Patient First‘s commitment to the community goes beyond providing convenient, cost-effective health care. Patient First also supports numerous organizations that make a positive impact in our local neighborhoods and across the mid-Atlantic.
See what Patient First is doing in the community.
This past Saturday brought the return of sunnier skies, warmer temperatures, and Easter activities, signaling Spring is in the air, and here to stay. Egg-cited guests of all ages came by the thousands to enjoy the annual Dominion Energy Family Easter Event at Maymont Park. This event, which has grown by leaps and bounds from year-to-year, was spread out between the Carriage House Lawn to the Robins Nature Center, to Maymont Farm. With over 100 acres to eggs-plore, guests could be seen enjoying fun activities and hands-on crafts throughout the park. They also enjoyed tempting treats from local food vendors as they listened to live entertainment supplied on three different stages. Younger guests were able to win prize-filled eggs in a Golden Egg Hunt, solving riddles along the way to find the locations of where the golden eggs were hidden.
Patient First was posted in the middle of all the action, where families and friends gathered by our tent prior to seeing a certain VIP-- the Easter Bunny! We offered blood pressure screenings throughout the event and handed out promotional items and other material regarding our centers. Overall, the day was a hopping success!
Following a week of forecasted rain, wind, and cooler temperatures, two-legged and four-legged friends were finally able to gather on Sunday, March 24th for the Richmond SPCA 22nd Annual Dog Jog, 5K and Block Party. The event, which was originally scheduled to take place all day Saturday, split into a two-day event following heavy rains Saturday morning. Patient First took part in the block party portion of the event. The block party, which was free to attend, kicked off with live music by local cover band, Sold Separately, and featured more than 50 local vendors and artisans, food trucks, a kids’ fun zone, and even a pets’ fun zone allowing for fun activities for everyone to enjoy. Patient First offered free blood pressure screenings and handed out promotional material with information about our services and locations.
Funds raised from the event will benefit the more than 18,000 animals served by the Richmond SPCA this year, including approximately 4,000 homeless dogs and cats that the organization shelters and rehabilitates before adoption. The nonprofit also delivers crucial programs to pets and the people who love them, including low-cost veterinary care, a free behavior helpline, training classes and humane education for children.
McIntosh Elementary School, located in Newport News, VA, hosted its inaugural Rhythm and Wellness Concert, Bookfair, and Fitness Night on February 29th. Led by the incredible talents of the school's second and third graders, students and their families sang, read, danced, drummed, stretched and learned as they embraced the beat, ignited their fitness journey, and delved into the world of literature all in one unforgettable night. Around every corner of the school was an activity to participate in. Patient First, who was positioned in the front of the school, offered parents, teachers and administrators free blood pressure screenings, many of whom took advantage of the opportunity.
The school itself is a bilingual school. Approximately, 15% of their student population is Hispanic. Each activity for the evening was offered in both English and Spanish. Many of the families who attended the event were not aware of Patient First, despite our Denbigh center being approximately 1 mile from the school. This gave us a great opportunity to talk to these families about the services we offer for both the children and their parents, alike. Many were appreciative of the promotional items and brochures we had on hand at the event, and planned to come into the center next time they were in need of medical care!
We look forward to our continued partnership with McIntosh Elementary School and Newport News Public Schools as a whole!
The holiday season got off to a great start in Richmond, VA with the 40th annual Dominion Energy Christmas Parade. This rain or shine event, which is free and open to the public, drew large crowds from near and far who lined up along Broad Street as they eagerly waited for the legendary Santa to make his appearance.
The parade began near the Science Museum of Virginia and concluded near the Richmond Coliseum. It included a variety of colorful floats, giant balloons, high school and college marching bands, dance groups, and playful holiday characters, including a particular Grinch whose heart grew three sizes that day.
Patient First, who has sponsored and participated in the event for several years now, was given the opportunity to carry the largest balloon in the parade - a 35' Cookie Monster balloon! With guided direction from the balloon company and perhaps a little Christmas magic, 15 Patient First employees successfully navigated the balloon through city street lights, overhung tree limbs, and power lines. Patient First even got Cookie Monster to do a few spins, making him one of the more popular attractions.
Our staff looks forward to participating in the parade each year, as it allows our mission to come full circle, affording us an opportunity to have a front row seat to our community and those we serve. We can hardly wait to see what balloon is in store for us in 2024!