HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Meritus Health is hosting the highest number of participants in the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation's Service Year Option program, with 64 members, employing the most of any organization in the state.

Many of those members recently attended a ceremony featuring Gov. Wes Moore to launch the program's fourth year.

The participants hired in August are already valuable members of the team, said Jena Judd, PHR, SHRM-CP, director of Meritus Team Member Services.

"The Service Year Option closely aligns with one of our core values of being community-obsessed," Judd said. "We are committed to providing meaningful career pathways in roles that serve our community, support our workforce and offer a living wage and invaluable experience. We're excited to see them grow and contribute in many different ways as they help care for our community."

Jonny Dorsey, secretary of the Department of Service and Civic Innovation, said organizations like Meritus are essential to the program's success.

"This work is not possible without your commitment to partnering with us and welcoming these members into your organizations," he said during the ceremony for Class 4. "You take on the challenge of creating roles that provide meaningful opportunities for the members we bring into this program."

As the largest employer in Western Maryland, Meritus uses the Service Year Option program to help local residents launch healthcare careers. Participants receive hands-on experience, job training and a pathway to long-term employment.

SYO members build workplace skills, receive professional guidance and explore career paths that can lead to permanent jobs, continued education or certification opportunities.

For Natalin Vazquez Milla, a clinical lab assistant at Meritus Medical Laboratory in the Robinwood Professional Center, pursuing a career in health care led her to the SYO program.

She’d thought of going into phlebotomy but saw other opportunities in the lab during an SYO job fair Meritus held in June.

“I like the fact that there’s always something to do and that the pace is fast,” said the South Hagerstown High School graduate. “It’s a very detail-oriented job, and I like attention to detail. I’m definitely enjoying it.”

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Meritus Health is powered by nearly 5,000 people — more than 4,400 employees, 230 medical students and over 250 volunteers — to be the best community-based academic health system, working together to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve in Western Maryland, Southern Pennsylvania and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. As an anchor organization for the community, Meritus serves more than 200,000 residents of the tristate region through Meritus Medical Center, Brook Lane Health Services, Meritus Medical Group, Meritus Home Health, Meritus Equipped for Life, and the Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine. More information can be found at www.MeritusHealth.com or visit our Facebook page or LinkedIn page.

About the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation (DSCI) DSCI mobilizes Marylanders to drive community impact, build meaningful careers, and forge stronger bonds across differences through service. Learn more at serve.maryland.gov.