What’ s New in
HEALTH & WELLNESS
ADVERTISEMENT photos: Chris Jackson
MERITUS MEDICAL LABORATORY
THE TRUSTED COMMUNITY LAB FOR TIMELY, ACCURATE RESULTS
At Meritus Medical Laboratory, Medical Director John G. Newby, M. D.( top), and the staff of pathologists and technicians( right) provide crucial testing services including pathology, microbiology and bacteriology( above), hematology and infectious diseases.
The Giving Spirit
Meritus Medical Laboratory also provides transfusion services.“ If you need a blood transfusion, we make sure that your blood is compatible,” Dr. Newby notes. Donations to the local blood bank are handled by the American Red Cross in Washington County. Blood donors can give for themselves for an upcoming procedure or give to the bank in general— creating a crucial resource for patients in emergency need.“ At this time, we have no other source of blood,” Dr. Newby says.“ So the civic responsibility is, if you ever need it in the future, give it now while you can because hopefully somebody will be there to give to you if you need it.”
There’ s no substitute for the knowledge and insight of today’ s doctors, but a confirmed diagnosis is most often based on test results. And that’ s where the Meritus Medical Laboratory comes in.“ Laboratory tests play a tremendous role in any diagnosis. They’ re pretty serious tools in any physician’ s arsenal,” says MML Medical Director John G. Newby, M. D.“ We give them the information that they need to render the appropriate diagnosis.”
Formerly Hagerstown Medical Laboratory, Meritus Medical Laboratory is a full-service regional clinical lab serving Meritus Medical Center and the community through nine walkin patient service centers.“ We’ re a member of the Meritus family,” Dr. Newby says.“ It was time for us to have a name that people can identify with everything that Meritus Health stands for and does.” Led by three board-certified pathologists, including Dr. Newby, the laboratory staff generates timely, accurate test results 24 hours a day, seven days a week— processing more than two million tests a year.
“ We have a full-service laboratory at a level above that which you’ d find at most community hospitals, because of our significant outreach,” Dr. Newby says. MML’ s testing capabilities encompass anatomic pathology, microbiology and bacteriology, hematology— testing the blood for glucose, enzymes and more— autoimmune disease testing, confirming
infectious diseases such as strep throat, and much more. Technicians analyze cells to determine malignancy, including processing about 20,000 pap tests from community OB / GYNs, and perform maintenance tests for patients on medications like blood thinners.
To ensure precise testing, the Meritus Medical Laboratory staff is held to a high level of excellence.“ Our technical staff is excellent. We have people with significant expertise in the laboratory in various disciplines. Many have been here for decades.” In addition to examining specimens under the microscope, Dr. Newby and the lab’ s pathologists are readily available to speak with patients’ doctors.“ We are here in a consulting basis to discuss any patient issue, suggest additional testing or to facilitate additional testing being done.” And at the nine patient service centers, the knowledgeable staff members not only answer patient questions about testing, but do so in a friendly, positive manner that makes for a smooth experience.“ Our job is to do it right, to do it fast, and in this day and age, to do it economically,” Dr. Newby says.“ And we do all of that right here at Meritus Medical Laboratory.” l
MERITUS MEDICAL LABORATORY
Robinwood Professional Center 11110 Medical Campus Road, Suite 230, Hagerstown • 301-665-4900 Visit www. meritushealth. com / lab for additional locations.
84 May / June 2013 Hagerstown: The Best of Life in Washington County & Beyond