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Secretary Of Health Visits Dental Clinic, Emphasizes Importance Of Oral Health

09/12/2022

York, PA – Emphasizing the need for access to oral health care for all Pennsylvanians, Acting Secretary of Health and Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson today visited the dental clinic at Family First Health – George Street Center in York.

“You cannot be truly healthy without good oral health,” said Dr. Johnson. “Many people do not realize that dental disease can cause a variety of health issues. Our hearts, lungs, and other organs can be harmed. Chronic conditions like diabetes can be worsened. Pregnancies are also negatively impacted. It can also take a toll on our mental health, as one factor leading to depression and low self-confidence.”

Dr. Johnson toured Family First Health’s George Street dental clinic, where patients of all ages can receive care from dental providers. Family First Health is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) offering accessible and affordable quality care in York, Adams and Lancaster counties. The center also has a mobile dental program that visits local elementary schools and childcare centers.

“It’s easy to protect your smile just by turning on the tap and drinking a glass of water,” Dr. Johnson said. “Community water fluoridation has been recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the 10 greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. The evidence from numerous academic, government and independent studies over the years has continued to demonstrate that community water fluoridation is safe, effective and economical resulting in significant benefits and cost-savings to communities.”

Dr. Johnson was joined by Family First Health President and CEO Jenny Englerth and Vice President of Dental Services Dr. Joseph Mountain on her tour.

“We welcome the Secretary and appreciate the spotlight her visit is shining on the importance of access to oral health care,” said Englerth. “Our team works to connect the dots between medical and dental care which supports better overall health for our patients and the communities we serve.”

In addition to promoting the benefits of water fluoridation, the Department of Health is also working to improve the oral health of Pennsylvanians and to help ensure that oral health care is affordable and accessible to all by utilizing federal grants to improve the oral health workforce across the state. This funding, totaling $3.45 million, will help to provide continuing education to oral health professionals, increase opportunities to serve vulnerable populations, provide tele-dentistry support and support oral health integration into community-based agencies.

For more information on oral health in Pennsylvania visit www.health.pa.gov.

MEDIA CONTACT: 
Mark O’Neill, DOH  | ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov

Gettysburg Times: Nurse-Family Partnership helps first-time mothers

GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Becca Holding knew she needed a fresh start when moving to Adams County.

The Gettysburg resident was battling an addiction and domestic violence with a previous partner in Texas before the move.

She picked up her life and started over in Fairfield, she said, adding that she got pregnant here in Adams County and did not know what resources were available to her at the time.

A flyer at the doctor’s office changed her life. It was for the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), an evidence-based community health program under Family First Health.

After successfully graduating from the program, Holding said her past self would be most proud of her sobriety and stability.

“I am not by any means perfect, but I have the life I never thought I could,” she said. “I have a family I love and a fulfilling career.”

Joining the program when she was six weeks pregnant with her daughter, Abigail, Holding did not know what to expect.

“It taught me a lot,” she said. “It helped me grow as a mother. It helped me find answers and feel confident in myself and my parenting abilities.”

As a first-time mother, Holding said she had a lot of questions.

“It’s scary. It was really nice having a nurse to help ease my anxiety and come up with solutions, even if not baby-related,” Holding said.

Holding said Chelsea Boyde, the lead nurse home visitor in Adams County, supported her in reaching milestone goals like obtaining her own apartment and getting a job.

While the NFP expanded into Adams County four years ago, it had only gotten started one year prior to the pandemic, Boyde said.

Facing staff turnover in healthcare after relationships were built, the program was put on the backburner during the pandemic, according to Boyde.

Through the grant and federally funded program, nurses provide mentorship, assessment, and education prenatally and through the child’s second birthday in the people’s homes at no cost, Boyde said, adding that the program serves high-risk and low-income first-time mothers.

NFP currently has funding to serve 50 families in Adams County this year with some spots already filled, according to Boyde.

“We are working toward the growth to fill those,” Boyde said. “We can then apply for more funding and expand, which is what we hope to do.”

Boyde said she has seen the need in Adams County for a program like this.

“We work really hard to empower women and follow what they already innately know,” said Boyde.

To be eligible for the program, individuals must meet the low-income criteria, be a first-time mother, be their first-time parenting, and be enrolled by the 28th week of pregnancy, according to Boyde.

Challenges facing first-time mothers include homelessness, substance abuse, difficulty in gaining access to community resources, educational and intellectual barriers, and lack of support, Boyde said.

“The biggest problem is finding affordable housing for people in Adams and York counties,” said Lisa Lathrop, the program manager for both counties.

Before becoming a program manager, Lathrop’s dream job in nursing school was to work in the field, like Boyde.

“I fully believe in this job,” said Lathrop, who faced financial hardship when her husband was self-employed. “As a first-time mom, I know the stigmas because I lived within that.”

Through education, Lathrop said she was able to pull herself out.

“A lot of these women have such big goals to further their education and move forward with their lives,” Boyde said. “They just need that mentorship.”

The National Service Office (NSO) recorded the median age for Pennsylvania moms is 23 years old at the time of intake. The organization also noted 80% are unmarried at intake and 74% are enrolled in Medicaid in Pennsylvania.

Additionally, the annual median household income in Pennsylvania at intake is between $6,000 and $9,000, according to NSO.

Boyde said NFP is part of the newly-formed Adams County Maternal Child Advisory Board, which partners with agencies helping families with children under 5 years old.

The virtual meetings have brought together 40 people each month to collaborate with one another, Boyde said.

“It shows the huge need for maternal support in Adams County,” Boyde said. “I know the need is out there. I hear it every single day.”

Those interested in more information about the program can visit the website at www.nursefamilypartnership.org/nfp-moms.

Additional ways to reach NFP include calling 717-843-6330, texting 717-916-4099, or emailing dcaraballo@familyfirsthealth.org.

ABC27: Health workers speak on black breastfeeding week

HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — Aug. 25 marks the start of Black Breastfeeding Week. The staff at Family First Health in York explained why focusing on moms of color has to do with the percentage of them who attempt to breastfeed.

“The CDC has told us that the initiation rate for black women is lower than the national average. It’s 76% for black women and the national average is about 84%, so we know there’s less likelihood of initiation and duration of breastfeeding,” said Heather Haug, a registered nurse at Family First Health.

Doctors say breastfeeding can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses and infections for both moms and babies.

Watch the video here

ABC27: Midstate participates in national HIV testing day

YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — More people found out their HIV status this year than last year, a key statistic during a push for outreach. June 27 marks national HIV testing day, and Family First Health in York was among the many Midstate organizations encouraging people to get tested.

Thirty seven people agreed to be tested by Family First Health on June 27, and Family First leaders say that’s a big improvement.

“Last year, due to COVID, we were only able to test about ten for our event. So definitely much better this year, and in 2020 we had to cancel the event, so just being able to have the event again was great,” said Nicole Buchanan, Lead Medical Case Manager at Family First Health.

Family First offers free HIV testing every weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., no appointment required.

Watch the video here

FOX43: Caring Together program offers free, confidential HIV tests

YORK COUNTY, Pa.—

Family First Health’s “Caring Together” program provided free HIV tests Monday in front of their George Street office.

The York-based non-profit is working to spread awareness and address stigmas about the disease.

Event organizers stress the importance of getting an HIV test, no matter who you are.

“Everyone should get tested.. everyone. No matter if you’re married for many years or you’re single and you’re not active right now. You should get tested at least once in your lifetime, and if not at least once a year,” said Nicole Buchanan, Medical Case Manager at Family First Health.

The group also handed out educational materials and held giveaways to help normalize HIV testing.

Organizers say that despite the stigma of HIV and aids, someone can still live a long happy life by taking daily medication.

Watch the video here

ABC27: FFH to implement health and wellness coach for York City School

YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Family First Health says they know the last two years have been hard – but they are beginning to see the lingering psychological effects of the pandemic.

The American Academy of Pediatrics declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health last fall. FFH representatives said the pandemic also impacted children’s physical health.

The CDC reports childhood obesity in the U.S. is a serious public health issue and studies are showing twice as many children experienced an increase in BMI during that time.

A few other issues seen include:

  • Nutrition
  • Physical activity
  • Sleep
  • Anxiety

These are just some of the topics Health Coach Sharla Scotten is hoping to address with students at Hannah Penn K-8 in York County.

“We are excited for the launch of the health coach role at Hannah Penn’s School-Based Health Center,” said Erica Johnson, the School-Based Health Center Manager for Family First Health. “The role will help to improve the social, emotional, and physical wellness of the students, their families, and ultimately, the community.”

Watch the video here

Asceline Go, M.D., recognized as COVID-19 Hero by Central Penn Business Journal

Asceline Go, M.D., representing Family First Health, has been recognized as a “COVID-19 Hero” in the Central Penn Business Journal’s annual Health Care Hero awards.

For more than 20 years, Dr. Go has served as a primary care physician at Family First Health. “Being able to take care of patients and help them navigate their health needs has always been a priority for me,” so Dr. Go, who current serves as Vice President of Medical Services at FFH.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, her dedication to the center, its staff and patients couldn’t have been more evident. While continuing to provide compassionate care to her patients living with HIV and other family medicine patients, she took the lead in supporting staff and patients with valuable information, administering vaccines, providing vaccine education, and keeping the organization up to speed on the new scientific information related to the evolution of COVID-19.

Serving as vaccine champion, Dr. Go also went the extra mile in encouraging staff to get vaccinated. This included one-on-one conversations to discuss employees’ hesitations and questions. Never judging, she gave her complete attention to each employee and supported them in their decision regarding the vaccine.

Helping the community navigate the pandemic, Dr. Go tireless attended outreach events often providing education and administering vaccines. For example, she was at the Fourth of July vaccine event at the York Revolution baseball stadium, at the Freebird employee vaccination event in the cold and rain, and at LifePath in York, engaging with different people in all of these different environments with respect and openness.

“If we don’t take care of our neighbors, we won’t succeed in the fight against the virus,” Dr. Go said. “We have to take care of the next person. It’s us against the virus, not us against the people.”

Every day, Dr. Go exemplified the importance of following the science and provided the encouragement, humor, and support that helped Family First Health’s staff, patients, and community members navigate uncharted waters.

ABC27: Midstate Family First Health prides themselves on an 89% women workforce

DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) – Across the Midstate Family First Health is led by a team that is 89% women.

“You know When I think about this topic, you know its been front and center for me throughout my career,” said Jenny Englerth, President and CEO of Family First Health.

She added, “I understood that the environment was largely female dominated but that leadership in health care was still victim of a glass ceiling.”

A glass ceiling, Englerth broke.

“It’s a great way to see an opportunity that as a working woman you can continue to grow and develop into a leader yourself,” said Michelle Jordan, Director of Medical Operations at FFH.

“I think women tend to have a higher emotional intelligence where maybe they don’t have to work at that quite as hard,” she said.

Without offending the men in the room, Jordan said it is a crucial part of pandemic peaks.

“Women tend to be the caregivers and so in our organization we were really trying to make sure that we could support women and make sure they didn’t need to make tough decisions,” said Jordan.

Women didn’t have to leave the job, take time off, find childcare. Family First Help made sure to keep their staff and patients first.

To other women dominated workforces CEO Jenny Englerth has this advice:

“Not to tear one another down, or to find the weakness in someone else and exploit that and I think that some of those behaviors in other environments are common. That isn’t part of our environment and that wouldn’t work as part as our environment.”

Watch the video here

After a successful year, York COVID-19 vaccine clinic to close later this month.

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, 3rd, 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