Donate Patient Portal

Family First Health

A community health care center

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.

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.

WOW cards for September

Did you know that at Family First Health we have “WOW” cards?

It’s a chance for staff to nominate other employees who they see doing something the exemplify our guiding principals.

What are our principals you may ask:

“Patient Centered” – “Respectful” – “Serves Everyone” – “Fiscally Responsible” – “ Continuous Improvement and Innovation” – “Integrity” – “Collaborative”

Not only does the employee, supervisor and CEO get to see who’s WOWing whom, but they win a gift card!

With this, we should be caught up in time for our new staff recognition awards to roll out.

Heather Gentzler, Medical Receptionist/Medical Assistant – Lewisberry
Nominated by: Eric Glover, Jr. Practice Manager – Lewisberry
Event that wowed Eric: “Remained calm in an emergency situation and filled the needs of the provider. Excellent teamwork!”

Shane Moore, Patient Care Coordinator – George Street
Nominated by: Sue Posey, Sr. Practice Manager – George Street
Event that wowed Sue: “Contacted hundreds of patients and educated them on the need for CRS screening. Your effort played a huge role in our 11%compliance increase.”

Haley Weight, PCT LPN – Gettysburg
Nominated by: Andrea Velasquez, PA-C – Gettysburg
Event that wowed Andrea: “Helped other teams even though you are still in training! Also decorated the office for fall.”

WOW card winners for August

Did you know that at Family First Health we have “WOW” cards?

It’s a chance for staff to nominate other employees who they see doing something the exemplify our guiding principals.

What are our principals you may ask:

“Patient Centered” – “Respectful” – “Serves Everyone” – “Fiscally Responsible” – “ Continuous Improvement and Innovation” – “Integrity” – “Collaborative”

Not only does the employee, supervisor and CEO get to see who’s WOWing who in the office, but each month, a drawing done by HR will choose the winners of 3 $50 Giant gift cards.

Check out what our August winners did!

Grisel Reyes – Dental Billing Supervisor – GSC
Nominated by: Jen Moubray, Director of Community Service Programs – GSC
Event that wowed Jen: “Went the extra effort to help me with information for meaningful use. Thank you Grisel! I appreciate your help and support”

Carolina Flores – Medical Reception Lead – Hanover
Nominated by: Steph Downing, Practice Manager – Hanover
Event that wowed Steph: “Offered to stay late without being asked to cover hours due to a co-worker leaving ill. Good teamwork! Much appreciated!”

Roseann Stewart – Medical Receptionist – GSC
Nominated by: Elizabeth Otero
Event that wowed Elizabeth: “Took the time to do all the eligibility for my provider. I really appreciate that. That’s what I call teamwork!”

WOW Card winners for July

wowcardDid you know that at Family First Health we have “WOW” cards?

It’s a chance for staff to nominate other employees who they see doing something the exemplify our guiding principals.

What are our principals you may ask:

“Patient Centered” – “Respectful” – “Serves Everyone” – “Fiscally Responsible” – “ Continuous Improvement and Innovation” – “Integrity” – “Collaborative”

Not only does the employee, supervisor and CEO get to see who’s WOWing who in the office, but each month, a drawing done by HR will choose the winners of 3 $50 Giant gift cards.

Check out what our July winners did!

Lori Allman: PCT, LPN – GSC
Nominated by: Dr. Junia Tiruchelvam, Physician – GSC
Event that wowed Dr. Tiru: “Dropped her busy bucket and willing got a CT authorized and scheduled for a very sick and non-compliant patient.”

Hannah Traub: PCT, LPN – GSC
Nominated by: Sue Posey, Sr. Practice Manager – GSC
Event that wowed Sue: “Were flexible with your schedule change to support another provider and competed urgent tasks throughout the inbox buckets without being asked. You Rock!”

Jessica Geiger PCT, LPN – GSC
Nominated by: Daphne Wilt and Tessa Ferguson, PCT Supervisors – GSC
Event that wowed Daphne and Tessa: “Jessica is often asked to cover for other PCT’s and back-up new PCT’s and no matter what is asked of her, she always does it with a smile.”

National Health Center Week 2016

National Health Center week recognizes the services and contributions of community health centers. Health centers not only prevent illness and foster wellness in the most challenging populations, they produce innovative solutions to the most pressing healthcare issues in their communities. They reach beyond the walls of conventional medicine to address the factors that may cause sickness, such as lack of nutrition, mental illness, homelessness and addiction. Because of their long record of success in innovation, managing healthcare costs, and reducing chronic disease, leaders in Congress have declared health centers a model of care that offers a “bipartisan solution to the primary care access problems” facing our nation.

While there are countless reasons to celebrate Family First Health, among the most important is our 46 year history of providing access to affordable, high-quality, cost-effective care to anyone in the community who needs it.

Please make a gift in support of Family First Health.

This National Health Center Week, Family First Health is promoting its Fuel a Healthy Body campaign with some fun videos and photos from staff. Head to our Facebook page, vote for your favorite and they can win lunch from LettUsKnow! Check out the videos below, but don’t forget to go online and vote!

Fueling a Healthy Body is something we can all do by just making small steps toward a healthier life. It can be as easy as getting 8 hours of sleep, adding fruits and veggies into your meals, or being a little more active with the kids. Learn more about our #FuelAHealthyBody campaign here.

Staff members witness Gov. Wolf’s LGBT anti-discrimination order signing

Shannon McElroy and Karen McCraw get their photo taken with Gov. Tom Wolf after he signed the LGBT anti-discrimination order.
Shannon McElroy and Karen McCraw get their photo taken with Gov. Tom Wolf after he signed the LGBT anti-discrimination order.

A week after Family First Health announced its participation in a yearlong collaborative to transform primary care for LGBT patients, three staff members got to sit two rows away from Gov Wolf as he signed executive orders saying Pennsylvania would not stand for discrimination of LGBT people.

Because of Family First Health’s work for the LGBT community, Rep. Kevin Schreiber invited us to witness the historical moment that came on the heels of anti-LGBT laws gaining traction and approval in some states.

North Carolina enacted a law preventing cities from creating non-discrimination policies based on gender identity. It also states that students in state schools use the bathroom that corresponds with their born gender.

Outrage over the law was swift, and many businesses and performers are boycotting the state. Gov. Wolf said his executive orders were signed to show the country that Pennsylvania will not stand for discrimination of any kind – but especially against the LGBT population.

Gov. Tom Wolf signed it!
Gov. Tom Wolf signed it!

“I am taking action to protect those that I can and send a signal to the country that Pennsylvania is open for business no matter who you are or whom you love,” Wolf said at the press conference. “What happened in North Carolina, and what is going on in other states, should be a call to pass non-discrimination legislation in Pennsylvania now.”

“We must show that Pennsylvania is the place that William Penn envisioned when he founded our commonwealth on the principle that it is open, diverse, and inclusive for all people.”

Director of Social Services Karen McCraw, Shannon McElroy from Caring Together and I got to sit two rows away from the governor as he signed the orders. While we were there, Karen also spoke to the state Physician General Rachel Levine who said she was aware of Family First Health’s LGBT efforts and wanted to be kept in the loop.

It was an honor to represent Family First Health and the great work you all do during a historic moment for Pennsylvania.

Watch Gov. Wolf’s speech here.

Dr. Go on her dream of being a doctor

On Doctor’s Day last week, our CEO Jenny Englerth sent out a note thanking our providers for choosing Family First Health and for the work that they do.

Our Medical Director Asceline Go responded to Jenny to say how working at a community health center like ours fulfilled her dream of being a “village” doctor. Read more below.

Thanks to Dr. Asceline Go and the rest of our providers for everything they do!

Asceline Go 046

Growing up, I have always dreamed of being a “village” doctor and always had a feeling of guilt having chosen to practice in a first world country. Unbeknownst to me, serving our community and working in a Community Health Center actually fulfilled that dream.

Years ago when I did my citizenship examination, the CIS/Citizenship and Immigration Services officer hardly asked me any exam questions in order to pass for citizenship eligibility which I had painstakingly prepared for and was ready to sing the Star Spangled Banner on his prompting. When asked, he merely thanked me for doing my work and deciding to serve my chosen community.

I appreciate the recognition given to physicians today. I believe though that it is a collective effort with not one more important than the other and so everyone needs to be recognized and appreciated.

I am blessed to find my niche.

Thank you Jenny for your leadership and support.

Dr. Filer wins Women Leaders in Medicine Award

filerOur very own Dr. Wanda Filer has been a busy doctor lately.

You may remember that back in September she was named to be the president of the American Academy of Family Physicians. 

And today, she received a  2016 Women Leaders in Medicine Award from the American Medical Student Association (AMSA).

Dr. Wanda Filer was in Washington, D.C., today (Friday, April 1) to receive the award at the AMSA’s 66th Annual Convention & Exposition.

According to the AMSA (who received an “impressive” number of nominations this year:

To have been nominated is an honor: It represents the fact that one or more members personally identified you as a source of inspiration, leadership and support during their time in medical training.

AMSA says the nation’s oldest and largest independent association for physicians-in-training, created the award in 2007 “to recognize women physicians and educators who serve as role models and sources of inspiration for women who are currently in their medical training.”

Congrats, Dr.Wanda Filer!