PRESS RELEASE

Plainfield Health Center Hosts Seventh Annual Gala
“Springtime in Paris” to Raise Money for Increased Access to Health Care

For Immediate Release: Friday, April 25, 2003-PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY- The Plainfield Health Center, one of seventeen Federally Qualified Health Centers in New Jersey, dedicated to providing cost effective primary health care services for the residents of Plainfield and surrounding communities, announced its upcoming Gala and Silent Auction, to be held on May 3rd at the Hilton East Brunswick Hotel and Towers.

This year’s event honors Former New Jersey State Senator, and Pfizer’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Richard H. Bagger for his outstanding support for community health centers during his term in office. Also being honored are the Founders of the Plainfield Health Center, a group of dedicated citizens who over 30 years ago, worked tirelessly for the creation of the original Plainfield Health Center. These crusaders, Oliver Bartlett, Charles Jones, Laneuville Jones, Edna King, Nathalie Cox-Lilly, and William Wheaton, with the support of Mayor Paul O’Keeffe, established a well-baby clinic aimed at lowering an over 30% infant mortality rate, and ultimately provided for a total health care facility for the community.

This year’s event is being sponsored by Pfizer Corporation, Schering-Plough, The Marotta Family Foundation, Ethicon, The Badelamenti Family, Atlantic Detroit Diesel Allison, Solaris Health System, United Trust, AmeriChoice and PSE&G. Proceeds from this year’s Gala will benefit the Plainfield Health Center in its efforts to expand access to primary health care to thousands of additional patients over the coming year.

“We are so excited about this year’s Gala aimed at supporting enhanced access to health care for an even greater portion of our community and the broader service area, which includes the ElizabethPort community,” said Paulette Hussey, Gala Chair. “Beyond the event’s success as a fundraiser, it is a guaranteed fabulous evening.”

For ticket information, to make a contribution to this year’s Gala, or to acknowledge the honorees, please contact the Foundation Office on 753-6401, extension 152.

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, the City of Elizabeth, and neighboring communities. Today, the Plainfield Health Center serves more than 20,000 patients annually. Its total care program provides adult medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, adolescent medicine, school based services, dentistry and ancillary support services.

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