Delta Dental Foundation Awards Over $160K in Community Grants

11/29/22

Okemos, Mich. —The Delta Dental Foundation (DDF) recently awarded more than $160,000 in community mini-grants to 40 community-based oral health programs and organizations in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. This second round of grants follows $170,000 of funding earlier this year.

“We’re investing in oral health equity at the community level,” said Holli Seabury, EdD, executive director of the DDF. “These grants have a small but mighty impact filling gaps within our public health system.”

The goal of the Community Mini-Grants program is to increase dental access to increase dental access to historically and systemically disadvantaged communities, provide educational programming on the importance of oral health and how it relates to overall health, and reduce oral health disparities related to oral and overall health. Each grant was limited to a maximum of $5,000.

Recipients were selected based on the number of people served (and the impact of the program on said population), the program’s originality, the program’s level of community involvement and the applicant’s ability to measure success. This year’s grantees include:

Michigan

Ohio

Indiana

The next round of Community Mini-grants will open on March 13, 2023.

PrimaryOne Health announces 2022 Healthcare Justice Awardees

For immediate release
November 09, 2022

PrimaryOne Health announces 2022 Healthcare Justice Awardees
Community Member Dr. Cora Muñoz and PrimaryOne Health Staff Member Lauren Russo

Columbus, Ohio – PrimaryOne Health today announced the 2022 Healthcare Justice Awardees, Community Member, Dr. Cora Muñoz, and PrimaryOne Health Staff Member, Lauren Russo, DNP.

The 25th Anniversary Celebration and 8th Annual Healthcare Justice Awards will take place on November 10, 2022, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), located at 52 Belle St, Columbus. The Healthcare Justice Awards honor individuals and partners in our community who are eliminating health disparities, expanding access to healthcare and wellness services, and breaking down cultural and social barriers to quality healthcare.

This year’s event will support the new Healthcare Justice Scholarship Fund created in 2021to support scholarships for under-represented racial, ethnic, and cultural populations entering or advancing in healthcare professions. “I am extremely proud that we have established this critically important scholarship fund to support our development of a diverse and representative clinical pipeline for our under-represented populations who are entering or advancing in healthcare professions,” said PrimaryOne Health CEO, Charleta B. Tavares. “Practicing cultural humility while developing a clinical workforce that reflects our patient populations will improve the health outcomes of racial, ethnic, and cultural patient populations.”

Dr. Cora Muñoz was selected as the 2022 Healthcare Justice Award recipient for her service as a watchful eye and keeping abreast of academic research pertaining to health disparities. Dr. Muñoz has focused her career on ending health disparities and working towards promoting social justice. Amongst her other responsibilities, Dr. Muñoz always finds time to coordinate healthcare documents in other languages to help minimize language barriers.

Dr. Lauren Russo has been selected as the 2022 Healthcare Justice Award recipient for her commitment to bridging the educational and financial divide for patients, connecting them with vital resources to better their patient experience and overall health. Dr. Russo prioritizes patient-first care and takes the time to deal with each patient as an individual, building a rapport by considering their needs first.

Dr. Cora Muñoz and Dr. Lauren Russo will both receive their award during the 25th Anniversary Celebration and 8th Annual Healthcare Justice Awards on November 10, 2022. “These two individuals embody and exemplify the spirit of PrimaryOne Health; compassionate, committed, and results-oriented women working towards justice, equity, and patient-centered care for vulnerable and underserved residents and patients in Central Ohio,’ concluded Tavares.

In operation since 1997, PrimaryOne Health offers comprehensive primary care, OB-GYN, pediatric, vision, dental, behavioral health, nutrition, pharmacy, physical therapy, and specialty care services to over 48,000 patients. The organization provides services to UN/underinsured and insured residents throughout Franklin and Pickaway Counties at twelve (12) health center locations and four Mobile Health Centers.  It is the oldest and largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Central Ohio. For more information about PrimaryOne Health and its programs, go to www.primaryonehealth.org. PrimaryOne Health is a proud member of the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers (OACHC) and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC).

Veterans Voice: Local orgs help homeless veterans find stable housing, health care

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — When Frederick Williams left the Navy after the Vietnam War, he thought that the hardest parts of his life were behind him.

While in the Navy, Williams cleaned contaminated equipment and replenished two fleets with oils, bombs, missiles and other supplies. He returned to his home of Atlanta ready to move forward with his life.

But in the years after the war, Williams said he battled alcohol and anger issues. After a failed relationship left him without a permanent residence, he stayed with friends — until they faced foreclosures on their homes. He ended up homeless in Atlanta, he said.

“I went into the survival mode, and I survived through many situations,” said Williams. “I said, ‘It’s not going to last always.’”

Williams experienced bouts of homelessness for 10 years. Down on his luck, he said he turned to a local church, which recommended he get out of Atlanta.

“I really wanted to conquer it at the time because it was getting to be too much,” Williams said.

In January, the congregation bought Williams a one-way ticket to Columbus. After struggling to afford a place at $200 a week, he was introduced to Volunteers of America, a nonprofit that helps people secure affordable housing. The organization has provided Williams a free place to stay.

It was Williams’ case manager at Volunteers of America that introduced him to who he called his “angel”: Jose Feliciano, the manager for PrimaryOne Health’s “Healthcare for the Homeless” program.

Feliciano said PrimaryOne Health provides health care services to homeless people in central Ohio. Individuals can receive medical, vision and dental care at no cost. The organization also helps with transportation to appointments and referrals for substance use disorder treatment and behavioral health services.

Feliciano doesn’t consider himself an angel, but he appreciates helping those in need.

“Not everyone can express their gratitude, so when someone actually does open up and appreciate the effort, the conversation, the dialogue and the assistance — that’s more than a pat on the back,” Feliciano said.

With access to health care — and his own apartment — Williams said he’s making strides.

“I’ve come this far, and I can’t turn back now,” Williams said. “I’d be a fool to turn back.”

PrimaryOne Health’s main number is 614-645-5500. To connect with “Healthcare for the Homeless,” call 614-645-0521.

Dr. Ariel McDuffie Receives the New Practitioner Preceptor Excellence Award from OSU’s College of Pharmacy

Dr. Ariel McDuffie, Clinical Pharmacy Coordinator & Clinical Pharmacist at PrimaryOne Health, recently received OSU COP’s New Practitioner Preceptor Excellence Award. This award recognizes a new practitioner who has demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of pharmacy residents early on their career.

Said the College of Pharmacy of Dr. McDuffie, “Although being a new practitioner, [she] has gone above and beyond. [She has] shared [her] compassion for patients and shown the ability to help navigate barriers. But above all, [Dr. McDuffie] regularly and genuinely asks us how we are doing and how they can help. OSU COP residents would like to thank this preceptor and we are honored to present this award.”

Congratulations, Ariel! We are so proud of you!

Jangus Whitner Receives Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award and UNDER 40 Recognition

April 4, 2022
Jangus Whitner Receives Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award and UNDER 40 Recognition

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Ohio Pharmacists Association (OPA) announced that Jangus Whitner, PharmD, MHA of Columbus, Ohio, is the 2022 recipient of the Distinguished Young Pharmacist, which recognizes a pharmacist who has graduated in the last 10 years and made significant contributions to the profession of pharmacy. The award is sponsored by Pharmacists Mutual Insurance Company. In addition, Whitner was recognized with an UNDER 40 Recognition Award for leadership, excellence, and vision in the practice of pharmacy. These awards were presented at the OPA 144th Annual Conference held April 1-3.

Whitner earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from The University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Franklin University. He serves as the Director of Pharmacy Services and a Board-Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist at PrimaryOne Health, as well as an Apexus Certified 340B Expert. He is viewed as one of the foremost 340B experts in the country, speaking on the topic at both state and federal meetings. He fights for his patients and has a passion for the underserved patient populations in Ohio.

“While many young pharmacists have made significant contributions to their communities and to public health as a whole, Jangus Whitner’s commitment to the profession goes well beyond his work responsibilities. He is innovative, knowledgeable, dedicated, passionate and a caring health professional for his patients,” said Ernest Boyd, OPA Executive Director.

OPA, established in 1879, represents more than 4,000 pharmacists, pharmacy educators, and pharmacy students throughout the state. It is OPA’s mission to unite the profession of pharmacy and encourage interprofessional relations, while promoting public health through education, discussion, and legislation.

CONTACT: Ernest Boyd, Pharmacist, CAE
OPA Executive Director

(614) 389-3236

PrimaryOne Health North International Global Academy School-Based Health Center

March 21, 2022

PrimaryOne Health receives grant for Columbus City Schools – North International Global Academy School-Based Health Center

Columbus, Ohio – As part of Gov. Mike DeWine’s $25.9 million funding for 136 new or expanded School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) throughout Ohio, PrimaryOne Health in partnership with Columbus City Schools were awarded a SBHC grant totaling $1,306, 331.

The grant, School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) – Removing Barriers to Care is designed to develop new SBHC service sites in schools, expand services in existing sites, extend hours/days of operation, add services and increase populations served.

“PrimaryOne Health has a history of providing access to quality medical care to individuals and families including immigrant and refugee residents in need,” said PrimaryOne Health Chief Executive Officer Charleta B. Tavares. “This School Based Health Center will eliminate barriers to quality health care like transportation and provide primary care including dental and vision services for the school children and communities’ families,” added Tavares.

North International Global Academy located at 4007 Karl Road in Columbus, Ohio (Formerly Brookhaven High School) it will include a renovation project providing comprehensive SBHC services including primary care, oral health, behavioral health, substance use disorder, comprehensive vision, vision/hearing/health screenings, community health workers, social workers, health education, language interpretation, mobile health care. Services will be provided to students, families, staff, and community members, at the SBHC through face-to-face and/or telehealth visits.

School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) have emerged as effective models in improving student access to health care and closing the gap experienced by racial, ethnic and cultural communities experiencing health inequities. Delivering essential preventive and primary care services in the school setting eliminates many barriers to obtaining care such as transportation, missed time at work, lack of a practitioner or medical home and time out of the classroom.

The project is estimated to begin in March 2022 and be completed by March of 2023.

Working to provide access to services to improve the health status of families, PrimaryOne Health offers comprehensive primary care, OB-GYN, pediatric, vision, dental, behavioral health, nutrition, pharmacy, physical therapy and specialty care services to over 48,000 patients at twelve sites in Franklin and Pickaway Counties and two Mobile Health Centers. PrimaryOne Health is a proud member of the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers (OACHC) and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). For more information about PrimaryOne Health and its programs, go to www.primaryonehealth.org.

PrimaryOne Health Groveport Madison School-Based Health Center

March 21, 2022

PrimaryOne Health receives grant for new Groveport Madison School-Based Health Center

Columbus, Ohio – As part of Gov. Mike DeWine’s $25.9 million funding for 136 new or expanded School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) throughout Ohio, PrimaryOne Health in partnership with Groveport Madison Schools were awarded a SBHC grant totaling $3,047,486.

The grant, School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) – Removing Barriers to Care is designed to develop new SBHC service sites in schools, expand services in existing sites, extend hours/days of operation, add services and increase populations served.

“PrimaryOne Health has a history of providing access to quality medical care to individuals and families in need,” said PrimaryOne Health Chief Executive Officer Charleta B. Tavares. “This School Based Health Center is another proven way to remove barriers to quality health care,” added Tavares.

The Groveport Madison Local Schools Board of Education approved their new Community Wellness Center project as a “one stop shop” family oriented facility. It will include a 4,000 square-foot community health center. The new Community Wellness Center will be a renovation project providing comprehensive SBHC services including primary care, oral health, behavioral health, substance use disorder, comprehensive vision, vision/hearing/health screenings, community health workers, social workers, health education, language interpretation, and mobile health care. Services will be provided to students, families, staff and community members, at the SBHC through face-to-face and/or telehealth visits.

School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) have emerged as effective models in improving student access to health care and closing the gap experienced by racial, ethnic and cultural communities experiencing health inequities. Students who receive essential preventative and primary care services are more likely to be attentive, successful learners. Healthy students are better on all levels of academic achievement: academic performance, behavior, and cognitive skills and attitudes. Investing in the health of students contributes to healthy communities in the future.

The health center portion of the project is estimated to begin in March 2022 and be completed by March of 2023.

Working to provide access to services to improve the health status of families, PrimaryOne Health offers comprehensive primary care, OB-GYN, pediatric, vision, dental, behavioral health, nutrition, pharmacy, physical therapy and specialty care services to over 48,000 patients at twelve sites in Franklin and Pickaway Counties and two Mobile Health Centers. PrimaryOne Health is a proud member of the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers (OACHC) and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). For more information about PrimaryOne Health and its programs, go to www.primaryonehealth.org.

Columbus City Council recognizes leaders who’ve improved health of Black residents

By 

Published 9:50 AM, February 19, 2022

​​​COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus City Council Black History Month Celebration Friday featured reflections on the pain of the pandemic for Black residents and honored health professionals who have stepped up to improve health equity.

Dr. William J. Hicks II, vascular neurologist at OhioHealth Riverside, delivered a keynote address, discussing the grave disparities in health in Columbus.

“Your zip code can have a 20-year difference on your mortality, and I’m talking about in this town,” he said.

Speaking before five honorees were recognized with Poindexter Awards for their efforts to improve the quality of life for Black Columbus residents, Hicks said the city needs to address a range of problems, including environmental issues impacting Black communities, housing security instability, food deserts and the lack of diversity in medicine.

Hicks said the honorees receiving the award, which is named after the first Black member of Columbus City Council the Rev. James Preston Poindexter, represent the past, present and future of Black health in Columbus and together show a “beautiful” trajectory of leadership and progress, even though there’s tough work still to be done in the city. Hicks’ father, Ohio State oncologist Dr. William J. Hicks, who is at the tailend of a 48-year career in the medical field, was recognized Friday.

Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Mysheika Roberts, another one of the honorees, said that as a Lakers fan she was inspired to pursue a career in public health when she was in college and Magic Johnson announced he was HIV positive.

“To hear him say that he had HIV was huge for me as a collegiate, as an African American, and this was back in the day when we didn’t know very much about HIV and how it was transmitted, and for him to say that and to look so healthy, that was really a defining moment for me. At that point in time, I decided I wanted to do public health,” Roberts said. “I had no idea that there were so few African Americans in leadership in public health at that time.”

Roberts shared another defining moment of her tenure as the first Black health commissioner in Columbus, which came in the early days of the pandemic. Roberts said a gut feeling hit her that the Arnold Sports Classic, a marquee event for the city, should not go forward, due to the emergent virus.

After she called the mayor and then Ohio Health Director Dr. Amy Acton with her concerns, Roberts got a text to report immediately to the governor’s office.

“I showed up in the governor’s office, and I walked into a room that was full of Caucasian men, and everyone was looking at me, and I had to explain to them why I thought the Arnold should be changed, adjusted or canceled. That was an intimidating moment to say the least, but I followed my gut, and I followed the science,” she said.

Awardee Dr. Laura Espy-Bell, an OhioHealth ER physician, who is involved with a number of health diversity and inclusion initiatives, stressed the importance of pipelines for Black students to pursue careers in medicine.

“Approximately 5% of all physicians in this country are African American and only 2% of those physicians are African American women,” said Espy-Bell, who was also recognized for spearheading an advocacy campaign of Black doctors promoting the COVID-19 vaccines.

Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin said he is proud that Black Columbus residents are now more vaccinated than white residents, thanks in part to the work of the honorees.

“That was not an easy task when there was so much distrust, and rightfully so, for our past histories around medicine and how it has been used,” he said.

Hardin said the past two years have been particularly difficult and traumatic for Black Columbus residents, with data showing that Black hospitalization rates are disproportionately high.

Friday’s event honored Dr. Jefferson Alfred Blair, who was an OBGYN in Columbus for more than 45 years and died in 2011. Jefferson was the first African American accepted to Ohio State’s medical internship program. Hicks said it’s important to honor trailblazers, like him, given the continued lack of representation in medical careers.

The event also honored Charleta B. Tavares, CEO of PrimaryOne Health, a system of community health centers.

Tavares said the vision in her career has been to eliminate inequities in health care.

“We know that we get better health outcomes when people see people that look like them, or that are culturally appropriate in the care that they share,” she said.

New transportation program aims to help Linden residents access health care, job training

By Ken Gordon
The Columbus Dispatch

Published 6:48 AM, January 24, 2022

Starting Feb. 1, many residents of Columbus’ 43211 ZIP code will be able to get free rides to health care appointments and job training programs, thanks to the next phase of a partnership with CVS Health.

The drug store chain announced a pilot program for the ZIP code, which is mostly in the Linden neighborhood, in which people can access rides with Uber Health through several nonprofit groups, including PrimaryOne Health, a system of community health centers, and Eckerd Connects, a workforce training agency.

It is one of five cities in which CVS Health is investing to address social determinants of health in underserved communities. In the 43211 ZIP code, about 40% of residents live in poverty, according to Charleta Tavares, CEO of PrimaryOne.

“I’m excited about these partnerships, and I hope we have healthier individuals,” Tavares said.

How Linden residents can arrange for free rides to appointments

Tavares said PrimaryOne has two mobile health centers, which will be spending more time in the 43211 ZIP code. But for people who need to get to an appointment, they will be able to call PrimaryOne and the nonprofit will arrange a ride from Uber Health.

Tavares said PrimaryOne received $25,000 from CVS Health for the first year of the partnership. CVS overall has committed $260,000 to the five Columbus nonprofit groups involved, according to a news release, and the commitment is for five years.

The other local partners are Mid-Ohio Food Collective, Local Matters and Columbus State Community College.

Eileen Howard Boone, a CVS Health vice president, said Local Matters will be visiting the Rosewind housing complex in Linden and conducting programs such as teaching teenagers how to cook a meal.

In September 2020, CVS Health announced the first phase of its plan, committing $13.7 million to rehabilitate Rosewind, which is located east of Cleveland Avenue and north of 11th Avenue and managed by the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority.

“We’re trying to leverage the investment we have already made and provide wrap-around services to ensure people can get health care and have access to food and job training,” Boone said.

Social determinants of health basically means that a person’s health is not based solely on the quality of health care located nearby. Health is greatly affected by a person’s access to healthy food, by their income and by stress levels, which can be affected by race, poverty or the safety of their neighborhood.

CVS Health is also piloting similar programs in Atlanta; Fresno, California; Hartford, Connecticut; and Phoenix.

Boone said CVS Health will monitor the programs and perhaps make some tweaks in a year or two. The hope, she said, is to eventually extend the commitment past five years.

“This is a new level of connection with underserved communities, and the response from the nonprofits we approached has been extraordinary,” she said.

@kgdispatch

Public Service Announcement – COVID-19 Testing, Vaccines, Kits

December 20, 2021                                   

Public Service Announcement

PrimaryOne Health continues to offer COVID-19 Testing, Vaccines and Test Kits at three Health Centers reopened health center

Who: PrimaryOne Health, central Ohio’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)

What: As Ohio experiences COVID-19 case numbers not seen since January of this year, PrimaryOne Health continues to provide COVID-19 testing, vaccines and test kits to the community.

When:  Mondays and Wednesdays – 9 am.-12 pm.

Where: PrimaryOne Health 1500 East 17th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43219

To register, individuals can text: VACCINE to 614-502-5329 or log on to https://www.primaryonehealth.org

Contact: James Sims II, PrimaryOne Health:

614/226-5756 or james.sims@primaryonehealth.org

 Background: Since January 2021, PrimaryOne Health has administered more than 2,600 COVID-19 vaccines to individuals in central Ohio.

In operation since 1997, PrimaryOne Health provides comprehensive integrated primary care and behavioral health services to insured, UN/underinsured residents throughout Franklin and Pickaway Counties. The organization operates twelve (12) health center locations and is the oldest and largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Central Ohio.

Working to provide access to services to improve the health status of families, PrimaryOne Health offers comprehensive primary care, OB-GYN, pediatric, vision, dental, behavioral health, nutrition, pharmacy, physical therapy and specialty care services to over 48,000 patients.  PrimaryOne Health is a proud member of the Ohio Association of Community Health Centers (OACHC) and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC). For more information about PrimaryOne Health and its programs, go to www.primaryonehealth.org.