Patient First in the Community

Algonkian Elementary, one of our valued school partners, allowed us to showcase our handwashing project during their STEM Night on Thursday, February 13th. Despite the cold and icy weather, it was a fantastic evening. 

The school is just 4 miles from our Sterling center and 8 miles from our Leesburg center. Algonkian Elementary holds a special place in our handwashing project journey, as it was one of the first to embrace the initiative, which has since expanded to many other schools. Each year, the project continues to grow, and the enthusiasm from students, parents, and staff remains strong.

The event was a success, with families coming out to support the students and their projects. The main stage in the gym hosted the award ceremony for the best invention, while classrooms were filled with engaging STEM activities. We were stationed in a classroom near the restrooms, making it easy for participants to wash their hands after testing their germ fighting skills. From kindergarteners to adults, everyone had fun. Many even turned it into a friendly competition to see whose hands were the cleanest!

One of the most rewarding moments was seeing third and fourth graders rush over to tell their friends how much they loved the handwashing activity, with some excitedly sharing that they had participated last year. I also had the opportunity to speak with parents who were waiting for their children, and the feedback about both our Sterling and Leesburg locations was overwhelmingly positive. Several parents who first learned about us at last year’s event are now loyal patients, and we also met many new families- some of whom recently moved to the area from Ukraine and South America. They were impressed by our services, especially the convenience of our extended hours and weekend availability.

Overall, STEM Night was once again a great success, not only because students look forward to our presence each year, but also because it allows us to connect with so many new families who can benefit from our services. The principal and staff expressed their deep appreciation for our continued support, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an impactful event.

We look forward to another great year ahead!

Patient First attended this year’s 2025 Business Expo on Tuesday, February 4th. This event brought together a diverse array of local businesses and organizations, providing a platform for engagement and collaboration.

We also proudly shared details about our urgent care services, underscoring our commitment to providing accessible healthcare solutions. Overall, the expo was a remarkable success, reinforcing our dedication to supporting the health of our community and its workforce.

Overall, we thoroughly enjoyed connecting with everyone that came to the expo and look forward to our next event.
 

On Friday, January 17, we were invited to participate in STEM Night at Signal Hill Elementary School, located just a mile from our Manassas Center. The event was bustling, with activities spread throughout the school. The cafeteria and gym were filled with engaging experiments, and we were stationed right by the entrance, which allowed us to greet everyone coming in.

This marked our first event of the year for our handwashing project, and it was a big hit with both kids and adults. Many were excited to participate in the experiment to see how well they washed their hands. It also sparked friendly competitions between kids and parents with comments like, “I bet I wash my hands better than you!” Throughout the event, we consistently had a line of 4-5 students waiting to take their turn. The kids especially enjoyed seeing their hands under the UV light, making the experience both educational and fun.
 

This event also provided a great opportunity to connect with parents, many of whom were familiar with Patient First. We are grateful to have been invited to this event and to have had the chance to connect with the Signal Hill Elementary community. It was a fantastic way to start the year, and we look forward to building even stronger relationships in the future.
 

On Saturday, September 14, we had the pleasure of participating in one of the most anticipated events by our local community and staff-- the Special Olympics Annual Dulles Plane Pull, held at Dulles International Airport. Now in its 31st year, this incredible event raised $580,000, with 80 teams of up to 25 people competing to see who could pull an 82-ton FedEx or United Boeing 757 airplane 12 feet in the shortest time. Participants lined up along a large rope attached to the aircraft to pull it, creating a thrilling competition. 

In addition to the main event, the Dulles Plane Pull featured a festival with live music, food, vendor games, a car show, military aircraft, and a kid zone where we were stationed, next to the face painting and bouncy house. 

For this event, we had two teams. The first team consisted of 20 center staff members who were eager and excited to pull the plane, while the second team remained at our tent to distribute information and provide blood pressure checks. Our pulling team, although new staff to the event, was full of energy and enthusiasm. When it was our turn, we were introduced as the Patient First team, and we managed to pull the plane in 46 seconds. While it wasn’t the best time, the experience brought us closer together, and we had a blast working as a team. 

Overall, this event was a great success, not only for bringing our staff together, but also for supporting the Special Olympics and connecting with the community. We’re proud to have been a part of this amazing day and can’t wait to return next year! 

For the first time, we proudly sponsored the Leesburg Airshow on September 28th, which took place at the Leesburg Executive Airport. Despite concerns about the hurricane, the weather cooperated, giving us clear skies and warm temperatures. The airshow attracted a large crowd, and it was an exciting experience to witness the aircraft land as we set up. 

Throughout the day, spectators were treated to breathtaking aerobatic performances, including the Flying Circus Jumpers and War Thunder Air Shows. The event also featured a wide variety of modern and antique aircraft on display. One of the highlights was the Douglas C-54 Skymaster, also known as the Spirit of Freedom-- a plane that played a key role in the Berlin Airlift after World War II. Another crowd favorite was the Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter from the Vietnam War era, showcased by the Liberty Warbirds-- a non-profit based in Lancaster, PA. 

The airshow offered more than just spectacular aerial displays. Attendees enjoyed aviation-related exhibits, educational activities, and a variety of food and beverage vendors. As a free event, it was a fantastic opportunity for the Loudoun County community to come together. 
 

Overall, it was a highly successful event where many people learned about Patient First, and we look forward to returning next year!

On Sunday, September 8, we had the privilege of sponsoring for the first time, the 19th Festival Salvadoreñisimo at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Gaithersburg. The fairgrounds are conveniently located just seven miles from our Rockville center and four miles from our Germantown center. 

The doors opened at 11 AM, but eager attendees were already lining up by 9 AM. Over 30,000 people came together to celebrate not only El Salvador, but all of Central America. The weather was perfect, adding to the vibrant atmosphere as people gathered to honor Central American independence. 

The festival featured more than 25 food booths, along with various community outreach organizations. We were proud to be the only urgent care provider present among a mix of orthodontists, dental offices, and chiropractors. Throughout the day, we met people from not just Maryland but also Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Richmond. Many stopped by our table to learn about Patient First, as the majority were unfamiliar with our services. It was gratifying to hear from those who had visited our centers and expressed their gratitude for the care they received. Our soccer balls were a big hit, enjoyed by both children and adults alike. 

At the main stage, the festival organizers expressed their thanks to sponsors, mentioning our name every two hours.

With Hispanic Heritage Month kicking off this month, this event was a fantastic way to celebrate and honor the rich Hispanic culture and heritage. Overall, we were thrilled to be part of this vibrant event, connecting with so many people who were learning about our services. We can’t wait to return next year!
 

This past weekend, we had an incredible time at the 32nd Annual Barbecue Battle in Washington, D.C. Despite the heat, our first event in the nation's capital was a huge success. The Barbecue Battle, which started in 1993, has grown significantly, closing down the largest strip of downtown into early Monday morning. The event featured 150 food samples and numerous beverage samples, offering plenty of free food and drinks for attendees.

In addition to the delicious food, the two-day event hosted two stages for music and performances, as well as a thrilling Olympians and Monster BMX exhibition. The barbecue competition was fierce, with winners taking home $5,000. 

Our hand sanitizer was in high demand. Visitors from Massachusetts, Florida, Columbia, Iowa, and even Spain stopped by our booth. We were thrilled to inform them that they could visit any of our centers if they needed medical attention while in the area. We were delighted to reconnect with previous patients from our Maryland centers in Germantown, Glen Burnie, Bowie, Clinton, Waldorf, Rockville, Owings Mills, and Capitol Heights. We also met visitors from our Virginia centers in Alexandria, Manassas, Springfield, Woodbridge, and Garrisonville, who had nothing but positive feedback about their experiences.

Overall, our first event in D.C. was a resounding success, and we look forward to returning next year.

This past Saturday, Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg came alive with the vibrant spirit of SummerFest, a long standing tradition where the Gaithersburg community gathers to celebrate American Independence with friends and family. The free event ran form 6pm to 11pm, featuring live music, food trucks and kids activities, all culminating in a spectacular fireworks display and a night glow after party.

The weather was perfect for the festivities, with a beautiful sunny day and temperatures around 90F. It was wonderful to meet so many new faces, including residents from Germantown and Aspen Hill. We also the pleasure of reconnecting with previous patients from our Rockville and Germantown locations, who had nothing but praise for our front office staff. 

Our booth was a hit, especially our chip clips and hand sanitizers, which were among the most requested items. SummerFest is one of the largest and most enjoyable events in Gaithersburg, and we always look forward to being a part of it. We can't wait to return next year for more fun and community engagement.

On Friday, June 21, we had an exciting evening at Bowie Baysox stadium during their "Don't Discuss Bruno" night, inspired by the movie Encanto. Positioned right outside the first aid station, our table was a popular stop for fans, who shared wonderful feedback about our centers. Our Baseball stress balls were a big hit among the attendees.

Although the Baysox didn't win the game, the post-game fireworks brought smiles to everyone's faces and lifted the spirits of the crowd. We had a fantastic time at the stadium and can't wait to return for another event!

Patient First was a proud sponsor for Relay for Life. The event was held on Saturday, May 11th, at Independence High School in Ashburn, 23 minutes away from our Leesburg and Chantilly centers. Despite the windy and rainy weather, cancer survivors and their supporters walked the track to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

The event kicked off with a moving opening ceremony, and survivors then took to the track for their first lap. The weather conditions were challenging, but everyone remained determined to finish. After about an hour of rain, the skies cleared and a beautiful double rainbow appeared-- a fitting symbol of hope and resilience.

Everyone there showed their unwavering support for cancer survivors, and we are so glad to have been part of it!