Frederick Health is the leading healthcare provider for Frederick County, the largest and fastest-growing county in the state of Maryland. Frederick Health provides a full spectrum of innovative healthcare and wellness services to local and rural populations in support of its mission to positively impact the well-being of every individual in the community.
Tell us your origin story!
Frederick Health was founded more than a century ago on a belief that remains just as relevant today: the people of Frederick County deserve access to high quality, compassionate healthcare. Over 120 years ago, Emma Josephine Smith founded Frederick Health, which was then known as Frederick City Hospital. She suffered from chronic illness, and without any hospitals or inpatient facilities operating in Frederick at the time, she was forced to stay at Frederick’s City Hotel throughout the beginning of her illness and to travel outside of Frederick to receive basic care. From her own personal experience, Smith witnessed the urgent need to establish a hospital that could care for Frederick’s sick and injured. She garnered community support and established Frederick City Hospital, which has grown into what Frederick Health is today. For generations, the organization has grown alongside the community, expanding services and embracing innovation to meet evolving needs while remaining deeply rooted in its mission.
What do you like most about being located in Frederick County?
From Cheryl Cioffi, CEO of Frederick Health: What inspired me to join Frederick Health as well as stay for nearly 30 years is the opportunity to be part of an organization that is truly connected to the people it serves. Like many members of our team, I am a Frederick County native. I was raised here and have spent most of my professional career at Frederick Health, which gives me a deep personal connection to the work we do every day.
Leading Frederick Health is both an honor and a responsibility. Healthcare is constantly evolving, and our rapidly growing community requires continued investment in our people, technology, and facilities. What makes this work especially meaningful is knowing that our efforts directly impact the lives of individuals and families across Frederick County.
I am continually inspired by our team. Thousands of dedicated clinicians, caregivers, and operational staff come together each day to advance our mission and care for our community. Helping guide this organization into the future alongside such committed professionals is what makes my role so rewarding.
Why did you join the Chamber?
Frederick Health is a pillar of the community not only as the only hospital in Frederick County, but as the leading healthcare provider with locations throughout the County. Joining the Chamber has allowed us to maintain our community presence, drive health population impact, and connect with regional leaders with Frederick County’s denizen’s best interest. Membership at the chamber helps our leadership facilitate networking, professional development, and advocacy efforts that strengthens our system. Being part of the Chamber helps to highlight Frederick Health as a key employer and strengthens our community partnerships for improving community health, which is among our highest priorities.
How has being a member of the Chamber benefitted Frederick Health?
Being able to connect with the community and community leaders through the Chamber’s platform has allowed us to build trust with our patients and increase our reach to improve community health. When the needs of our community are visible and their voices are heard through platforms such as these, Frederick Health can take decisive and precise action to address our population’s health.
What do you want Frederick Health to be known for?
Exceptional care and innovation. Healthcare is complex and demanding, and it requires extraordinary commitment from the people who choose this profession. Our team members bring skills, compassion, and resilience to their work each day because they care deeply about the people they serve. Healthcare is not just a service we provide; it is a partnership built on trust, compassion, and a shared commitment to better health for our community.
How can the community support you?
Donating in any way–whether it is giving time through volunteering as part of our amazing auxiliary team, getting in touch with our gifts and donations team to fund the lifesaving work our expert professionals are delivering, or donating blood to our new Blood Donor Center, giving back to Frederick Health is giving back to your neighbors, family members, and other members of your community. Nearly 70% of Frederick Health staff live here in Frederick, so delivering care is deeply personal for our team. If you’ve had a positive experience with Frederick Health, you can also help shine a light on our services and shout out your providers by giving a patient testimonial.
Do you have anything interesting coming up?
Frederick Health has opened a blood donation center at its Frederick Health Village location, creating a local, reliable source of lifesaving blood for patients across Frederick County. Unlike national donation centers, blood donated at the Frederick Health Blood Donor Center stays within the community and is used to directly support Frederick Health patients. In addition to providing a way to give back and directly support the local community, the donation center will be a critical tool in ensuring a steady supply to respond to emergencies, natural disasters, accidents, and other significant events that could impact Frederick County. You can learn more and schedule your donation here: https://www.frederickhealth.org/services/laboratory/blood-donor-center/
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.