LEONARDTOWN, MD.  (April 4, 2013) – The Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership is an emerging community-driven coalition of public and private partners working together to improve community health. Healthy St. Mary’s includes the efforts of its action teams, including Fit & Healthy St. Mary’s, Tobacco Free Living, and Behavioral Health.  The partnership recently launched its new website to engage community organizations and residents in working towards a healthier St. Mary’s County.

“By partnering with organizations in the public and private sector, we can work together to better address priority health issues for St. Mary’s County,” said Dr. Meena Brewster, Health Officer.  “The Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership will help this county promote the health of its residents.” The Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership was developed as part of Maryland’s State Health Improvement Process (SHIP) to provide a blueprint for accountability, local action, and public engagement for improving the health of all Marylanders.  The partnership locally prioritizes the SHIP’s objectives by developing and implementing strategies to improve public health here in St. Mary’s County.  A variety of partners have been working to launch the effort including, among others, MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, the St. Mary’s Minority Outreach Coalition, Walden Sierra Behavioral Health, and a variety of county government departments including the Health Department, Department of Aging and Human Services, and the Department of Social Services. More organizational partners are needed to make this partnership a success for St. Mary’s County. For more information about the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership, please visit the website at http://www.healthystmarys.com

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Media Contact

Meena Brewster, MD, MPH 301-475-4330 smchd.healthdept@maryland.gov