Patient First in the Community

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.

Community Relations News

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See what Patient First is doing in the community.

Spring has sprung, and there was plenty of evidence that people were ready to emerge from not just the winter, but the pandemic as well, at this year's Towson Town Spring Festival! Encompassing five square blocks in the heart of Towson, this two day event is one of the largest outdoor events of the year for the community, as it made its return for the first time since 2019. An estimated 90,000 people lined the streets to take in the sights, sounds, and services of the community.

The staff of the Patient First center in Towson came out to participate in the Festival, handing out promotional items, and interacting with both former patients, and a few who were unfamiliar with our services. Plenty of those who stopped by our table took the time to say thank you for the care and efficiency with which our doctors, nurses and support staff helped them through their emergencies.

Some storm clouds might have washed out the last 90 minutes of the second day for the festival, but it didn't dampen the experience of anyone who took part in the fun of this weekend event!

The Harford County Department of Community Services held its 3rd biennial Family Resource Festival on Saturday, April 9th. About 1,000 people ranging in age from 86 years to 8 months flocked to the APG Federal Credit Union at Harford County Community College to learn about a host of services and programs serving the Harford County area.

In addition to the information and materials available to parents, there were also Tae-Kwon Do exhibitions and appearances by characters like Mario, Bluey, and even Darth Vader and his Imperial Guard to keep the kids entertained.

Patient First was a proud sponsor of the event, and our staff had many great interactions with attendees, all very familiar with our brand and quality of care. One person even recounted how the staff at the Bel Air center saved his eye, after getting a screwdriver lodged in it following a workplace accident!

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April is World Autism Month, but Holland Elementary School Champions Students with Special Needs Every Month

Each year, Patient First provides a monetary gift to schools near our centers. In Lower Bucks County Pennsylvania near our Feasterville center, Holland Elementary school used their gift to purchase adaptive physical education equipment. The new equipment is now enabling children with autism and a variety of other special needs to participate fully in gym activities. The school provided a “demonstration day” and invited us out to show us how our gift was put to such good use. They even invited Miss Pennsylvania Meghan Sinisi along to check things out. Meghan is an advocate for children with Autism and the founder of her own 501c3 organization, “From a New Perspective” which provides assistance to families and individuals on the autism spectrum by identifying resources and promoting autism appreciation through educational efforts. We discovered something quite incredible at the school during our visit. They have adopted a “reverse inclusion” model there, where typically developing students are paired with students with special needs to make new friendships, learn compassion, empathy, acceptance and appreciation for diversity. According to Miss Pennsylvania, “this school’s awareness and culture should be a positive example to every school in Pennsylvania and beyond!” We really enjoyed spending time with School Principal Joe MacClay and his incredibly dedicated team of professionals who showed us around, demonstrated equipment and provided opportunities to interact with students directly.

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Thank You! 

National Volunteer Appreciation week comes just once a year, and this provides us with a perfect opportunity to recognize and thank Patient first staff who join us at community events. Throughout the year many step away from roles in their center or office to represent Patient First at a variety of events and activities in the community. Organizers work tirelessly to put together events, and when Patient First staff participates in those events, we help to put “unity” in community. Come out see us when we’re at a location near you!

Take me out to the Ball Game is a tune closely associated with baseball, and that is exactly what Patient First recently did for 100 Lehigh Valley area veterans and their families as part of our sponsorship of “Operation Send a Vet” promotion with the Iron Pigs baseball club. Other organizations and businesses joined this promotion on Opening Night of the 2022 season, bringing together 2,500 vets and their families to feel our appreciation of servicemen and servicewomen – whether active duty or retired, in the reserves or national guard. It was such an honor to recognize and thank our veterans in such a public and high profile way. More than 7,000 people came out for the game, despite the rainy weather. We did stay dry for an enjoyable “first pitch” opportunity, and it was a first-of-the-season WIN for the Iron Pigs. So, at the end of the night, everyone was a winner!

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Run season is officially here! Patient First was excited to participate in the annual Tunnel to Towers 5k Run on Sunday, April 3. They had 215 runners and 67 volunteers. Children, adults, and even pets participated in the race. They had a full color guard and Sparky the dog mascot to entertain the kids.

Tunnel to Towers is a national organization and they have local chapters in which they raise funds to pay off the mortgage for a first responder or military family.

Patient First was proud to participate and support such a worthy cause.

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Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber Business Expo

Events are back! On Monday, April 11th, over 40 local businesses in the Gaithersburg-Germantown area came together for the Expo Connect; a business expo where businesses and individuals from the community can view the full spectrum of Chamber member businesses. The event offered the community an opportunity to network with local businesses, engage with exhibitors, and discover resources for business growth.

Two nurses from the local Germantown Patient First center were present.

Patient First was excited to attend and looks forward to attending again next year!

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Spring has sprung, and outside activities have begun! The City of Newport News hosted their first annual Spring Eggstravaganza at King Lincoln Park in Newport News, Virginia. From Easter Egg hunts, a petting zoo, bounce houses, to face painting, and a hot air balloon, there were so many things for the kids to do. Even the Easter Bunny made a special guest appearance!  

Patient First was proud to participate in such a fun event that supported the children and families in the community. We look forward to seeing what next year brings!

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The Annual Dog Jog and 5K Run tends to bring out several hundred people and their pups.  Despite the chilly and windy weather conditions on Saturday, this year was no different.  The grounds of the Robins Star Humane Center were packed with people and paws that paraded down Hermitage Road for a family fun event that even non-pet owners could love.  

Locals laced up their sneakers and kicked things off with the 5k run, while pups joined later for a one mile walk or jog of their choice. Even the children  participated in a quick sprint down Hermitage Road.  Patient First, a proud supporter of the SPCA and their mission, was excited to be a part of such a great cause.

Play Ball!

It was a chilly and blustery day, but that wind carried with it the promise of the return of the boys of summer, at this year's Bowie Baysox Family Fun Fest!

About 12 hundred people flocked to Prince George's County Stadium in Bowie for a day of fun, games, and anticipation for the 2022 Bowie Baysox season. There were even appearances from team mascots Louie from Bowie, and the Oriole Bird!

Patient First, which staffs and supports the First Aid station at each and every home game, participated in the event welcoming families and fans, and providing information and materials, illustrating our continued commitment to the community.

Good luck to the Baysox, as we look forward to a fun-filled and successful season!