News

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
c: 203-731-7228

 Family First Health to participate in Extraordinary Give fundraising campaign Nov. 21

Central Pa. – Family First Health is pleased to announce its participation in the Extraordinary Give, a 24-hour, online giving marathon where every dollar donated will be stretched by a $250,000 contribution from the Lancaster County Community Foundation.

Beginning at midnight Friday, Nov. 21, donors are invited to visit www.ExtraGive.org from a computer, smartphone or other device and select Family First Health from the list of community benefit organizations. Your online donation (minimum of $25) is fully tax-deductible.

As part of the day’s celebrations, Family First Health and Leg Up Farm will be at the Elizabethtown Public Library, 10 S. Market St., Elizabethtown, from noon to 1:30 p.m. The public is welcome to come out and learn more about the organizations and meet Chester, one of Leg Up Farm’s many special animals.

The ExtraGive giving marathon provides a way for anyone to make an impact and strengthen the nonprofit sector of our community and go the extra mile for those who rely on Family First Health to provide affordable, high-quality medical and dental care and social services. This year’s goal is $6,000 in donations.

Every donation received by Family First Health through www.ExtraGive.org makes the community health center eligible for a percentage of the stretch pool. So, if Family First Health raises 5 percent of the donations throughout the day, they receive 5 percent of the $250,000 contribution. Also up for grabs is $50,000 in prizes and incentives that could further benefit Family First Health.

Find more information at www.ExtraGive.org.

# # # 

About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover and Gettysburg. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information regarding the programs and services offered through Family First Health, please visit the website at www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
c: 203-731-7228

American Academy of Family Physicians selects Family First Health physician Dr. Wanda Filer as president-elect

York, Pa. (Oct. 22, 2014) – Family First Health is pleased to announce that family physician Dr. Wanda Filer has been selected by the American Academy of Family Physicians as its president-elect. Dr. Filer was elected into her position as part of the 2014 meeting of The Congress of Delegates, the Academy’s policy-making body, held over two-and-a-half days in Washington, D.C., Oct. 20-22. She will assume her role of president of AAFP in fall 2015.

A part-time family physician with Family First Health, Dr. Filer joined the federally qualified health center in 2012 and works at the George Street Center in York and the Hanover Center. She also founded the Strategic Health Institute and is involved on the local and national levels with health improvement and advocacy development.

Dr. Filer served as Pennsylvania’s first Physician General and has worked extensively with the media, including 18 years as a health correspondent for WGAL News 8 in Lancaster.

She earned her doctorate from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia and completed her residency in family medicine at Underwood Memorial Hospital in Woodbury, N.J., where she also served as chief resident. She completed her MBA in 2009 at Pennsylvania State University Executive MBA Program.

Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 115,900 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.

# # #

About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover and Gettysburg. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information regarding the programs and services offered through Family First Health, please visit the website at www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.

The public can visit www.startswithapples.com for more information on becoming health literate and working with their health care team, and employers can download a free, digital “Get Healthy At Work” kit including posters, a health pledge and a templated award for employees committed to their health.

Signers of the pledge, which asks workers to get active over their lunch break, are encouraged to snap a photo of themselves with their pledge and share it on the Family First Health Facebook page or on Twitter with the hashtag #startswithapples. And, follow Family First Health on Facebook and Twitter for tips on being an informed patient all month long.

 ###

About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover and Gettysburg. As a FQHC, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information, please visit www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155

 

Family First Health welcomes York City’s only native Spanish-speaking  primary care physician, Dr. Luis Garcia 

Central Pa. (Sept. 3, 2014) – Family First Health is pleased welcome Dr. Luis Garcia, York City’s only native Spanish-speaking primary care physician. Dr. Garcia joined the team at Family First Health’s George Street Center, 116 S. George St., York, on Aug. 11 and is now accepting appointments.

Specializing in family medicine, Dr. Garcia will provide comprehensive health services to patients seeking accessible and affordable quality care, including York’s growing Spanish-speaking population.

“I made a promise to myself that if I became a doctor, I would use my skill as a native Spanish speaker to serve the underserved Spanish-speaking community in the U.S.,” he said. “Family First Health has provided me with that opportunity and I am happy to begin serving the Spanish-speaking population of York.”

Dr. Garcia earned his doctorate at Temple University of Medicine and completed his residency at York Hospital. His interest in medicine began during a mission trip to the Dominican Republic as a teenager.

“I learned that despite poverty, many people were living happy lives — except for when they were sick and injured,” Dr. Garcia said. “I realized that health and good, quality health care should not be a luxury available to select few, but should be available to all.”

Engaged and involved with community outreach during his time with York Hospital, Dr. Garcia plans to continue his volunteer work and seek opportunities outside the office as a means to impact others and serve as a positive example for the community.

Interested patients can schedule an appointment with Dr. Garcia by calling Family First Health’s George Street Center at 717-845-8617.

 # # #

 About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover and Gettysburg. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information regarding the programs and services offered through Family First Health, please visit the website at www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
c: 203-731-7228 

Family First Health receives $15,000 grant from Highmark Blue Shield  in support of Kids Against Cavities

  

Central Pa. – Family First Health is pleased to announce it has received a $15,000 grant from Highmark Blue Shield in support of Kids Against Cavities, which aims to increase access to coordinated, cost-effective and high-quality oral health care for children in York and Adams counties.

Kids Against Cavities is a comprehensive pediatric oral health care system based on the Hub and Spoke Model, which was created in 2007 by the Kansas Association for Medically Underserved (KAMU).

As an initiative of Family First Health, Kids Against Cavities uses the federally qualified health center’s five established sites in York and Adams counties as dental “hubs,” with satellite locations, services and partnerships as “spokes” to provide expanded treatment options.

This model allows providers to directly deliver services to underserved children and reserve fixed-site services for high-intensity treatment. This takes a proactive approach in strengthening the community’s oral health by decreasing geographic barriers to care. In addition, the expansion of the portable dentistry approach contributes to the financial viability of the “hub” by providing reimbursable services off-site to a target population.

The $15,000 grant is designated specifically for equipment that will allow Family First Health to expand its Kids Against Cavities program to 500 to 700 children enrolled in Head Start locations and school-based sites and implement technology that will enable expanded treatment options regardless of venue of care.

# # # 

About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover and Gettysburg. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information regarding the programs and services offered through Family First Health, please visit the website at www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
c: 203-731-7228

Family First Health celebrates National Health Center Week with Rep. Scott Perry

Central PA (August 10, 2013) — Family First Health is participating this week in National Health Center Week (NHCW) from Aug. 10-16, 2014, to showcase the multitude of ways in which America’s community health centers are actively changing, improving and innovating the health of their communities. This year’s theme is “America’s Health Centers — Local Engines for Healthier Communities.” 

As part of the week, Family First Health welcomed Representative Scott Perry (R-PA), York County Commissioner Doug Hoke and members of the community to its Hanover Center, 1230 High St., Hanover, for an open house Wednesday, Aug. 13. Dental and medical providers were also on hand to meet with the community.

“Health centers deliver high quality, cost-effective, accessible care while serving as critical economic engines helping to power local economies,” said Jenny Englerth, CEO of Family First Health. “Despite providing a broader array of services and serving more at-risk patients, health centers’ average cost runs less per patient per day compared to all physician settings.”

According to the National Association of Community Health Centers, health centers serve as the medical and health care home for more than 22 million people nationally — a number that is quickly growing. Currently, there are more than 9,000 locations across the country.

Learn more about National Health Center Week at www.healthcenterweek.org. 

###

About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover and Gettysburg. As a federally qualified health center, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information regarding the programs and services offered through Family First Health, please visit the website at www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
c: 203-731-7228

  

Family First Health receives $50,000 grant from The Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation in support of Kids Against Cavities

 

Central Pa. – Family First Health is pleased to announce it has received a $50,000 grant from The Stabler Foundation in support of Kids Against Cavities, which aims to increase access to coordinated, cost-effective and high-quality oral health care for children in York and Adams counties.

Kids Against Cavities is a comprehensive pediatric oral health care system based on the Hub and Spoke Model, which was created in 2007 by the Kansas Association for Medically Underserved (KAMU).

As an initiative of Family First Health, Kids Against Cavities uses the federally qualified health center’s five established sites in York and Adams counties as dental “hubs,” with satellite locations, services and partnerships as “spokes” to provide expanded treatment options.

This model allows providers to directly deliver services to underserved children and reserve fixed-site services for high-intensity treatment. This takes a proactive approach in strengthening the community’s oral health by decreasing geographic barriers to care. In addition, the expansion of the portable dentistry approach contributes to the financial viability of the “hub” by providing reimbursable services off-site to a target population.

The $50,000 grant, awarded by The Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation on June 23, 2014, will support Kids Against Cavities as it enhances its services, including:

• Expanding mobile service to 500 children enrolled in 18 Early Head Start and Head Start of York County locations
• Increasing operating room capacity for treatment of children with special needs
• Further developing partnerships with local dental residency programs
• Implementing technology to enable expanded treatment options
• Tracking oral health outcomes

# # # 

About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover and Gettysburg. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information regarding the programs and services offered through Family First Health, please visit the website at www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.

 MEDIA ADVISORY 

Media Contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
c: 203-731-7228

 

Say Yes to the Test: Family First Health recognizes National HIV Testing Day, part of its summer campaign to #sharegoodhealth

DATE:
Friday, June 27, 2014
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

WHAT:
Family First Health staff and volunteers will be handing out flyers to recruit participants for its free, confidential HIV testing. Participants dressed in “Say Yes to the Test” T-shirts will be distributing flyers on King, George, Market, Beaver and Princess streets and Pershing Avenue, as well as in Continental Square.

In conjunction with National HIV Testing Day, the center will distribute condoms and offer incentives to participants receiving testing on-site at its George Street center. Family First Health provides free, confidential HIV testing at all five locations year-round.

WHERE:
Downtown York

BACKGROUND:
On June 15, Family First Health launched a four-week campaign called “Spread the Word. Share Good Health,” which employs shareable images and social media updates that encourage Facebook fans and Twitter followers to encourage their family and friends in good health. Each message maintains that good health is an attainable goal so long as an individual has the correct information and appropriate support from friends, family and health professionals.

Topics range from preventing skin cancer and childhood obesity to proper dental care and access to HIV testing.

“One of our core values at Family First Health is promoting and supporting healthy lifestyles,” said Jenny Englerth, CEO of Family First Health. “Preventative care is an important part of building a healthy community, and this campaign highlights some of the small steps individuals can take to improve their health and the health of others in their families, workplaces and neighborhoods.”

The campaign runs through Sunday, July 13, with several updates each week in both English and Spanish. Follow along with updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FamilyFirstHealth or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/famfirsthealth, or with the hashtag #sharegoodhealth.

# # #

About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover and Gettysburg. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information regarding the programs and services offered through Family First Health, please visit the website at www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
c: 203-731-7228

 

Wellness Arts Committee to host free screening of “The Waiting Room” in Gettysburg Monday, May 19

The Wellness Arts Committee, composed of health care partners in southcentral Pennsylvania, will host a free screening of “The Waiting Room” at 7 p.m. May 19, 2014 at the Majestic Theater, 25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg. The documentary is a behind-the-scenes look at an American public hospital struggling to care for a community of largely uninsured patients as they cope with the complexity of the nation’s public health care system. Tickets are free and open to the public; reserve yours at the Majestic Theater box office or by calling the theater at 717-337-8200. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; seating is limited.

A panel discussion featuring four health care experts will immediately follow the film. Speaking are Jenny Englerth, CEO of Family First Health; Eugene McElwee, D.O., medical director of WellSpan Ready Care; Lawrence Goldhahn, M.D., physician at WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital Emergency Department; and Adam Wasserman, M.D., physician at Gettysburg Family Practice.

# # #

About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, York Health Corporation, now Family First Health, is a non-profit, federally qualified health center dedicated to providing a broad range of primary health, dental care and social services at its sites on South George Street in York, Hannah Penn Middle School, Lewisberry, Hanover and Gettysburg. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, Family First Health offers a reduced fee program for the uninsured and accepts most other health insurances. For more information regarding the programs and services offered through Family First Health, please visit the website at www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.