The Worcester County Health Department is led by Health Officer Debbie Goeller and Deputy Health Officer Dr. Andrea Mathias. The department is divided into eight programs, listed below, each with a program director.
Our behavioral health programs are fully accredited by The Joint Commission, an independent nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies more than 17,000 health organizations and programs in the United States.
WCHD is one of three Maryland health departments with an accredited program. Our behavioral health programs are re-evaluated and accreditation is renewed every three years. The programs have maintained accreditation for 24 years.
Information about the safety and quality of accredited behavioral health care organizations is available to the public at www.qualitycheck.org.
Below are the programs at the health department:
Addictions Program
The Alcohol and Drug Abuse Programs provide Worcester County residents with different levels of treatment, at several sites, based on the individual needs of the client. Read more...
Case Management Program The Case Management Unit offers a variety of services including assistance with obtaining entitlements, assistance with locating housing, as well as locating community resources to meet individual needs. Each individual that qualifies for services will be assigned a Case Manager to assist with meeting their needs.Read more...
Environmental Health Program
The Environmental Health Program is responsible for licensing and inspection of food establishments, pools and spas, and body piercing establishments and piercers. They are also responsible for foodborne illness outbreak investgations, rabies exposure and animal bite investigations, and health related nuisance complaint investigations. Read more...
Mental Health Program
The Mental Health Program provides mental health counseling and referral. Services include individual, group, and family counseling, in-school programs for youth, summer programs, in-home services for the
chronically mental ill, and a Crisis Response Team designed to provide 24-hour-a-day response for individuals with a psychiatric or substance abuse disorder who are in crisis. Read more...
Nursing Program
The Nursing Program provides a variety of community health services including immunizations, family planning assistance, HIV, STD and TB monitoring, and new Dental services coming soon. The program also contains the Maryland Access Point staff. The Nursing Program is also responsible for the Emergency Preparedness functions of the Health Department and led the response to the H1N1 Flu pandemic this year. Read more...
Prevention Program
The Prevention Program promotes healthy practices by providing educational programs, trainings, screenings, and resource materials. Some sample programs include smoking cessation, nutrition counseling, the Just Walk program, blood pressure screening, cancer screening, lunchtime fitness programs, diabetes support groups, and child safety seats. Services are available to community groups, youth groups, schools, churches, and worksites. Read more... Planning Program
The Planning Program leads the Health Department's Quality Assurance initiatives, strategic planning, certification projects, and data collection and tracking. The Planning Program also contains the Core Services Agency staff. Read more...
Administration Program The Administration Program provides support functions for the rest of the organization including Accounting, Billing, Facilities Management, Human Resources, and Information Technology. Read more...
We Are Committed to a Healthy County
The Health Department is committed to the health and well being of Worcester County.
A staff of health care professionals provides quality services pertaining to mental health, substance abuse counseling, maternal child health, family planning, personal health, adult health, environmental health, communicable disease, developmental disabilities, and prevention programs.
These services are designed to promote health, prevent illness, and to improve a citizen's ability to lead a productive life. Some services are available every day of the week, while others are offered less frequently. To obtain health department services, it is suggested you call for an appointment. Services are available without regard to the consumer's race, color, creed, sex, or national origin.
A sliding fee scale is used to determine cost of services. No one is denied services due to inability to pay.
It's your Health Department, so take advantage of the friendly and concerned staff by visiting or calling the closest clinic to your home.
Worcester County Health Department
Health Officer: Deborah Goeller, R.N., M.S. 6040 Public Landing Road
PO Box 249
Snow Hill MD 21863
MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of the Worcester County Health Department is to promote health, well being, and a safe environment.
The Health Department does this by:
Assessing community needs
Developing appropriate policy to promote health and well being
Providing, or assuring the provision of needed quality health services
WCHD News
**Health Advisory**
Shellfish and shellfish products from Korea should not be eaten
BALTIMORE, MD (May 17, 2012) - The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) is advising consumers not to eat any fresh or frozen molluscan shellfish that come from South Korea. Molluscan shellfish includes fresh or frozen oysters, clams, and mussels, whole and roe-on scallops, either shucked or in the shell, whole or in part. Crabs and shrimp are not molluscan shellfish. Shellfish grown and produced in Maryland are not affected. There are no recent cases of illness in Maryland known to be related to Korean shellfish.
Baltimore (May 16, 2012) --The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) has announced the appointment of Craig Stofko as the Health Officer for Somerset County Health Department effective today. He has served as Interim Health Officer since August 2011.
"We are delighted that Craig accepted the position as leader of the Somerset County Health Department," said Dr. Joshua M. Sharfstein, DHMH Secretary. "We look forward to having him join Maryland's public health leadership team."
May is Hepatitis Awareness Month: Get Educated, Get Vaccinated and Get Tested! MD Hepatitis Coalition honoring Local Heroes
Baltimore, MD (May 8, 2012) –The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) joins the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Maryland Hepatitis Coalition in observance of National Hepatitis Awareness Month. DHMH also joins the Maryland Hepatitis Coalition in honoring a number of local heroes for their exemplary work and dedication in the battle against this disease.
Addictions Program
Case Management Program
Environmental Health Program
Mental Health Program
Nursing Program
Prevention Program
Planning Program
Administration Program
Assessing community needs