Kids throughout Central Pennsylvania got in the St. Patty’s Day spirit while they also learned a lesson on eating healthy. Family First Health kicked off its “Eat Your Greens” campaign. The family friendly event took place Saturday at Central Market. Kids created festive leprechaun masks while adults picked up free recipe cards for healthy snacks, like veggies. The event’s a way to encourage patients to make fruits and veggies part of their discussion with doctors and dentists.
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
c: 203-731-7228
Family First Health launches ‘Eat Your Greens’ with ideas to sneak veggies on the go
Central PA (4 March 2015) — Family First Health, a community health center in York and Adams counties, is encouraging patients to make fruits and veggies part of the discussion with their doctors and dentists. Through a series of events called “Eat Your Greens,” Family First Health is encouraging a healthier lifestyle that improves the overall health of our communities.
The campaign kicks off with a family-friendly event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at York’s Central Market, where kids can create a festive leprechaun mask and adults can pick up free recipe cards for veggie-friendly snacks. Family First Health will also be partnering with Hively Landscaping to give away reusable shopping bags to hold all your goodies!
Family First Health will also sponsor the first-ever vegetarian chef challenge at YorKitchen on March 26 with Chefs Tim Spangler of Mezzogiorno and Trae Grabosch of LettUsKnow. The campaign wraps up with Family First’s famous stuffed veggies at a photo booth in Central Market for “Go Green in the City” April 18. Stop in and pose with your pledge to #EatYourGreensYork.
In the campaign’s third year, Family First Health is focused on the message that incorporating vegetables into your meals and snacks doesn’t have to be time-consuming or difficult. The public can visit familyfirsthealth.org/greens for easy ideas on how to eat healthfully while on the go, or Like Family First Health on Facebook and follow them on Twitter for shareable images and quick tips throughout March and April.
###
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.
These services are supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Health Center Quality Improvement FY 2015 Grant Awards for $55,897. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.
Media Contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
Family First Health receives more than $36,000 for AIDS testing and program support from the York County Council of Churches
York, Pa. – Family First Health is pleased to announce it has received a $36,932.74 donation from the York County Council of Churches, directed toward AIDS testing and program support.
As federally qualified community health center, Family First Health provides a wide range of HIV-related services in York County to people who are HIV positive, to patients of Family First Health, and to others in the community.
People who are HIV positive receive services through Caring Together, a collaboration between Family First Health and WellSpan Health system that provides a single point of contact for easy access to services, coordinated care to maximize effectiveness and minimize duplication of services, and a comprehensive quality improvement program to ensure high-quality care.
Knowing one’s HIV status is important; early diagnosis of HIV produces better long-term medical outcomes, and people who are actively being treated for HIV are less likely to transmit it to others. In fiscal year 2014, 592 tests were completed in outreach testing and walk-in testing at Family First Health. Between July and September 2014, staff performed 104 outreach HIV tests.
“As sustained funding for HIV services has become more challenging, this contribution from the York County Council of Churches will enable Family First Health to continue to offer universal testing to patients and community members, placing much-needed emphasis on the importance of knowing your HIV status and preventing the incidence of infection,” said Courtney Lewis, director of development at Family First Health.
Pictured in the photo, from left: Asceline Go, MD, Family First Health Medical Director; Courtney Lewis, Family First Health Director of Development; Jenny Englerth, Family First Health CEO; Lettie Jackson, York County Council of Churches O.P.E.N. Program Manager (Ordinary People Extraordinary Needs); and Chad Linder, York County Council of Churches Board Chair.
# # #
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.
These services are supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Health Center Quality Improvement FY 2015 Grant Awards for $55,897. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.
Dr. Asceline Go spoke with York Daily Record/Sunday News on vaccinations.
An excerpt:
Family First Health has not seen an increase in people opting out of vaccines, but there are pockets of people who make that choice. A bigger issue is the number of vaccines a child receives in a short time frame, not a specific vaccine, said Dr. Asceline Go, medical director and physician at Family First Health.
Dr. Wanda Filer spoke with Medical Economics on how high deductibles are forcing physicians to evolve their billing and communication practices.
An excerpt:
Wanda D. Filer, MD, MBA, FAAFP, president-elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), says pricing information isn’t readily available in all healthcare markets, especially in competitive areas. She manages about 90% of patients’ health concerns in her primary care practice in York, Pennsylvania, without referrals to specialists. “My role is to offer them the best services that I can,” Filer says, while acknowledging that she tries “not to incur any more costs than I need to.”
The York Dispatch covered a new Reading Ready Corner installed by the United Way at our George Street Center. Read the full story online.
The Gettysburg Times talked with our certified application counselors about the assistance available for the Affordable Care Act open enrollment period. Read the full article online.
MEDIA ADVISORY
Media Contact
Sarah Chain
schain@gavinadv.com
o: 717-848-8155
c: 203-731-7228
Family First Health’s Caring Together Program hosts remembrance for World AIDS Day
WHEN:
1 to 3 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 1
WHAT:
Family First Health’s Caring Together Program will present a program in support of World AIDS Day on Monday, Dec. 1. Guest speakers will share their stories, reflections and remembrances, and program staff will share current HIV/AIDS stats and facts.
More than 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV infection, and almost 1 in 7 are unaware of their infection. The Caring Together Program, a collaborative partnership between Family First Health and WellSpan Health, provides a seamless system of coordinated, high-quality care for people who are HIV positive so they can easily access the services they need.
The 2014 theme for World AIDS Day is Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation. Monday’s program is an open-door event and guests are free to come and go as needed. Light refreshments will be provided.
WHERE:
Family First Health, Third Floor Community Room
116 S. George St., York PA 17401
BACKGROUND:
As of March 2014, the Caring Together Program program included 589 HIV positive individuals. Rapid HIV screening has been integrated into routine medical visits at all Family First Health locations.
# # #
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
Family First Health invites public to free Affordable Care Act enrollment sessions
WHAT:
Family First Health is offering free group enrollment sessions during the Affordable Care Act open enrollment period, which runs through Feb. 15, 2015.
Individuals who are currently employed, filing taxes in 2015, without health insurance, a resident of Pennsylvania and are not offered employer-based health insurance may be eligible for low-cost health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
Those without coverage in 2015 face an increased financial penalty of $325 per adult and $162.50 per child OR 2 percent of household income, whichever is higher.
Family First Health’s Certified Application Counselors will be available at each enrollment session to assist with navigation of the marketplace.
WHEN/WHERE:
Thursday, Dec. 4 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., George Street Center, 116 S. George St., York PA
Thursday, Dec. 18 – Noon to 7 p.m., George Street Center, 116 S. George St., York PA
Thursday, Jan. 8 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Guthrie Memorial Library, 2 Library Place, Hanover, PA
Thursday, Jan. 15 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Adams County Library, 140 Baltimore St., Gettysburg, PA
Thursday, Jan. 22 – Noon to 7 p.m., George Street Center, 116 S. George St., York PA
Thursday, Jan. 29 – 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Hanover Hospital Wellness & Education Center, 400 York St., Hanover, PA
Thursday, Feb. 12 – Noon to 7 p.m., George Street Center, 116 S. George St., York PA
BACKGROUND:
Registration is required for some sessions; find full dates and details at www.familyfirsthealth.org/fees-insurance/enrollment.
# # #
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 Web site at www.familyfirsthealth.org. Se habla español.
