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Going for Bold: Meritus employee loses 40 pounds
In late 2023, Sandy Alton realized she had a problem. “My health started declining,” said the community navigator with Meritus Health. “I was gaining a lot of weight. My energy level was bottoming out.” But things became clear to her in the fall when she and her husband, Greg, got photos taken in Williamsport. “When I saw those pictures, it made me hit rock bottom,” she recalled. “Had I really gained that much weight?” Feeling sorry for herself and not knowing what to do, she turned to a program she’d actually been sharing with patients and co-workers: Go for Bold. “Why not use if for myself?” she asked. What is Go for Bold? The Go for Bold initiative was started by Healthy Washington County, a coalition of public and private organizations, including Meritus, with a mission to strengthen the health and wellness of our community and residents. The initiative was sparked after a Community Health Needs Assessment found Washington County residents had high rates of chronic illness, such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, among others. The goal of the initiative is to lose 1 million pounds as a community by 2030 by encouraging activity, healthy diet and accountability. So far, more than 163,000 pounds have been lost, according to the program’s online weight tracker. Hub City Nutrition offers free classes Alton started by clicking on the link for fitness classes, which advertised a free fit camp held twice a week. “It was free, and I thought I didn’t have anything to lose,” she said. “I figured if I don’t like it, I just won’t go back.” Greg Alton, who has had heart surgery himself and needed to get into better shape, agreed to join his wife. It was at the fitness classes where they met Sheriff “Reef” Taiwo and Jetaine “Jet” Hart who operate Hub City Nutrition. The couple partnered with Healthy Washington County to offer the free community workouts about two years ago. “It aligned with our vision of making Hagerstown healthy,” Hart said. “It aligned with our mission and bigger purpose.” Taiwo and Hart left Prince George’s County for Hagerstown with the goal of making the community healthier. Using statistics compiled by the state, they learned that Washington County was at the bottom of most Maryland counties’ lists when it came to health. Hub City Nutrition also provides nutrition and wellness coaching. For example, they have a 21-day challenge that is meant to provide accountability along with nutrition coaching by offering meal guides, prizes and workouts. It all fits in with Go for Bold. ‘She has abs at 60’ Hub City Nutrition recently started hosting monthly wellness workshops. This not only offers meal and workout advice, but participants get on the scale to track their progress. “A lot of people are seeing amazing results,” she said, noting Sandy Alton’s transformation. “She has abs at 60!” When the Altons took their first class in November 2023, they were amazed. “We said, ‘We have no idea what the heck we just did, but it was awesome,’” Sandy Alton said. “I’ve lost 40 pounds and my energy is through the roof. I can’t say enough about the good things it’s done for my life.” To learn more about Go for Bold, visit healthywashingtoncounty.com/goforbold.
NEWS & UPDATES
As March Madness heats up, know the signs of problem gambling
March is the start of college basketball tournament season, sometimes referred to as March Madness. Not coincidentally, it is also Problem Gambling Awareness Month, tying into the issue of gambling addiction as the brackets get whittled down from 68 teams to two. A recent Forbes magazine article cited the American Gaming Association which reported adults in the U.S. wagered an estimated $2.72 billion on the men’s and women’s tournaments combined at legal sportsbooks in 2024 — more than twice the amount wagered on the Super Bowl ($1.25 billion). Sabrina McCauley Shriver, MA, LCPC, NCC, is an outpatient therapist with Brook Lane’s InSTEP program, which focuses on the disease of addiction. Admittedly, much of her work deals with drugs and alcohol problems, but there are characteristics of addiction that are the same, no matter the vice. “It’s the interesting thing about addiction,” she said. “All substance use behavior follows the same criteria. You’re using for longer durations and at higher levels than what you intended. You have a persistent desire for it, and you are unsuccessful in your attempts to reduce using it.” She notes those addicted to gambling, much like those addicted to drugs or alcohol, find themselves continuing to gamble despite it damaging areas of their lives, including their jobs and relationships. “People give up things that are important to them to continue gambling,” she said. Addiction is a disease Addiction is classified as a disease, rather than simply a lack of morals or making poor choices, because participation can rewire a person’s brain, she said. “When you win, you get a rush of dopamine, and you think, ‘This is fun, I want more,’” she said. “Over time, the dopamine doesn't produce the same level of pleasure. You’re chasing that high, betting more and more.” Popular culture and advertising can also help reinforce gambling addiction, just like it does booze and dope. Walk through a department store or watch commercials and you’re likely to see something that makes vices look cool, McCauley Shriver said. Sports book ads are pervasive during sporting events, and they often use the same techniques employed by selling drugs and alcohol. “The way they get you is to make it seem like it’s not a big deal,” she said. “They say, ‘Sign up and we’ll give you $200 in free gambling bets.’ When the addiction starts, it’s not apparent it’s a problem. But down the line, you’re spending your rent money on gambling.” Gambling addiction is ‘behind closed doors’ In a certain way, gambling addiction is more insidious than others because it is more easily hidden. It’s easy to spot someone who is drunk or high, McCauley Shriver said, because they are obviously impaired. “They’re stumbling around, but with gambling addiction, it’s oftentimes behind closed doors,” she said. “Especially with digital gambling, because we’re all always on our phones, too.” Chasing the dopamine high also usually signals deeper issues in a person. Often destructive behaviors like gambling, alcoholism and drug use are attached to mental health problems such as depression or anxiety. “It’s helpful to have people around you who understand that it’s not as easy as just saying, ‘Stop it,’” McCauley Shriver said. “We have to treat the underlying problems as well.” Treatment for addiction Mental and behavioral health professionals, such as those at Brook Lane, use cognitive behavioral therapy to help address the thoughts that support addiction and can cause a relapse. Brook Lane, an affiliate of Meritus Health, offers group and individual therapy designed to identify triggers and thought processes that influence destructive behaviors, McCauley Shriver said. While professional support helps the addicted person, there are also supports available for the loved ones of addicted people. What else should family do? “The main thing is to be supportive, make sure you’re not minimizing the person,” McCauley Shriver said. “What seems like it would not be a struggle for one person is a struggle for another because the brain rewires itself in the process of addiction.”
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Meritus health advisory: Measles questions and answers
More outbreaks of illness reported across the country HAGERSTOWN, Md. — With cases of measles being reported across the country, Meritus Health is providing answers to frequently asked questions related to the illness. Within the past few weeks, measles infections have been found in southeast Pennsylvania and northeast New Jersey. That’s in addition to the late-January outbreak in west Texas and New Mexico. More than 150 people have measles in that outbreak, and one child in Texas has died. “Measles is highly contagious, sometimes it’s fatal and it can cause long-term health defects,” said Anand Budi, M.D., chief medical officer at Meritus and a pediatrician by training. What are the symptoms of measles, and what are the health effects? Symptoms start with a high fever (spiking to more than 104 degrees); cough; runny nose; and red, watery eyes. Within two to three days, tiny white spots may appear in the mouth. Within three to five days, flat red spots start to appear on the face at the hairline, then spread down to the rest of the body. Measles can also lead to ear infections and diarrhea. In severe cases, it can lead to hospitalization, pneumonia, brain swelling and death. Is there a measles vaccine? A highly effective vaccine — known as MMR because it treats measles, mumps and rubella — was developed in the middle of the last century. Thanks to the vaccine, health officials declared measles eradicated in 2000 in the United States. However, some people who are immunocompromised aren’t able to receive the measles vaccine. Others don’t get the vaccine for religious or personal reasons. And some children are limited by age but can still be infected. To ensure these people’s protection against the illness, it is vital that those who can be vaccinated are. “The vaccination is extremely safe,” Dr. Budi said. “There’s enough data, contrary to some of opinions that it can cause issues. The present measles vaccine has been well-tested and has been given to millions of people and found to be extremely safe.” Does the measles vaccine I received as a child protect me? Do I need a booster? Dr. Budi noted that no cases of measles have been reported in the tri-state region. However, patients have been wondering whether they are protected from the disease. Most people were vaccinated as children. Many received their first vaccine between the ages of 1 and 4, then a booster between ages 4 and 6. “If you received two doses, you typically don’t need to get a booster,” Dr. Budi said.
After Hours Pediatrics, Hagerstown Heart open at Meritus Medical Plaza
Health system’s practices at the Crayton Boulevard facility will meet growing need in the community Two services are being added to Meritus Medical Plaza, complimenting patient care already available at the facility north of Hagerstown. The facility at 13620 Crayton Blvd. will host providers for Meritus After Hours Pediatrics and Meritus Hagerstown Heart. That’s in addition to Meritus Urgent Care, Meritus Primary Care, Meritus Physical Therapy and Meritus Medical Laboratory offices in the building. “Meritus’ mission is to improve the health of the community, and offering cardiac care and pediatric urgent care at our Crayton Boulevard location is a response to community need in that area,” said Dave Lehr, Meritus Health chief strategy officer. “Increasing access to this kind of care can mean a world of difference to heart patients, parents and children.” Meritus After Hours Pediatrics at Meritus Medical Plaza is a walk-in pediatric care facility, open after your primary care office is closed. Providers care for children up to age 21. Services include everything from caring for a sore throat, to examining rashes, to treating sprains or burns. The office also treats minor eye illness and mild to moderate asthma flare-ups. Providers are available from 6 to 11 p.m. weekdays and 1 to 8 p.m. weekends. To learn more about Meritus After Hours Pediatrics at Meritus Medical Plaza visit www.meritushealth.com/AfterHoursCrayton. To contact the location, call 240-313-3100. Meritus also offers After Hours Pediatrics at Valley Mall, 17301 Valley Mall Road, in the former Sears location. Learn more at www.meritushealth.com/AfterHours. The Meritus Hagerstown Heart office will provide cardiology consultations, EKGs and follow-up appointments for conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attacks, heart valve issues, heart arrhythmias and congestive heart failure, among others. To learn more about Meritus Hagerstown Heart, including our other locations in Hagerstown, Frederick and Hancock, visit www.meritushealth.com/heart, or call 301-797-2525.
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