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 25th 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:
Dominique Helms | 717-916-9965 | dhelms@gavinadv.com