PRESS RELEASE

The Plainfield Health Center Opens PHC Quitcenter
One of First Tobacco Dependency Treatment Programs Funded by State

For Immediate Release: Day, October 10, 2001-PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY- The Plainfield Health Center, one of twelve 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 today the opening of the PHC Quitcenter, a Tobacco Dependency Treatment Program. The PHC Quitcenter is funded by the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services, Division of Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Addiction Services.
The Plainfield Health Center's Tobacco Dependency Treatment Program is uniquely designed to help individuals stop all forms of tobacco use. The program staff is professionally trained to provide effective and supportive treatment in the areas of: individual customized professional counseling and treatment; professional group counseling; assistance with prescribed medications for qualified individuals; assistance with Nicotine Replacement Therapy for qualified individuals.
"We are pleased to be able to offer a tobacco dependency program to our community," said Diane Pearson, Lead Program Specialist. "It is a known fact that smoking has long term negative health effects, and despite strong desire on the part of patients to quit, it is difficult for some to do so without assistance."

To enter the treatment program, call 908-753-6401, extension 157, or email at tobacco@phcmednet.org.

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 16,000 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