Opinion: The Technology Revolution and How Hagerstown Missed It

The following is a guest Opinion article. The WashCo Chronicle and its editor are not responsible for its content. If you would like to contribute to the WashCo Chronicle, please contact on the Facebook Page.

In the year 2014, we have wireless phones with the computing power greater than most desktop home computers in 2001.  GPS devices are built into nearly every new car manufactured at no additional cost to the consumer.  Social networking has become a standard that even the most technology inclined are connected to their family and loved ones.  Washington and California have respectably become the Silicon Valley behemoths of all things tech in the United States.

WashCo Chronicle Now Providing Real Time Traffic Updates 24/7

Photo courtesy of and copyright
Free Range Stock and Chance Agrella.

BOONSBORO, MD - The WashCo Chronicle has been enhanced to provide real time traffic updates Facebook page 24/7, by pulling data from Maryland's Coordinated Highways Action Response Team (CHART) website.

These posts will allow readers to plan ahead for their daily commute by visiting Facebook.com/WashCoChronicle, and stay up to date throughout the day. Please note that at this time only Washington and Frederick counties will be included in these alerts.

Supervisor Position - Dave's Moving Service LLC

3/23/2014 - 3 SUPERVISORS NEEDED!! JOB WILL PAY THE RIGHT 3 PEOPLE TOP DOLLAR FOR THIS JOB !! 
ALL 3 SUPERVISORS MUST HAVE DRIVER'S LICENSE AND DMV REC. AND EXPERIENCE IN SUPERVISORS OTHERS ALSO MUST PASS BACKGROUND CHECK THAT IS A MUST ! FEEL FREE TO CALL DAVID AT 304-261-5518

MISSING - Aqua Thompson (15yo)

Missing since Friday March 14, 2014 in Jefferson County, WV.

Aqua Thompson 15 y.o. approximately 5 feet tall 100 pounds.

If you have seen her or know where she is please contact the WV state police or Kelly Todd @ (304) 279-5034.

Any information on her whereabouts is greatly appreciated.

Meritus Workforce Larger but Less Experienced from 2011 to 2012 - Is Patient Care at Risk?

The Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission makes available wage and salary survey results for all hospitals within Maryland. Since the results include a per-hospital breakout, estimated employee wage/salaries and working hours can be determined by this information.

A few interesting statistics emerge when comparing data between 2011 and 2012.

Between 2011 and 2012, Meritus made many changes to its workforce.

Notable changes which may impact employee morale (and indirectly the quality of patient care)

• Increased Staff by 172 employees, or 8.59%
• Increased Full Time Employees by 102.14 full time employees, or 6.06%
• Increased overall wages by only $0.26/hr, or 1.05% of total wages paid
• Decreased Average Pay per Employee by $560.15/year or 1.30%
• Decreased Average Hours Worked per Employee by 40.73 or 2.33%

Notable changes which may directly impact quality of patient care

• Increased number of general duty nurses by 81 employees or 14.75%
• Increased total number of hours worked per year by general duty nurses by 94,146 hours or 9.92%
• Decreased number of Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) by 3 employees or 11.54%
• Decreased total number of hours worked per year by LPNs by 5,902 hours, or 13.17%
• Decreased number of dietary aides by 3 employees or 5%
• Decreased total number of hours worked per year by dietary aides by 5,070 hours, or 5.39%
• The number of dietitians remained the same.
• Increased number of hours worked per year by dietitians by only 78, or 0.92%

Notable changes which may directly impact safety and security

• Decreased number of security officers by 8 employees, or 19.05%
• Decreased total number of hours worked per year by security officers by 12,142 hours, or 17.09%

A shift in Meritus' staffing can be observed; from 2011 to 2012, Meritus may have expanded its workforce, but the expanded workforce is less experienced. The decrease in hours worked per employee means Meritus most likely hired more part-time employees, in some cases to replace full time employees. Additionally, Meritus has reduced the number of experienced LPNs, dietary aides, and security officers on staff. All of these changes have the potential to negatively impact patient care, as well as the safety and security of the hospital.

With Meritus laying off 60 full time employees, cutting 60 unfilled positions, and reducing the hours of 43 additional employees, will patient care be further potentially impacted?

Documents of Interest:

Spreadsheet - Full information and statistics on public information about Meritus' wages from 2011 and 2012 (Used to generate the statistics in this article)

Spreadsheet - Highest paid Employee information from Meritus' 2011 IRS Form 990

Multiple Documents - Maryland HSCRC Database

PDF - Meritus' 2009 IRS Form 990

PDF - Meritus' 2011 IRS Form 990

Meritus Presidents, VPs, Directors Compensation Total of Over $4.2 Million in 2011

Part of Meritus' 2011 Form 990
Source: Foundation Center

Hagerstown, MD - It was recently reported that Meritus Health is laying off 60 workers and cutting the hours of an additional 43 workers. According to WHAG, Meritus will be terminating the employment of workers through February 15. These cuts are estimated to save Meritus approximately $6 Million.

Noticeably absent from the article is any mention if the President, Vice Presidents, Officers, or other key staff have voluntarily reduced their pay, so it is unknown if any senior level paycuts were implemented.

By looking at the most recent IRS Form 990 available for Meritus at the Foundation Center, it is revealed that the Presidents', Vice Presidents', and Directors' compensation combined equal a sum greater than $4.2 million dollars in 2011.

When combining the compensation of James Hamill, the former President/CEO, with the compensation of Joseph Ross, the current President/CEO, Meritus and related organizations paid to its President a total compensation of $981,711.

The total compensation of Vice Presidents, including former Vice President Michael Zampelli, in 2011 was $2,345,731.

The directors* of Meritus who are paid (not all of the directors are compensated) totals to $958,041.

Breakdown of Compensation in Meritus' 2011 Form 990
Source: Foundation Center

The grand total for Meritus' senior staff who are a President, Vice President, or Director* for 2011 was $4,285,483.

Also of interest is that the IRS Form 990 states that in 2011 Meritus employed 152 individuals who were compensated $100,000 or more per year.

For anyone who would like to verify these calculations, a spreadsheet outlining the pay of each senior staff member is available here.

Original IRS form 990's for Meritus can be accessed below.
2009 Form 990
2011 Form 990

*Note: Per the Form 990, the salary & benefits that Dr Gilbert received are for his services as a physician & not as a director. Dr Gilbert was compensated a total of $852,870 in 2011.

WashCo Chronicle Seeking Commentary on Area Political Issues and Candidates

Boonsboro, MD - The WashCo Chronicle is seeking volunteer contributions for commentary on local area political issues and candidates. Anyone can submit, including political candidates and elected officials, regardless of issue stance or political affiliation.

This is your chance for your voice to be heard, and be part of this exciting new effort to bring free news to the Washington County area. Best of all, your opinions will never be hidden behind a paywall or page view limit.

A few topics to get everyone started:

• Speed Cameras
• Maryland "Rain Tax" (which is NOT required for Washington County, yet.)
• "Western Maryland: A New State Initiative"
• Upcoming 2014 Elections

To contribute, simply click the "Email me!" button on the WashCo Chronicle homepage.

Please include your full name and city/state of residence.

Please note that the editor reserves the right to edit your submissions for grammar, spelling, and to remove offensive content. The editor also reserves the right to not publish your submissions. Your submissions remain your intellectual property, and will be considered "licensed" royalty free for permanent one-time publication on WashCo Chronicle Page TWO.