MARATHON HEALTH

Marathon Health, founded in 2005 and led by co-founder and CEO Dr. Jeff Wells, is improving access to care for thousands of people across Maryland through a network of health centers built on partnerships with employers, school systems, counties and public organizations. Those partnerships make it easier for working families and public-sector employees to receive high-quality care close to where they live and work. The organization concentrates on accessible care, strong patient-provider relationships and better long-term health outcomes, an emphasis reflected in high patient satisfaction, short wait times and measurable improvements in key health indicators.

At the center of that work is an advanced primary care model that integrates primary care, behavioral health, health coaching, and preventive care into one coordinated system. The model favors lasting relationships between patients and their care teams over brief, transactional visits. Patients gain greater access to same-day or next-day appointments and more time with providers to address both immediate and long-term needs, which strengthens care coordination and supports the management of chronic conditions and overall wellness.

What sets the approach apart is its fully integrated design, bringing medical care, behavioral health and preventive services together in one setting. Quicker access and deeper engagement with providers allow for more comprehensive and proactive management, supporting the whole patient rather than treating isolated issues. The result removes barriers and encourages sustained patient engagement. The program was developed by Marathon Health’s leadership and clinical experts, working alongside physicians, behavioral health specialists, health coaches and operational teams. Their goal was to improve access to care, enhance chronic condition management and create a better patient experience.

, an objective met through high patient satisfaction, minimal wait times and measurable progress in outcomes.

The organization has earned national recognition for its employer-sponsored healthcare model, including top industry rankings and multiple workplace awards, and has been featured in healthcare publications focused on access, patient engagement, and long-term outcomes.