Calvert Health Department describes Destination Wellness program that aims to cut avoidable ED visits

The Calvert County Health Department presented its Destination Wellness (DW) program to the Board of Health as a care‑coordination and case‑management initiative focused on "high utilizers" of emergency services. Dr. Tameza Mora, introduced by Jennifer Moreland, said the program identifies patients referred by hospitals, EMS and mobile crisis teams, conducts social determinants screenings and develops individualized care plans tied to housing, utilities, transportation and medical needs.

Program staff reported early enrollment and outcomes: 41 clients enrolled July–December 2025, of whom 44% were frequent emergency‑department users and 39% frequently used EMS transport; January 2026 alone saw 19 new enrollments. Presenters said 80% of the factors driving overuse were nonmedical (housing instability 35%, food insecurity 25%, transportation 20%). Dr. Mora summarized the program's fiscal case by saying the "annual operating cost is approximately 200,200 thousand dollars annually" and that the program breaks even if it prevents as few as 1.5 hospital admissions per month.

Mika Blizzard, the program manager, described referral pathways and follow‑up: the team conducts home visits, provides transition‑care management and follows clients for up to 90 days on average—longer when needed. Commissioners asked about geographic reach and sustainability; staff said the program has a three‑year CHRC grant and is pursuing rural health transformation support to scale services.

The board thanked staff and volunteers and requested continued reporting of measurable outcomes as the grant period continues.