PRESS RELEASE

Plainfield Health Center Expands Asthma II Collaborative Program
School-Based Program Expands To PHC Facility

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 1, 2002-PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY- The Plainfield Health Center, one of thirteen Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in New Jersey, dedicated to providing cost effective primary health care services for the residents of Plainfield and surrounding communities, announced today the expansion of its nationally recognized, school-based asthma program into the Plainfield Health Center, in addition to the two school-based sites. The Center is one of twenty-one FQHCs, nationwide, participating in the National Asthma II Collaborative, using the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's breakthrough series and the Chronic Model as a guideline to redesign care for asthmatic children.

This collaborative has been part of an initiative by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Health Resources Services Administration and the Bureau of Primary Health Care. Its goal is to eliminate the health disparities in our nation and in ensure access to quality primary care for racial and ethnic minorities, and for underserved populations.

"The Plainfield Health Center's interdisciplinary team, led by Rudine Smith, COO, participated in the intensive learning sessions sponsored by the Bureau of Primary Health Care. Dr. Phyllis Anderson-Wright, School-Based Director, redesigned care for a population of asthmatic children ages five through twelve at Washington Elementary School, home of The Healthy Place, and for high school students ages twelve through nineteen, at Cardinal Health Center, both school-based sites are satellites of the Plainfield Health Center," said Dr. Susan Walsh, Chief Medical Officer. "After successful completion of the pilot, we have spread our system of asthmatic care to all Plainfield Health Center pediatric patients. Beginning today, Plainfield Health Center is proud to expand the newly designed asthma care program to the pediatric department at our main facility under the direction of Dr. Basu, Chief of Pediatrics," said Walsh.

Beyond providing educational information on asthma to patients, self-management goals are established and monitored at each visit. The team has developed partnerships with community service organizations, the Board of Education, faith based initiatives, pharmaceutical companies, and state agencies.

For additional information about Plainfield Health Center's asthma program, or to make an appointment, please call 908-753-6401, extension 117.

About The Plainfield Health Center

The Plainfield Health Center, incorporated as the Plainfield Neighborhood Health Services Corporation, was born in 1969 under the auspices of the 1960's Model Cities Neighborhood Program. Led by a dedicated group of community activists, the Center was initially created to provide accessible health care to the residents of the West End of Plainfield.

Since then, the Center has grown, added more services, increased the number of specialties of professional health staff, and expanded its reach to the entire City of Plainfield and neighboring communities. Today, the Plainfield Health Center serves more than 17,000 patients annually. Its total care program provides adult medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, adolescent medicine, school based services, dentistry and ancillary support services.

copyright © PHC 2002