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Primary Health Network Breaks Ground for Farrell Center
FARRELL, Pa. -- The Primary Health Network, the largest nonprofit network of community health centers in western Pennsylvania, today kicked off its 20th anniversary celebration by breaking ground here for a new 15,000-square-foot facility."I never expected PHN to be what it is today. I thought we would just be a small operation providing services to Sharon and Farrell," said Jack Laeng, executive director of Primary Health Network. "Here we are 20 years later and there is a growing need for our services." The Primary Health Network, headquartered in Sharon, Pa., was founded in 1984 as the Farrell Health Center with one doctor and two staff members. Today it has 22 medical, dental and optometry sites in Beaver, Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Lawrence and Mercer counties that collectively serve more than reach 50,000 residents of western Pennsylvania annually, Laeng noted.The network operates federally designated community health centers, which means it qualifies for funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services program highlighted by President George. W. Bush when he came to Youngstown May 25. (READ STORY) The Primary Health Network's operations are also funded by charitable contributions. Services are offered regardless of income to the underinsured and uninsured and are developed in collaboration with other community services.The Primary Health Network's new 15,000 sq. ft. building will be built in the former Farrell Park on Sharon-New Castle Road in Farrell. The location has both functional and historical significance, he said. "The site has a central location which is near UPMC Horizon, making it very convenient for our patients and providers," he explained. "PHN's first site was established 20 years ago in the Farrell community and it is only fitting that we build the new facility in the community where PHN started." Primary Health Network's new building will house five physicians, whose specialties include family practice, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology and pediatrics. Also based at the new building will be a certified nurse midwife and several certified nurse practitioners. In addition five dentists and three oral surgeons will provide care at the new location."There was a need to have more of our services under one roof to accommodate the needs and growth that PHN is experiencing," said Bill Friedrich, executive deputy director. "Our mission is to make quality health care available to all those in need by aggregating as many services as possible under one roof. We eliminate some of the obstacles that prevent people from getting the initial and follow up care they require." According to Friedrich, the new facility will bring as many as 15 new jobs to the community. "This number could grow as more doctors, dentists and/or specialists join PHN," he said.Primary Health Network has 204 full and part-time employees, including 53 providers who specialize in family practice, podiatry, obstetrics/gynecology, internal medicine, geriatric medicine, dentistry, oral surgery, pediatrics, general surgery, adult medicine, chiropractic, complementary medicine, optometry, orthopedic surgery, pain management, nutritional counseling and otolaryngology and allergy. The new Farrell facility will house the University of Pittsburgh's Cardiovascular Institute. PHN intends to add other specialists, including podiatry, surgery and otolaryngology. The new building will be completed in March with the medical wing finished in December, officials said John N. Gruitza Associates Inc. of Sharon, Pa., designed the facility; Hudson Construction Co. of Hermitage, Pa., is the general contractor. Visit Primary Health Network at www.primary-health.net"