Press Releases

For Immediate Release

YORK, PA – Family First Health (FFH) is pleased to announce the launch of its innovative Community Scholars Program. This initiative aims to empower and support promising students within the community and existing FFH staff by providing them with financial assistance, valuable educational opportunities and mentorship.

The Family First Health Community Scholars Program is a testament to the organization’s commitment to fostering academic excellence, cultivating future leaders, and investing in the bright minds of our community. By establishing this program, FFH aims to break down barriers to education, create a pathway for success, and inspire a new generation of professionals dedicated to making a positive impact on our society.

“We are incredibly excited to introduce this program and make a lasting difference in the lives of talented individuals,” said Jenny Englerth, FFH President/CEO. “We believe investing in employees and community members is the key to building a brighter future, and by investing in our communities’ scholars, we aim to empower them to achieve their full potential.”

Through the program, FFH will award scholarships to deserving, aspiring students who have demonstrated achievements, leadership potential, and a commitment to community service. The program’s comprehensive support will include financial assistance, mentorship, and access to various education resources.

• For existing staff: any individual internally who desires to become a medical assistant, FFH will pay up to $10,000 for their education, to include certification. Through Harrisburg Area Community College, this would cover their entire tuition. FFH will also cover the cost of a current MA who wishes to become certified.
• For community members: this is an opportunity to attend a medical assistant training program, and become a certified medical assistant, even if you don’t have experience. Community members will receive $7,500 for their education (75% of the education expenses for a HACC program). Enrollees in the program can also complete an externship with FFH and obtain employment upon completion.

The funding for this program was made possible by a partnership between Family First Health and the Pennsylvania Association for Community Health.

“We are thrilled for Family First Health to launch this program,” said Judd Mellinger-Blouch, Director of Pennsylvania Primary Care Center. “We are impressed by their team’s creativity in a launching a program that will not only benefit their own staff and community members who want to pursue a career in healthcare but will contribute to the overall future health within our state and beyond.”

Applicants will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. The next HACC program will begin in late August. Interested applicants should contact Nicole Moore, HR Specialist at Family First Health, at 717-801-4861 or nmoore@familyfirsthealth.

For more information on the community scholars program, please visit the Family First Health website.

About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, Family First Health is a nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality health care at 8 convenient locations in Adams, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties. Family First Health strives to improve the health of all members of the communities we serve through primary medical and dental care and a wide range of community health programs. Our uniquely qualified team of health care professionals creates an environment that is patient-centered, helping patients to live happier, healthier lives. For more information, visit www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla Español.

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For Immediate Release

York, PA. Family First Health is pleased to announce the hiring of Brent Doores to the position of Vice President of Finance. Doores will oversee all day-to-day financial operations and strategic fiscal initiatives of the organization.

“I am pleased to welcome Brent to the FFH team!” said Jenny Englerth, CEO. “His expertise and enthusiasm for our mission made him the perfect choice to fill the role of VP of Finance. In this role he will set the strategic direction to support our financial health as we move forward from the impact of the pandemic.”

Doores most recently served as CEO for Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of York, where he oversaw day-to-operations as well as patient care and quality. Prior to that position, he served in leadership roles across a variety of service lines and specialties for fifteen years at WellSpan Health, including urgent care, heart and vascular services, and revenue management.

Brent earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Milliken University in Decatur, Illinois, and his master’s degree in business administration from York College.

About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, Family First Health is a nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality health care at 8 convenient locations in Adams, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties. Family First Health strives to improve the health of all members of the communities we serve through primary medical and dental care and a wide range of community health programs. Our uniquely qualified team of health care professionals creates an environment that is patient-centered, helping patients to live happier, healthier lives. For more information, visit www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla Español.

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For Immediate Release

York, PA. On April 4, 2023, Central Penn Business Journal hosted their annual “Health Care Heroes” awards to recognize excellence, promote innovation, and honor the efforts of organizations and individuals making a significant impact on the quality of health care in our area.

Family First Health is pleased to share that Dr. Luis Garcia, our Chief Medical Information Officer, received a “Physician Hero” award, which honors a physician who displays exemplary performance in his/her field and whose services benefit our local communities.

Dr. Garcia joined Family First Health in 2014. A practicing family physician, he provides primary care and family medicine services to adults and children at the George Street Center, and has proven to be a trusted advocate for the Spanish speaking patient population.

“The achievement of any family doctor can’t be measured in the typical way we think of achievements,” Garcia noted. “Family medicine is a medicine of relationships. It’s not the number of patients seen, procedures done, or lives saved but how the relationship affected the individual patient’s life.”

Dr. Garcia is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians, and serves on the board of FACTS, an organization to promote and educate medical professionals about awareness based fertility methods.

His hobbies and interests include spending time with his family, traveling, and photography. He is also a writer and avid gardener, growing much of his own produce to support a healthy diet for his family.

About Family First Health

Founded in 1970, Family First Health is a nonprofit, Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality health care at 8 convenient locations in Adams, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York counties. Family First Health strives to improve the health of all members of the communities we serve through primary medical and dental care and a wide range of community health programs. Our uniquely qualified team of health care professionals creates an environment that is patient-centered, helping patients to live happier, healthier lives. For more information, visit www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla Español.

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For Immediate Release

York, PA. On Thursday, December 1, 2022, the York County Economic Alliance hosted their annual “Changemakers” Awards to celebrate the talent and drive of individuals of color making things happen in the York community. Awardees are also featured in the local Changemaker magazine edition.

Family First Health is pleased to share that Dr. LaJuan Mountain and Dr. Joseph Mountain, our Vice Presidents of Dental Services, received the “Builders” award. This recognizes their work to “strive to provide healthcare to all families in order to lead better lives.”

Besides being dental providers at FFH, the Doctors Mountain founded the organization’s Mobile School Dentist Program that takes the dentist office directly into schools and childcare centers so students receive oral health care and are provided with a dental home at FFH. The program, launched in 2015, has provided care for thousands of pre-school and school-aged children across our service area. For more information about this innovative program, click here: https://www.familyfirsthealth.org/mobile-school-dentist-program.

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, Columbia, Gettysburg, Hanover, Hannah Penn K-8 School, Lebanon, and Lewisberry. 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.

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Health Resources & Services Administration awards Family First Health five badges

YORK, PA – November 8, 2022 – Family First Health (FFH), a federally qualified health center (FQHC), recently received five 2022 Community Health Quality Recognition badges for notable quality improvement achievements from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA).

Community health centers are required to submit quality data to HRSA every year. As a result, the centers may be awarded badges for their achievements. The badges represent significant improvements in access, quality and health equity. FFH received the following badges:

• Access Enhancer for the increase in the total number of patients served and the number of patients who receive at least one comprehensive service.
• Health Center Quality Leader, Bronze, for ranking in the top 21-30% in overall clinical quality measure (CQM) performance among all health centers.
• Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) for Quality for meeting all criteria to optimize HIT services that advance telehealth, patient engagement, interoperability, and collection of social determinants of health data.
• Health Disparities Reducer for improvements for at least one racial/ethnic group or meeting established benchmarks for all racial/ethnic groups served.
• Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition (PCMH) for seeking accreditation for ambulatory health care and FFH’s continued team-based health care delivery model.

“Receiving five badges this year is an honor for Family First Health, as it’s a reflection of our commitment to provide high-quality care and improve the health of our community,” says Jenny Englerth, CEO and President of Family First Health. “This achievement would not have been possible without our dedicated staff and patients’ trust.”

For more information about Family First Health’s services and programs, please visit .

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, Columbia, Gettysburg, Hanover, Hannah Penn K-8 School, Lebanon, and Lewisberry. 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.

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York County’s only school-based health center continues to provide services to students

York, PA – September 29, 2022 – Family First Health hosted a press conference on September 28 in honor of the Hannah Penn Center’s 25^th anniversary. For over two decades, the school-based health center has provided pediatric care, routine health exams, preventive care, referrals, integrated behavioral health services, and more to York County students and community members.

The Hannah Penn Center opened in 1997 with support from WellSpan Health, the City of York, and the School District of the City of York to make access to health care services easier for students. The staff of health professionals inside Hannah Penn K-8 includes a 24-hour on-call physician, language interpreters, a Health and Wellness Coach, and Community Health Workers who participate year-round in various school and community outreach efforts. Since 2020, the Hannah Penn Center has received funding from The United Health Foundation to enhance its impact.

Speakers at the press conference included:

• Jenny Englerth, Family First Health President/CEO
• Blair Boroch, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Pennsylvania CEO
• Andrea Berry, School District of City of York
• Carol Hill-Evans, PA House of Representatives
• Michael Helfrich, York Mayor

In addition, community member Shane Moore shared his family’s experience engaging with the Hannah Penn Center. Nicole Martinez Holguin, a 7th grader at Hannah Penn K-8, also shared her experiences as a patient at the school-based center and her work with FFH’s Health and Wellness Coach.

“Having the School-Based Health Center gives me the chance to take ownership of my health,” said Nicole Martinez Holguin. “My dad doesn’t have to leave work to pick me up from school and take me to the doctor. I can see the doctor during my school day by myself. This gives me the confidence to talk about what I need to be healthy.”

With better access to health services, students learn better, the attendance rate of students is increased, and the dropout rate is decreased, according to the School-Based Health Alliance.

For more information on the Hannah Penn Center, please follow Family First Health on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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, Columbia, Gettysburg, Hanover, Hannah Penn K-8 School, Lebanon, and Lewisberry. 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 CONTACT: 

09/12/2022

Collaborative effort helped deliver more than 7,500 life-saving vaccines to community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2022

YORK, PA – March 22, 2022 – Family First Health, in partnership with WellSpan Health and the York City Bureau of Health, is closing the York City Collaborative Vaccine Clinic. Since March 23, 2021, staff and volunteers from each organization have provided more than 7,500 COVID-19 vaccines to the community at the vaccine clinic, which operates out of the first floor of the Family First Health York City location at 116 S. George Street in York. The final date of operation for the vaccine clinic is Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

“The York City Collaborative Vaccine Clinic was successful because the partners agreed and delivered on the vision of equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all residents, thereby impacting the spread of COVID-19 in our community. The clinic offered steady and reliable walk-in or scheduled access to York residents, to all three vaccines – including for the pediatric population – and with Spanish-speaking team members supporting each session,” says Jenny Englerth, CEO and President of Family First Health.

The vaccine clinic will remain open Tuesdays in March from 1:00 – 6:50 p.m. with the final date being March 29. Appointments are available for Moderna and Pfizer 2nd, 3^rd, and booster doses (ages 5+) by calling (855) 851-3641. After March 29, residents should contact their medical providers or local pharmacies to explore available vaccine options. Vaccine availability may also be found at www.familyfirsthealth.org and www.wellspan.org.

Other than the closing of the Collaborative Vaccine Clinic, there is no change to the operations at the Family First Health George Street Center. Visit https://www.familyfirsthealth.org/locations/george-street to view the hours of operation for medical and dental services.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Amanda Peterson Martin | 484-949-1320 | apmartin@gavinadv.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2021

York, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today visited Rivas Deli Grocery II in York, an upcoming
COVID-19 vaccine site, to encourage eligible Pennsylvanians who are not yet vaccinated to
take advantage of their local community vaccine clinics.

“For people with irregular or unpredictable work hours, limited mobility, language barriers, and
other challenges, hosting vaccine clinics where and when people shop for groceries is an
excellent opportunity for vulnerable populations to get vaccinated,” said Gov. Wolf. “This
upcoming clinic is a great example of how trusted community leaders and organizations can
make a difference when they get involved in the vaccination effort.”

On Thursday, September 23, COVID-19 vaccinations will be offered by Family First Health from
12pm – 4pm at Rivas Deli Grocery II, 174 S. Pine St. York, PA 17403.

Last week, the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced that, since January 2021, 97
percent of COVID-19-related deaths and 95 percent of reported hospitalizations due to COVID19 were in unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated people.

“Getting vaccinated is our way out of the pandemic. My administration will continue to work with
trusted community partners to make vaccines easily accessible for the people who need them,”
said Gov. Wolf. “I encourage everyone who is not yet vaccinated to take advantage of this
opportunity on Thursday, September 23, at Rivas Deli Grocery II.”
To find local vaccine clinics near you, visit vaccines.gov.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Lyndsay Kensinger, Governor’s Office, lkensinger@pa.gov