Patient First‘s commitment to the community goes beyond providing convenient, cost-effective health care. Patient First also supports numerous organizations that make a positive impact in our local neighborhoods and across the mid-Atlantic.
See what Patient First is doing in the community.
As we close out the month of March, also known as National Women's History Month, let's take time to recognize a woman who contributes to making the community a better place. Dr. Elizabeth Jenkins is a Colorado native and received her medical degree from the University of Colorado in 1996. She is board certified in family medicine and joined the Patient First team upon relocating to Virginia in 2002. Since joining the company, she has worked at multiple Patient First locations in the Richmond region. In addition to being a provider, she has also served as a trainer for new hires and a number of recertification courses. She has also taken the time to be interviewed by local media outlets, providing important information on topics to keep the community safe.
On Saturday, Dr. Jenkins volunteered her time to speak to over 100 girls at the Girls in Medicine Camp-In at the Science Museum of Virginia. Her topic on eye health was informative, relatable and interactive. She was able to keep her audience engaged with ease and the crowd appeared motivated. At the end of her presentation, many girls asked several questions about how to become a doctor. Dr. Jenkins' favorite thing about being a doctor is helping people and learning new things. A true measure of success is not always what you do for yourself, but the good you do for others. Please join me in saluting Dr. Beth Jenkins for all the good she does for our community!
We "got our Irish on" during Allentown's annual Irish Cultural Community Day event, presented by the Allentown St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, Inc.
Patient First has participated in this event many times over the years, and it has always attracted a great crowd, with lots of fun and spirited families, organizers and folks from all over the Lehigh Valley and beyond. This year was no exception. There were plenty of activities for families and children to enjoy all day.
The crowd for Community Day was enormous this year, and part of three days of Irish-related fun, including a Friday evening event, as well as the 64th Annual St. Patrick's Day parade on Sunday.
The return of our complimentary blood pressure checks was well received, and we were delighted to provide many during this event. We are always so happy to work with this great group of organizers who always put together a well-run and well-attended event. We were stationed at a perfect location, too, which gave us a great interaction and many conversations with event participants. We also got to enjoy the very talented Irish dancers, bagpipes and other instrumentalists and vocalists that made for an awesome day!
Nutzy's Annual Block Party returned to the Diamond on Saturday, March 4th. Hundreds of people came out to celebrate the upcoming 2023 Richmond Flying Squirrels' season. There were several vendors, games and activities for the kids. Nutzy and several of his character friends joined the excitement, participating in line dances and an autograph signing. The sun shone brightly, but the winds were swift, making it an overall chilly day. Fortunately, as the season progresses that tends to usher in the warmer weather.
This was the first time Patient First participated in this event, but we look forward to repeating this one in 2024. Here's wishing the Richmond Squirrels a great season ahead!
Patient First was thrilled to have sponsored the City of Rockville International Night, a spectacular event that celebrates diversity and promotes cultural understanding. This special occasion brought together people from different backgrounds to experience the beauty of traditional dances, clothing, and foods from around the world.
It was an unique opportunity for attendees to immerse themselves in a vibrant and diverse community, and learn about different cultures and customs. As a proud sponsor of this event, Patient First was honored to support the City of Rockville's mission of embracing and celebrating people of all cultures, creeds, and colors. We are delighted to be part of a city that values diversity and promotes inclusivity, making Rockville a true cosmopolitan city for which we all can be proud.
It was a cold and blustery day in York, PA on Saturday, March 11th, but the Irish spirit was turned up on high, as thousands lined Market Street to cheer on this year's York St. Patrick's Day Parade! This year marked Patient First's return as a parade sponsor, after a pandemic-forced hiatus, and it was a welcome one, at that! Our staff greatly appreciated the fact that parade organizers arranged to have the local Lutheran church open its hall to parade participants, allowing them to escape the wind and cold while enjoying warm beverages and snacks as they awaited the start of the parade.
Once we stepped off to begin, there were plenty of cries of, "We love Patient First!," as we marched the six blocks down West Market Street, handing out band-aid dispensers, hand sanitizers, and yo-yo's to the crowd. Before we knew it, the parade was over, and nearly all of our handouts were gone!
Everyone agreed this was a great event to take part in, and we look forward to next St. Patrick's Day and our return!
More than 400 people attended Algonkian Elementary's Invention Night on February 28. The event's goal was to empower students to make meaningful contributions to the world, using Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. It's aim was also to provide access points for guiding and exciting student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.
There were many hands-on activities, demonstrations, and experiments. Some companies brought technology for students and parents to view, and learn how technology impacts the world.
This was our first year participating in this event, and we were asked to showcase a demonstration illustrating the importance of proper hand washing techniques. Our demonstration sessions began with a Patient First nurse leading students to cover their hands with a special "Glo Germ" solution. That solution would light up as a black light was passed over their hands.
Next, the nurse had the students wash their hands as they normally would. A second pass of the black light showed the students the germs all the little blotches and crevices where the solution remained, illustrating how germs could still linger on their hands. After being shown proper and thorough hand washing techniques, the students washed their hands again, and saw via the black light how much more of the solution disappeared.
The students were amazed at the germs on their hands and nails! One student was determined to keep washing his hands until he no longer saw any germs on them!
Overall, the students were engaged and ask a lot of questions about germs, how they spread, and how people get sick from them.
We look forward to returning to Invention Night next year!
Spring-like weather arrived in time for the Dulles Virginia Camp & Summer Expo Event, and Patient First was thrilled to be a sponsor! This was an exciting indoor event, replete with information on sports, residential camps, arts, STEM, special flux camps, summer programs and summer fun destinations.
Our staff had a great time speaking with event attendees and sharing information about Patient First's services.
The expo event featured a magic show, Karate show, dance competition and even a DJ to keep kids and parents entertained throughout the day.
We had a blast, and look forward to seeing everyone next year!
The return to events in the Central PA region kicked off Saturday, February 18th with our return to the Lititz Fire & Ice Festival! This popular week-long event draws crowds from as far north as New Jersey and the Northern VA/DC area to the south, as this tiny Amish town suddenly bursts at the seams.
After a 3-year pandemic-induced hiatus, Patient First returned to this event, participating in this year's Chili Cook-Off, Vendor Fair & Kids' Carnival, sponsored by the Lititz Lions Club. This facet of the festival took place at Warwick High School, just a short walk from the rows of beautiful ice sculptures that lined the streets of central Lititz. About 2,500 people came through the doors to purchase arts and crafts, and partake in 11 different chilis offered by various restaurants, caterers, and senior facilities. The school's gym was also transformed into a bounce house and inflatable paradise for kids to get out all that pent-up winter energy!
After a few months' respite, it was great to get back into participating in these events, and get out and meet our patients, and thank them for choosing us as their urgent and primary care providers!
"Playing music fills the soul like no other activity, and it provides an incredible and thorough brain workout," says Mr. Jay Dorfman, instrumental music teacher at Delran Intermediate School. "Thanks to a most generous monetary gift from Patient First, we have been able to improve the band experience for our student musicians."
Each year Patient First provides select schools near its centers with financial support for innovative and creative programs, projects and activities. This year was no exception. Band is a "co-curricular" activity at Delran Intermediate School, where students receive small group lessons during the school day. The full band rehearses during after-school hours, and presents concerts in December and May, which are open to the public and free of charge.
Patient First has helped aspiring young musicians in Delran through the purchase of instruments to create an awesome band experience. New items include an electric stage piano, 24 ukuleles, various hand percussion items, an electric mallet station, percussion emulator, and much more.
Ms. Kim Hickson and Mr. Chris Sheridan, the school's principal and assistant principal agree that "Patient First's contribution has helped meet the needs of our students, and with the development of the arts and other creative outlets at our school-- especially the band program. Thank you!"
Jenkins Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia is an ongoing partner of Patient First. This school understands the importance of reading and focuses on initiatives to not only support the students, but also impact the community. This year, Jenkins used their donation to purchase books for their book vending machine. With this machine, students have access to brand new books at their fingertips. Jenkins also participates in the Books on Bikes program. This platform allows the children to ride their bikes while delivering books to members of the community. There are so many great benefits to reading, and it is something that we all can enjoy. Patient First would like to say "hats off" to Jenkins Elementary for positively impacting its students and the community!