Staff photos / Daniel NewmanSecond Harvest Food Bank Executive Director Mike Iberis, left, presents produce for patients and clients of the Food is Medicine program alongside ONE Health Ohio’s Chief Medical Officer Maria Kowalm at the 716 Tod Ave. SW community center.

ONE Health Ohio holds a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand reopening of its Warren West Community Center and the addition of the Prescription Pad located inside. From left are Dr. Ronald Dwinnells, ONE Health Ohio CEO; Mike Iberis, Second Harvest Food Bank executive director; Maria Kowalm, ONE Health Ohio chief medical officer; Melissa Foor, ONE Health Ohio director of population health; ONE Ohio Health COO Megan McGlynn; John Price, ONE Ohio Health marketing and promotions manager.

The health care provider also held a 1 p.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony at the 716 Tod Ave SW location to introduce its prescription pharmacy pad, which will provide a variety of in-house pharmacy services, such as medication management and prescription refills.

“We’re bringing a new in-house service here, which is an in-house retail pharmacy. We call it ‘The Prescription Pad,'” said Maria Kowalm, MD, chief medical officer of ONE Health Ohio.

“Today we’re celebrating a ‘welcome home’ for our community because this location of ours that opened back in 2002 has been closed the last nine months for a modernization,” Kowalm said.

As part of the modernization, ONE Health used the space more wisely to increase the number of exam rooms to provide more access to patients and serve a greater portion of the community, according to a ONE Health Ohio press release.

In addition to being a retail pharmacy for patients to fill their prescriptions at the end of their appointments, the health center also added a team of clinical pharmacists to work closely with doctors who assist patients.

The clinical pharmacists will help patients manage conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

“We serve primary care patients from birth to adulthood,” Kowalm said.

The Warren West center will continue seeing medical, dental and behavioral health patients, along with providing addiction and nutrition services. Several rooms have been added inside the facility to provide for each service.

“We’re really excited and the patients have been long-waiting for this, so everyone is excited for this day,” Kowalm said. She also highlighted the group’s partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank for its Food Is Medicine program.

“Every month, patients get a healthy box of food,” Kowalm continued. “In the box of food is a healthy recipe, which uses some of the food that’s in that food box. We know that healthy food can not only prevent serious diseases, but it can also help manage chronic diseases like diabetes, so we’re grateful for Mike Iberis and his team with the Second Harvest Food Bank.”

FOOD IS MEDICINE

Mike Iberis, executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank for more than 20 years, explained that many illnesses that the consumption of nutrients and diet adjustment may rectify ONE Health treats. The Food Is Medicine partnership, a year into its operation, treats patients with produce prescriptions and medically tailored meals or groceries, using healthy, food-based interventions.

“We pack 400 of these a month,” Iberis said. “They go out to six of their locations, and then the doctor prescribes one of these boxes. It’s a matter of educating clients on how to eat healthier, with the reduction of sugar and sodium.”

The food boxes are packaged and delivered by Second Harvest each month to ONE Health Ohio and RISE Recovery locations.

“Over 50% of participants note that they are changing the way in which they prepare food,” the group noted in its first month of Food Is Medicine. And “nearly 90% of participants want to continue the Food Is Medicine program, and most are very grateful for the assistance.”

Getting people used to changing their diet “takes a while,” Iberis added. “They’re surveying the clients every month and they’re saying that it’s working.”

Iberis continued, “They’re saying ‘This is great, I’m going to change the way I eat and my health habits.’ That’s what it’s all about.”

AREA COMMITMENT

By reopening the property after months of modernization, ONE Health is aiming to create greater access to medical care for nearby residents and the rest of the Valley.

Clinician Justin Pykare, nurse practitioner and director of health informatics, said from a hands-on perspective, “I’ve been with ONE Health Ohio for almost nine years, so having this new place to offer all of our services under one roof is super exciting.”

As a family practitioner, Pykare, and the clinical team, focus on comprehensive primary care including health and wellness, age-based screenings, preventative health and chronic disease management.

Pykare continued, “I’m just happy to do it in a fun, welcoming, and warm environment for our patients. We are thankful for ONE Health Ohio’s commitment to the community to continue growing and giving the services that this community deserves.”

Councilwoman Honeya Price, D-6th ward, said the reopening will continue to benefit residents with its location.

“As you look around, sometimes residents have transportation issues,” Price said. “It’s within walking distance for our ward. Because we do have a lot of doctors’ offices that are maybe in Howland or Cortland, to have one right here in our neighborhood is outstanding.”

Price further added, “When I was running for election, things that residents said they needed more of were doctors and grocery stores. They’re offering great things, and if we’re talking about groceries, you can get a food box once a month. Just to know that you can come to the doctor’s office and get a food box will make a difference for a lot of the residents.”