OUR HISTORY
PHN was founded to provide medical care to the residents of the Shenango Valley and was originally named The Shenango Valley Primary Health Care Center. Since our inception in 1984, The Primary Health Network, a private, non-profit organization, has worked with local communities to develop and implement a new model of health care: the community health center. Prior to the establishment of community health centers, patients had limited choices for medical care. Hospital emergency rooms became their family doctors because many of them lived in communities where there were few medical providers, and financial barriers kept most from seeking preventive care.
The community health center differs from private medical practices by its broad range of services, and its management structure. Our network of sites exists because of the great need for a wide range of healthcare services accessible to people of all incomes. PHN now provides all of the following services: Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Neurology, Pediatrics, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Optometry, Podiatry, Dentistry, Oral Surgery, Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy Care, General Surgery Orthopedic Surgery, Endocrinology, Behavioral Health and Complementary Medicine. Complementary medicine includes, but is not limited to Massage Therapy, Acupuncture, Reiki Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Pain Management and Nutrition Education. As part of PHN’s focus on healthy lifestyles, we also offer Aerobics, Yoga and Spinning® classes. The management structure lends itself to community involvement and interaction because a volunteer board composed of community leaders and residents governs the community health center.
WHERE WE ARE TODAY
The Primary Health Network began as one small community health center and has grown to include 26 service facilities in 10 counties. We employ over 320 full and part-time providers and support staff, and reach more than 50,000 people annually through health and educational services. In keeping with the changing health care market, PHN participates in most managed care plans, processes most insurances and offers sliding fee billing to anyone who qualifies, regardless of insurance status.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
Our country’s future health care system will present new challenges and opportunities for us to grow. The Primary Health Network stands ready to meet the health care needs of all residents in the communities we serve and will continue to look to the future as we look forward to continuing to provide quality health care and caring.
