Press Releases

A website designed as a one-stop shop for residents seeking COVID-19 vaccine information in York County launched this week.

The website, vaccinateyorkpa.org, provides information on who is eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, where it is available and links to local vaccine providers. The site also contains information on vaccine progress and COVID-19 statistics in York County.

The site is a collaboration among the York County Commissioners, York County Planning Commission, York County Office of Emergency Management and local health care providers WellSpan Health, UPMC and Family First Health.

The county used money from its CARES Act allocation to pay for costs associated with establishing this website. “We thank York County residents for their patience throughout this often frustrating process,” said York County President Commissioner Julie Wheeler. “We’re hopeful that as more vaccine becomes available in the next few weeks from the federal and state governments, we can significantly increase the number of people getting vaccinated in York County. This site will increase visibility on how York County is progressing with our vaccinations.”

On the site, data is provided by the state Department of Health depicting the impact COVID-19 has had on the community. This will include tracking vaccine progress and other COVID-19 statistics. Additionally, links for resources such as 2-1-1 for housing assistance, food access as well as acquiring transportation assistance to get a vaccine are on the site.
The website will have more information on the COVID-19 community vaccination site once it is operating at the old A.C. Moore building at Manchester Crossroads on Route 30.

Media contact: Mark Walters, 717-779-6508

A new health center will provide access to primary care, integrated behavioral health care and other essential health services to Lebanon County residents.

FFH is a Federally Qualified Health Center with six sites in Lancaster, York and Adams counties. Building on a 50-year history, FFH is designed to help patients address barriers to good health that are often experienced by the 30 percent of Lebanon County residents living in poverty. A 14-member community advisory group of Lebanon leaders chose FFH as the primary care partner for the Dixon Center.

Jenny Englerth, president and CEO of FFH, said the new center has received strong support from other local health providers and social service agencies, as the community works together to open doors to better health for vulnerable patients. For example, Family First will send its obstetric patients to Lebanon Family Health Services, where they will receive services provided by the WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program. Lebanon Family Health Services also will provide educational classes in parenting, diabetes prevention and tobacco cessation to FFH patients.

“We appreciate the warm welcome the Lebanon community has offered us,” Englerth said. “Together, we will work to help local residents achieve their best health.”

To provide easy access to FFH, a new entrance was added off the rear parking lot of the WellSpan Dixon Foundation Health Center. The entrance also gives patients and visitors access to other services located in the building, including WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital’s rehabilitation unit, WellSpan Family Medicine – North Fourth Street and WellSpan diabetes and nutrition counselors.

Plans are to add a community room and space for other services that will support vulnerable patients to the adjoining area of the Dixon Center.

“WellSpan is excited to support this health center,” said Tom Harlow, senior vice president of WellSpan Health and president of WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital. “We look forward to continuing to partner with Family First Health in supporting the health of our community.”

York, PA: Family First Health is pleased to announce that we will be recognized as a finalist in Central Penn Business Journal’s 2019 Nonprofit Innovation Awards Program.

Family First Health will receive this recognition for our Connections for a Healthy Pregnancy program. Connections for a Healthy Pregnancy is a free community outreach program that supports expectant mothers living in York City and surrounding communities by connecting them to community resources that can mitigate or remove barriers to good health – increasing the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy outcome.

Community Health Workers meet with expectant mothers at their prenatal visit with the obstetric care provider and then check in on a regular basis through home visits and phone calls to access needs, provide peer support and offer connections to community resources.

The Connections for a Healthy Pregnancy program began in December 2017. Currently nearly 80 expectant mothers are participating in the program.

An awards breakfast will be held on Wednesday, March 20, from 7:30 a.m. to 10 am at the Valencia Ballroom in York. Tickets are available online at www.CPBJ.com/events.

York, PA: Pressley Ridge and Family First Health are welcoming referrals for Healing Ahead, a supportive group for children and youth, ages 12-17, directly impacted by substance use in their families or with their friends.

The program includes 6 weekly sessions, held from January 16 until February 20. Sessions will be held at the Pressley Ridge York Office from 5:00-6:00 p.m. The Pressley Ridge York Office is located at 141 E. Market Street in York. Snacks and drinks will be provided.

The group is FREE to all participants, made possible by support from the Rotary Club of York. Participants will receive a $25 gift card upon completion of the 6-week program.

Please contact Pressley Ridge for referral forms at 717-845-6624.

York, PA: Family First Health will observe the 30^th anniversary of World AIDS Day with several activities on Friday, November 30^th. This year?s theme is ?Know your status.? Significant progress has been made in the AIDS response since 1988, and today three in four people living with HIV know their status. But there is still progress to be made in reaching people living with HIV who do not know their status and ensuring that they are linked to quality care. Through Family First Health?s Caring Together program, a collaborative partnership with WellSpan Health, we offer a seamless system of coordinated, high-quality care for people who are HIV positive, so they can access the services they need.

World AIDS Day observance activities planned for Friday, November 30^th include:

• Free, confidential HIV testing at Family First Health?s George Street Center from 9:00 am-1:00 pm for anyone age 13 and older. The George Street Center is located at 116 South George Street in York. Testing will be done on the 3^rd An Informational booth will be set up on the 1^st floor during the same hours.
• Time of reflection and remembrance at the Serenity Garden of Hope from 2:00-3:00 pm. The Serenity Garden of Hope is located at Albemarle Park, 117 South Albemarle Street in York.
• Informational booth at Minnich?s Pharmacy from 9:00 am-1:00 pm. Minnich?s Pharmacy will also donate a portion of sales of over the counter items to support the Caring Together program. Minnich?s Pharmacy is located in the Colonial Shopping Center, 976 South George Street in York.
• Family First Health?s building will be illuminated with red lights on both Friday, November 30^th and Saturday, December 1^st.
• Patient quotes and informational facts will be posted on Family First Health?s Facebook page (facebook.com/fFamilyFirstHealth) on both Friday, November 30^th and Saturday, December 1^st.

Family First Health is also seeking donations of toiletries and women?s hygiene products to support Caring Together clients. Donations can be dropped at the George Street Center on the 3^rd floor at any time during normal business hours.

Individuals or medical providers interested in more information about the Caring Together Program can contact Program Manager, Rebecca Wilson, at 717-846-6776 ext. 4855.

York, PA: Family First Health Physician and Medical Director, Dr. Asceline Go has achieved the HIV Specialist credential through the American Academy of HIV Medicine.

Open to physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and pharmacists, the AAHIVM HIV Specialist credential remains the only one of its kind nationwide, establishing a standard by which all HIV care providers should deliver quality HIV care. Becoming an Academy-credential HIV Specialist is a way to remain current, demonstrate frontline experience and evolve with changes in HIV technology, with discoveries of new treatments and shifts in the nation?s health care system.

Dr. Go has been with Family First Health since 1999. She earned her Bachelors of Science in Zoology from the University of the Philippines and received her M.D. from St. Louis University. Dr. Go specializes in Family Medicine?and is credentialed with the American Board of Family Medicine. HIV Medicine is her sub-specialty and?she is credentialed with the American Academy?of HIV Medicine. She has spent nearly 20 years working to improve patient outcomes by providing health care that is patient-centered, prevention-oriented and educational.

Through Family First Health?s Caring Together program, we offer a seamless system of coordinated, high-quality care for people who are HIV positive, so they can access the services they need. Interested individuals can call 717-846-6776 for more information.

Family First Health also offers free, confidential HIV testing and counseling for individuals ages 13 and older at our George Street Center, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Gettysburg, PA: Family First Health is now seeing patients with substance use disorders at its Gettysburg Center. Family First Health takes a team-based approach to working with substance abuse disorders by providing patients with the comprehensive support they need to reach and maintain recovery, all within a primary care environment.

The Substance use services program provides social, biological and psychological support services together. Family First Health?s team:

• Offers medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to support ongoing treatment
• Navigates medical and dental care as needed
• Links to necessary outside supports related to treatment
• Addresses social issues such as transportation and housing
• Navigates community resources for ongoing recovery support

Family First Health?s Gettysburg Center is located in the Pebbles Plaza ?1275 York Road, Suite 17, Gettysburg. Substance use services are also available at its Hanover, George Street and Columbia Centers.

Interested individuals should call (717) 801-4864 to schedule an appointment.