discussion topics:
o Diabetes Plan (National, State, Local) – February Presentation by Kristie Carbaugh.
o Meritus Family Resident/Residency Updates
o Dental/oral health as it relates to systemic health.
o Health Department perspective on water/sewer quality
o The power of loneliness
Meeting Adjourned at 8:20am.
Next Meeting
• Thursday, February 17, 2022 from 7:30am-8:30am – Virtual.
Minutes Submitted by:
Approved by: