Berks Community Health Center is collaborating with Keystone Health Agricultural Workers Program to provide care for migrant agricultural workers in Berks County through BCHC’s mobile medical unit, Wellness on Wheels.
BCHC is a Federally Qualified Health Center with three brick-and-mortar locations in Reading. In 2022 Wellness on Wheels debuted as their fourth location, with the goal of increasing access to care to people in Berks County who have barriers to care. Wellness on Wheels has two rooms set up for primary care and one dental operatory. Since debuting, Wellness on Wheels has brought BCHC’s care to schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations.
Keystone Health is an FQHC based in Franklin County founded in 1986. Their Agricultural Workers Program provides seasonal services to migrant agricultural workers across the Commonwealth, with full-time services in Adams, Berks and Erie counties.
Keystone’s existing relationship with migrant workers makes them an ideal collaborative partner for BCHC in working to increase access to primary care. In May, the collaboration launched with Wellness on Wheels providing care at Keystone’s Wyomissing office, then later in the month providing care at Giorgi Foods sites in Blandon and Temple.
“We are delighted to begin this collaboration with Keystone,” said Debbie Hartranft, BCHC’s Chief Community Relations Officer. “By working together to bring care to the people, we are overcoming a common obstacle where many workers cannot get to a brick-and-mortar healthcare provider.”
Catharine Scott, Health Educator for Keystone Health, added, “We share a very similar mission with BCHC, to improve the life and health of individuals by increasing access to care. We look forward to continuing to work together on this mission for a long time.”
Giorgi Mushroom Company is the largest single-location mushroom farm in the world, producing over 180 million pounds of mushrooms annually. A third generation, family-owned company, Giorgi is cornerstone of the Pennsylvania agriculture industry. This industry includes many migrant and seasonal workers who have obstacles to accessing primary care, which makes bringing primary care to them an ideal situation.
Sergio Cisneros spoke on behalf of Giorgi: “We are proud to partner with Berks Community Health Center and Keystone Health to expand access to healthcare for the agricultural workers who play such an important role in our operations and our community. This innovative collaboration demonstrates what can be accomplished when organizations like BCHC and employers work together to meet people where they are. Giorgi Mushrooms is excited to support this effort and help create healthier outcomes for our employees and their families!”
This partnership demonstrates how healthcare providers and employers can work together to remove barriers to care. Together, BCHC, Keystone Health, and Giorgi are creating healthier communities by bringing healthcare directly to the people who need it most.
