As West Virginia Day approaches, we can reflect on words that describe our beloved state: Wild and Wonderful.
Unfortunately, that quality also makes our area a good place for 

 to settle in and latch on to humans and animals alike, causing a variety of illnesses.
“We have lots of forest and a lot of vegetation growth,” said Jamie Moore, program manager for Monongalia County Health Department’s Threat Preparedness program. “‘Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.’ That’s what it means.”
In 2017, according to state entomologist Eric Dotseth, West Virginia became one of 12 “high-instance Lyme disease” states.


, of course, is an illness caused by the bite of the black-legged tick, or deer tick, and it has been on the rise for some time.
And now there are two more illnesses caused by that same tick that Mountain State residents should watch out for.
On May 20, the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, part of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, issued a health advisory noting that while Lyme disease remains far ahead in numbers by comparison, physicians and individuals alike should be aware of the increase in two other illnesses: 

.
In 2024, the number of reported Lyme disease cases was 3,207, “surprisingly” a bit down from 2023’s figure of 3,242, Dotseth said.
The numbers for Anaplasmosis, 15 in 2023 and 29 in 24; and Babesiosis, two in 2023 and four in 2024, are significantly lower, but noticeable for the fact that they are on the rise.
In dealing with ticks, it’s important to realize that there are steps that can be taken to avoid these parasitic arachnids that live by feasting on the blood of humans and animals, as well as that checking yourself, kids and pets for ticks after returning from grassy places is essential.
“We kind of have to exist with these creatures, so if you want to do the things you want to do, it’s important to take precautions whenever you come out of the woods,” Moore said.
Because not everyone sees a tick before it disengages itself, it’s good to be aware of symptoms that these illnesses can cause so individuals can better advocate for themselves when seeking treatment.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lyme disease can cause a bull’s-eye rash at the site of the tick bite. Other symptoms can be somewhat generic, including fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and swollen lymph nodes. If you experience these symptoms and believe there is a chance you’ve been exposed to a tick bite, tell your health care provider, who can prescribe an antibiotic that can prevent Lyme disease.
As for the two lesser-known illnesses, Dotseth noted there are some distinct differences between the two.
Anaplasmosis, he said, “doesn’t have the long-term possibilities like with Lyme disease. This resolves in a few weeks.”
While the illness usually does clear up, complications can occur if medical treatment isn’t provided, including respiratory and organ failure.
Like with Lyme disease, the treatment for Anaplasmosis is an antibiotic.
As for Babesiosis, it attacks red blood cells, which can result in anemia and liver damage, Dotseth said. Unfortunately, an antibiotic is not a treatment for this illness. Individuals should consult a physician to see what steps to take.
Periodically, designated Monongalia County Health Department employees conduct tick surveillance, collecting them and sending them off to the West Virginia Office of Laboratory Services to be tested for disease.
To avoid ticks in the first place, steer clear of places where ticks live. Stick to trails instead of grassy areas. Wear tick repellent and treat clothing and gear with .5% permethrin. Upon returning home, check yourself, kids and pets for ticks. Take a shower and throw the clothes you were wearing in a dryer.
Moore also suggests, if possible, to tuck pants into socks so ticks cannot crawl up legs.
“The emphasis is caution and prevention,” Moore added. “Don’t avoid living your life because you’re worried about getting a tick disease. Follow precautions and keep on enjoying the outdoors.”


Mary Wade Burnside is the public information officer at Monongalia County Health Department. 

Tick tips in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia 

In West Virginia, June is the time of year that the results of spring planting start to pay off in a bounty of beautiful fruits and vegetables. It’s also when farmers markets benefit distribution begins.
The 

, provides vouchers that can be used at farmers markets by WIC recipients from June through November.
It’s the perfect time to highlight WIC Kitchen recipes that showcase farm fresh produce that is not only tasty but also healthy and accessible.
The Cauliflower Sweet Potato Couscous Salad is an easy-to-make dish that brings the taste of the Mediterranean to your table, featuring couscous and mint and topped with a pesto tahini dressing.
Cauliflower is high in antioxidants, which have anti-cancer benefits. Cauliflower is also high in choline, which is essential for brain development.
And sweet potatoes can help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol. One sweet potato contains the recommended daily intake amount of Vitamin A, which is essential for keeping your eyes healthy and also aids in immunity.
The Summer Berry Salad offers a twist — in addition to being packed with the titular berries, it also features spinach, basil, avocado, almonds and goat cheese.
By now, most people know that blueberries are a superfood — high in antioxidants, vitamin C and fiber, which support brain health, boost immunity and aid digestion. They also help reduce inflammation and promote heart health.
Avocados are rich in healthy fats, fiber and potassium, which support heart health, digestion and blood pressure regulation. They also provide vitamins C, E and K, which benefit skin, immunity, and bone health. Strawberries are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, fiber and manganese. They also support immune health, aid in reducing inflammation, promote heart health and contribute to bone health and metabolism.
The Farmers Market Nutrition Program was established by Congress in 1992, to provide fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants, and to expand the awareness, use of, and sales at farmers' markets.
Eligible WIC participants are issued FMNP coupons in addition to their regular WIC benefits. To learn more about WIC guidelines, go to our website at www.monchd.org/departments-programs/pages/wic-eligibility-guidelines
Of course, anyone can make these dishes any time of the year. But they will be at their most flavorful when made at the peak freshness of local ingredients. Enjoy!

Cauliflower Sweet Potato Couscous Salad
Ingredients


1 sweet potato, medium, peeled and diced
½ head cauliflower, cut into small florets
14 oz chickpeas, one can, drained and rinsed
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp salt and pepper, adjust to taste
1 cup pearl couscous, dry
1 cup boiling water, or vegetable broth
¼ cup parsley, chopped
¼ cup mint, chopped
¼ cup dill, chopped
¼ cup pumpkin seeds, for crunch


¼ cup tahini
1 clove garlic, small, minced
1 tbsp lemon juice
4 tbsp water, adjust for consistency
½ tsp salt
1 tbsp nutritional yeast, optional, for a cheesy tang
3-4 tbsp pesto, homemade or store bought



Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the sweet potato, cauliflower and chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin salt and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 30-35 minutes, flipping halfway, until tender and slightly crispy.
In the meantime, cook couscous according to package directions.
For the dressing, whisk all the ingredients in a jar until smooth.
In a large bowl, combine couscous, roasted sweet potato, cauliflower, chickpeas, herbs and pumpkin seeds.
Drizzle with the pesto tahini dressing and toss to combine. You can serve it warm or chilled.


9 oz baby spinach, roughly chopped
1 cup sliced strawberries
1 cup raspberries
1 cup blueberries
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/3 cup chopped basil
1 avocado, chopped
4 oz goat cheese
Choice of balsamic vinaigrette dressing


Divide baby spinach between plates then top with berries, almonds, basil and chopped avocado.
Crumble goat cheese on top then dress with salad dressing.



*Ingredients with an asterisk next to them are available through Monongalia County Health Department WIC. Call us at 304-598-5181 for more information.

It's a berry good time to get fresh produce at the farmers market 

A recent late April day started out normally at the Grafton-Taylor County Health Department, administrator Annie Kennedy said, with her friend and receptionist Jennifer Stolzenfels acting like her “normal, goofy self.”
Then, Stolzenfels looked like she was out of it, and a nurse yelled that something was wrong.
“By the time I got there, Jen was drawn up and stiff,” Kennedy said.
A retired nurse who happened to be at the health department started cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), while Kennedy grabbed one of two automated external defibrillators (AEDs) kept at the health department to shock her friend’s heart.
“After the second time, her color started to come back and you could see she was breathing on her own,” Kennedy said.
The health department has a system installed that, at the push of a button, alerts employees to an emergency and automatically dials 911. When EMS showed up, they had to shock Stolzenfels’ heart again.
Only 41, Stolzenfels was driven to the hospital. When she was taken off a ventilator three days later, she learned she has a condition called Torsades de Pointes, a life-threatening arrhythmia that can lead to cardiac arrest if not attended to quickly.
Stolzenfels’ treatment includes getting a defibrillator inserted into her chest. Soon she will begin cardiac rehab, and she’s working part-time as she builds up her strength.
Stolzenfels considers herself lucky that if her ordeal had to happen, it took place at the health department, where everyone knew CPR and could easily access an AED.
If it had occurred anywhere else, “I would not be alive,” she said.
The incident is still a sensitive subject for Kennedy and Stolzenfels, but the commencement of 

, which started on Sunday and runs through June 7, motivated them to tell the story.
At Monongalia County Health Department, CPR is one of the lifesaving practices that Joe Klass, chief of operations of the Threat Preparedness program, teaches to the community. The 

 takes around three to four hours and also includes instruction on how to operate an AED and how to save someone from choking using the 

.
Klass, who is also a paramedic, can teach Heartsaver CPR, which is geared to community members, as well as Basic Life Support to medical personnel.
“There really aren’t a lot of differences between the two,” Klass said. “Basic life support goes into more detail on how to manage cardiac arrest in a health care setting, using a couple of tools that non-medical people don’t usually have access to.”
Individuals who take Klass’ training learn on both adult and infant mannequins, he noted.
According to the American Heart Association, “CPR is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. Immediate CPR can double or triple chances of survival after 

.”
Every year, according to the AHA, 350,000 people in the United States die from cardiac arrest, a number that can be improved as more individuals learn how to do CPR and also have access to equipment such as an AED.
Anyone who finds themselves in the position to help someone who has stopped breathing should first call 911. In addition to sending out an EMS unit, a dispatcher can also provide advice on how to perform CPR, Klass said.
Modern CPR was developed in 1960, although techniques have improved throughout the years.
There is even music that people can refer to in order to follow for the recommended rhythm while doing chest compressions, Klass said. As comically highlighted in a scene from the NBC TV show “The Office,” the best-known song is, coincidentally, “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees. Spotify even has an entire CPR playlist of songs that work for CPR because the rhythm is 100 beats per minute.
“The big thing is, you never know when you might need it,” Klass said. “Everyone should have CPR training.”
Kennedy and Stolzenfels wholeheartedly agree. “We train for this to happen,” Kennedy said, “But you don’t train for it to be your own people.”
To learn more about CPR and how to organize a class, go to this link on the health department’s website: www.monchd.org/community-training#cpr.

Mary Wade Burnside is the public information officer at Monongalia County Health Department.

CPR saves lives. Recently, it saved one of our colleagues.

At 71, MCHD WIC’s Lynne Ryan bikes to work and jogs on her lunch break

MORGANTOWN, WV — On the two days a week that Lynne Ryan works as a breastfeeding counselor and nutritionist at Monongalia County Health Department’s WIC program, she pulls up to the office on one of her bicycles that she rides from the Star City rail-trail to WIC’s new location on Pineview Drive, across from Mon Health Medical Center.

But the 71-year-old Ryan’s exercise for the day doesn’t stop with her daily cycling session to (and from) work.

After a morning of teaching new moms breastfeeding techniques and nutritional tips, she dons her exercise clothes again and runs four to five miles during 50 minutes of her hour-long lunch break.

“When we were next to the health department, I would run up to Core Arboretum and then run around the arboretum,” Ryan said. “I was worried when we moved (in February), but I got on Google Maps and found that there is a whole trail system behind Mon Health. I’m loving it.”

Ryan’s overall fitness routine includes running four to five times a week, in addition to biking and other activities such as hiking and swimming.

She sticks to her biking work commute and lunch run year-round, unless the streets are in really bad shape. Arriving at MCHD WIC one recent May morning on a blue Cannondale in light rain, she said, “I’m not going to let a little drizzle stop me.”

May is Older Americans Month, which highlights healthy living as we age.

Then the last Wednesday — May 28 this year — is National Senior Health & Fitness Day.

Ryan, who works part-time at MCHD WIC after retirement, is Monongalia County Health Department’s poster child for this celebration, often out-exercising her younger co-workers.

Growing up, Ryan enjoyed bike riding and she had always skied and hiked, but she didn’t enter this exercise phase of her life until she turned 49, after her four children had grown up.

She was motivated by Morgantown’s first Sprint, Splash ‘n Spin Triathlon.

“I think I want to try that,” she said at the time of the race that required swimming, cycling and running.

Even though her feet hurt after running her first mile, “I pushed through and it was fun. I was completely hooked.”

Eventually, she realized that running is her strength. “As I’ve gotten older and wiser, I’ve learned that it’s important to do the vast majority of my running on softer surfaces. I do no more than 10 percent of my running on pavement.”

While some people might be surprised at Ryan’s level of activity at 71, she has a group of friends, ranging in age from around 60 to 78, who call themselves “The Gang of Five.” They’ve gone on adventure trips to locales such as Baja, Mexico and Croatia, where, with the help of an outfitter, they distance swim in the ocean.

“It’s always a beautiful place, beautiful water,” Ryan said.

The outfitter takes the group out into the ocean in a boat and stays nearby in case anyone needs help because of fatigue or cramps.

Their next destination is Greece in September. “We do five days in a row,” Ryan said. “It’s a mile and a half before lunch and a mile and a half after lunch, and it’s a lot. I can really feel it at first and then I get used to it, and at the end I feel great.”

Exercise is important for all age groups, but for older individuals, it’s especially vital.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physical activity can prevent or delay many health problems that can often occur with age. It’s also well-known that individuals typically start to lose muscle mass around the age of 30, a process that can accelerate after 60. Recent studies have shown that increased physical activity can also reduce the risk of dementia.

Ryan’s career at MCHD WIC began about six years before she started on her exercise journey. She began in 1997 as a lay breastfeeding counselor. Through the years, she returned to college to get a regents degree at West Virginia University with an emphasis in women’s studies and public health and took graduate courses in nutrition. She also earned her International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) designation.

In the nearly 30 years since she started at MCHD WIC, she’s seen breastfeeding rates rise from about 13% to the 60%-range.

“It’s really correlating with breastfeeding support — more support and counselors and classes,” Ryan said.

Those higher numbers are not just for initiation — mothers who try breastfeeding — but also those who go on to do it for six months or longer. “I hope it never goes backward,” she said.

WIC clients include pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding mothers and children up to the age of 5 who financially qualify. Mothers on Medicaid and foster parents automatically qualify. To see the financial guidelines, go to www.monchd.org and click on the WIC/Breastfeeding tab and then the WIC Eligibility Guidelines tab.

And while WIC provides specific breastfeeding guidance to clients, anyone can attend the free, public breastfeeding classes held at all six of MCHD’s WIC locations: Monongalia, Preston, Marion, Harrison, Doddridge and Taylor. To see times and dates, go to www.monchd.org/services/breastfeeding.

As for nutrition, even someone who has studied it sometimes needs to take stock.

“What I’m really realizing is how important calcium intake is,” she said. “If I don’t take enough calcium as I get older, my bones might not be fine.

“I feel like there is not a lot of room in a healthy diet to have empty calories.”

Another fact that might sound surprising for someone who bikes to and from work and then runs on her lunch break is that Ryan doesn’t always want to go out and do it.

“There are days when I have to talk myself into it,” she said. “But here’s the crux. I’m always glad afterward. I don’t want to go out there on a cold rainy day, but I know if I do it, I’m going to feel good.”

“Have a great summer!”
“Where are you going on vacation?”
“Road trip!”
Memorial Day weekend is the official start of summer, if not the scientific one.
And while you may hear phrases such as the ones above, Monongalia County Health Department’s Environmental Health program has an important message to add:
“The No. 1 rule of swimming (other than knowing how to swim) is to avoid doing No. 2 in the pool.”
According to the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

 (CDC) (and feel free to finish breakfast before continuing), “One person with diarrhea can contaminate the entire pool.” These rules also apply to splash pads. “Swallowing even a small amount of water contaminated with diarrhea germs can make you sick for up to three weeks.”
So in addition to not taking a dip into a pool if you have diarrhea, it’s also important for swimmers to avoid swallowing water at a pool or a splash pad.
Recreational water illnesses (RWIs) are caused by germs spread by swallowing, breathing in mists or having contact with contaminated water. Diarrhea is the most common RWI, but others include skin, ear, respiratory, eye and neurologic infections. Children are more likely to get these illnesses than adults.
Here are some tips to follow to make swimming healthier for everyone:
• Don’t swim or let your kids swim when sick, including with diarrhea.
• Don’t swallow the water.
• Check out the pool’s latest inspection report. You can do that by going to this website: https://inspections.myhealthdepartment.com/monongalia.
• Take kids on bathroom breaks every 60 minutes or more if needed.
• Check diapers every 30–60 minutes and change them in a bathroom or diaper-changing area, not waterside.
• Shower before you get in the water.
• If you are so inclined, you can do a mini-inspection of the pool. Instructions on how to do that, as well as other safe swimming advice, can be found at this link: www.cdc.gov/healthy-swimming/about/index.html
MCHD Environmental Health’s 

 also inspect pools and teach several Certified Pool Operators classes throughout the year. Each pool undergoes a full inspection twice a year. Sanitarians also stop by each pool bi-weekly to check pH and chlorine. If they receive a complaint, sanitarians respond within 10 days.
Of course there is more to swimming safety than the quality of the water. Swimming lessons are a great idea for anyone who needs them, and individuals should only swim in areas protected by lifeguards. The 

 also reminds parents of young children to supervise them yourselves even when there is a lifeguard on duty and cautions against relying on inflatable devices to be a substitute for parental supervision.
Swimming in lakes, rivers, streams and at a beach have additional sets of advice to follow. Always enter unfamiliar water feet first. Do not dive in an area unless you know the water is deep enough and there are no obstructions that could cause harm.
And when it comes to 

 in the ocean, if you try to fight the rip current and swim against it, you'll get worn out, notes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Float instead, and if you're a good swimmer, swim parallel to shore until you've cleared the pull of the rip current. Swim with the waves, allowing them to push you to shore.
Swimming is a great way to get exercise and have fun this summer, and following a few rules will help ensure that you will be safe at the same time.


Swimming 101: Avoid No. 2 in the pool

MCHD WIC hospital liaisons sign up moms at WVU Medicine Children’s & UHC

When Madison Baughman delivered her daughter Maggie in March, she already had a lot on her plate.
The dramatic birth followed a preeclampsia diagnosis, a medical helicopter ride from Fayette County with her fiancé Bryan Brugnoli — recovering from surgery himself — racing up I-79 to be with her, a Caesarean section and a stint for Maggie in the NICU at WVU Medicine Children’s.
So when Chrissy Rodeheaver, a breastfeeding peer counselor with Monongalia County Health Department’s WIC program, stopped by to see Baughman and get the family signed up for the Women, Infant and Children’s (WIC) federally-funded nutrition program, it was a huge relief and convenience.
“She came directly to my recovery room and took care of all the paperwork for us,” Baughman said. “It felt like we were just having a conversation rather than doing paperwork. She asked how the baby and I were doing and shared some of her similar personal experiences with the NICU.
“She made us feel right at home.”
That makes perfect sense because that’s Rodeheaver’s job as MCHD WIC’s hospital liaison to new mothers at WVU Medicine Children’s.
Rodeheaver spends most of her working hours on the labor and delivery floor of WVU Medicine Children’s. She visits mothers, usually as they are being discharged, to see if they qualify for WIC. If they do, they receive nutritional counseling as well as benefits loaded onto an EBT card and help with breastfeeding through on-site advice, classes and/or a 24-hour app.
Sometimes the client is new, and sometimes she already has previously qualified and gone through the program.
“Everyone who we’ve been able to certify or re-certify has been really grateful,” Rodeheaver said. “We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response. It’s one less thing for them to worry about during their postpartum period.”
WIC clients include pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding mothers and children up to the age of 5 who financially qualify. Mothers on Medicaid and foster parents automatically qualify. To see the financial guidelines, go to www.monchd.org and click on the WIC/Breastfeeding tab and then the WIC Eligibility Guidelines tab.
MCHD WIC oversees the WIC program in Monongalia, Preston, Marion, Harrison, Doddridge and Taylor counties, but the hospital liaison can help new mothers who live outside of that region, such as Baughman, from Ansted.
A pilot program between WIC and WVU Medicine Children’s began in late June 2023 and lasted through January 2024. After some changes, the program started back up last September. A similar program was launched at United Hospital Center in Bridgeport in December 2024, with Stephanie Marshall of MCHD WIC’s Harrison County office serving as liaison.
“They are so thankful to have us there,” Marshall said. “Having a baby is a big deal, even if it’s not the first. I have a 6-year-old and a 2-year-old, and the four-year difference — I thought I didn’t know how to hold a baby.”
In addition to talking to the new mothers and loading benefits on the card, Rodeheaver and Marshall can also provide breastfeeding tips, although they are not allowed to touch the mother or the baby.
“You can guide them to tweak positioning so the babies can latch,” Marshall said. “The most minor things can help them with their breastfeeding journey.”
Said Rodeheaver, “Increasing rates of breastfeeding increases positive health outcomes for mothers and babies overall.”
Before the hospital liaison program, some new mothers would stop by the Morgantown WIC office on their way home from the hospital, which can be unwieldy and uncomfortable just after giving birth and with a newborn baby in tow.
This program can eliminate the need for that, as well as aid in finding potential clients who might have otherwise fallen through the cracks.
“The program is going really well,” said Cami Haught, MCHD WIC program manager. “The staff and participants at Children’s are really receptive and excited to have us there.”
Numbers have been good at both locations, Haught said. Since the September re-launch at WVU Medicine Children’s through April, 176 mothers had been certified (111) or recertified (65).
Since December at UHC, 106 mothers have been certified (57) or recertified (49).
Officials at the statewide WIC office are so pleased that the program will be expanded to seven additional WVU Medicine hospitals across four local WIC agencies between fiscal years 2025 and 2027, said Heidi Staats, director of the Office of Nutrition Services at the West Virginia Department of Health.
This will be funded with a WIC infrastructure grant, Staats added, and MCHD WIC’s two programs will be transitioned to this grant during that same time period.
Regina Scott, project manager for Patient and Family-Centered Care at WVU Medicine Children’s, said that having the WIC liaison stationed at the hospital has been helpful.
“This partnership helps to ensure that we are closing any resource gaps that the families may have,” she said.
Although the liaison program helps keep new moms from having to visit the WIC office upon leaving the hospital, Maggie’s stay in the NICU gave Baughman and Brunoli plenty of time to visit Rodeheaver at WIC and look through a clothes closet provided for clients.
“Chrissy has been lovely!” Baughman said. “She made everything so simple and walked us through everything we needed to know about getting started with WIC.
“It was so nice to have someone who understood our situation and wanted to help rather than adding to our already very full plate.”


For up-to-date information on health and wellness in Monongalia County, check out monchd.org and follow the health department on Facebook and Twitter @WVMCHD and on Instagram at #wvmchd.

Traveling abroad? Add Monongalia County Health Department’s

 to your to-do list.
Different nations require different vaccines, either as a routine matter or because of an outbreak. Sometimes, certain vaccines might not be required, but are a good idea. Rabies, for instance, is much more common in some foreign locations compared to the United States.
And not to be a henny penny, but sometimes a trip can come to an abrupt halt because the traveler has not obtained the proper vaccine.
Take the time that musical duo Tenacious D planned to open for the Foo Fighters in Rio de Janeiro. That lineup didn’t happen because Tenacious D members were turned away at Brazil’s customs because they had not been vaccinated for yellow fever.
If only they followed Monongalia County Health Department on social media! Even we were publicizing that outbreak to warn area residents who might be traveling there.
If you are familiar with the area to which you are traveling, the situation may have changed so it’s good to get an update.
For instance, yellow fever as a cause of concern in Brazil has been replaced in that country by another mosquito-borne illness, Oropouche fever.
But yellow fever cases are now elevated in Nigeria, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Travel’s Health 

. 
If you are going to a place where yellow fever is a concern, it’s just a one-dose vaccine. Japanese encephalitis, another mosquito-borne illness more common in parts of Asia and the western Pacific, requires two doses 28 days apart (and a 12-month booster if you remain in the area).
That’s why anyone with international travel on their mind should call 304-598-5119 to make an appointment in time to get any vaccines and follow-ups necessary, and in the optimal frame for the inoculations to become fully effective.
It’s also good to make sure you are up-to-date on less exotic vaccines as well, including measles, mumps and rubella (MMR).
Of course, vaccines aren’t the only items on your international travel checklist. There are definitely other considerations you want to address before leaving.
Such as: Are you planning ahead so you will have plenty of your prescribed medications with you, as well as proper documentation to get them through customs? Did you know that counterfeit meds are ubiquitous in some countries, so taking them with you from home is your best bet? And are any of your prescribed medications not allowed into a country where you are traveling?
Also, do you know handy tips for surviving long plane rides comfortably? Hint: Compression stockings and hydrating are your best friends; contact lenses are not.
It might be recommended to drink bottled water at your destination, but don’t forget to also use it to brush your teeth and to avoid letting shower water get into your mouth.
And do you know which to apply first, sunscreen or mosquito repellent — the latter of which you really want to slather on in areas with mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, Dengue, West Nile viruses or malaria? (Hint: sunscreen first, then mosquito repellent).
Dr. Brian Huggins, Monongalia County Health Department’s health officer, is a seasoned traveler himself and is now conducting the appointments.
MCHD’s 

offers more information about the International Travel Clinic.

Put the "Bon" in Bon Voyage at the MCHD Travel Clinic

A couple of years ago, my incentive to wear sunscreen increased exponentially.
Previously, I have to admit, vanity was my primary motivation, in spite of the fact that my father, fair-skinned and freckled like me, had to get pre-cancerous lesions removed during his lifetime.
I knew that the sun contributes to aging and wrinkling skin. With a few painful sunburns under my belt from childhood, I figured it wasn’t worth it. Plus, the burns didn’t even ever turn into a tan. I just looked beet-red.
But in December 2022, I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma on my calf. As someone who has been covering health topics for 15 years, I immediately knew that of the 

, this wasn’t the least harmful one, basal cell carcinoma. (Nor, luckily, it wasn’t the most dangerous kind, melanoma.)
My dermatologist performed a 

 procedure to burn the cancer off of my skin, taking what looked like a car cigarette lighter to create a perfect red circle on my calf that took a few months to heal.
The scar was starting to look a lot better in March when I noticed that there was a pizza sliced-shaped mark inside the circle.
Once again, it was squamous cell carcinoma. This time, I had 

, coincidentally two years ago on May 1, the day which Skin Cancer Awareness Month commences. During the surgery, the doctor peeled back layers of skin to remove the cancerous cells and conducted lab testing in real time to see if he would need to continue until the margins were clear. Luckily, he only had to do this once.
The surgery left a scar that is much larger than the original small circle burn, because the calf is a difficult area to stitch up, and, as I found out, to heal.
Now I really try to keep myself safe from the sun. I’ve bought some serious sun hats. And I’m really making sure to get good sunscreen and apply it correctly.
Still, I had some learning to do when I found out that just randomly applying sunscreen is not the optimal way to proceed. Here are some tips I learned:
Use a lot. Studies have shown that people use much less sunscreen than is needed to effectively protect them, so use more than you think you need.
Make sure the sunscreen has a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 50.
When it comes to selecting sunscreen, coconut oil is NOT a good ingredient. But a mineral such as zinc is and will help keep the lotion on your body longer.
Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before you go outside and reapply every two hours, or more frequently if you are sweating, in water, etc.
Sunscreen quality has improved in recent years and it doesn’t have to be greasy. Nor does it have to be a thick paste that is difficult to smooth into your skin.
When I switched to mineral-based sunscreen a decade or so ago, it was like putting on kabuki makeup, which was self-defeating in the mornings when I was getting ready for work. But now there are several on the market that go on more easily and are absorbed more quickly.
And finally, take other precautions. Remember, the sun is at its most direct between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. There are clothing options you can choose that also can deflect the sun. A straw hat is not one of them! The holes created by the weaving pattern allow the sun to shine on your head.
Sure, I get it. All of this sounds like a hassle. But take it from me, it’s much preferable than having painful procedures and surgery, and visiting a dermatologist every six months to have her look you over for any potential strange growths on your skin. Which anyone can do periodically even if they haven’t had skin cancer, just to be sure.


Slathering on sunscreen? Make it count!

Is spring cleaning on your to-do list? Don’t forget your medicine cabinet.
If you have unused medications piling up, 

 is almost here.
Five locations around Morgantown will be set up by the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department so people can drop off medications that are no longer being used. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 26.
Think this might not apply to you? You might want to reconsider that.
According to the 

, the leading cause of emergency department visits for adverse drug events are blood thinners, antibiotics, diabetes medications and opioid analgesics, such as tramadol or fentanyl.
And, notes the 

, many prescriptions, especially those to help individuals sleep or treat pain as well as anxiety and other mood disorders, are often misused. Keeping them in a safe place, or, if possible, safely getting rid of them if they are not being used, is important.
Children or people with memory issues, or just about anybody, can accidentally misuse a potentially dangerous drug that can be found in a home.
Coordinated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), this event is typically held twice a year, in April and October, to provide the opportunity for the safe disposal of drugs that might be around the house.
Drug take-back events are the No. 1 recommended way to dispose of drugs, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to making a home safer for everyone, it’s also kinder to the environment to make sure drugs are safely disposed of.
The EPA also warns against 

 any drugs, unless instructions say to do so, so that medications do not reach the wastewater system.
The same could be said for just throwing away prescriptions, which could end up in a landfill and eventually get into a body of water.
An acceptable second choice requires a bit of a process to safely put them in the garbage. Guidance calls for taking the meds out of their original bottle, mingling them with a substance such as kitty litter or coffee grounds and then putting them in something like a plastic margarine container.
However, garbage disposal of drugs can also lead to dogs, cats and other animals getting sick if they decide to rummage through trash. Did you know that human medications are the leading cause of pet poisoning?
Both Monongalia County Health Department and the 

Monongalia County Quick Response Team (QRT)

 recommend a product to actually keep in your medicine cabinet at all times: naloxone. Naloxone, also known as Narcan in its nose spray form, reverses the effects of an opioid overdose and it’s important to have around. Just about anybody could get into a legitimately prescribed medication or take the incorrect dosage and need to be revived.
The Monongalia County QRT, funded with grants obtained by Monongalia County Health Department, just held a Free Naloxone Event on Friday. These events give us the opportunity to distribute naloxone and fentanyl test strips test strips, which can be used to make sure recreational drugs haven’t been unknowingly tainted with the deadly fentanyl.
Take back locations are the Monongalia County Sheriff's Office, Pierpont Landing Pharmacy, Suncrest Kroger Pharmacy, Mon Health Medical Center and Villages at Heritage Point.
If you can’t make it on April 26, both the Morgantown and Granville police
departments have year-round drop-off bins.
Check out the health department’s 

Cleaning house? Don’t forget medications.

April signifies the end of peak carrot harvesting season but they are also perfect for spring, a sign of rebirth and the perfect snack food to leave out for any visiting rabbits, real or imaginary.

Being a key part of a candy-centered celebration might be a disadvantage for a crunchy vegetable. But they do pair well with fruit and spices, making them versatile, healthy and yummy.

High in vitamin A, carrots play a key role in eye health. They are also high in vitamin C, so they help maintain your immune system. Carrots are also high in beta-carotene, which has anti-inflammatory properties.

And here’s a fun fact about beta-carotene – if you consume a lot of carrots (or any food high in beta-carotene) you can develop an orange tint to your skin. But it’s only temporary!

These Carrot Pineapple Muffins are a great example of how carrots blend well with a lot of fun flavors, including brown sugar, cinnamon, coconut and vanilla.

You can make the muffins on the weekend and snack on them throughout the week. They also freeze well, so you also have the option of making them ahead of time too.

Showcasing a more savory side of carrots (with some sweet touches), this Sweet & Crunchy Carrot Salad provides a light and refreshing side dish option for dinner with family or even for guests.

1 cup whole-wheat flour (or substitute another cup of all-purpose flour)

3/4 cup packed brown sugar (use 1/2 cup if you prefer a less-sweet muffin)

1 1/2 cups carrot (grated (about three medium carrots))*

1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons sweetened flaked coconut

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease or place cupcake wrappers in a standard-size, 12-cup muffin pan.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and ginger.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, applesauce, brown sugar, vegetable oil, egg and vanilla extract.

Pour the wet ingredients over the dry and whisk just until all ingredients are incorporated. Gently stir in the carrots, 1/2 cup coconut and pineapple.

Use a cookie scoop to divide the mixture among the muffin cups. Cups should be filled to the top.

Sprinkle tops evenly with remaining 2 tablespoons of coconut.

Bake for 20–25 minutes or until muffin tops spring back when poked and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Allow to cool for 5–10 minutes before removing from the muffin tin. Serve plain or with butter, if desired.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for two-three days or freeze.

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice*

1 pound carrots, peeled and shredded (about 4 heaping cups)*

2 green onions, chopped (light green and white parts)*

1 handful fresh parsley, chopped (about 1/4 cup packed)

1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped (optional)

In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, maple syrup, salt and about five grinds of black pepper. Stir well.

Add in the shredded carrots, green onions and parsley and gently toss everything together, to make sure the dressing coats all of the vegetables evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking. You can add extra lemon juice if you want a more tart flavor, or a little more salt to punch it up.

Stir in the raisins and pecans, if using, and serve. If you don't plan on serving this salad right away, wait and add the pecans right before serving if you make this in advance.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.

April WIC Kitchen: Carrots are a versatile sign of spring

Free Naloxone Day will be held on Friday, April 18 by Monongalia County QRT

— Naloxone, sometimes known by its brand name, Narcan, is a medication administered like nose spray that can save a life by reversing the effects of an opioid overdose.
The Monongalia County Quick Response Team (QRT), funded by grants secured by Monongalia County Health Department, has been holding events for about five years now to distribute free naloxone to community members.
A mini Free Naloxone Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 18.
Free naloxone as well as naloxone instruction, as well as fentanyl test strips, will be provided at three locations: Sabraton McDonald's, WVU Mountainlair and Monongalia County Courthouse.
“Giving out naloxone can often wedge open the door a little and start the conversation between an individual with substance use disorder and a peer recovery coach or medical provider,” said Joe Klass, a member of the QRT as well as chief of operations for Monongalia County Health Department’s Threat Preparedness program.
Naloxone is great to keep on hand for a variety of reasons, Klass continued, including in a medicine cabinet at home.
“People who take the wrong dose of medicine or a child who gets into someone’s prescriptions could be saved with naloxone,” he said.
Once naloxone is administered, 911 should be called to continue treatment.
“Naloxone is very safe,” Klass noted. “If it turns out the person was having another type of medical emergency, it won’t hurt them.”
Learn more about naloxone and the Monongalia County Quick Response Team by going to this link:https://www.monchd.org/services/naloxone-narcan

The Monongalia County Quick Response Team (QRT), funded by grants secured by Monongalia County Health Department, will hold a mini Free Naloxone Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, April 18.

Free naloxone as well as naloxone instruction, as well as fentanyl test strips, will be provided at three locations: Sabraton McDonald's, the WVU Mountainlair and the Monongalia County Courthouse. 

, which reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. You might save a life!

Mini Free Naloxone Day to be held on Friday, April 18

 isn’t on your radar, but what Monongalia County Health Department does for the community definitely is, even if some residents don’t realize it.
Have you dined out at a restaurant? A Monongalia County Health Department sanitarian inspected it, as well as the community’s tattoo studios, schools, pools, hotels, motels, vendors at WVU games, the Mon County Fair and more.
Have you picked up a box of naloxone or fentanyl testing strips at a Free Naloxone Day event? Most likely, that was organized by the Monongalia County Quick Response Team (QRT), which was organized by MCHD Threat Preparedness using grant funding.
And have you seen MCHD’s Smile Express mobile dentistry unit out and about? Or maybe your school-age child or a friend in recovery received treatment aboard the new, state-of-the-art dental office on wheels?
Some of the health department’s duties are even mandated by Chapter 16 of the West Virginia Code.
National Public Health Week, designated by the American Public Health Association, begins on Monday and lasts through Sunday, April 13.
Public health is important every day of the year, but this observance week is a good time to highlight MCHD’s work.
Monongalia County Health Department was established 95 years ago and we are gearing up to celebrate a centennial of helping to keep the community safe and informed in 2029.
We do this through six programs:


 Sanitarians train food handlers and certified pool operators, and, as noted above, inspect many businesses and institutions that serve the public. They also work to manage rabies by investigating reports and distributing oral vaccine rabies (ORV) baits. And sanitarians conduct radon testing, an important service in a county that has a high rate of high levels of radon — 1 in 5 homes compared to 1 in 15 homes nationally.


 Provides immunizations for infants, children, teens, adults and travelers — i.e., everybody — as well as free and low-cost birth control, low-cost sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, free STI treatment and breast and cervical exams for women. Our public health nurses also can refer patients for mammograms.


— Provides breastfeeding counseling and support to new mothers as well as nutritional education, supplements and food vouchers to pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women and children up to age 5 who qualify. MCHD WIC oversees this federal program in six counties: Monongalia, Preston, Marion, Harrison, Doddridge and Taylor.


— This is the only full-service dental office in a health department in West Virginia. MCHD Dentistry offers general preventive dentistry as well as orthodontic (Invisalign), therapeutic (same-day crowns, dentures and implants, just to name a few), and cosmetic (Botox, chairside whitening, porcelain veneers and more). Plus, Smile Express has expanded its rounds from schoolchildren in five counties to patients at recovery centers.


 — Conducts drills, provides training in CPR, Stop the Bleed, naloxone administration and more. Trains for and responds to crises caused by everything from bad weather to bad people. It’s also the home of the Quick Response Team, whose members work to reduce opioid use in the region.


 — MCHD combines its epidemiologists and contract tracers under one umbrella to provide consistent and cohesive coverage when it comes to preventing and managing communicable diseases.
Part of public health’s mission is communicating our offerings, and we do that in several ways. You can follow us on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn, and check out our website at monchd.org.
So, to paraphrase Jerry Maguire — the lead character in the film of the same name — help us help you. Call the health department at 304-598-5100 and follow us on social media so you don’t miss important news that can impact your health. We’re here to serve.


How are you celebrating National Public Health Week? 

“Do you have a mother, father, brother or sister with diabetes?

These are two of the questions asked as part of the online 

, created by the American Diabetes Association and advertised on Diabetes Alert Day, which takes place on the fourth Tuesday of March, which this year is today, March 25.

If you take just a minute, you can learn on a scale of 1 to 10 what your risk is of having diabetes.

I was happy to find out that my risk is low, but the answer also explained that my risk for diabetes changes over time and increases with age.

That means that while it’s great to take the test now, you also want to continue to keep an eye out in the future to make sure you don’t develop diabetes. Then if you do develop diabetes, that means you can begin to get treatment as soon as possible.

from the American Diabetes Association states that approximately 226,300 adults in West Virginia, or 15.9% of the adult population, have diagnosed diabetes. Every year, an estimated 8,400 adults in West Virginia are diagnosed with diabetes, according to its most recent fact sheet.

 (cdc.gov), West Virginia has the highest death rate from diabetes compared to any other state, at 41.1 per 100,000 total population in 2022. The next closest state is Mississippi, with 34.7 per 100,000, putting West Virginia in a class of its own.

What is diabetes? It’s a problem with your body that causes blood glucose — or sugar — levels to rise higher than normal, according to the American Diabetes Association’s website. When this happens, it’s also called hyperglycemia. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.

If you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. At first, your pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. But, over time it isn't able to keep up and can't make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose at normal levels.

About 38 million Americans have diabetes, and about one in four don’t know it. That’s a problem because the earlier you get help, the easier it will be to manage symptoms and avoid complications. People with diabetes are twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke than people who don’t have diabetes — and at a younger age. Diabetes also is the leading cause of kidney failure, lower-limb amputations and adult-onset blindness. And if you smoke, you are 30-40 percent more likely to develop diabetes than non-smokers.

Also, one in three Americans has prediabetes. Prediabetes means a person's blood glucose level is higher than normal, but not high enough yet to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, according to the CDC. People with prediabetes are on the road to develop type 2 diabetes and are also at increased risk for serious health problems such as stroke and heart disease.

If you do have prediabetes, there is still a chance that you can avoid getting type 2 diabetes with lifestyle changes that include increased physical activity, changes in your diet and weight loss.

Prediabetes often can be reversed through lifestyle changes such as increased physical activity, weight loss and dietary changes. The earlier people are diagnosed with prediabetes, the more likely it is that they can reverse it and prevent type 2 diabetes.

So take a couple of minutes and take the test. And if the results concern you, talk to your health care provider about getting tested. You can also learn more information from the CDC’s 

Assess your risk with the diabetes alert test!

The regular, bi-monthly meeting of the Monongalia County Board of Health will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, March 27, in the Monongalia County Health Department's conference room. 

More information and the agenda can be found 

Regular MCHD Board of Health meeting to be held Thursday, March 26

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up soon and Monongalia County Health Department’s WIC program likes to celebrate by highlighting green foods. After all, the phrase is “eat your greens,” not “eat your pinks.”
This Healthy Creamy Pea Salad offers a tasty way to present this versatile legume. Peas are high in potassium and aid in regulating blood pressure. They are also high in fiber and antioxidants, so they are good for digestion and preventing cell damage.
Because they are high in protein, those who prefer to leave the bacon out this recipe will still provide the necessary energy-producing nutrients.
The recipe also contains celery, which is the key ingredient in the next recipe, Stuffed Celery. A friend once noted that the green stick vegetable was a conduit for cheese. But why stop there? In addition to cream and cheddar cheese, this snack also features bacon and hot sauce for a zippy treat.
These recipes can be used for a St. Patrick’s Day party or an afternoon snack for hungry kids when they get home from school.




1 (24-ounce) bag frozen peas, thawed*
1 cup celery, chopped*
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped*
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup non-fat Greek yogurt
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup real crumbled bacon
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt and black pepper to taste




In a large bowl combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.
Add peas, celery and red onions. Stir until well combined.
Stir in cheese and bacon.
Refrigerate at least one hour before serving.





Four-five stalks celery, washed and dried*
1 8-oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup bacon, cooked and chopped
½ cup grated cheddar cheese*
1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
1 tablespoon fresh chopped chives
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
Three dashes hot sauce




Cut celery stalks in half and set aside. Using a food processor or hand mixer, whip the cream cheese until smooth. Add in bacon, cheese, parsley, chives, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Pulse or blend until all ingredients are combined.
Using a small spoon, fill the celery “boat” with cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with additional chives and bacon if desired. Serve immediately!


*Ingredients with an asterisk next to them are available through Monongalia County Health Department WIC. Call us at 304-598-5181 for more information.


March WIC Kitchen: Healthy green vegetables for St. Patrick’s day

How’s Daylight Savings Time working out for you? Are you waking up in the dark again? Have you gotten adjusted to the new time schedule? If not, welcome to the club! I have mixed feelings about Daylight Savings Time. While the extra hour of light in the evening is nice, the loss of an hour does not usually impact me positively in the short run and I don't like waking up in the dark again.
It’s not a coincidence that Sleep Awareness Week started yesterday, the same day when we spring forward an hour for Daylight Savings Time and lose an hour of zzzz’s.
As a longtime night owl, I started changing the time on my clocks early in the evening the night before so I didn’t literally lose track of time and settle into bed at what I thought was a decent time, only to have to adjust my thinking and my alarm.
Lately, I realize I need to adjust my thinking even more and not just set a bedtime for myself, but a time even earlier than that to begin winding down.
According to the 

, adults need seven or more hours of sleep per night. One in three adults do not get enough sleep, and apparently, this is another list on which West Virginia falls on the wrong end. In 2014, between 38-44 percent of West Virginia adults reported consistently getting less than seven hours of sleep in a 24-hour period, which put us in the highest percentile along with Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland and other states.
And not getting enough sleep can help lead to a variety of medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity and depression. That’s one reason why this topic is an important one to Monongalia County Health Department. Well-rested people are healthier, and that’s always important, especially during the COVID pandemic.
So, let’s go over the tips on how to try and improve that statistic. First, develop a relaxing bedtime routine. The calmer and more relaxed you are when you slip between the sheets, the better.
It’s best if you go to bed at night and wake up in the morning at the same time every day, including weekends. That can be a challenge for people who want to sleep in after a long work week.
If you don’t fall asleep in 20 minutes, get up. Lying in bed awake can be frustrating, and checking the clock frequently does not help.
Next, the calmer the bedroom is, the better. Bedrooms should be quiet and dark and kept at an optimal temperature. It’s better for the room to be on the cool side.
Removing electronic devices from the bedroom is definitely a tough one these days. But those devices can be stimulating, which is the opposite of how you want your brain to be as you try to unwind from your day. It is recommended to avoid screens for at least 30 minutes before going to bed. And doom scrollers — you know who are — should take measures to quit endlessly surfing social media.
Also, avoid eating large meals and drinking caffeinated beverages or alcohol too close to bedtime. When your belly is busy digesting, you are not going to get your best sleep. And even though alcohol might initially relax you, it can wake you up in the middle of the night too.
Finally, while you don’t want to exercise a lot just before bed, getting plenty of activity during the day will help you feel tired at night.
If you follow at least most of this advice and still have trouble sleeping, you may want to talk to your doctor. Sleep is fundamental to our health and well-being, so figuring out how to have a good night will go a long way to making you feel good.


Improve your sleep habits to catch more zzzzz’s

Happy February! The days are getting longer and the snow has slowed down. It’s also the month that we celebrate Valentine’s Day too.
That’s one reason WIC Kitchen is presenting these colorful, easy-to-assemble holiday-themed treats.
Another is that because Monongalia County Health Department’s Morgantown WIC office was in the middle of a move at the end of January, we went for something that wouldn’t require too much time and kitchen space.
The Strawberry Snack Mix is not only pretty and healthy, it’s a great trail mix option for kids with nut allergies. This also makes it a safe goody to send to school for an event or party.
Strawberries are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, fiber and manganese. They support immune health, aid in reducing inflammation, promote heart health and contribute to bone health and metabolism.
The Berry Heart Parfaits are not only healthy, featuring berries, yogurt and a bit of strawberry preserves, but they are also adorable. Cutting the strawberries with a notch in the top makes them look like hearts.
Blueberries are also high in antioxidants and vitamin C and help reduce inflammation and promote bone health. They also contain fiber, which supports brain health, boosts immunity and aids digestion.
Speaking of digestion, yogurt is a rich source of probiotics, in addition to protein and calcium.
Those ingredients also promote bone health, boost the immune system and potentially reduce the risk of diabetes and osteoporosis.
As for WIC’s new Morgantown 

 our staffers are settling into their new digs at White Birch Towers at 1311 Pineview Drive, across from the J.D. Anderson Drive entrance to Mon Health Medical Center. MCHD WIC is in the second tower, which can be accessed easily by driving through the parking lot to the end of the second tower. The entrance is well marked!




1 pint blueberries*
8 large strawberries, stemmed*
2 cups plain yogurt*
1 tablespoon strawberry preserves




Place blueberries in the bottom of the cup.
Slice the strawberries lengthwise and then cut a notch in the top to form heart shapes.
Place five strawberries inside the cups so heart shapes are visible through the glass.
In a small bowl, stir yogurt and preserves together.
Spoon the yogurt mixture into cups on top of the blueberries.
Continue layering blueberries, strawberry hearts and yogurt until the cup is full.
Serve and enjoy!




1 14.5 oz box Very Berry Cheerios*
1 1.2 oz package freeze-dried strawberries (no sugar added variety recommended)
8 oz vanilla yogurt covered raisins
1 cup mini white chocolate chips




Add all of the ingredients to a large mixing bowl.
Gently toss until everything's evenly combined.
Serve & enjoy!



Easy Valentine's Day Treats!

Sure, you can’t buy chocolates at Monongalia County Health Department. Unless you count the M&M’s and Reese’s Cups in the vending machine.
Still, MCHD has several programs that can help you prepare for the holiday that takes place Friday, celebrating love and togetherness.
The health department is almost a one-stop Valentine’s Day shop.
At MCHD, we’re here to help, whether it’s through our 

 for those who want a romantic dinner for two; our 

 testing for those who want a cozy night at home; and 

 that are offered at MCHD Dentistry.
And if you’ve been contemplating a heart tattoo or a cupid holding a bow and arrow to celebrate your love, if it’s in Monongalia County, that studio has been inspected by an MCHD sanitarian.
At MCHD Clinical Services, our nurses are friendly, non-judgmental and approachable, which is very important when it comes to sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment as well as birth control consultations.
Keep in mind that many STIs are easily treatable with antibiotics if caught early and could otherwise go on to cause fertility and other health issues, some of which can be quite serious.
There is no shame in getting tested for STIs. In fact, consider it a gift to your valentine, the ultimate act that shows you respect yourself and your partner.
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported STI numbers in 2020, the change from 2016 was mostly bad news. Although chlamydia cases were down 1.2%, gonorrhea cases were up 45% and syphilis, which hadn’t been in the forefront for years until recently, was up 52%.
What’s also troubling about the latter is that congenital syphilis, when the infection is passed on to a baby during pregnancy, was up 235%.
Updated figures from 2023 show a decrease in gonorrhea, an increase in syphilis and a stabilization of chlamydia.
Getting tested for STIs and using condoms during sex are good ways to help get those numbers down.
When it comes to birth control, we offer so many kinds that during a visit, a nurse can prescribe from a large list of options, including those that come in the form of a pill, a shot, a patch or a ring or more. Of course, condoms are also available, as is emergency contraception. In fact, not uncoincidentally, Feb. 14 is also the first day of National Condom Week, for all who celebrate and observe.
For many individuals, birth control is free or low-cost at Monongalia County Health Department.
MCHD can be helpful in other areas as well. For instance, a nice smile greatly enhances your Valentine’s Day outfit, and MCHD Dentistry can take care of those needs, from regular checkups, same-day crowns, and chairside tooth bleaching.
Not only is MCHD the only health department in West Virginia with a full-service dental office, but we’re probably the only one that offers Botox as well.
There is a therapeutic use for Botox in addition to decreasing wrinkles on your forehead and reducing the appearance of crow’s feet — it also can be used to treat the masseter muscle to help reduce teeth grinding. At MCHD Dentistry, we offer Botox for both therapeutic and cosmetic care.
Finally, when it comes to dining plans, remember that all Monongalia County establishments are inspected on a regular basis by MCHD Environmental Health sanitarians.
MCHD Environmental Health inspects many other facilities as well, such as hotels, motels and pools. Our sanitarians also conduct radon testing. It’s good to know your radon levels, including for a cozy, romantic night in.
And if all this romance eventually leads to a baby, MCHD WIC offers nutrition and breastfeeding help to qualifying pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding mothers and children up to the age of 5.
Call 304-598-5100 for more information or check out our website at monchd.org. And Happy Valentine’s Day!


MCHD has you covered for many of your Valentine’s Day needs

A few appointments available for MCHD Dentistry’s Give Kids a Smile! event

 It’s once again time for Give Kids A Smile!, the annual event when children without dental insurance can get a free checkup and cleaning at MCHD Dentistry.

This year, Give Kids a Smile! will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Friday, Feb. 7. There are still a few slots available for eligible patients. Call 304-598-5108 to make an appointment.

The American Dental Association (ADA) launched Give Kids a Smile! in 2003 as a way for dental care providers to join with others in their communities to offer free dental services to underserved children.

This will be the 15th year that MCHD Dentistry, the only full-service dental office in a West Virginia health department, will be participating in this national event.

“At MCHD Dentistry, we really love the opportunity to give back to our community,” said Dr. Youseph Kassar, program manager of MCHD Dentistry. “With Give Kids a Smile!, as well as the similar Healthy Smiles Day for adults in November, we are happy to get to do that.”

Children 18 years old and under without dental insurance are eligible to participate. During a 30- to 40-minute appointment, children will receive a dental checkup, a cleaning and a fluoride treatment with a dental hygienist, and will be seen by Dr. Kassar or Dr. Courtney, MCHD Dentistry’s newest dentist.

“We also will be able to provide some restorative work when we can,” Dr. Kassar added.

Each year, about 300,000 children nationally benefit from more than 1,500 Give Kids a Smile! events, thanks to the efforts of about 6,500 dentists and 25,000 other dental team members.

Last year, 24 children were seen at MCHD Dentistry on Give Kids a Smile! Day, which is always held the first Friday in February, during National Children’s Dental Health Month.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, untreated cavities can cause pain and infections and can lead to problems with eating, speaking and learning. More than 1 in 5 children aged 2 to 5 years has at least one cavity in their baby teeth. Children from low-income families are more than twice as likely to have untreated cavities, compared with children from higher-income households.

“Kids who get through childhood with fewer cavities will do better in school, be able to eat a healthier diet and will have a better chance of good dental health as an adult,” Dr. Kassar said.

A few appointments available for MCHD Dentistry’s Give Kids a Smile! event  

MCHD WIC's Morgantown office moving to new location; reopens Feb. 3

Monongalia County Health Department’s Morgantown WIC office will be closed the week of Jan. 27 as staffers move into a new location nearby that will offer more modern facilities.
The new office of the federally-funded nutrition program is located at 1311 Pineview Drive, White Birch Tower II, Suite 400, roughly across the street from the J.D. Anderson Drive entrance to Mon Health Medical Center.
“I think it will be an exciting opportunity for us to have facilities that will better meet the needs of our staff and our participants,” said Cami Haught, MCHD WIC program director.
The Morgantown office will reopen at the new location on Monday, Feb. 3.
This week, WIC participants who have issues that need quick attention, such as a nursing mother with breastfeeding questions, can call the Fairmont WIC office at 304-366-2387.
WIC provides nutrition, breastfeeding support, health education and other services free of charge to pregnant women, mothers, infants and children up to the age of 5 who qualify.
MCHD oversees WIC offices in six counties. In addition to Monongalia County, they are Preston, Marion, Harrison, Doddridge and Taylor.
Office changes aren’t new to MCHD WIC. The Harrison County WIC office was relocated from Clarksburg to Bridgeport in 2018; and the Taylor County office recently moved into the new Grafton-Taylor County Health Department.
“We are extremely excited with the new WIC location,” said Anthony DeFelice, Monongalia County Health Department’s executive director. “The location is centrally located, close to Mon Health Medical Center and Ruby Memorial Hospital, and has public transportation access. We really appreciate the support from the Monongalia County Commissioners with this project.”
The now-former Morgantown WIC office, on Elmer Prince Drive adjacent to WVU’s Health Sciences campus, was built about 100 years ago as a nursing dormitory. The new building offers more updated features.
“So, to make it a more comfortable environment for staff and clients, we are moving,” Haught said.
Benefits of the new location will be larger offices that will be more comfortable for employees as well as a cheery new waiting room featuring a mural filled with fun animals and “WIC” spelled out in clouds.
“I think it’s adorable,” Haught said. Every time I walk in, I smile. It’s so stinking cute.”
The old WIC building had also been equipped with an updated kitchen that was built by Monongalia County Health Department maintenance supervisor Greg Campbell about four years ago. It’s the site used to create dishes for the WIC Kitchen recipe story that appears monthly in a newspaper as well as on Monongalia County Health Department’s website, monchd.org as well as its social media.
“We are going to be moving some of the cabinets and we will also be moving the fridge, freezer and the stove,” Haught said. “We’ll still be able to do WIC Kitchen, but some of the cabinetry will have to be left behind for now.”
WIC participants will be getting messages about the move via their preferred methods of communication, Haught noted. The move will be final before Monday, Feb. 3, the first day that clients will be having appointments at the new location
“We’ll be completely ready for them to come to that clinic and see us,” Haught said.
More information can be found at www.monchd.org/departments-programs/wic. Click on the top middle tab, WIC Surrounding Counties, to read directions to the new location and how to find the new office once you get to White Birch Tower. The phone number will remain the same: 304-598-5181.


 office will be closed this week, but it’s for a great reason.
The nutritionists, breastfeeding counselors and other staffers, along with participants of the Women, Infants and Children federal program who visit our site, will be getting an upgrade.
We’ll be spending this week moving into WIC’s new digs, located at White Birch Tower, just baby steps across from the entrance to Mon Health Medical Center. The new address will be 1311 Pineview Drive, White Birch Tower II, Suite 400.
“I think it will be an exciting opportunity for us to have facilities that will better meet the needs of our staff and our participants,” said Cami Haught, MCHD WIC program director.
MCHD oversees WIC offices in six counties. In addition to Monongalia County, they are Preston, Marion, Harrison, Doddridge and Taylor.
WIC provides nutrition, breastfeeding support, health education and other services, free of charge, to pregnant women, mothers, infants and children up to the age of 5 who qualify.
Office changes aren’t new to MCHD WIC. The Harrison County WIC office was relocated from Clarksburg to Bridgeport in 2018; and the Taylor County office recently moved into the new Grafton-Taylor County Health Department.
“We are extremely excited with the new WIC location,” said Anthony DeFelice, Monongalia County Health Department’s executive director. “The location is centrally located, close to Mon Health Medical Center and Ruby Memorial Hospital, and has public transportation access. We really appreciate the support from the Monongalia County Commissioners with this project.”
The now-former Morgantown WIC office, on Elmer Prince Drive adjacent to WVU’s Health Sciences campus, was built about 100 years ago as a nursing dormitory. The new building offers more updated features.
“So, to make it a more comfortable environment for staff and clients, we are moving,” Haught said.
This week, WIC participants who have issues that need quick attention, such as a nursing mother with breastfeeding questions, can call the Fairmont WIC office at 304-366-2387.
Benefits of the new location will be larger offices that will be more comfortable for employees as well as a cheery new waiting room featuring a mural filled with fun animals and “WIC” spelled out in clouds.
“I think it’s adorable,” Haught said. Every time I walk in, I smile. It’s so stinking cute.”
The old WIC building had also been equipped with an updated kitchen that was built by Monongalia County Health Department maintenance supervisor Greg Campbell. It’s the site used to create dishes for the WIC Kitchen recipe story that appears monthly in the Dominion Post, as well as a blog on the health department’s website and social media.
“We are going to be moving some of the cabinets and we will also be moving the fridge, freezer and the stove,” Haught said. “We’ll still be able to do our Dominion Post recipes, but some of the cabinetry will have to be left behind for now.”
WIC participants will be getting messages about the move via their preferred methods of communication, Haught noted. The move will be final before Monday, Feb. 3, the first day that clients will be having appointments at the new location
“We’ll be completely ready for them to come to that clinic and see us,” Haught said.
More information can be found on our

 to see directions to the new location. 
And the phone number will remain the same: 304-598-5181.


Mary Wade Burnside is the public information officer for Monongalia County Health Department.

MCHD WIC's Morgantown office is moving to a new, updated location

The new year is proving to be the perfect season to stay warm and cozy at home, so this month’s WIC Kitchen is focusing on hot and hearty meals that you can make with items you probably have on hand.
If you like snowy days, January hasn't disappointed you so far. These recipes should help you achieve a sense of self-sufficiency, especially if grocery runs have been fewer recently.
And because this is WIC Kitchen, they are healthy and full of nutrients.
The primary ingredient in the Crispy Pinto Bean Quesadillas is high in fiber, protein, iron and magnesium. They support digestive health, help maintain muscle function and they promote steady energy levels.
National Bean Day took place earlier in the month and it makes sense. It’s a great time to stock up on a variety of beans for meals that will warm you up. My parents used to host a “chili bowl” back when the Super Bowl took place in January and it’s the perfect dish to nosh on while watching a football game.
Or try the Chili Tomato Macaroni. That’s another great thing about chili — there are so many different ways that it can be prepared, and this unique one is easy to make.
Of course, ground beef provides protein and iron for muscle growth and oxygen transport. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which boost the immune system and protect cells. They are also high in vitamin A and potassium, which support eye health and blood pressure regulation.
And the carbs in macaroni help boost energy levels, which is very welcome for many during times in which we aren’t as naturally active as we want to be.
Try out these WIC Kitchen recipes and stay warm and cozy!



Crispy Pinto Bean Quesadillas
Ingredients:


*1 can pinto beans (15 ounces), drained and rinsed
1 teaspoon taco seasoning
1/2 cup salsa
*2/3 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
*6 flour tortillas, 6 inches each
3 teaspoons neutral oil (like *avocado or vegetable oil)




In a large bowl, mash the beans, taco seasoning, and salsa together until chunky.
Spread 1/4 cup of the bean mixture into half of a tortilla.
Top with cheese, then fold in half.
Repeat until all the tortillas are filled. (It should make five-six tacos.)
Add two teaspoons of oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat for 30 seconds. Swirl it around the pan until the pan is coated.
Place two-three quesadillas in the skillet and cook for four-five minutes until golden brown. Flip and continue to cook for two-three minutes until crispy.
Remove quesadillas from the skillet.
Add an additional teaspoon of oil to the skillet (if necessary) and continue to cook the remaining quesadillas until crispy.
Top with garnishes like cilantro, pica de gallo, etc. and enjoy!




3/4 pound ground beef, 85% lean
1 1/2 cups water
*1 cup elbow macaroni, uncooked
*1 can diced tomatoes, drained (15 ounces)
2 teaspoons chili powder, mild
*1 tsp minced onion
1 tsp dried parsley flakes
Salt (optional, to taste)




Brown ground beef in a large skillet, drain the fat.
Add water, macaroni, tomatoes, chili powder, minced onion, and dried parsley flakes. Stir.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer covered on low heat for 20 minutes or until macaroni is tender.
Taste. Add a small amount of salt if needed.
Refrigerate leftovers.



Hot and hearty meals provide warmth and comfort in January

The National Weather Service has issued an extreme cold watch in effect from 4 a.m. Monday through 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 23. Temperatures could dip down as low as -6 on Tuesday morning. Stay inside if you can and if you go outdoors, bundle up, don’t stay out too long and watch for signs of hypothermia.

 to get more information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Extreme cold watch Monday-Thursday

Are you living in a realm with potentially dangerous, odorless, colorless gas that forms from the breakdown of uranium in the soil? A radioactive gas that is undetectable to the human senses that may be seeping up from the earth and into the crevices of your floors and walls?
If so, you may have just crossed over into … The Radon Zone.
OK, it sounds a little melodramatic, but that’s what happens when you tailor information about radon in the style of Rod Serling, creator and narrator of the classic fantasy science fiction horror series “The Twilight Zone.”
And because Monongalia County is in what we call the “red zone,” with potentially three times the instance of radon than the national American average, it’s a pun that’s easy to make.
Nationally, according to the 

, 1 in 15 homes have high levels of radon.
But in Monongalia County, that figure is 1 in 5.
Radon moves up through the bedrock, then into the soil, then up from the soil into the atmosphere. When radon comes up into the air outside, it is perfectly harmless. When radon comes up into your basement and into your house, it can become a problem.
Because radon is radioactive, exposure to high levels of radon can lead to lung cancer. The EPA estimates that radon is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers — more than 20,000 deaths per year.
There is good news. Monongalia County Health Department offers 

. A sanitarian will visit your home and set up a continuous radon monitor in the lowest living area. January, which is National Radon Action Month, is a good time to get a radon test because your home is likely going to have windows closed and be more airtight, so the test will be more accurate.
The machine will generate a report, and if the figures are high, 

 work can be performed on your home that can vent radon outside. The average cost, according to the EPA, is $1,500, with systems ranging from $800 to $2,500.
The cost for a test by MCHD Environmental Health is $125 in Monongalia County and $150 in surrounding areas up to 50 miles outside of Morgantown. How often should you get one? Every few years. Radon can be elusive, with one house measuring a high level while the one next door is OK. One year, your house can be fine. A few years later, the radon level can be higher.
The fact that Rod Serling of “The Twilight Zone” was a chain smoker is a convenient coincidence in this context. Exposure to too much radon is the No. 2 leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, next to smoking. In a given year, about 21,000 Americans die from lung cancer caused by high levels of radon. Serling, who could often be seen on camera with smoke billowing beside him, a cigarette in his hand, died of the disease at the young age of 50.
So, submitted for your approval: Radon, an invisible, odorless gas, might be skulking and lying in wait in your home. But we can detect it, and it can be mitigated. A case to be filed under Rn — for radon.
​For more information or to make an appointment for a test, call MCHD Environmental Health at 304-598-5131.
For more information, check out MCHD’s radon 

 we created featuring a local actor playing Rod Serling.


Do you live... in a radon zone?

Because of the snow-covered roads and bad driving conditions, all Monongalia County facilities will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 7, to ensure the safety of employees and the public. This includes all Monongalia County Health Department programs, including Clinical Services, MCHD Dentistry and MCHD WIC offices in six counties: Monongalia, Preston, Marion, Harrison, Doddridge and Taylor. 

All MCHD programs closed Tuesday, Jan. 7, because of weather

Dry January begins on the first day of the new year as an opportunity to forego alcohol for a month and reexamine relationships with drinking.
But as the New Year’s holiday approaches, it’s a good time to discuss how to deal with alcohol a few days before we usher in 2025.
After all, a champagne toast is a common way to celebrate when the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1. And some revelers have been known to have some drinks before and/or after that glass of bubbly.
That doesn’t mean

 is off the table if someone has a drink after it’s already officially Jan. 1.
But it’s also important to address drinking and driving, and, if you plan to observe Dry January, some strategies for approaching it.
New Year’s Eve is a holiday, like Mardi Gras and St. Patrick’s Day, when alcohol consumption rises.
In West Virginia, a blood alcohol concentration of .08%-0.149% can result in a basic DUI (driving under the influence) charge, according to information on the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles site. For any individuals under 21, there is zero tolerance for a blood alcohol concentration.
According to Alcohol.org, at 0.8%, “You will lose more coordination, so your balance, speech, reaction times, and even hearing will get worse.”
Anyone planning on drinking and attending an event should reconsider drinking plans, find a designated driver, take a taxi or Uber or celebrate at a hotel where they can stay in order to keep themselves and the community safe.
Those are good short-term goals as well as advice for those who don’t have a drinking problem but want to occasionally indulge.
Dry January can be practiced by anyone who drinks, whether it be occasionally, socially or chronically. Even those who don’t think they have a problem might want to see how they feel after not partaking for a while, and they might be surprised to find they feel better, less anxious and more rested.
Drinking is a public health issue that can affect just about every organ in your body, including your heart, liver and kidneys, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov/alcohol/about-alcohol-use/index.html). It also negatively impacts sleep. People often drink to relax, but ultimately, drinking causes more stress, as well as, potentially, memory issues.
First of all, waking up on Jan. 1 with a hangover might encourage some to avoid alcohol, but it actually might be better to taper off. Tapering is definitely a strategy that people with alcohol addiction should follow, preferably while consulting with a health care professional.
But even if this does not describe you, it still might be a good idea not to look at New Year’s Eve as the last blast before experiencing a sober January, in spite of the temptations.
This not only allows you to start in a potentially better frame of mind, but you can also find strategies that will help set you up for success.
For instance, let friends and family know your plans and ask them to be supportive. Have other beverage options available and, if necessary, come up with activities that provide distractions or friends who can provide companionship away from an alcohol-infused setting.
As the month goes by, check in with yourself. Are you getting more restful sleep? Feeling better? It’s a great time to examine your relationship with alcohol and see if you want to make changes, or quit for good.
Remember, there is help if you need it. You can search the internet to find not only local 

 meetings, but also online, in just about any time zone, that might be more tailored to your preferences. Other online groups, some that charge a fee, might be more helpful for those who want to avoid “Five O’Clock Wine Time” feelings but otherwise might not consider themselves ready for AA.
Checking with your doctor never hurts, and there is also medication available that can help some folks.
Happy New Year, and, for those who participate, Delightful Dry January!


Mary Wade Triplett is the public information officer at Monongalia County Health Department.

Dry January, and have a safe New Year’s!

As the new year approaches and with reports that some health insurances are dropping weight management programs, it’s a good time to remind the community that one of the new services offered at Monongalia County Health Department in 2024 is nutritional counseling.
MCHD rolled out this program during the summer, with nutritionists Cami Haught and Jason Nguyen providing counseling to address a variety of issues, including weight management, diabetes, heart health, eating disorders and more.
“We’ve been really excited to help our clients think about food in a new way and reach attainable goals,” said Haught, who also serves as the MCHD WIC program director.
The services are offered by the health department but Haught and Nguyen work as nutritionists for MCHD WIC, which oversees the federally-funded nutrition program in a six county area: Monongalia, Preston, Marion, Harrison, Doddridge and Taylor.
A comprehensive — but not necessarily complete — list of conditions that Haught and Nguyen can address through nutritional counseling include kidney disease, chewing and swallowing difficulties, cancer, food allergies, GI problems and sensory issues, in addition to weight management.
Haught wanted to showcase these services again with the news that some weight management programs that have been provided by health insurance companies have been eliminated.
At MCHD, individuals with insurance or Medicaid can be billed but those without can also get treatment.
“We offer a sliding scale fee for those who are uninsured or underinsured,” Haught said. “We would look at their finances to see what their responsibilities would be for their payment.” Individuals also need a referral from a physician.
While a new year can be a good time to take stock and consider implementing some changes, Haught has some very specific thoughts about resolutions.
“The advice I usually give about New Year’s goals is that they have to be attainable,” she said. “You can’t set a goal or resolution such as, ‘I’m going to lose 80 pounds in six months.’”
Instead, she advises, “Let’s look at small changes that you can make, and why don’t we try increasing activity from one day a week to three. People who set small goals can achieve a lot. Most people start a New Year’s resolution and by the end of January, they are done.”
Another example of a small goal would be to reduce the number of fast food meals that are consumed in one week, maybe from three down to one. “You will see weight loss when you meet those goals automatically.”
Both Haught and Nguyen have extensive backgrounds as dietitian nutritionists that have provided them well-rounded experiences.
Haught started out as a clinical nutritionist at WVU Hospitals, where she spent 14 years treating a wide range of patients. She worked in pediatrics and at Chestnut Ridge Center, where she saw psychiatric patients.
Before she became program director of MCHD WIC in 2020, Haught also spent seven years at WVU as the campus dietitian.
“We provided free nutritional counseling to all WVU students,” she said. “I saw a lot of things. Weight management issues, eating disorders and food allergies were the big three.”
Nguyen has 18 years of experience as a nutritional dietitian. He has both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in human nutrition and foods as well as a 1,200-hour-plus dietetic internship with a community focus.
Nguyen uses gentle care and positivity to encourage others to succeed with living healthy lifestyles, he noted. His treatment spans the life cycle, from children to adults, pregnancy and geriatric care.”
“Throughout my career, I’ve worked with children and adults with various nutrition-related illnesses and diseases, eating and swallowing disorders, wound care, weight and diabetes management, among other conditions,” he said.
To make an appointment, call 304-598-5181. For more information, check out this 

MCHD’s nutritional counseling can help you in the new year

Sure, we understand that preparing a pomegranate can be a bit daunting. But this Winter Slaw recipe from WIC Kitchen is such a great addition to a holiday table and we have a hack for you: Soaking the pomegranates in cold water for about five minutes makes it easy to extract the seeds.
And adding the Orange Cranberry Bread will fill your home with festive and zesty scents and provide two new healthy dishes to your menu.
After all, oranges are high in vitamin C, fiber and folate, which support immune system health, digestion and also help to stabilize blood sugar. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants, which protect against inflammation, promote urinary tract health and help improve cholesterol levels. They also contain vitamin E, which supports skin health and protects cells from damage.
The kale in the Winter Slaw helps lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, protects against heart disease and helps prevent constipation. Like cranberries, Brussels sprouts are rich in antioxidants and contain anti-cancer compounds. They also support heart and gut health, as well as reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The savory slaw makes a great side dish for a holiday dinner, while the Orange Cranberry
Bread makes a tasty day-of breakfast for the family.
You could even make it the day before and heat it up in the morning. That way, you can also leave some out for Santa!




1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup sugar
Zest of three large oranges
3/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1 tablespoon orange juice fresh
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup fresh cranberries chopped or halved





Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a loaf pan with parchment or grease it well.
Combine flour, salt, baking powder and sugar in a bowl. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together orange zest, buttermilk, oil, eggs, orange juice and vanilla.
Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and gently fold together. Just before it is combined, add in cranberries and stir JUST until combined.
Pour into prepared pan and bake for about an hour, or until an inserted knife comes out clean.




4 tsp lemon juice
2 tbsp dijon mustard
4 tbsp olive oil
1 ½ tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp black pepper
½ small bunch curly green kale, thinly sliced
12 oz Brussels sprouts, trimmed and sliced
4 cup toasted almonds, roughly chopped
¼ cup pomegranate seeds
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese



In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, mustard, olive oil, salt and pepper.
In a large bowl, combine the kale, Brussels sprouts, almonds and pomegranate seeds. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Just before serving, top the salad with parmesan cheese.


Winter Slaw and Orange Cranberry Bread make the season cozy

, which takes place annually on Dec. 1, Monongalia County Health Department has a couple of new tools in its arsenal to help our patients prevent HIV, and staff members will be participating in outreach this week to connect community members with these options.
Since June, MCHD Clinical Services has been offering 

, or pre-exposure prophylaxis, a daily medication that is 99% effective in preventing HIV.
We also have Doxy-PEP, or Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, a post-exposure option that helps prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis.
Launched by the World Health Organization in 1988, World AIDS Day brings awareness to HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), which attacks the immune system and can lead to 

, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
MCHD Clinical Services providers have been happy with patient turnout for these medications.
“It’s going phenomenally,” said nurse practitioner Haley Tucker, APRN. “We’ve been able to help a lot of people in the community who want to have completely confidential care, and a lot of people who don’t want to use their insurance.”
HIV PrEP and Doxy-PEP can be billed to insurance, but MCHD Clinical Services also offers a sliding-scale fee that makes it affordable to anyone who needs it.
“People are really appreciative of how we help them find lowest-cost medication in the area,” Tucker said.”Before they leave, we look up prices everywhere.”
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV can be transmitted through bodily fluids, including blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal and vaginal fluids and breast milk.
These fluids must come in contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected into the bloodstream, with a needle or syringe, for transmission to occur, CDC information further notes.
Initial symptoms can appear two to four weeks after exposure and are often flu-like, which means they can easily be mistaken for other illnesses.
Monongalia County Health Department offers free testing for not only HIV, but other 

 including chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. Free treatment is offered for the latter three infections.
Individuals who want to find out if HIV PrEP and Doxy-PEP would be right for them can call 304-598-5119 for an appointment. Routine lab work will be conducted and Tucker can then prescribe the medication if it’s the right option for the patient.
Tucker notes that a variety of individuals can benefit from this treatment.
“Certain populations are at greater risk for contracting HIV, and that’s the bigger push for HIV PrEP,” she said. “But if anyone thinks that they are at risk, we are more than happy to consult with them and see if they are a good candidate.”
In observance of World AIDS Day, Tucker will be participating in events this week to hand out condoms, emergency contraception and PrEP information. MCHD Threat Preparedness will also be on hand to distribute naloxone and provide training if needed.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Tucker will be at the pylons at the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center for an event called Condoms & Cupcakes. During that same time frame, she will be at the WVU Mountainlair on Tuesday for Know Your Status, a free HIV testing event.
Then, on Friday from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.,Tucker will offer these options at Milan Puskar HeathRight in Morgantown.
“Clinical Services is very excited to participate in these events and spread information related to HIV PrEP and Doxy-PEP,” she said. “We will be able to provide counseling at the events for anyone who would like to discuss our services.”
Nurses at Monongalia County Health Department have undergone Safe Zone Training at the WVU LGBTQ+ Center and are known for their confidentiality and friendliness.
“Fortunately, we have welcoming nurses who provide non-judgmental care,” she said.
MCHD Clinical Services staff have been able to help a variety of patients of different ages and with different situations with HIV PrEP and Doxy-Pep. Tucker noted that patients so far have ranged in age from 18 to 65.
“HIV is unfortunately more prevalent than we would think in West Virginia, and it’s good to protect yourself,” she said. “HIV PrEP is indicated for anyone who thinks they would benefit from it.”


MCHD will be in the community this week with HIV PrEP info

Healthy Smiles Day: Free checkups to adults without dental insurance

MORGANTOWN — As Thanksgiving approaches, MCHD Dentistry continues the tradition of giving back to the community with Healthy Smiles Day, which provides a free cleaning and checkup for adults 18 years and older who do not have dental insurance.
As usual, the event is held on the day before Thanksgiving, Wednesday, Nov. 27. It’s a day that Monongalia County Health Department is open but not usually busy in terms of regular dental appointments, so it’s a great time to offer these services, said program manager Dr. Youseph Kassar.
Appointments for Healthy Smiles Day 2024 have been filled. The media is invited to cover Healthy Smiles Day. A time to visit can be coordinated with public information officer Mary Wade Burnside by calling 304-598-5152 or emailing MaryWade.Burnside@wv.gov.
MCHD Dentistry created Healthy Smiles Day in 2019, and, in spite of the COVID pandemic, saw 24 patients in 2020, and then 30 in 2021, 26 in 2022 and 30 in 2023. Thirty is the same number of patients who are scheduled for this year.
The event was created before Medicaid began providing up to $1,000 annually in dental benefits to adult patients, which has now changed to $2,000 in a two-year period.
“A couple of years ago, we were unsure if the new Medicaid benefit for adult patients would mean fewer patients taking advantage of Healthy Smiles Day, but that was not the case,” Kassar said. “I guess it shows there’s still a need for patients who are being left behind.”
Patients will receive a cleaning and checkup and, if needed, they also might be able to get same-day restorative work performed, depending on the time required and other circumstances.
The addition of a new dentist, Dr. Kayla Courtney, will help with the patient load and make restorative work even more likely, Dr. Kassar said.
More than 1 in 4 (26%) adults in the United States have untreated tooth decay. Also, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of all adults ages 30 or older show signs of gum disease; severe gum disease affects about 9% of adults. Adults who have a low income, have less than a high school education and are current smokers are two times more likely to have untreated cavities than comparison groups, the CDC states.
If left untreated, cavities and gum disease lead to tooth loss, which can affect quality of life, including nutrition.
Gum disease also increases the risk of having bacterial infection in the bloodstream, which can damage heart valves. The American Heart Association notes that research has shown a connection between heart disease and periodontal disease, the symptoms of which include gum infection, gum inflammation and tooth damage.
MCHD Dentistry is the only full-service dental practice located within a West Virginia health department. Services include cleanings, exams, oral health education, oral cancer screenings, digital X-rays, dental sealants, mouth guards, simple extractions, root canals, bridges, same-day crowns, implants, dentures and partials, custom bleaching trays, cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers and Invisalign tooth straightening.


Healthy Smiles Day: Free checkups to adults without dental insurance 

Want to switch up your holiday side dishes? As Thanksgiving approaches, Monongalia County Health Department’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is offering recipes for some tasty yet healthier options, with recipes chock full of vegetables and flavor.
These small twists on Thanksgiving classics are easy to make and family friendly too. Fresh, in-season fall flavors tend to be healthy and they set the color palette for a beautiful feast.
Sweet potatoes, from the Almost-Classic Sweet Potato Casserole, are rich in fiber, potassium, vitamin A (aka beta carotene) and vitamin C. These nutrients promote eye health, support the immune system, aid digestion and help regulate blood pressure.
They also provide antioxidants, which reduce inflammation and protect the body from free radicals, which are unstable atoms that can damage cells.
Broccoli, a main ingredient in the Broccoli and Cheddar Casserole with Leeks, is also a rich source of antioxidants, such as vitamins A, K and C, and is also important in a balanced diet because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. It also supports bone health and gut and digestive health.
Of course, we know Thanksgiving is usually about throwing out the calorie count, but these dishes provide the opportunity to consume some vegetables while also enjoying the treats that the holiday brings.
So let the season begin with a happy and healthy Thanksgiving dinner!




Broccoli and Cheddar Casserole with Leeks

Ingredients



3 lbs. broccoli, cut into small florets, stems peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch coins*
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 leeks, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise*
Kosher salt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk*
6 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, shredded (2 cups)*
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup coarsely crushed saltine crackers or Ritz crackers (We used Ritz)
1/2 cup sliced almonds
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted





Preheat the oven to 400°. Set a steamer basket in a large, deep saucepan filled with 1 inch of water and bring to a boil. Add all of the broccoli, cover and cook over high heat until crisp-tender, about five minutes. Transfer broccoli to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain.
In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil. Add leeks and a generous pinch of salt and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 10 minutes. Add flour and whisk over moderately high heat until bubbling and a paste forms, about two minutes. Add the milk and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened and bubbling, about five minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cheddar and cayenne. Season with salt and pepper.
Pour half of the cheese sauce into a large 2-inch-deep baking dish. Arrange the drained broccoli on top of the cheese sauce in a single layer and drizzle the remaining cheese sauce on top. In a small bowl, mix crackers with almonds and melted butter and sprinkle over the broccoli. Bake the casserole for 15 minutes, until the sauce is bubbling and the top is golden brown.



3 lbs. sweet potatoes (about three large), peeled, cut into 1” pieces*
2 large eggs, room temperature*
¼ cup half-and-half
½ cup packed dark brown sugar, divided
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, slightly cooled, divided
2¼ tsp. kosher salt, divided
2 cups Corn Flakes*
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
5 oz. mini marshmallows





Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Peel the sweet potatoes, cut into one-inch pieces and place in a 13”x9” baking dish or on a foil-lined baking sheet. Cover with foil and bake until tender, 50-60 minutes.
Whisk two large room temperature eggs, ¼ cup half-and-half, ¼ cup dark brown sugar, ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted, slightly cooled, and 1¼ teaspoon kosher salt in a small bowl to combine.
Transfer half of the sweet potatoes to a food processor, add half of egg mixture and process until smooth, about two minutes. Transfer purée to a large mixing bowl. Repeat with remaining sweet potatoes and egg mixture. Scrape all of the purée into baking dish.
Combine 2 cups cornflakes, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, remaining ¼ cup brown sugar, remaining ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted melted butter that has been slightly cooled and remaining 1 tsp.kosher salt in a large sealed plastic bag and shake to coat cereal.
Arrange Corn Flakes mixture and marshmallows over top of purée in alternating diagonal stripes. Bake casserole until marshmallows are golden brown, 25–30 minutes.


*Ingredients with an asterisk next to them are available through Monongalia County Health Department WIC. Call us at 304-598-5181 for more information. 


Healthier takes on classic Thanksgiving sides

Way back during a different decade and in a different county, I went to a bar to see a friend of mine perform with her band.
I could only make it through a few songs before the thick, secondhand cigarette smoke I was inhaling made it impossible for me to breathe comfortably. So I left.
Later, I found out that my friend wasn’t super happy having to sing with all that smoke swirling around either.
I mentioned it to a smoking co-worker, who said, “But you went to a bar, so you must have known there would be cigarette smoke.”
But he later changed his tune when he complained about a co-worker’s smoke. He had quit, and he had to admit that I was right.
Smoking is gross, and once you are no longer accustomed to it (i.e., you gain back your sense of smell), it’s not fun to breathe in it.
I grew up around smoke. Both my parents and one grandmother smoked. Car rides weren’t a whole lot of fun.
But when I was around 13, my father caught a cold and quit smoking for the duration. And then… he never picked it back up. He became like my former co-worker and couldn’t stand it anymore. I consider it the cold that helped extend his life.
Coincidentally, just as I was moving away from home, the “no smoking” movement was gaining ground. For the most part, I’ve spent my career not having to deal with other people’s bad habit.
This topic is relevant year-round in West Virginia, where smoking rates top those of every other state at 21%, nearly twice the national average of 11.5%.
But as we approach Thanksgiving and the new year, and with 

 taking place in November, it’s a great time to highlight the 


This annual event, launched by the American Cancer Society in 1977, takes place this Thursday with a goal of urging smokers to go one day without a cigarette.
The hope is that if you give up smoking for one day, maybe you’ll consider doing it for another day, and then another.
If you quit on Nov. 21, one week later, on Thanksgiving, your turkey dinner will taste a little better because smoking dulls your taste buds and they would be perking up again already.
As the American Cancer Society points out: 20 minutes after quitting, your heart rate and blood pressure drop. After 12 hours, carbon monoxide levels in your blood drop to normal.
After two weeks to three months, circulation improves and lung function increases.
After one to nine months, coughing and shortness of breath decrease. Cilia start to regain function in your lungs, increasing their ability to clean the lungs and reduce the risk of infection.
Several of Monongalia County Health Department’s programs have been vital in their fight to decrease the incidence of smoking among West Virginia residents.
As of March 9, 2012, smoking has been prohibited by the Monongalia County Board of Health in enclosed spaces, including, but not limited to, restaurants and bars. MCHD Environmental Health sanitarians are responsible for enforcing the 

, which was amended as of Feb. 1, 2017 to include electronic smoking devices to the prohibition.
The effect of this not only protects non-smoking customers, but also the employees of these establishments as well as any musicians who might be playing, like my friend that I had wanted to see several years ago.
Also, patients at MCHD Dentistry receive a very thorough oral cancer screening during their checkups and smoking cessation information is available not only through that program, but also MCHD Clinical Services and MCHD WIC.
Check out Monongalia County Health Department’s website at monchd.org to see if any of our services would be right for you.
State residents also can turn to the 

, which offers not only counseling but also products to help people ditch this dangerous habit.
These services are especially important in our state, because in a report released earlier this year by the American Lung Association, West Virginia was listed as “the worst state in the nation for adult smoking and high school tobacco use; and among the worst for tobacco control policies.”
Smoking is addictive and it’s not easy to quit. Setting goals and seeking help is a great way to start.
And when Jan. 1 rolls around, you could be well on the path to completing one of the most important New Year’s resolutions you’ll ever make.

Quitting for a day might help you quit forever

Monongalia County Health Department has scheduled a special board meeting, to be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, to select an accounting firm to conduct the health department's annual audit. 

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