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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!



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


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!


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

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.


The regular, bi-monthly meeting of the Monongalia County Board of Health will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, 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, Jan. 30

 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.



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

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. 

The meeting will be held virtually via Google Meet. If you would like an invite, please email Kelly Grow at Kelly.A.Grow@wv.gov. 

MCHD schedules special board meeting to select accounting firm

Upgraded, state-of-the art Smile Express introduced at reception

Members of the community got the opportunity to tour and learn more about Monongalia County Health Department’s new, custom-made, state-of-the-art Smile Express mobile dentistry unit during a reception on Friday afternoon.
The $500,000 Winnebago commercial chassis that carries a two-operatory dental office with all the bells and whistles was delivered in September and has already been out on the road for visits to area schools and recovery centers.
The new vehicle replaced the 2005 retrofitted RV that has been used since Smile Express was launched in September 2018.
“Our work is as needed as it was back then,” said Tiffany Summerlin, a registered dental hygienist and the Smile Express coordinator. “A lot has changed since 2018 in the world and also in dental care, but so much has stayed the same.”
Summerlin noted that the opioid crisis as well as more grandparents raising grandchildren has impacted the Smile Express program because it changes the dynamics of taking children for dental care.
She addressed Jim Smallridge, the director of community development, and CEO Todd White, both of Aetna Better Health of West Virginia, which provided the funding for the new mobile unit.
“Your support has enabled us to do important and compassionate work and it is making a difference to a wide variety of your neighbors,” Summerlin said.
Smallridge, who met Summerlin two years ago when both served on the executive board of directors of Mountaineer Food Bank, also spoke.
“A lot of people don’t consider the importance of dentistry to general health,” Smallridge said. “It’s not just teeth. It’s also about preventing heart disease. And there are also the psychosocial effects, especially when you are working with people in recovery. When people see them in a different light, they see themselves in a different light.”
Other reception speakers included Sam Chico, president of the Monongalia County Board of Health, Anthony DeFelice, executive director of Monongalia County Health Department and Dr. Youseph Kassar, program director of MCHD Dentistry, which oversees the Smile Express program.
“As you know dental health is important to overall health and it is our mission to ensure everyone has the opportunity to receive the dental care they need,” DeFelice said. “The new mobile unit is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and staffed by skilled professionals who provide quality dental care.”
Just as with the original vehicle, Smile Express 2.0 features digital X-ray equipment, including a panoramic and software that allows Smile Express providers to communicate in real time with a dentist back at the health department.
As for upgrades, “There are almost too many to name,” said Summerlin before listing some off. “A wheelchair lift to accommodate any patient of any ability, drag wheels to allow us to safely traverse hilly parking lots without losing our rear end, audio/video entertainment options, a custom sterilization center with two autoclaves, backup and side view cameras and much more.”
Smile Express allows MCHD Dentistry staffers to go out into communities and provide care to those without a dental home. Currently, Smile Express has memoranda of agreement with boards of education in four counties: Monongalia, Marion, Harrison and Wetzel. A newer focus has been recovery centers, including Wise Path in Westover, the WVU Center for Hope and Healing, and most recently Valley Health Care System in Fairmont.
For the recovery center visits, patients with insurance or Medicaid can be billed, but the program has been awarded a $51,000 grant from the Monongalia County Commission Opioid Settlement Fund too.
“This will allow us to meet the comprehensive needs of many individuals without having to worry if we have exceeded their allowed benefit,” Summerlin said.
Since the program began six years ago, Smile Express has recorded 2,000 student visits, and in the past year and a half, 250 recovery center patients have also been seen.
When patients are treated on Smile Express, all insurances, including Medicaid, can be billed.
“We offset charges for individuals who have financial hardship,” Summerlin said.
The new “Smiley” was an empty box on top of a Winnebago commercial chassis that was then designed into two dental offices by ADI Mobile Health in Tualatin, Oregon.
Summerlin’s connection to Aetna’s Smallridge is a key factor in the new Smile Express’ story. “Some of you may know, if I have a chance to talk about Smile Express, I take it,” Summerlin said. “In those few blips of conversation with Jim, I must have made an impression, because when Aetna Better Health of West Virginia was poised to provide some financial support for tackling health disparities, Jim thought of asking me if we could put that money to good use.”
During his remarks, Smallridge referred to Summerlin’s background in the U.S. Marine Corps.
“When a female Marine brings this to you, you stop and listen,” he joked.


 Upgraded, state-of-the art Smile Express mobile unit introduced at reception

 is a painful condition in the jaw that can sometimes be cured. But in many cases, it can only be managed.
Luckily, in the past couple of years, Monongalia County Health Department’s full-service dental office has started offering a TMJ treatment to patients that might surprise some people: Botox and Jeuveau.
Usually thought of as brands of cosmetic injections (or neuromodulators) to smooth wrinkles, Botox and Jeuveau also helps relax muscles in the jaw, which then can reduce tension and strain that not only can cause pain at the site but also other symptoms such as headaches and difficulty chewing.
“TMJ disorder can be fairly common in our patients,” said Dr. Youseph Kassar, program manager of MCHD Dentistry.
In addition to his traditional dentist duties, Dr. Kassar has also been trained on how to administer Botox and Jeuveau, both cosmetically and therapeutically, which includes using it to treat TMJ disorder.
November National TMJ Awareness Month, according to the 

(tmj.org), a 501(c)3 patient advocacy group.
TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, which connects the jaw to the rest of the head.
“When this joint becomes painful or affects daily life, it becomes TMJ disorder,” Dr. Kassar said.
TMJ can start with a clicking and popping of the joint, he added.
“While this alone is not an issue, it is something to keep an eye on. TMJ disorder can be a chronic issue that worsens with time. Overuse of the joint can lead to further wear and tear.”
Symptoms of TMJ disorder can include pain in the jaw muscles, pain in the neck and shoulders,
chronic headaches, jaw muscle stiffness, limited movement or locking of the jaw, a bite that feels off, dizziness and vision problems, according to the TMJ Association’s website.
It also can affect the ears, resulting in ear pain, pressure, fullness and ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus.
Many patients, Dr. Kassar noted, report something called “bruxism,” a clenching or grinding of the teeth that can lead to a sore jaw, sensitive teeth and pain in the TMJ and surrounding areas.
“Many treatments include managing the pain and discomfort,” Dr. Kassar said. “If it becomes severe enough, then surgical options may be necessary to relieve it.”
According to the TMJ Association, approximately 36 million Americans suffer from TMJ and 90% of patients seeking treatment are women of childbearing age.
MCHD Dentistry has been offering Botox and Jeuveau both cosmetically and therapeutically for about two years now. It can be used therapeutically when it’s injected into the masseter muscle to relax it, which can provide relief for bruxism and therefore, TMJ disorder.
If it works, the treatment must be repeated every three to five months in order to continue getting the positive effects, Dr. Kassar said. “Further treatment may be necessary or be paired with the use of splints or physical therapy.”
In addition to the TMJ Association’s website, the National Institute of Health’s website also offers information on TMJ disorder symptoms, diagnosis and treatments as well as additional resources.
Dr. Kassar has witnessed patients experiencing relief from the condition with Botox and Jeuveau injections. He recalled one patient who had a lot of tension and soreness in the masseter and Botox was used.
At a follow-up visit, the patient reported less discomfort and the masseter was noticeably less tense, he added.
“We’re pleased that this is an option that we are able to offer our patients who are experiencing this condition,” Dr. Kassar said.
And for 

patients who want some help to relieve wrinkles, crow’s feet and bunny lines and “angry 11s,” 

Call 304-598-5108 to make an appointment at MCHD Dentistry.

Botox for TMJ? MCHD Dentistry can help!

According to the internet, some of the most popular Halloween costumes we can expect to see out and about this year include Spider-Man, Anxiety from “Inside Out 2,” Shrunken Head Bob from the “Beetlejuice” movies and pop star Sabrina Carpenter.
These all sound like great ideas, but in whatever way these looks are put together, the No. 1 rule to keep in mind is safety.
After all, Halloween should be spooky, not unsafe.
According to the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

 costumes should be flame resistant and have bright and reflective features, either built-in or by adding strips of tape. Hats and other elements shouldn’t obscure a child’s view and if make-up is involved, test it in advance by putting a small amount on the child’s arm.
And wearing decorative contact lenses can cause eye injuries, so definitely avoid those!
Costumes are just one element of staying secure this Halloween. Other considerations include pedestrian safety and avoiding any loot that could be dangerous.
That means watching both ways before crossing the street (and driving slowly during trick-or-treat hours), and also inspecting the goodies in the bright lights of home before they are consumed.


One way to avoid both scenarios is to attend a Trunk-or-Treat event. And coincidentally, Monongalia County Health Department has organized one this year. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29

, a group of staffers will be dressed up (in safe costumes, of course) to hand out candy to our attendees. All are invited to join the party outside our main building at 453 Van Voorhis Road in Morgantown.
Of course, because we are the health department, we’re also going to advocate for ways to make the eating experience better for children.
One way is to have a nutritious snack before going trick-(or trunk)-or-treating. Obviously, hunger is going to make those fun-sized candy bars and small bags of Skittles an appealing method to power through the difficult activity of knocking on doors or going from car to car, holding out a bag or plastic pumpkin.
Going back to the CDC for more healthy candy tips:
Parents who have children with nut or other food allergies are accustomed to reading product labels, but it never hurts to put out a reminder. Also, for those throwing parties or taking treats to a class, consider what ingredients to use. Maybe don’t include peanuts or peanut butter. Jason Nguyen, a nutritionist with MCHD Women, Infants and Children’s (WIC) program, also suggests looking into the Teal Pumpkin Project (foodallergy.org/our-initiatives/awareness-campaigns/living-teal/teal-pumpkin-project). Teal plastic pumpkins containing non-food items are placed on a porch or doorstep or used to pass out fun little prizes.
For very young children, make sure to keep choking hazards such as gum, hard candy and small toys from the approved Halloween pile.
Finally, as Monongalia County Health Department is also home to MCHD Dentistry, of course we’re going to remind everyone that sweets are good in moderation and that there are ways to consume sugar to make it safer for your teeth. According to the 


Eating sugary snacks during or right afterward a meal helps mitigate the effects of sugar on your teeth.
Avoid sticky and sour candy as well as gummies that stay in your mouth (and on your teeth) for a long time. Also, sour candies are high in dietary acids that attack the hard, protective coating on the enamel of your teeth.
This is an instance in which, comparatively, chocolate is good for you, especially dark chocolate, which contains less cavity-causing sugar.
Chew sugar-free gum with the ADA seal.
We hope everyone enjoys Halloween. And feel free to drop by Monongalia County Health Department’s Trunk-or-Treat, starting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29. Who knows, you just might get a new toothbrush from MCHD Dentistry to add to your holiday stockpile!


Email Mary Wade Burnside at MaryWade.Burnside@wv.gov.

Halloween should be spooky, not unsafe!



After a long, hot and dry summer, temperatures are finally getting cooler and fall is in the air.

What better way to start off a foggy and cozy morning with a breakfast that celebrates October, and is healthy to boot?

This month’s WIC Kitchen offers a Pumpkin Spice Latte and Waffles with Cranberry Orange Syrup.

You might be wondering, “Is Pumpkin Spice Latte really healthy?” According to WIC nutritionist Sarah Moore, who compiled these recipes, it’s an alternative that’s better for you than what you might find at a coffee shop.

Plus, pumpkins are great for heart health because they contain vitamins A and C as well as thiamine. They are also high in beta-carotene, which is known to benefit skin and eye health.

And the waffle recipe adds cranberries, which are full of antioxidants. That’s also a boon for heart health that can also aid in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.

So put on your robe and slippers, grab your newspaper and enjoy a seasonal breakfast!





1 cup strong coffee

1 tablespoon pumpkin puree*

1 tablespoon maple syrup

4 ounces (½ cup) fresh whole milk*

¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (double for two servings when steaming)





Make coffee or espresso.

Use a spoon to mix the coffee with pumpkin puree and maple syrup, stirring until the pumpkin is completely dissolved.

Froth warm milk. We used a handheld frother, a whisk can be used too.

Pour the spiced milk into the center of the coffee, ending with light foam, using half the steamed or frothed milk for one drink. If desired, garnish with extra pumpkin spices. Enjoy!



Waffles with Cranberry Orange Syrup

Ingredients:



3/4 cup honey

3/4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries*

1 teaspoon orange zest*

5 tablespoons toasted almonds

Waffle mix of your choice





Preheat waffle maker

Bring honey, cranberries to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring often. Cook until the cranberries burst, about four minutes. Remove from heat and stir in orange zest. Set aside.

Meanwhile, prepare waffle batter according to package directions

Pour approximately ⅓ cup of batter mixture into waffle maker

Once waffles are done, top with cranberry orange syrup. Serve and enjoy!



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

Healthy fall flavors for the whole family

If you have a chance to listen to the radio in the mornings, Monongalia County Health Department has something new for you.

Mon Health Medical Center’s CEO David Goldberg has graciously given over their half-hour “Talk Radio” spot on WAJR (104.5 FM and 1440 AM) on the last Monday of each month to Dr. Brian Huggins, our health officer.

A week ago Monday, Dr. Huggins took the mic at 8:30 a.m., along with Board of Health president Sam Chico, to discuss “Health Department 101.”

Huggins took over his position from Dr. Lee B. Smith this summer and has been managing changes, some of which were already in progress. Those changes include ones to Clinical Services, which he now oversees.

“Our goal is to expand services,” Dr. Huggins said. “Right now, we’re really focused on creating efficiency and finding the right mix of staffing to be able to increase the number of appointments that we’re currently offering.”

One new service, introduced in June, has already received some attention — 

, or HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, which can keep individuals from catching the infectious virus.

“It’s been super successful,” Dr. Huggins said. “We’ve got well over 15 regularly returning patients and we’re getting new patients every week.”

Coming soon will be 

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) exams

, which Dr. Huggins, a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, had already been certified to perform.

“Almost every licensed pilot requires an aeromedical exam,” Dr. Huggins said. “I’ve been in the Air Force doing it for military personnel for 12 years.”

Dr. Huggins has earned certification for all three classes available, which means he’s able to perform exams for commercial airline pilots too.

“They have to get an exam at least annually, and once they hit 40, once every six months,” he said.

But of course, Monongalia County Health Department has five other programs besides 

, the federally-funded nutrition program that MCHD operates in six counties.

Our most exciting new arrival has been a brand new, customized Winnebago to replace our original mobile dentistry unit. 

 was launched in 2018, utilizing a pre-owned RV that had been retrofitted as two dental treatment areas. Because Smiley 2.0 was modeled to the specifications of Smile Express coordinator Tiffany Summerlin, it has better feng shui, a bigger secondary dental operatory and all sorts of bells and whistles.

It also features a more efficient and comfortable station for dental assistant Velvet Urgo, with all the same high-tech offerings as the last one, including panoramic X-rays and software that allows a dentist back at the health department to look at images in real time. Plus, unlike its predecessor, this one has a wheelchair lift.

Summerlin, Urgo and Smiley were back out on the beat last week, seeing patients at recovery centers. As usual, these individuals expressed a great deal of appreciation to have a caring provider help them make plans for their smiles.

“It’s so great that you guys do this program!” one exclaimed.

Monongalia County Health Department offers so many services that they can’t all be listed in a column. But you can check us out at www.monchd.org.

We’ll leave you with these announcements. As the weather gets cooler, it’s the best time to get a 

 test, which can be performed by certified specialists at MCHD. Call 304-598-5131 or check out monchd.org/services/radon to make an appointment.
Finally, MCHD will be holding a 

event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29 at our main office at 453 Van Voorhis Road. Please come by and grab some candy. Because we’re the health department, there will be some toothbrushes in the mix too!


Public Health 101 hits the airwaves

Monongalia County Health Department will be holding a Trunk or Treat event from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the health department, 453 Van Voorhis Road, Morgantown. Stop by for treats and even some toothbrushes. Hope to see you there!

You're invited to MCHD's Trunk or Treat event!

 (QRT) launched our first Save a Life Day three years ago, we had no idea how popular the event would become.

Since then, we’ve handed out thousands of doses of lifesaving 

, which attaches to opioid receptors and reverses the effects of an overdose.

And we’ve placed that medication in the hands of community members, people of all ages.

After all, anybody can experience an overdose. A child getting into a medicine cabinet. An individual with memory issues taking the wrong dose of a prescription.

Young people experimenting with what they believe to be recreational drugs which, unknown to them, could be laced with deadly fentanyl.

And yes, those who are dealing with substance use disorder, which can happen for a variety of reasons, including mental issues or a legitimate prescribed pain medication that got out of control.

The next Appalachia-wide Free Naloxone Day, as it’s called now, will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at locations around Monongalia County. Go to 

 and click on “Free Naloxone Day” to learn more.

It’s a great time to discuss the importance of naloxone, especially because we know that not everyone understands this life-saving medication.

We’ve seen the comments on social media.

“Why can’t I get my insulin for free?”

Or, “Why does my EpiPen cost so much but people don’t have to pay for naloxone?”

These are great questions. After all, until recently, the cost of insulin had become so expensive that some diabetes patients were having to make choices between their health and other necessities.

Joe Klass of Monongalia County Health Department’s Threat Preparedness program as well as a paramedic, noted another difference: It’s easy to train someone how to use naloxone and it doesn’t hurt someone even if there hasn’t been an opioid overdose.

Also, insulin is a prescribed medication that an individual must take at specific times, while naloxone is something that people need to have nearby in order to treat someone who is having an overdose.

“We’re in a situation in this country where we are having over 100,000 deaths in a year due to drug overdoses,” said Lindsay Acree, the University of Charleston’s Director of Experiential Education and an assistant professor at UC’s School of Pharmacy.

“When somebody is experiencing an opioid overdose, they can’t administer it to themselves,” added Acree, who is also a member of the Monongalia County QRT. “It has to be in the hands of others so they can administer it to save a life.

“Getting it out there increases the likelihood” that a community member who has naloxone “is going to be the person who finds that individual and may possibly be able to help them.”

Naloxone obtained by UC mostly comes via the State Opioid Response (SOR) funds through the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). In some counties, settlement funds from the pharmaceutical companies that helped drive the epidemic may also help pay for the medication.

This year, 14,628 two-dose naloxone kits will be spread among West Virginia’s 55 counties for the Sept. 26 event, Acree said. Monongalia County will receive 1,404 kits, or 2,808 doses, from the state.

Monongalia County Health Department launched the multi-agency, collaborative QRT in the spring of 2019 after receiving grant funding, and held its first Save a Life Day in September 2021.

“This is one tool that we have to address the overdose crisis,” said QRT coordinator Brittany Irick, who also works as a grant writer at Monongalia County Health Department.

She notes that West Virginia has the highest number of kids in foster care, many due to parents with SUD.

“It can help a parent get their children back,” Irick noted. “And it’s preventing future generations from drug use and substance use disorder.”

There is good news, however. Just this week, Dr. Rahul Gupta, the former director of the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health who now serves as the head of the U.S. Office of Drug Control Policy, told National Public Radio that there has been a significant drop in overdose deaths in the past five months. The drop has been attributed in a large part to naloxone.

So please consider stopping by one of our locations on Thursday and picking some up. You never know whose life you might save.

Why naloxone is free and why you should get it

The Monongalia County Board of Health will meet at 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26,  in the first floor training room at Monongalia County Health Department, 453 Van Voorhis Road. Click 

Anyone who wants to attend the board of health meeting in person should enter through the front door at the upper level and walk through the temperature scanner before entering. To attend via Zoom, email Kelly Grow at 

 or call 304-598-5147 to get a Zoom invite before 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25. 

Board of Health meeting will take place on Thursday, Sept. 26

Monongalia County QRT's Free Naloxone Day will be bigger and better

 The Monongalia County Quick Response Team (QRT) has been holding Free Naloxone Day events for three years now, and the one taking place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, promises to be bigger and better.
First of all, the event that started in two West Virginia counties in 2020 has expanded to all 55 counties and this year, to 31 other states, according to SOAR WV, the Charleston-based group that has helped coordinate Save a Life and Free Naloxone Days.
Also, the number of two-dose naloxone kits that the Monongalia County QRT has to give out will be more than ever. The state is providing 1,404 kits, or 2,808 doses to Monongalia County, and the QRT has additional doses of the medication that reverses an opioid overdose, noted QRT coordinator Brittany Irick, who is also a grant writer for Monongalia County Health Department.
“We expect to give out everything we got from the state, plus what we already own,” Irick said.
And the Monongalia County QRT has upped its swag game and will be handing out cryptid-themed stickers featuring the annual Free Naloxone Day T-shirt design. Cartoon renditions of Mothman and the Braxton County Monster hold a naloxone dispenser with the words “Saving Lives in the Mountain State” underneath.
“I like that it encompasses West Virginia and what makes it unique,” Irick said.
The QRT was formed in April 2019 using grant funding obtained by MCHD and includes several agencies in the region working together to combat substance use disorder.
QRT members and volunteers will be stationed at 12 locations around Monongalia County: the
Sabraton and Suncrest Towne Centre McDonald's restaurants; Pop The Soda Shop in Westover; WVU Mountainlair; WVU Rec Center; WVU Health Science Center; Pierpont Pharmacy; 7-Eleven in Blacksville; Rock Forge Presbyterian Church; Arnettsville Community Center and two new downtown locations, the courthouse plaza and Ruby Amphitheater.
The WVU Mountainlair site will also offer HIV testing, Irick noted.
Lindsay Acree, the University of Charleston’s Director of Experiential Education, an assistant professor at UC’s School of Pharmacy and a member of the Monongalia County QRT, coordinates naloxone distribution from UC to different counties.
UC obtains naloxone mostly through the State Opioid Response (SOR) funds, which come from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
In some counties, settlement funds from the pharmaceutical companies that helped drive the epidemic may also help pay for the medication, Acree said.
This year, 14,628 two-dose naloxone kits will be spread among each of West Virginia’s counties for the Sept. 26 event, Acree added.
During the Monongalia County QRT’s first Save a Life Day in September 2021, about 704 kits, or 1,408 doses of naloxone, were distributed throughout the community. Those numbers rose each year, to 810 kits, or 1,620 doses, in 2022; and 1,037 kits, or 2,074 doses, in 2023. Figures from smaller events throughout the year are not included in that tally.
“The 1,404 kits, or 2,808 doses we are receiving this year is a nice increase and we’re really grateful to have more naloxone to get into the hands of our community members,” Irick said.
As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes, “Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications — when given in time.”
Naloxone, or Narcan, the brand handed out by the QRT, is easy to have on hand when needed, and giving it to someone who is not having an overdose will not hurt them. Narcan is a nasal spray, and all volunteers undergo training and can teach community members who attend Free Naloxone Day how to administer it in about five minutes.
Joe Klass of MCHD Threat Preparedness who also works as a paramedic, has revived patients using naloxone.
“How effective it is and how fast it works is amazing,” Klass said. “It’s pretty cool how it takes someone who is not breathing and gets them breathing again in front of your eyes.”
As Acree noted, distributing naloxone to individuals who can give it to someone having an overdose is vital to how the medication works.
“When somebody is experiencing an opioid overdose, they can’t administer it to themselves. It has to be in the hands of others so they can administer it to save a life,” Acree said. Experiencing an overdose is not just limited to those with substance use disorder. Children can get into medicine cabinets, young people experimenting with recreational drugs can unknowingly ingest deadly amounts of fentanyl and individuals with memory issues can sometimes forget if they have taken their medication and then take a second dose.
“I don’t have memory issues but I can tell you, I’ve forgotten if I’ve taken maintenance medication,” Acree said. “It can be anybody who forgot they took it.”


To learn more about Free Naloxone Day and to watch a video about naloxone and its administration, go to 

Monongalia County QRT's Free Naloxone Day will be bigger and better 

How are you liking these (mostly) cooler temperatures in the 70s and 80s that we’ve had for the past week? It’s nice after on-and-off 90-plus degrees temps and stifling humidity for the past two and a half months.
Extreme heat is a public health issue. It’s something that we take seriously here at Monongalia County Health Department, posting social media messages for people to drink plenty of water and avoid the heat when they can.
And, along with heavy rain, flooding and yes, even tornadoes, extreme weather is just one event that we should prepare for. You’ve probably watched news footage of floods, mudslides and other weather disasters in other parts of the country, including the most recent as Hurricane Francine lashes Louisiana. Or maybe you evacuated a beach town last month because of Hurricane Debby.
By the time September rolls around, it makes sense to spend time during 

 considering how we all can make our lives safer.
After all, it’s not a matter of if, but when your power will go out or you will need to deal with some type of emergency.
And the topics above are only weather-related. Threats can come in many forms, some natural, some accidental and others created by “bad actors.”
MCHD’s Threat Preparedness works to keep the community safe from whatever might happen. Just last week, Threat Prep staffers helped organize a field hospital during the WVU football season opener at Milan Puskar Stadium to help keep emergency department visits down, and also walked around with radiation detectors to ward off any potential misbehavior.
Monongalia County Health Department also offers classes, including CPR, Stop the Bleed and naloxone administration, and the Quick Response Team that we coordinate will be participating in the Appalachia-wide Free Naloxone Day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 in various locations around Monongalia County.
To schedule a training, email Joseph.L.Klass@wv.gov.
But there are other things you can do to be prepared for an emergency.


, FEMA’s preparedness site, encourages everyone to make a kit to be ready for any type of incident and also to make a family plan for a variety of circumstances. You can refer to the website to see a list of practical items to gather.
Other suggestions include:
• Learn how to receive emergency alerts.
• Make plans for both sheltering in place and also evacuation.
• Create a communication plan with your family in case disaster strikes when you are at different locations.
There are also financial preparations you can make to better help in the event of an emergency.
• Keep financial, critical household and medical information handy, including printed copies.
• Purchase homeowners or renters insurance, as well as health and life insurance if you don’t have them.
• Consider saving money in an emergency savings account that could be used in any crisis. Keep a small amount of cash at home in a safe place. It is important to have small bills on hand because ATMs and credit cards may not work during a disaster when you need to purchase necessary supplies, fuel or food. Remember, homeowners insurance typically doesn’t cover flooding, so if you believe this is a risk to your property, look into flood insurance.
Additionally, so many people are pet owners and you don’t want to forget about your furry (or scaly) family members. Microchipping dogs and cats will aid in them being reunited with you more easily.
You also might want to make a plan with your neighbors, including those with pets who can serve as an evacuation backup in case you are gone, and vice versa. But getting to know your neighbors is also a good idea in general, because you can help each other out and check on the elderly and others who might need assistance when an incident occurs, even a power outage.
Disasters aren’t fun to think about but being prepared makes them easier to handle when something happens.


Are you prepared? These days, it's necessary.

Everybody loves a good snack, and of course that includes kids. Sure, you can buy them at the supermarket, but here at 

 Kitchen, we thought with some preparation and cooking time, plus ingredients that you might already have in the fridge and pantry, you can make healthier versions that are delicious.
Fruit Leather snacks are similar to fruit roll-ups, except these aren’t processed and are free of dyes, which is a pretty big topic among parents these days.
Like the Strawberry Chia Granola Bars, these feature strawberries, which are high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Antioxidants are great for helping to combat back-to-school germs.
Oatmeal is also great for the immune system, as it contains beta-glucan, zinc and selenium. It’s also high in protein, which we need to build muscles.
Both recipes are great to make on the weekend and eat throughout the week as a lunch side or a health after-school snack.
We tested them on a nearly 3-year-old and she loved them and asked for more! We thought they were pretty tasty too. Enjoy!





1 pound fresh or frozen fruit of your choice.* Applesauce works too. We used strawberries, mango and applesauce.
1 tsp lemon juice*
Honey to taste



Preheat oven to the lowest temperature possible. We did 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Puree fruit in a high-speed blender until super smooth.
Add lemon juice and puree again.
Spread smooth fruit puree onto the lined baking sheet.
Dehydrate fruit leather in oven for three to four hours, until the center is not sticky to the touch.
Remove from the oven and let fruit leather cool completely on the baking sheet.
Slide the parchment paper off the baking sheet (this is a good size for this recipe) onto a cutting board. Using a pizza cutter or knife, cut into five strips lengthwise, then cut across all of them crosswise, to make 10 pieces total.
To make fruit roll-ups, roll the individual strips, preferably together with the parchment paper to prevent sticking, but without is fine as well.



Strawberry Chia Granola Bars

Ingredients:


1 3/4 cups rolled oats*
1/4 cup oat flour*
1/4 cup chia seeds
1 1/2 cups freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
1/3 cup coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup raw cashews
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup white chocolate chips melted with 1 tsp coconut oil
*Oat flour can be purchased or made using this recipe: Put the desired amount of oats into a blender and blend until it’s a fine powder. 1 cup of oats equals 1 cup of oat flour.




Preheat your oven to 300 F.
In a blender, pulse your oats and cashews for 30 seconds until chopped.
Transfer them to a bowl with the oat flour, chia seeds, 1 cup of the crushed freeze-dried strawberries and salt.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract for at least one minute until it thickens.
Pour wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir together until a sticky batter forms.
Line an 8 x 8 pan with parchment paper and press mixture down. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until edges are golden brown.
Let bars cool for at least an hour.
After cooled, drizzle melted white chocolate over them and top them with the remaining 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries,
Gently slice into 10-12 bars using a large, sharp knife. Once the white chocolate hardens, store them in an airtight container on the counter for up to one week or refrigerate (preferred) for two weeks.


Healthy, fruity snacks help make fall fun

On Saturday, blue and gold will pepper the landscape and motorists will be making their way through traffic with WVU Mountaineer flags whipping in the wind and maybe some snacks and beverages chilling in a cooler. Soon after, the roar of fans and the whistles of referees will emanate from Milan Puskar Stadium, as football season officially begins.

Monongalia County Health Department employees will be there too, in our continuing effort to keep the community safe.

Like last year, we’ll be helping out with safety on three different fronts: our radiation response team walking around with detectors to participate in surveillance activities; a field hospital to keep hospital emergency visits down; and, as usual, our Environmental Health sanitarians providing initial inspections to any vendors and food trucks that will be operating during the event.

Jamie Moore, Threat Preparedness program manager, has been on the radiation response team since it began in 2015, back when he worked at the Marion County Health Department.

About two to four health department employees walk around the stadium and through the crowds using personal radiation detectors clipped to their belts, screening the facility and the attendees.

“It’s a fairly sensitive, extended-range instrument,” Moore said. “It’s possible for us to cover, depending on the strength of the source, 50 feet on each side of us, making 100-foot passes as we walk.”

So far, the only time radiation has been detected has been on individuals who have undergone medical treatment in which radiation is a factor, such as a recent stress test or cancer therapy.

This happens about four times a year, Moore said, and every time, team members have been able to hold a conversation with the individual and confirm the reason for radiation detection.

“As per our protocol, if they didn’t, or weren’t willing to engage in conversation, that would be a sign of activity and we would need to report that through our system, which in our case, would be to the WVU Police Department.

“Never have we had anybody that had to go to the WVU level,” Moore added.

Another Threat Preparedness staffer, chief of operations Joe Klass, has worked with radiation response before but starting last year, he teamed up with Mon EMS, Mon Health Medical Center and WVU Medicine to organize a field hospital to keep non-acute patients out of emergency departments.

This service was brought back last year when Mon EMS reached out to Monongalia County Health Department to participate.

The Caperton Indoor Facility houses the field hospital. EMS staffers and physicians already on site for the game will make the call if an individual’s issue requires a trip to the emergency department or if it’s something that can be dealt with at the field hospital.

“The idea is that we are treating non-acute patients, who might be intoxicated, have a sprained ankle, fainting from the heat, that sort of thing,” Klass said.

In 2023, about 22 patients were seen, keeping them from filling up emergency departments that might have to deal with car wrecks, heart attacks and more serious issues.

The number of game attendees who need some type of medical attention is higher than some might realize, ranging from around 45 to 200 at WVU football events, Klass said.

Finally, as always, MCHD Environmental Health sanitarians have historically been on site to inspect food vendors, and the first game of the season is always the most challenging because of new vendors.

Sanitarians will actually do a walk-through this week before game day, said Todd Powroznik, Environmental Health program manager

Then, he said, on the day of the game, there will be about 50 inspections on Saturday inside the stadium as well as six to eight food vendors or food trucks in the Willowdale Street lot.

“And there will be at least 10 to 15 tents for the boosters, alumni and companies,” that will also be serving food or having it catered, Powroznik noted. “So we will be doing about 70 inspections.”

So while the first game is a time of fun and relaxation for many, It’s all in a long day’s work for Monongalia County Health Department staffers.

MCHD: Let's gooo... and keep Mountaineers safe!

New health officer Dr. Brian Huggins hits the ground running at MCHD

Dr. Brian H. Huggins hit the ground running when he joined Monongalia County Health Department as the incoming health officer on April 1.

The health department has been undergoing a strategic plan process and Dr. Huggins stepped up to lead two town halls only six weeks after starting his new position.

Dr. Huggins was seeing patients on days when retiring health officer Dr. Lee B. Smith, who officially stepped down June 30, was off.

He immersed himself in other health department endeavors, including working toward achieving accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB), which recently started up again after coming to a halt with the onset of the COVID pandemic.

Plus, three weeks in, West Virginia’s first measles outbreak in 15 years occurred in Monongalia County, and Dr. Huggins aided in the response.

He also decided to undertake guidance of five summer interns from the WVU School of Public Health.

“If I had to state my three priorities, one of them is strengthening our partnership with public health education,” said Dr. Huggins, a graduate of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg.

“In order to develop a public health workforce, public health students need experience. One of the first things I did was to connect with the interim deans and program leadership to discuss our current partnership.”

As for Dr. Huggins’ second and third priorities at the health department, he lists accreditation and strengthening outreach.

“It’s important that we become certified by a standardizing body,” he said. “They already had started that before I walked into the door.”

Having a larger presence in the media, reaching out to communities and also creating partnerships are some of his plans for expanding outreach, he noted.

One of those partnerships just started on Monday as Mon Health president and CEO David Goldberg introduced Dr. Huggins on the hospital system’s radio segment, Mon Health Talk Radio, which airs at around 8:30 a.m. on Monday mornings on WAJR. Starting in September, Dr. Huggins will take over the show on the last Monday of each month. He will examine public health issues and sometimes host guests of his own.

“We’re really thankful for Mon Health for the opportunity to discuss topics that are important to WJAR listeners,” Dr. Huggins said. “We’re also open to input and suggestions from listeners for future shows.”

Anthony DeFelice, executive director of Monongalia County Health Department, was pleased to find such a qualified replacement for Dr. Smith.

“Dr. Huggins is board certified in preventive medicine and has a master's in public health,” DeFelice said. “No other health department in the state of West Virginia has a full-time health officer with this unique training that fits extremely well in public health.

“We feel very fortunate to have a highly trained health officer with a passion for public health on our team.”

A native of Wheeling, Dr. Huggins’ took a circuitous route to his current position. After graduating from high school, he worked retail jobs and designed and operated haunted houses for 15 years. He also ran prison tours at the former West Virginia Penitentiary in Moundsville, now a well-known Gothic-style destination for ghost enthusiasts.

He was running a haunted house at the Foggy Bottom Festival of Fright when a theater professor he met there encouraged him to enroll at West Liberty University to work on production sets. He ended up majoring in biology and minoring in theater.

“I didn’t know I wanted to be a doctor until I was at West Liberty,” he said. “My mentors in the biology department, Melinda and Robert Kreisberg, convinced me to look at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.”

Once he toured the campus, he saw how doctors of osteopathic medicine practice a passionate, patient-centered approach.

While at WVSOM, Dr. Huggins served as class president his first year, Student Government Association president the second year, and then as the student representative to the Board of Governors his third and fourth years.

When he graduated, he was presented with the National DO Student of the Year award from the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

After medical school, Dr. Huggins enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, which took care of his medical school bills in exchange for four years of service. He was sent to Eielson Air Force Base In Fairbanks, Alaska for his first assignment.

He didn’t fly F-16s, but instead, as the Chief of Aerospace Medicine, Dr. Huggins spent a lot of his time in the passenger seat so he could assess pilots’ abilities to do the job from a medical point of view as they performed aerobatic maneuvers in the sky and simulated dog fights.

“It gives us the ability to understand the stresses and environment pilots go through, to see if the pilot is capable of doing the job when they develop a medical condition,” Dr. Huggins said. “When you have a disease process going on, the best way to understand how it affects a pilot is to actually do the job with them.”

While there, he also managed to find work at a haunted house, where one of the actors ended up being his future wife, Kat Timm of Fairbanks.

They got married and he did a three-year stint at a medical unit of NATO in Germany. Upon returning, he did a preventive medicine residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating with a master’s degree in public health.

When COVID hit in 2020, he had just started a residency with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and his duties included working with the state’s Public Health Preparedness and Response, as well as the Communicable Disease branch.

After 12 years of active duty, he wanted to settle down and return to his home state, although he still serves in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

“We drove from Bluefield to Wheeling and Kat fell in love with West Virginia.”

He worked for Occupational Medicine at the WVU School of Public Health for nearly a year when the MCHD health officer job came open and he felt it was perfect for him.

“What I have learned since I arrived is that the people who work at Monongalia County Health Department are some of the most passionate people in public health I’ve ever met,” he said. “The resources that are offered are amazing, considering the population size of Monongalia County. It really stands out as a gem.”

New health officer Dr. Brian Huggins hits the ground running at MCHD 

Rabies vaccine baits will be distributed in Mon Co. Sunday through Wednesday

Monongalia County residents, especially those with pets that spend time outdoors, should be on the lookout for rabies vaccine baits that will be dropped and distributed in Monongalia County starting this weekend.
“If you find a bait, leave it where you found it, unless it’s in your yard or driveway,” said Todd Powroznik, Environmental Health program manager at Monongalia County Health Department. “If you do find any in those places, wear gloves and remove the baits, and put them in an area where raccoons and wild animals will find them.”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will conduct its annual distribution of oral rabies vaccine (ORV) baits from airplanes and helicopters on Aug. 24-25 over Monongalia County, Powroznik said. The bait drop takes place in several states up and down the East Coast.
Then sanitarians from MCHD Environmental Health will drive and walk around Morgantown and distribute baits by hand in grassy areas such as parks and beside the rail-trail on Tuesday, Aug. 27 and Wednesday, Aug. 28.
“This year, we have 1,400 baits to take around and distribute to a variety of locations around Morgantown,” Powroznik said.
The USDA supplies a grid followed by MCHD Environmental Health staffers, who place a specific amount of the baits in those areas while another employee uses a clicker to keep track of the numbers.
The baits contain rabies vaccine that raccoons and other wildlife consume in order to inoculate them against the fatal virus that can be passed on to other mammals, including humans and their pets, during chance encounters.
Monongalia County is one of the areas slated to receive three types of ORV baits that contain different vaccines. Two are wrapped in blister packs – one green and one white – and the other is encased in a brown coating. Some contain fishmeal to attract the wildlife, which dogs also might find appetizing. While not toxic or harmful, it’s not a good idea for dogs to ingest too many of them.
“Eating a large number might cause an upset stomach in your pet,” Powroznik said.
Dogs, especially those left unattended in a large yard near a field or woods, are especially at risk of encountering these ORV baits and gobbling them up. Owners are encouraged to inspect their yards periodically during this time to see if any of the baits have been dropped in their area.
“Having these baits in your backyard is preferable to your dog getting into a fight with a potentially sick raccoon, especially when owners are vigilant and inspect their property during this time of year,” Powroznik said.
Fortunately, studies have shown that most of the baits reach their intended recipients – raccoons and other wildlife – within four days. “They are all almost gone within a week,” Powroznik said.
USDA APHIS waits until late August to distribute the baits because that’s when raccoons and other mammals born in spring are old enough to eat them and be vaccinated against rabies.
Rabies is a viral disease found in mammals that attacks the nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov). Upon the onset of symptoms, rabies is almost always fatal.
In 2019, Monongalia County had 20 reported cases of rabies, compared to one so far in 2024 in an incident shared with Preston County.
Because of the rising rates, Monongalia County Health Department officials asked the USDA to move the aerial line, which had moved west, back east to cover Monongalia County.
“That decision has been a tremendous help in reducing the rabies in this area,” Powroznik said. The ORV rabies bait distribution has been a huge success in Monongalia County.”



In these times, with families struggling with grocery bills and also having the desire to do better for the planet, food waste is becoming a more prominent topic.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, one third of all food in the United States goes uneaten. EPA data also shows an estimate that in 2019, about 96% of wasted food ended up in landfills, combustion facilities or down a drain into a sewer system.
Composting can help, but the first step to lowering food waste is to be mindful when shopping and also to tackle leftovers that do end up in the fridge.
According to information on the EPA’s website: “Preventing food from going to waste is one of the easiest and most powerful actions you can take to save money and lower your climate change footprint.”
A habit that can help reduce food waste is turning to recipes that utilize items you might already have on hand.
This Hidden Veggie Pasta Sauce is great for persnickety eaters who don’t like to consume their vegetables. And adding parmesan cheese to veggies and then roasting them is a great way to get them into your family’s tummies.
And, of course, as it’s WIC Kitchen, it’s healthy! Tomatoes are high in lycopene, which is an antioxidant linked to reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. Tomatoes and carrots are both high in vitamin K which is essential for blood clotting and bone health.
The veggies are simple to make — just throw them on a sheet pan and bake. And you can freeze the tomato sauce and use it later, which is a great way to preserve summer-fresh produce for later in the year.
This part of summer is the best time to take advantage of fresh garden vegetables, so enjoy!







Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, finely diced*
1 red bell pepper, diced*
1 whole carrot*
2 stalks of zucchini, diced*
4 carrots, diced*
4 tomatoes, cut in chunks*
1 whole garlic*
1 tablespoon Italian dried mixed herbs
1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
¼ tsp chili flakes
1/2 cup canned coconut milk
2 1/2 cups water




Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and sauté the onion, bell pepper, zucchini, carrots, tomatoes and garlic for five minutes.
Add the Italian seasonings, salt and chili flakes. Allow to cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes, until veggies are soft.
Stir in the coconut milk and water
Allow to simmer for about 30 minutes.
Carefully spoon the sauce ingredients into a high speed blender, then blend until super smooth. Depending on the size of your blender, you may need to blend in batches.
Cook pasta according to package instructions.
Return blended sauce to your hot pan while you cook your pasta of choice before mixing with sauce and serving.

*Note, this can also be served with any protein, veggies or spaghetti squash instead of pasta.
Also, items marked with an * can be purchased with WIC benefits.
Call 304-598-5181 to learn more about MCHD WIC.



Ingredients
1 head broccoli*
1 pound baby carrots*
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
1/4 cup parmesan cheese*




Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Cut the broccoli into bite sized florets.
Add baby carrots to bowl
In a large bowl toss veggies with the oil, kosher salt and black pepper.
Distribute over a sheet pan and roast for 25 minutes.
Add parmesan cheese over the food and roast an additional five minutes

Get kids to eat their veggies with these delicious dishes

Five years ago, Monongalia County Health Department hosted a group of wildlife staffers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Elkins to discuss rabies.
Cases had been creeping up and, at the same time, the area treated by the USDA’s oral rabies vaccine (ORV) distribution

 had mostly been moved away from Monongalia County.
MCHD officials asked the 

USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

(APHIS) to move the program, in which the ORV baits are dropped from aircraft over specific areas, back to Monongalia County.
The USDA agreed and since 2019, a year that ended with 20 reported rabies cases in Monongalia County, instances of the deadly viral disease have plummeted.
So far this year, there has only been one reported case, in June, when a rabid raccoon was found on property lying in both Monongalia and Preston counties.
“It’s made a substantial difference since they moved the line back,” said Todd Powroznik, program manager for MCHD Environmental Health.
Oral rabies vaccine baits are dropped from aircraft over a specific area of the Eastern United States, including West Virginia starting at the Northern Panhandle and continuing down North Central and then Eastern West Virginia.
At the same time, the USDA supplies Monongalia County Health Department with vaccine baits that the Environmental Health sanitarians distribute by hand in grassy areas around Morgantown.
In addition to moving the aerial line to cover Monongalia County, the USDA also has increased the number of ORV baits provided, from 1,000 in previous years to around 1,400-1,500 now.
“They couldn’t thank the Environmental Health staff enough for participating in this,” Powroznik said. “We know all of the boundaries within the cities — including Star City, Granville, Westover — and also where the parks are as well as heavily populated areas and the rails to trails.”
Oral vaccine baits are exactly what the name implies. Baits with rabies vaccines are distributed so that raccoons and other wildlife can consume them, inoculating them against rabies.
The appearance of the baits differ but are usually either dark green or brown. The ones dropped from planes are lighter in weight.
Dates have just been set for the Monongalia County area for this year. The USDA will be conducting the airdrops between Aug. 22-28 and are somewhat dependent on weather, while MCHD sanitarians will be distributing them around Morgantown on Aug. 27-28.
“We’ll have two different teams, with four in each car and a couple of people on the rail trails,” Powroznik said. “We’ll have all hands on deck.”
It will be a very busy time for MCHD Environmental Health. The week before, sanitarians will be inspecting food vendors at the Mon County Fair and also tattoo artists at the West Virginia Tattoo Expo. That’s why they plan to go out toward the end of the aerial drop instead of the beginning.
“They would like us to coordinate with them, and by going out on Aug. 27 and 28, we can do that,” Powroznik said.
Individuals who come across ORV baits should leave them alone unless they are found on a path or somewhere a dog or other pet could reach them. To move them, put on gloves and take them to an area with less traffic.
The baits are not toxic to animals but if a pooch consumes too many of them, an upset stomach might ensue.
As a reminder, rabies is a viral disease found in mammals that attacks the nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and then death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov/rabies). The closer to the head a person is attacked, the faster rabies can develop.
Also, not only is getting your cat, dog or ferret vaccinated for rabies a good idea, it’s also law in West Virginia. An unvaccinated pet that gets into a scuffle with a rabid raccoon usually ends up on the losing end of that fight.
While we’re out doing what we can to keep the community safe from rabies, pet owners should also follow guidelines for not only the sake of their neighbors, but also themselves and their families.
We cannot thank you enough for your help!


Oral rabies vaccine bait drop dates set for August

, and as new legislation enables more new mothers to pump at work, Monongalia County Health Department WIC counselors have something to celebrate as breastfeeding rates climb higher.
The recently enacted Pump Act for Nursing Mothers, known as the 

, allows for reasonable time and space accommodations for breastfeeding in the workplace.
It’s certainly something that has made Ceranda Jones’ life easier. Jones is not only a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor at the Monongalia County Health Department 

 program, but she’s also a nursing mother.
And when she first returned to work after giving birth to her daughter, Ophelia, her job was at a tattoo studio with a group of men.
“When I brought them stuff about the PUMP Act, they were super supportive,” Jones said. “They gave me a private office. I know I directly benefited from the PUMP ACT.”
Now, at MCHD WIC, “I work with mothers who don’t know their rights,” she said. “One of the primary reasons they said they didn’t want to breastfeed is because they didn’t think they’d have the appropriate accommodations. Now we give them information to show their employers and we’ve had great success.”
And, she says, “It’s been a while since I’ve had someone in my office who hasn’t felt supported.”
Lynne Ryan, an 

International Board Certified Lactation Consultant

 (IBCLC) at MCHD WIC, noted that the numbers of breastfeeding moms who are clients at MCHD have risen, both in terms of who start to breastfeed and those who continue for at least six months. In 2018, the initiation rate was 52% and rose to 62% percent in 2022; and in that same time period, duration rose from 29% to 43%.
Pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding mothers as well as children up to their fifth birthday who qualify can take advantage of the federally-funded WIC, which provides nutrition and breastfeeding counseling and education; as well as health monitoring and nutritious foods. MCHD WIC operates in six counties — Monongalia, Preston, Marion, Harrison, Doddridge and Taylor.
Counselors such as Ryan, Jones and Chrissy Rodeheaver, a Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, work with new mothers to help them learn how to help the baby latch on to the nipple and with any other breastfeeding issues they might have.
And for WIC clients, there is also a 24/7 app called Pacify that they can use.
“It’s extremely helpful,” Rodeheaver said. “We always encourage breastfeeding parents to reach out to us if they’re in need of support, but Pacify is absolutely invaluable for weekends, holidays and the middle of the night.”
However, MCHD WIC offers both free breastfeeding classes and a support group that members of the public can attend. Click 

 to get more information on breastfeeding and to see a class schedule.
And the support group is held at 6 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month. The first Thursday is in person at the MCHD WIC office in Morgantown, while the third Thursday is virtual. To get an invite to the virtual class, email christyn.r.rodeheaver@wv.gov to get a link.
Breastfeeding has many benefits, including improving the baby’s gut health and providing them with antibodies that can keep them well.
“It’s the most natural way to feed an infant,” Ryan said.
It can also be cost-effective. “Most insurance companies will provide a mom with a pump and there are laws that support working and pumping moms,” Rodeheaver said.
WIC mothers who breastfeed also get the largest nutritional package, Jones noted. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends breastfeeding exclusively for at least the first six months, and up to 2 years and beyond, if possible, supplementing with healthy food. Breastfeeding WIC mothers get the nutritional package for the first year.
Jones, who is just starting to wean her 3-year-old daughter, noted that Ophelia rarely gets sick.
“At this point, I’m not her primary source of food, and a lot of it is connection and comfort,” she said. “It’s just a big benefit, and it fixes any boo-boo. It’s a great tool.”

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

New laws, extra support increase breastfeeding numbers 

The Monongalia County Quick Response Team's very popular Free 

Day, part of an Appalachia-wide event, is coming up on Thursday, Sept. 26.

Volunteers are need to work at different locations around Morgantown. They would talk to community members about naloxone and give demonstrations. Volunteers will be trained to do this. Sign up using this 