Patient First in the Community

More than 400 people attended Algonkian Elementary's Invention Night on February 28. The event's goal was to empower students to make meaningful contributions to the world, using Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. It's aim was also to provide access points for guiding and exciting student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.

There were many hands-on activities, demonstrations, and experiments. Some companies brought technology for students and parents to view, and learn how technology impacts the world.

This was our first year participating in this event, and we were asked to showcase a demonstration illustrating the importance of proper hand washing techniques. Our demonstration sessions began with a Patient First nurse leading students to cover their hands with a special "Glo Germ" solution.  That solution would light up as a black light was passed over their hands.

Next, the nurse had the students wash their hands as they normally would. A second pass of the black light showed the students the germs all the little blotches and crevices where the solution remained, illustrating how germs could still linger on their hands. After being shown proper and thorough hand washing techniques, the students washed their hands again, and saw via the black light how much more of the solution disappeared. 

The students were amazed at the germs on their hands and nails! One student was determined to keep washing his hands until he no longer saw any germs on them!

Overall, the students were engaged and ask a lot of questions about germs, how they spread, and how people get sick from them.

We look forward to returning to Invention Night next year!

Spring-like weather arrived in time for the Dulles Virginia Camp & Summer Expo Event, and Patient First was thrilled to be a sponsor! This was an exciting indoor event, replete with information on sports, residential camps, arts, STEM, special flux camps, summer programs and summer fun destinations.

Our staff had a great time speaking with event attendees and sharing information about Patient First's services.

The expo event featured a magic show, Karate show, dance competition and even a DJ to keep kids and parents entertained throughout the day.

We had a blast, and look forward to seeing everyone next year!

The return to events in the Central PA region kicked off Saturday, February 18th with our return to the Lititz Fire & Ice Festival! This popular week-long event draws crowds from as far north as New Jersey and the Northern VA/DC area to the south, as this tiny Amish town suddenly bursts at the seams.

After a 3-year pandemic-induced hiatus, Patient First returned to this event, participating in this year's Chili Cook-Off, Vendor Fair & Kids' Carnival, sponsored by the Lititz Lions Club. This facet of the festival took place at Warwick High School, just a short walk from the rows of beautiful ice sculptures that lined the streets of central Lititz. About 2,500 people came through the doors to purchase arts and crafts, and partake in 11 different chilis offered by various restaurants, caterers, and senior facilities. The school's gym was also transformed into a bounce house and inflatable paradise for kids to get out all that pent-up winter energy!

After a few months' respite, it was great to get back into participating in these events, and get out and meet our patients, and thank them for choosing us as their urgent and primary care providers!

"Playing music fills the soul like no other activity, and it provides an incredible and thorough brain workout," says Mr. Jay Dorfman, instrumental music teacher at Delran Intermediate School. "Thanks to a most generous monetary gift from Patient First, we have been able to improve the band experience for our student musicians."

Each year Patient First provides select schools near its centers with financial support for innovative and creative programs, projects and activities. This year was no exception. Band is a "co-curricular" activity at Delran Intermediate School, where students receive small group lessons during the school day. The full band rehearses during after-school hours, and presents  concerts in December and May, which are open to the public and free of charge.

Patient First has helped aspiring young musicians in Delran through the purchase of instruments to create an awesome band experience. New items include an electric stage piano, 24 ukuleles, various hand percussion items, an electric mallet station, percussion emulator, and much more.

Ms. Kim Hickson and Mr. Chris Sheridan, the school's principal and assistant principal agree that "Patient First's contribution has helped meet the needs of our students, and with the development of the arts and other creative outlets at our school-- especially the band program. Thank you!"

Jenkins Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia is an ongoing partner of Patient First.  This school understands the importance of reading and focuses on initiatives to not only support the students, but also impact the community.  This year, Jenkins used their donation to purchase books for their book vending machine.  With this machine, students have access to brand new books at their fingertips.  Jenkins also participates in the Books on Bikes program.  This platform allows the children to ride their bikes while delivering books to members of the community.  There are so many great benefits to reading, and it is something that we all can enjoy.  Patient First would like to say "hats off" to Jenkins Elementary for positively impacting its students and the community!

The future is in reading.

Recently, Patient First partnered with Algonkian Elementary School near the Sterling, VA location to sponsor their school literacy efforts. Patient First has longstanding partnerships with several school in the Greater D.C. area.

The school used the donation to purchase decodable books which were needed in all grade levels. Decodable books encourage children to sound out words using decoding strategies rather than guessing from pictures or predicting from other cues.

Algonkian Elementary is grateful for the donation from Patient First to help the readers of the future. "The books have been successful in helping our students become better readers," said Brian Blubaugh, Algonkian Elementary School Principal.

This week's school partner spotlight focuses on Fort Garrison Elementary. Located near our Lutherville center in Baltimore County, Patient First has had a long history of supporting the school, its 283 students, and the community at large. This school year, we are proud to help provide Fort Garrison with the funding for communications and learning support equipment for their autism programs, as well as a Ballroom Dancing and Family Night for 4th and 5th graders! We thank Principal Dr. Hope Baier, and PTA President Rachel Mogilevsky for their hard work, and allowing us to work with them.

What started as an Eagle Scout project and construction of flower boxes at Uwchlan Hills Elementary School in Downingtown, PA has grown into something much larger. Through a monetary gift from Patient First, this project continues to bloom and grow, with harvests produced throughout the year benefitting the school's "Helping Hands" families as well as the Chester County Food Bank.

Each season 40 to 50 students in first, second and third grades participate in "Garden Club" where they hear gardening stories, assist with planting, weeding, watering and cutting flowers for bouquets. They also help with weighing and bagging veggies the garden produces at harvest time.

School principal Robert Giering along with two faculty advisors, Ms. Kate Cool (second grade teacher), and Ms. Alicia Reiner (first grade teacher) lead the project from school staff. School families and parent volunteers also help the program continue to thrive. Two parents have been particularly instrumental with this project - Heather Landgarden and Ali Bruenderman. They are the "garden experts" and have worked side by side with school staff every step of the way.

Planting begins in April each year and continues in June and August, with crops planted during the appropriate season. Harvesting begins in spring and continues into November. Patient First's donation has helped the Garden Club purchase hoses, gloves and tools for the children as well as added soil and compost, additional native plants and flowers and even umbrellas and cabling for vining vegetables.

Schools lay at the heart of the community as the constant link that tie people together. Each year Patient First donates to multiple schools in the Mid-Atlantic region to help support the needs of its students.  This year Maude Trevette Elementary School in Richmond, Virginia decided to focus their donation on the purchase of ukeleles.  Music instruction is a great way to help regulate emotions and focus on social and emotional development.  It also creates community, a sense of achievement, and is a great way to build self-confidence.  We hope that these musical instruments allow the kids a comfortable form of self-expression, while creating enjoyable interactions amongst their peers.

Patient First has longstanding partnerships with many local schools in the Greater D.C. area.

Recently, Patient First partnered with Brookfield Elementary PTA to sponsor their annual Fun Run. The school is located near the Patient First Chantilly center. A total of 700+ students from Pre-k to 6th grade spent the day running laps around the track. Each grade level was given 40 minutes to run as many laps as possible. The students were greeted by the school mascot "Buddy the Bronco," who cheered them on through the entire race. The students also danced and sang through some of the laps with the encouraging music.

Every student was given a unique shirt color to help build camaraderie and team spirit. The event embodied team building, school spirt and health and wellness. Even some of the teachers joined in to walk and run next to their students. The students were all smiles from start to finish.

Patient First would like to shout out the amazing Brookfield Elementary PTA team, staff and students and look forward to the continuation our partnership.