Kerry L. Hydash, MPA
Family HealthCare Network President & CEO
In the coming weeks, Family HealthCare Network (FHCN) will officially add optometry to the list of services provided to our patients. We have continued to see an increased demand for these services in our community, and this is an exciting new chapter for our patients who will now have affordable access to comprehensive vision exams, glasses and contacts, treatment of eye injuries and chronic eye diseases, and more.
Designated as a Patient-Centered Medical Home, patients of FHCN already have access to a wide range of services, including family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, dentistry, pharmacy, behavioral health, and more. With the addition of optometry, we continue rounding out the list of coordinated, comprehensive services we offer, creating a true health home for patients. Research shows that comprehensive services provided by a medical home like FHCN lead to higher quality and lower costs, and can improve patient and provider reported experiences of care.
Aligning with several of our strategic goals, not only does the addition of optometry services provide expanded access to care for those we serve, but is also a step forward in our progress to introduce additional health services for our patients. Specifically addressing the highest areas of need in our local patient population, we are currently looking at the exciting opportunity to provide various supplemental health services at FHCN.
Aiming to have additional service lines up and running by the end of the fiscal year, our team is busy working to make this goal a reality. This is sure to have an incredible impact for local patients who are uninsured, or underinsured, and currently face wait times of months, even years, for consultations and treatment of certain conditions.
With the addition of optometry services, and the ultimate goal of furthering our health care offered under the umbrella of services at FHCN, we hope to alleviate the barriers to care many local patients in our community currently face, and continue to improve health outcomes for those we serve.
Optometry services will begin being offered at at Family HealthCare Network December 9th, 2015 at the Visalia School Avenue Health Center, located at 401 E. School Avenue in downtown Visalia, with full availability starting in January of 2016. To schedule your appointment, call (877) 960-3426, or visit www.fhcn.org for more information.
