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Family First Health

A community health care center

Family First Health to observe World AIDS Day with free HIV testing and other activities

York, PA: Family First Health will observe the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day with several activities on Friday, November 30th. 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 30th 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 3rd An Informational booth will be set up on the 1st 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 30th and Saturday, December 1st.
  • Patient quotes and informational facts will be posted on Family First Health?s Facebook page (facebook.com/fFamilyFirstHealth) on both Friday, November 30th and Saturday, December 1st.

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 3rd 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.

Family First Health Physician Achieves HIV Specialist Credential

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.

Family First Health Now Seeing Patients with Substance Abuse Disorders at Gettysburg Center

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.

Family First Health is Offering Free Group Open Enrollment Sessions

York, PA: Need a hand navigating the Health Insurance Marketplace? From November 1-December 15, 2018 you can apply for a 2019 Marketplace health plan. Family First Health is offering free group enrollment sessions during that time to help you navigate the Health Insurance Marketplace in York, Gettysburg and Hanover. Spanish assistance will be available.

 

York City Sessions

Family First Health — 116 S. George Street, York, 3rd Floor

  • Tuesday, November 6 — 3:00-6:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, November 13 — 3:00-6:00 p.m.
  • Monday, November 19 — 3:00-6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, November 28 — 3:00-6:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 4 — 3:00-6:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 6 — 3:00-6:00 p.m.
  • Friday, December 14 — 2:00-4:00 p.m.

Gettysburg Sessions

South Central Community Action Programs (SCCAP) — 153 N. Stratton Street, Gettysburg

  • Wednesday, November 14 — 3:00-6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, December 5 — 1:00-5:00 p.m.

Adams County Public Library — 140 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg

  • Wednesday, December 12 — 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Hanover Sessions

Guthrie Memorial Library — 2 Library Place, Hanover

  • Thursday, November 15 — 10:00-11:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 13 — 10:00-11:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

UPMC Pinnacle: York Street Center — 400 York Street, Hanover

  • Tuesday, November 27 — 3:00-6:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 11 — 3:00-6:00 p.m.

Connections for a Healthy Pregnancy Program Expands Service Area to include East and West York

York, PA: Family First Health’s Connections for a Healthy Pregnancy program has expanded its service area to include zip codes 17402 and 17408, in addition to zip codes 17401, 17403 and 17404.

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 78 expectant mothers are participating in the program.

Expectant mothers who would like to participate can call Connections for a Health Pregnancy staff at (717) 801-4812.

Family First Health Medical Receptionist, Maria Aponte, Receives Patient Choice Award for Outstanding Customer Service

York, PA: Family First Health Medical Receptionist, Maria Aponte, received recognition at the annual Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers (PACHC) Conference this week. Maria was awarded the Patient Choice Award (non-clinical), an Award for Primary Care Excellence (APEX Award), which recognizes the outstanding efforts of a dedicated individual who works for a Pennsylvania health center.

Maria has been a member of the Family First Health team for 4 years. In her role as Medical Receptionist, she always goes above and beyond for Family First Health patients and especially loves working with children in the Pediatric Department. Maria believes strongly in the mission and vision of Family First Health and strives to provide the best quality health care for our patients at all times.

“Maria has a smile on her face every day, regardless of what is occurring. I honestly don’t know how she does it. Her customer service skills are excellent! She is a great asset to Family First Health and is awesome to work with.” – Sue Posey, George Street Practice Manager

“Maria has excellent customer service skills and always makes sure that patients feel welcome. She always goes above and beyond to meet the patient’s expectations. She is a valued member of the Medical Receptionist department.” – Merielene Siple – George Street Medical Reception Supervisor

Family First Health Receives $130,753 Quality Improvement Award

York, PA: Recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $125 million in Quality Improvement grant awards to 1,352 community health centers. Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), health centers will use these funds to continue to improve quality, efficiency and the effectiveness of healthcare delivery in the communities they serve.

Family First Health received the award for recognition of employing Electronic Health Record Reporters (EHRs) to report on all clinical quality measures (CQM), improving clinical quality in one or more CQMs, enhancing access to care – increasing the total number of patients served and number of patients receiving comprehensive services, addressing health disparities, advancing health information technology and achieving Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition.

Family First Health’s award of $130,753 is the sixth highest award in the state of Pennsylvania out of 42 total organizations.

Family First Health is thrilled to be recognized for its work to improve the quality of care it delivers every day in the communities we serve.

Family First Health Receives $336,250 Award to Expand Access to Substance Abuse Services

York, PA: On Tuesday, September 19, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Health Resources Administration (HRSA) awarded nearly $400 million to combat the opioid crisis. HRSA awarded $352 million to increase access to substance use disorder and mental health services through the Expanding Access to Quality Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Services (SUD-MH) to 1,232 community health centers across the nation.

Family First Health was awarded $336,250 to support its efforts to implement and advance evidence-based strategies that best meet the substance use disorder and mental health needs of the population it serves.

Currently nearly 400 patients receive substance abuse services through Family First Health’s Center of Excellence. Award funds will be used to support those patients and expand access by supporting the staffing of both a case manager and recovery specialist and purchasing additional Naloxone kits for distribution to patients. Funds will also be used to hold a joint health summit with community partners to provide education on substance use disorders.

“Family First Health is positioned to use this funding to expand and enhance our primary care based model of treatment for substance use disorder that is needed by so many in our community” says Jenny Englerth, CEO. “We are grateful for the opportunity to deepen our impact and look forward to supporting the recovery process for more individuals in the coming year.”