Tower Health Street Medicine: Meeting the Patients Where They Live

Tower Health Street Medicine is partnering with Hope Rescue Mission to provide gynecology (OB/GYN) and pediatric care services at the new LightHouse Women & Children’s Center on North 6th Street in Reading. The planning to provide these services onsite for residents has been in progress for nearly a year and services are projected to be available in Fall.

This new partnership, with support from the Reading Hospital Foundation and the United Way of Berks County, allows LightHouse Women & Children’s Center to offer free healthcare services to community members who otherwise may not have access to them. Street Medicine services at LightHouse Women & Children’s Center will be provided by employees of Tower Health who volunteer their time to the program. These new services will be led by Christopher F. Valente, MD, Chief Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Vice Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, and Holly E. Metzgar, DO, Reading Hospital OB/GYN Department.

Street Medicine offered by Tower Health through Reading Hospital provides wellness and medical services to individuals experiencing homelessness, shelter residents and others at high risk of experiencing homelessness. The goal of the program is to bring primary and specialty care to patients who are most in need and who may be unable to obtain services otherwise. The team of physicians, clinicians and administrative professionals visit locations such as encampments, homeless shelters and other local non-profit service organizations to care for these individuals.

“We are so happy to help provide even more help to the underserved in our deserving community,” said Charles F. Barbera, MD, President and CEO of Reading Hospital. “This is the first time that the team will offer OB/GYN and Pediatric Care through Street Medicine, and we are very happy to include services for expectant mothers.”

“We understand how critical it is to offer the Street Medicine service,” said Sue Perrotty, CEO of Tower Health. “For some, this may be the only form of healthcare they receive. We appreciate the chance to work with our partner organizations to ensure our neighbors have access to safe, accessible care.”

The Street Medicine team also plans to offer virtual care options through a Telemedicine Kiosk located at the LightHouse Women & Children’s Center, further expanding access opportunities.

Desha Dickson, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Community Wellness, said, “I’m so proud of the Street Medicine volunteers for the impact they have made in the lives of our patients. We began seven years ago and we’ve been fortunate to see growth in all aspects – the number of patients treated, number of volunteer participants and the services we provide. We’ve also been fortunate to see how this program can positively impact the patients’ personal lives.”

To learn more about Tower Health’s Street Medicine program, visit https://www.bewellberks.org to watch an informational video. 2

By Reading Hospital-Tower Health

Connect Grow Lead 2

Women2Women (W2W) is Greater Reading Chamber Alliance’s catalyst for developing women leaders and connecting women from diverse backgrounds to learn, share ideas, and mentor each other through offering a forum for women to create connections, gain knowledge, and build strategic alliances to foster their personal potential and career advancement. Joining the network is open to all who support women.

De Mujer a Mujer, una iniciativa de W2W, continúa conectando a mujeres de diversos orígenes al ofrecer programación especializada en la noche y destacar a oradores de diversos orígenes.

To register for events & join Women2Women, visit www.berkswomen2women.com.

August 2023 September 2023

WOMEN’S NETWORKING EVENT ANetworkingExperiencewithLocal Women’sGroups

Join not only Women2Women, but several other local women’s groups to network and connect. We will be meeting at a local, woman-owned business with members of organizations like:

- Junior League of Reading

- Berks Women in Motion

- Berks Women Networking

- American Business Women’s Association / Women Excelling Reading Chapter

- League of Women Voters

- American Association of University Women: Reading Branch

- NAACP of Reading

Lean In Circle Information Session

These facilitator-led groups are comprised of 12 to 14 women coming together to learn, grow and support each other in an atmosphere of confidentiality and trust. If you are considering your career and personal goals, think about investing in yourself and your future and take advantage of this opportunity. If you are a supervisor looking at the women in your organization and considering your next generation of leaders, think about investing in their future by supporting their participation in a Lean In Circle.

DATE: TUESDAY, AUGUST 15, 2023

Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Venue: The Center for Business Excellence (49 Commerce Dr.)

Price: FREE to attend!

- VoiceUP Berks

- Governor Mifflin High School

- Reading Area High School

This is your chance to connect with a wide range of women from all over Berks county. As with all our W2W Networking events, we are asking all who attend BRING ANOTHER WOMAN to empower and lift up! Consider inviting an up-and-coming leader in your workplace, friend, daughter, or mentee.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2023

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Venue: Location TBA

Price: FREE to attend!

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SAVE THE DATE!

Join us in October for a celebration of empowerment and inspiration! The Evening of Empowerment brings together 200+ and always offers a takeaway to immediately help you develop professionally and personally. We will also be visited by the President & CEO of ATHENA International, Traci Costa, who is visiting Pennsylvania as a stop on the ATHENA Enlightment Tour. She is excited to share updates about ATHENA International, their latest Leadership Program (including discounts for W2W members!) and each attendee will receive empowering items to take home with them. You can't miss the opportunity to meet her!

Saturday, September 23rd 10AM - 3PM

DATE: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2023 **new date!

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Venue: Location TBA

Price: $60/GRCA Member $75/Future Member

Stay connected at:

Facebook @BerksWomen2Women

LinkedIn @Berks Women2Women Group

Instagram @berks_W2W

Travel with W2W this summer!

Share a pic of you enjoying W2W Magazine & tag us at #W2WMag

Women2Women (W2W) is a special program of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA).

GRCA’s mission is to be Berks County’s leading resource for building a healthy, competitive business community by assisting companies to retain, expand and grow their operations and employment while also attracting new business to Berks County.

Greater Possibilities Start Here. Visit greaterreading.org for resources we can offer your business, or connect with us directly with any questions you may have at info@GreaterReading.org or call 610-376-6766.