Baltimore, MD—Maryland Department of Health (MDH) Secretary Dennis R. Schrader spent the last two days visiting COVID-19 vaccination and testing sites, pop-up clinics, family healthcare practices, community health centers, Federally Qualified Health Care Centers, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), and other locations that are key partners in Maryland’s COVID-19 vaccination and testing efforts in Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties.

“We are making steady progress in our COVID-19 fight in Allegany, Garrett, and Washington counties, yet still have a long way to go,” said Secretary Dennis R. Schrader. “Our vaccination and testing strategy to ensure we leave no one behind is very locally focused in Western Maryland and includes working with community physicians, local pharmacies, deploying mobile clinics and widening access to reach everyone who wants a vaccination.”

Secretary Schrader speaks with a Washington County resident at a vaccination clinic at the Hancock Town Hall in Hancock, Maryland

Dr. Jeannette Sweitzer and Secretary Schrader at Tri-State Community Health Center, a FQHC administering COVID-19 vaccinations in Hancock, MD, Washington County

Secretary Schrader, Garrett County Health Officer Bob Stephens, and Garrett County Emergency Services Director John H. Frank at a vaccination clinic in Accident, MD, Garrett County

(L-R) Dr. Marlana Bollinger, Chief Medical Officer, Wellspring Family Practice, Dr. Ken Buczynski, Founder, Wellspring Family Practice, and Secretary Schrader in Oakland, MD, Garrett County

(L-R) Jenelle Mayer, Allegany County Health Office, Secretary Schrader, Natalie Fischer-Perez, UPMC Senior Practice Manager, Clinics and Practices, in Cumberland, MD, Allegany County 

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The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management and community engagement.