As a recognized patient-centered medical home, with eight locations in Adams, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties, Family First Health is passionate about improving lives in big and small ways, from high-quality health services and innovative partnerships to daily actions of compassion.
Armed with a uniquely qualified team of health care professionals dedicated to creating an environment designed to reduce barriers to care and helping patients to live happier, healthier lives, especially amid a pandemic, Family First Health recently collaborated with WellSpan Health and the York City Bureau of Health to provide a COVID-19 vaccine clinic in downtown York.
The idea for this project emerged as it became clear that there was a need for York City residents to have access to the COVID-19 vaccine at a site they trusted and could easily access. As the vaccine became available, large clinics opened to the public, but they were located outside of the city, which caused barriers to access for city residents.
Housed in Family First Health’s George Street center, the clinic is an easily accessible location for city and county residents. Family First Health provided the location, vaccine inventory, clinical supplies, personal protective equipment and administrative support for this effort. WellSpan Health brought administration and staffing to the clinic, including numerous volunteers from the Hope Squad, as well as clinical oversight of operations. Finally, York City Bureau of Health provided financial support and medical director oversight. Since its formation, the partnership has resulted in thousands of COVID-19 vaccines being provided to residents ages 5 and up.
“Drawing on our past communication and collective efforts, each health care organization came together and played an integral role in ensuring the success of the site and continued evaluation of the needs of the community, an innovative and collaborative strategy to delivering a life-saving vaccine to the residents of York City,” said Jenny Englerth, President and CEO of Family First Health.
