Meet Community Health Outreach Worker Heather Berg

By Diane Lee, Public Information Officer, Garrett County Health Department

The Community Health Outreach Workers in Health Education and Outreach at the Garrett County Health Department promote health messages throughout the county to encourage wellness and the prevention of risky behaviors so that residents live longer, healthier lives. This is accomplished by emphasizing health messages that prevent or reduce four priority risk factors: obesity, tobacco use, alcohol use, and misuse of opioid and other prescription drugs.

Heather Berg is one of the Maryland Certified Community Health Workers in Health Education and Outreach division. She has been with the Health Department for nine years and is currently serving the communities of Kitzmiller, Crellin, Gorman, Deer Park, and Oakland. In addition to working in these areas, she also volunteers with various organizations as a member of the community.

As an Outreach Worker, Heather assists local businesses with providing worksite wellness opportunities for employees, where she brings in the prevention message for the month, offers blood pressure checks, maps out walking trails, sets up challenges that employees can complete to win prizes, and promotes healthy behaviors to help build up workplace morale.  

Some examples of other ways in which Heather promotes health and wellness include prescription drug take backs, Naloxone (Narcan) distributions, and Club 21550 events. Club 21550 is one of four health department sponsored community planning groups throughout the county, which host fun, educational activities for families and residents of all ages.  These activities include activities such as National Night Out at the Oakland Train Station each August, breakfast with Santa, senior bingo, and fishing rodeos. Anyone in the 21550 zip code is welcome to volunteer to assist with these events. 

“Educating our communities on the importance of having Narcan on hand could save a life,” Heather said. In addition to promoting Narcan, she encourages the proper storage, monitoring, and disposal of prescription medications. Removing access is an important place to begin when protecting our children. 

“This job is so fulfilling and humbling,” Heather said. “I have had the opportunity to meet and work with some wonderful people.  The knowledge that I have gained while becoming an Associate Prevention Specialist has been incredible and has changed my perspective on my own health. It has given me the knowledge to go out into the community to share what I have learned.” 

“Our team strives to increase access to, and use of, prevention screening and support services,” said Venessa Stacy, Outreach Coordinator. “That makes our outreach members the ideal first person to contact when you aren’t sure where to go for help or need more information about any of life’s challenges.”

If you, your community, or your workplace could benefit from collaboration with an Outreach Worker, contact Venessa Stacy at Garrett County Health Department at 301-334-7730 or 301-895-3111.

Cutline: As an Outreach Health Worker, you never know what costume you might need to wear. Pictured above are Heather Berg and her husband, Randall Berg, participating in Truck or Treat in October, handing out treats and distributing prevention messages.