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Meet Our Staff

May 13, 2024

Haitian Heritage Month Spotlight: Loucena Barbara Emile

As we recognize Haitian Heritage Month, we are sharing Loucena’s story. Loucena is a Certified Community Health Worker on our team, and supports the Connections for a Healthy Pregnancy program, as well as the George Street and Hannah Penn communities/sites. 

About Loucena… 

My name is Loucena Barbara Emile. I was born and raised in Haiti. My mother’s tongue is Haitian Creole; I am also fluent in French. I came to the States in 2014 and lived for a year in Georgia. I moved to York, PA in 2015 with my mother and little brother, and have lived here ever since. I am also a York High alumna.  

Starting over in a foreign country was not easy. I had to learn a new language, change my cursive style of writing, and adapt to this new lifestyle. However, I was eager to learn. Everything I learned was to help my family who did not speak English at that time. At 18 years old, I interpreted at any appointments for my family. Every time they needed something, I did some research on Google and was able to find sources that could help them. Friends and family come to our residence anytime they need help with buying a house, applying for a job, or purchasing on the Internet. Every time my mother sees someone struggling, she tells them her daughter can point them in the right direction. 

I became a Community Health Worker when a former employee of FFH referred me due to seeing how I have been helping the Haitian Community in York. I said “yes” because I never turn down an opportunity to help people. I find joy in it. 

I grew up watching my family help their community in Haiti. Caring for people runs in my DNA. I was always confused about what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. By becoming a CHW, I found my true calling.

October 13, 2023

Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Alex Nunez

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the many contributions of individuals of Hispanic Heritage. At Family First Health, we are excited to shine a light on some of our Hispanic team members who contribute to our work and community every day.

Today’s spotlight is on Alex Nunez, who is a Medical Receptionist/Medical Assistant on our Hanover Medical team. Read more about Alex’s Hispanic Heritage, and how it influences her work.

Site: Hanover

From what country do you or your family originate?

Michoacán/Guanajuato, Mexico

What does your heritage and Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Hispanic Heritage Month, I believe, is a way to honor our culture, and a way to celebrate and share our diversity in the community. I treasure the culture and values inherited from my parents and take PRIDE in being able to pass them on to my children so that they never forget their heritage.

How does your heritage influence the work you do?

I am proud of my roots that taught me the true meaning of serving others. With Family First Health and our mission, I am able to do that every single day.

What are some of your favorite family and/or cultural traditions?

Something that I absolutely love from my culture is the FOOD! Another favorite tradition is the way we celebrate quinceñeras, weddings, and, in general, any celebration! There is always color and music to celebrate one another, I love it!

What is something you wish others knew about Hispanic Heritage?

I wish others knew how hardworking and family oriented we are.

October 13, 2023

Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Yasmin Rogers

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the many contributions of individuals of Hispanic Heritage. At Family First Health, we are excited to shine a light on some of our Hispanic team members who contribute to our work and community every day.

Today’s spotlight is on Yasmin Rogers, who is the Dental Billing Specialist Lead on our team. Yasmin has been on the Family First Health team for almost 18 years. Read more to learn about Yasmin’s Hispanic Heritage, and how her heritage influences her work.

Site: George Street

From what country do you or your family originate?

Puerto Rico

What does your heritage and Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Hispanic Heritage Month means being proud of who I am and what I’m able to do as a Hispanic.  Also, it means noticing the progress Hispanic people have made in America.

How does your heritage influence the work you do?

My heritage influences the work I do because I’m able to help others who are not bilingual with paperwork and to provide translation for them.

What are some of your favorite family and/or cultural traditions?

Dancing salsa and making different foods.

What is something you wish others knew about Hispanic Heritage?

Hispanic Heritage doesn’t have an official language.  Spanish, and all Indigenous languages, are considered National languages.

October 4, 2023

Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Rosmerli (Rose) Payano

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the many contributions of individuals of Hispanic Heritage. At Family First Health, we are excited to shine a light on some of our Hispanic team members who contribute to our work and community every day.

Today’s spotlight is on Rosmerli (Rose) Payano, who is a Dental Reception Specialist II on our team. Rose has been on the Family First Health team for almost a year and a half. Read more to learn about Rose’s Hispanic Heritage, and how her heritage influences her work.

Site: George Street

From what country do you or your family originate?

Dominican Republic

What does your heritage and Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

My Hispanic Heritage means a lot to me. We are full of culture & very religious.

How does your heritage influence the work you do?

Being Dominican gives me the opportunity to help those with language barriers. The translation is important to both language and culture because it enables better communication between two people so being able to help other makes me feel really happy.

What are some of your favorite family and/or cultural traditions?

Christmas. Birthdays. Family gatherings. Church on Sunday.

What is something you wish others knew about Hispanic Heritage?

I wish others knew that Hispanic Heritage is not only being Puerto Rican or Mexican, but it celebrates a diverse group of people from different parts of the world.

October 4, 2023

Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Luis Garcia, MD

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the many contributions of individuals of Hispanic Heritage. At Family First Health, we are excited to shine a light on some of our Hispanic team members who contribute to our work and community every day.

Today’s spotlight is on Dr. Luis Garcia, who is a Physician on our team. Dr. Garcia has been on the Family First Health team for nine years. Read more to learn about Dr. Garcia’s Hispanic Heritage, and how his heritage influences his work.

Site: George Street

From what country do you or your family originate?

Puerto Rico

What does your heritage and Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Though I grew up in the states (Maryland), I always had a sense that I was part of a greater, broader community of not only Puerto Ricans but all Hispanics across the globe. Though individual cultures vary from country to country, and even region to region, I’ve always felt a sense of solidarity with all those that share a common Hispanic lineage. Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and honor that common lineage, celebrating and experiencing our various cultures.

How does your heritage influence the work you do?

There are many aspects of heritage that are tied to culture, one of which is language. Spanish has always been a part of my life. In fact, this was my first language, and it was by watching Sesame Street and going to pre-school that I finally learned English. This great gift of speaking Spanish, which my parents gave me, has allowed me to care for many of the underserved within our community of York.

What are some of your favorite family and/or cultural traditions?

When I think of something unique to Puerto Rican culture, I always think of “parrandas.” This is a custom of high-energy celebration with lots of food, dancing, and music taking place during the Christmas season. Think of it as Christmas Carols but on steroids! Families join together and go from house to house celebrating all night until the early morning hours. Though we don’t do this as much anymore, my parents did this with their small community of Puerto Rican immigrants in Maryland while I was growing up, and I have fond memories of this lively tradition.

What is something you wish others knew about Hispanic Heritage?

All Hispanic cultures are different and beautiful! The way we speak, what we eat, our cultural dress, it is all different! There is so much to experience and learn from every country.

September 26, 2023

Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Daniela (Dani) Manjarres

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the many contributions of individuals of Hispanic Heritage. At Family First Health, we are excited to shine a light on some of our Hispanic team members who contribute to our work and community every day.

Today’s spotlight is on Daniela (Dani) Manjarres, who is a Human Resources Generalist on our team. Dani has been on the Family First Health team for two months. Read more to learn about Dani’s Hispanic Heritage, and how her heritage influences her work.

Site: George Street

From what country do you or your family originate?

Colombia

What does your heritage and Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

It is a time to celebrate and reflect upon the cultural, historical, diversity, family, and social influence that Hispanics and Latinx people have brought to the US and the world.

How does your heritage influence the work you do?

Learning about my heritage helps me understand who I am, and helps me as a guide to be passionate about the work I do and who I want to help. Understanding who I am helps me connect with others and work together to make a better world.

What are some of your favorite family and/or cultural traditions?

Some of my favorite cultural traditions are the holidays at the river and for lunch, a soup called Sancocho (soup almost like stew) cooked at a fire by the river. The Carnivals, and Christmas and New Year’s are a whole celebration and a time to be with family.

What is something you wish others knew about Hispanic Heritage?

I wish others knew that being Latina can have so many different dimensions depending on what country you are from. For example: we share the same language but it is spoken differently. We don’t have the same foods, traditions, and dances. We have our own identity, yet we celebrate each other. But something that is very important for Hispanics/Latinos is our values and family.

September 26, 2023

Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Elizabeth Otero

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the many contributions of individuals of Hispanic Heritage. At Family First Health, we are excited to shine a light on some of our Hispanic team members who contribute to our work and community every day.

Today’s spotlight is on Elizabeth Otero, who is a Medical Reception Supervisor on our team. Elizabeth has been on the Family First Health team for almost 11 years. Read more to learn about Elizabeth’s Hispanic Heritage, and how her heritage influences her work.

Site: George Street

From what country do you or your family originate?

Puerto Rico

What does your heritage and Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

It means a lot to me. Being that I am Hispanic, I can contribute and help Spanish speaking patients in our community.

How does your heritage influence the work you do?

My heritage influences my work in being able to help the Hispanic community here at Family First Health.

What are some of your favorite family and/or cultural traditions?

I love festival parties, the food at Christmas and El Día de los Reyes (Three Kings’ Day) where kids get gifts as if it were Christmas.

What is something you wish others knew about Hispanic Heritage?

I wish everyone knew its not just to celebrate the Hispanic heritage , just with Hispanic. We can celebrate with other cultures so they can learn more about all other different Hispanic cultures and countries.

September 15, 2023

Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Katherine Alejandrez

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the many contributions of individuals of Hispanic Heritage. At Family First Health, we are excited to shine a light on some of our Hispanic team members who contribute to our work and community every day.

Today’s spotlight is on Katherine Alejandrez, who is a Community Health Worker on our Community Health Programs team. Katherine has been on the Family First Health team for almost 3 years. Read more to learn about Katherine’s Hispanic Heritage, and how her heritage influences her work.

Site: George Street

From what country do you or your family originate?

My father is from Mexico and my mother is from Puerto Rico.

What does your heritage and Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Hispanic Heritage Month means a time of reflection, a time of thanks, and a time to cherish the sacrifices that were made. It also means to honor the contributions that us Latinos and Hispanics make to our communities and American culture. It also allows me to recognize those who have molded me into the woman I am today.

How does your heritage influence the work you do?

My heritage influences the work that I do because it motivates me to always push myself and continue to grow. It reminds me how blessed I am to be in the position that I am in today and guides me in wanting to help others more. It also helps me connect with my patients because we can share similar experiences.

What are some of your favorite family and/or cultural traditions?

One of my favorite cultural traditions is the fiestas, we love to celebrate everything!! I love our food, our dances, and the fact that we are very family oriented. I love being Mexican and Puerto Rican, I get the best of both worlds!

What is something you wish others knew about Hispanic Heritage?

I wish others knew that not all Hispanics are the same. We do not all share the same traditions, values, or beliefs.

September 15, 2023

Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Jasmin Beltran-Cruz

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the many contributions of individuals of Hispanic Heritage. At Family First Health, we are excited to shine a light on some of our Hispanic team members who contribute to our work and community every day

Today’s spotlight is on Jasmin Beltran-Cruz, who is a Business Office Supervisor on our Dental Team. Jasmin has been on the Family First Health team for 15 years. Read more to learn about Jasmin’s Hispanic Heritage, and how her heritage influences her work.

Site: Columbia and George Street

From what country do you or your family originate?

Puerto Rico

What does your heritage and Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?

Hispanic Heritage Month means representing my culture and heritage.

How does your heritage influence the work you do?

The way my heritage influence works, it gives the ability to communicate and help our community with any challenges and resources they might need. I work directly with the FFH Mobile School Dentistry Program and I am able to assist students and parents that have language barriers.

What are some of your favorite family and/or cultural traditions?

My favorite family tradition is decorating for Christmas in October and “Parrandas”, the Puerto Rican version of caroling.

What is something you wish others knew about Hispanic Heritage?

I wish others knew how flamboyant, unify, caring and festive we are.

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From Our Patients

  • This is the most friendly, caring, and compassionate doctors office I've ever been to. You are a person with concerns and issues and ailments to them and they do everything they can to help. Everything is explained so you completely understand what the next step is.
    Lewisberry Site Patient
    Heather | Lewisberry, PA
  • I love this place. My kids are addressed by their names, fast to get us in to be seen, its clean, very friendly. Always have a warm atmosphere. I LOVE IT HERE, first time I trust a practice with my babies!
    Columbia Site Patient
    Milagros | Columbia, PA
  • I've had some of the best experiences when using their dental services as well as the plethora of other services they provide. I really like the staff and they have all been super nice and friendly, I recommend that people take advantage of the services they provide!
    George Street Site Patient
    Dirk | York, PA
  • The receptionists are very pleasant. I would recommend this office to any of my friends who might need a doctor or dentist. The fact that they have someone who can help translate for my family has been such a convenience. I can't thank them enough.
    Gettysburg Site Patient
    Mrs. H | Gettysburg, PA

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