health and human services Archives

Woods System of Care’s Three Outpatient Healthcare Centers in Langhorne, Pa. Welcome Patients for Primary, Dental, and Behavioral Healthcare

May 18, 2023

Woods Healthcare Opens to the Community, Providing Exceptional Outpatient Health and Behavioral Care for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Autism, and Emotional and Behavioral Challenges

Woods System of Care, a network of healthcare organizations located in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that ensures lifelong support to individuals with disabilities, has launched Woods Healthcare to offer world-class outpatient health and behavioral care for children, adolescents, and adults in the community with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and emotional and behavioral challenges. Woods Healthcare includes three outpatient healthcare centers – The Center for Behavioral Health at Woods, The Medical Center at Woods, and Penn Dental Medicine at Woods Mikey Faulkner Dental Care Center – which are now open to the community. The three centers are located on the Bucks County site of Woods Services at 10 Meadowood Drive in Langhorne, Pa. Community members can now make appointments by calling 215-750-4004 and learn more at www.woodshealthcare.org.

“With the launch of Woods Healthcare, we are building on a long tradition of experience and service to our community,” said Tine Hansen-Turton, president and CEO of Woods System of Care and Woods Services. “For more than a century, Woods has been a leader in providing comprehensive lifelong care to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and emotional and behavioral challenges at Woods. Our industry-leading specialists know how to break down the barriers that stand in the way of quality care for people with disabilities,” she said. “Now, with Woods Healthcare, we are expanding our services to support the community by providing individuals with disabilities access to world-class comprehensive primary care, dental care, and behavioral healthcare throughout their lifetime.”

The Center for Behavioral Health at Woods specializes in helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and emotional and behavioral challenges achieve their highest potential and independence. With a wellness team that includes psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychologists, nurse navigators, counselors, and family therapists, The Center for Behavioral Health at Woods provides outpatient services for individuals ages six years through adults and seniors, including: intake, psychiatric, and diagnostics assessments; medication review and coordination; complex condition nurse navigation; and extended therapy. The Center for Behavioral Health at Woods also evaluates children ages 12 months through adolescents aged 18 years for autism spectrum disorder, making diagnoses and treatment recommendations. Sailaja Musunuri, MD, executive vice president of Integrative Medicine and Chief of Psychiatry, oversees integrated healthcare at Woods and across the Woods System of Care, including the new Center for Behavioral Health at Woods.

The Medical Center at Woods, which is led by Dr. Stephen J. Kolesk, chief medical officer/vice president for Medical Affairs and Managed Care at Woods, provides primary care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and emotional and behavioral challenges. The Medical Center offers outpatient services for individuals ages six through adults and seniors. The Medical Center at Woods serves as a national model for providing comprehensive, coordinated personalized care for people with complex diagnoses and medical conditions. In April 2023, the Medical Center at Woods was awarded Recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance Patient-Centered Medical Home Program (www.ncqa.org).

Penn Dental Medicine at Woods, Mikey Faulkner Dental Care Center is a state-of-the-art dental care center providing enhanced and leading-edge dental treatment for individuals of all ages. Woods partnered with the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, one of the leading dental schools in the United States, to develop the dental program, and Dr. Marc Henschel, director of Penn Dental Medicine’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry program, oversees the new center. The Woods facility includes five treatment rooms with advanced equipment, quiet space for those needing a lower-stimulation environment, a waiting area and reception check-in, and conference room. In addition to meeting the dental care needs of individuals with disabilities, Penn Dental Medicine at Woods, Mikey Faulkner Dental Care Center is helping prepare the next generation of dentists to care for patients with disabilities.

“We launched the Medical Center at Woods in June 2018, to provide a patient-centered medical home for the clients we serve and our Woods employees,” Hansen-Turton said. “We added Penn Dental Medicine at Woods in February 2023, followed by The Center for Behavioral Health in March. Now, we are opening these centers to the community, providing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and emotional and behavioral challenges with needed services in close proximity to their homes,” she said.

Start-up funding of $500,000 for The Center for Behavioral Health was awarded to Woods by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick through a Community Project Funding grant. The project was supported by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) and selected because it will bridge the gap in mental health services in Bucks County. Penn Dental Medicine at Woods Mikey Faulkner Dental Care Center renovations and operational expenses were made possible through generous donations from foundations and individuals. Woods Services is grateful to the Donald B. and Dorothy L. Stabler Foundation for supporting start-up operational expenses and to the Joseph and Mary Faulkner Family Foundation, Eamon Foundation, The McLean Contributionship, TD Charitable Foundation, Simon and Lisa Kimmelman, and Penn Community Bank for supporting the renovations. The waiting room renovation was made possible by the Joseph and Mary Faulkner Family Foundation.

In early 2024, the three new Woods Healthcare centers will be joined by a primary care center to serve individuals in N.J. In April 2023, RWJBarnabas Health, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, and Woods Services announced they joined forces to establish the very first integrated primary and behavioral health care center for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism in New Jersey. The Governor and the New Jersey Legislature recognized the critical need for I/DD services by supporting a grant of $800,000 toward the start-up costs for the initiative. The world-class center is expected to open to families and individuals in early 2024 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton in Hamilton, Mercer County, New Jersey. The Center will serve individuals who live in the central New Jersey region, with future plans to expand services to other areas of the state.

Woods is organized around the principles of population health management and addresses the social determinants of health through a comprehensive continuum and system of care that connects prevention, wellness, education, behavioral health, and social services with coordinated and integrated healthcare delivery.

For more information about Woods Healthcare or to schedule an appointment at one of its three outpatient centers, call 215-750-4004.

About Woods Services

Woods Services is a nonprofit organization that supports children, adolescents, and adults with complex medical and behavioral health care needs, including intellectual and developmental disabilities, achieve their highest potential and independence through innovative and individualized approaches that promote learning and personal fulfillment. Woods’ vision is a world where individuals have opportunities and supports that promote self-determination, dignity, respect, the joy of achievement, and a fulfilling life. Woods achieves this vision by providing comprehensive and integrated health, education, housing, workforce development, behavioral health, and case management services, along with a population health management strategy that includes the integration of primary and specialty medical care with behavioral health. More than 600 individuals from 23 states and 175 school districts are supported by Woods and its 1,400 staff at its Langhorne, Pennsylvania headquarters.

To ensure lifelong care and supports for the individuals its serves, Woods created the Woods System of Care – a $400 million organization with 10 affiliates and joint ventures that provide a full range of lifetime integrated services that include mental and physical healthcare, education, housing and residential treatment and workforce development for an estimated 22,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities, autism, and /or mental health challenges who may also have complex medical and genetic conditions.

Founded in 1913 by Philadelphia schoolteacher Mollie Woods to advance the quality of life and standard of care for individuals with disabilities, Woods continues this mission today. For more information, visit woods.org.

About University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine

Founded in 1878, the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine (Penn Dental Medicine) ranks among the nation’s leaders in oral health education, research, and patient care. The School’s educational programs include: a four-year DMD program; postgraduate study in all the major clinical specialties as well as general dentistry; advanced graduate degree programs, including Doctor of Science in Dentistry, Master of Science in Oral Biology, Master of Advanced Dental Studies, and Master of Oral Health Science; and the Program for Advanced Standing Students in which foreign-trained dentists earn a DMD. As one of 12 schools within the larger urban campus of the University of Pennsylvania, Penn Dental Medicine is uniquely positioned to provide a depth of opportunities for interdisciplinary study and research across other professional disciplines. The School is a major provider of oral health care for the Philadelphia community, serving approximately 31,000 patients each year in its care centers and Penn Dental Family Practice, while students also provide nearly 65,300 hours of clinical care in the community each year.

Run for Woods 5k and 1-Mile Fun Run in Langhorne On Sunday, May 7, 2023 to Raise $250,000 For Individuals with Disabilities

April 24, 2023

Results: https://www.runtheday.com/results/summary/68967
Program: https://www.woods.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/RunForWoodsProgram23.pdf

Woods Services, a nonprofit organization that provides care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and emotional/behavioral challenges, has a fun morning planned on Sunday, May 7, 2023, for runners, walkers, and rollers of all abilities participating in the 2023 Run for Woods 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run presented by Faulkner-Ciocca Dealerships. The festivities, which include an appearance by a Philadelphia sports team’s fan-favorite mascot, kick off with an opening ceremony at 8:45 a.m., followed by the 5K at 9:00 a.m., and the 1-Mile Fun Run at 9:10 a.m. Participants meet at 10 Meadowood Drive in Langhorne, and run, roll, and stroll through the scenic trails at Woods Services. The registration fee is $45 and participants can register at RunForWoods.org. This is the ninth year for the event. New this year is the Sunday date; Run for Woods has previously been held on Saturday.

During the opening ceremony, Woods President and CEO Tine Hansen-Turton will honor a Bucks County police officer who has had a significant impact on improving the quality of life for people with disabilities and challenges.

“We are immensely grateful to our sponsors, team leaders, runners, rollers, walkers, Bucks County neighbors, and our Woods families and friends for their outpouring of support for the 9^th annual Run for Woods,” Hansen-Turton said. “Their participation helps Woods Services provide exceptional educational, vocational, and recreational opportunities that enrich lives and increase independence. We are also pleased to honor a Bucks County community member and recognize the positive impact they are making in the lives of the children, adolescents, and adults Woods serves.”

Run for Woods has already raised $235,000 of its $250,000 goal from 53 sponsors in Bucks County and the Greater Philadelphia community, more than a dozen race fundraising teams, and individual participants. Funds will support Woods Services in its mission to provide innovative, comprehensive, and integrated healthcare, education, housing, vocational, behavioral health, and case management services to children, adolescents, and adults who have intellectual and developmental disability and mental health challenges who have complex and intensive medical and behavioral healthcare needs.

Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female finishers in each age category. With the $45 registration fee, all participants will receive an official race t-shirt, race medal, and will have an opportunity to enjoy other event amenities including Rita’s Water Ice. Participants, community members and businesses are also invited to underwrite participation for a Woods resident and their support staff member with a donation of $90. They are encouraged to share photos and videos with the Woods community and family and friends using #RunForWoods on social media. For more information, visit RunForWoods.org, where you can also view a Run for Woods video.

Woods Services thanks presenting sponsor Faulkner-Ciocca Dealerships, and a long list of 2023 Woods Services Run for Woods sponsors, including:

The 2023 Run for Woods Gold Sponsors

Ally; Ethos Group; Homestead Smart Health Plans; Johnson, Kendall & Johnson; M&T Bank; Ocugen; Parx Casino; Synergy Pharmacy Services; TD Bank

The 2023 Run for Woods Silver Sponsors

Conner Strong & Buckelew; Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller; Barry & Michelle Sharer; Subaru of America

The 2023 Run for Woods Nature Trail Sponsor

McBrick Building Group

The 2023 Run for Woods Bronze Sponsors

A&K Industrial Corp.; Alice DeVoe & John Szabo; Allies, Inc.; Angelo’s Carpet One; Autotrader; Capital Health; CARFAX; CDK Global; ECI Comfort; Enterprise Rent-a-Car; Experian; The First National Bank & Trust Co. of Newtown; Hyundai; Legacy Treatment Services; PFM Asset Management; Razor Technology; Ricciardi Brothers/Benjamin Moore; Rob’s Automotive & Collision Center; Tabor Children’s Services; Top to Bottom Home Improvements, LLC; Zimmerman Auto Body.

Friendship Sponsors

Accurate Building Services; Archway Programs; Ardex Labs; Bayada Home Health Care; Bob’s Discount Furniture; Boyle Construction; Brian’s House; Cars.com; Crown Holdings, Inc.; Fenningham Dempster & Coval, LLP; Margolis Edelstein; Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin; Petro Home Services; Ridge Policy Group; Roscommon International

About Woods Services

Woods Services is a nonprofit organization that supports children, adolescents, and adults with complex medical and behavioral health care needs, including intellectual and developmental disabilities, to achieve their highest potential and independence through innovative and individualized approaches that promote learning and personal fulfillment. Woods’ vision is a world where individuals have opportunities and supports that promote self-determination, dignity, respect, the joy of achievement, and a fulfilling life. Woods achieves this vision by providing comprehensive and integrated healthcare, education, housing, vocational, behavioral health, and case management services, along with a population health management strategy that includes the integration of primary and specialty medical care with behavioral health. More than 600 individuals from 23 states and 175 school districts are supported by Woods and its 1,500 staff at its Langhorne, Pennsylvania headquarters.

To ensure lifelong care and supports for the individuals its serves, Woods created the Woods System of Care – a network of affiliate organizations located in Pennsylvania and New Jersey that includes Abilities of Northwest Jersey; Allies, Inc.; Archway Programs; Legacy Treatment Services; Tabor Services; and Woods Community at Brian’s House. Through this collaboration, the Woods System of Care provides lifelong care and supports to individuals in the intellectual and developmental disability and mental health public health sectors who have complex medical and behavioral health care needs.

Woods Services Leadership Debuts Book, Webinar Series on Organizational Change

February 3, 2023

“Thriving Through Transformation: A Practical Guide to Creating Organizational Change in the Social Sector” seeks to inspire current and emerging professionals in organization management

Few organizations have undergone the kind of radical transformation that helped Woods Services, a nonprofit organization that serves the complex needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, comprehensively re-envision its structure, services, and future. Now the organization is sharing its lessons learned and providing a roadmap to help other organizations in the newly released book, “Thriving Through Transformation: A Practical Guide to Creating Organizational Change in the Social Sector.”

In the 228-page book, Tine Hansen-Turton, MGA, JD, FCCP, FAAN, president and CEO of Woods Services, and Peter Shubiak, MS, former chief operating officer, break down the essential elements of Woods’ transformation. They use employee stories, research findings, and business best practices to explore themes that include creating a clear and consistent organizational vision; developing strategic directions and planning; managing change; engaging employees; cultivating a culture of innovation and care; embracing equity, diversity and inclusion; planning for mission-driven growth; improving infrastructure and enterprise shared services; and developing strategic positioning, policy, and thought leadership.

“We didn’t set out to write a book, but as we saw how our work changed the lives of our clients, employees, and community members, we wanted to share what with learned with other mission-driven organizations,” said Hansen-Turton.

Coinciding with the book’s release is the launch of a free, monthly webinar series, Thriving Through Transformation. Moderated by Hansen-Turton, the symposia will include 90-minute virtual panel discussions with national and regional visionaries who will discuss cutting-edge innovation in the health and human services sector and beyond.

“All organizations must embrace change to best serve their clients, but it can be difficult to know where to start,” said Hansen-Turton. “We hope our success story will inspire others to start the journey and serve as a roadmap to plan their own transformative journeys.”

In the first webinar of the series, “Vision, Strategy, and Cultivating a Culture of Innovation,” which took place Jan. 12, four health and human services experts discussed how they developed their own visions for organizational change, and then established both a strategy and a culture of innovation to weave those visions through every level of their organizations. Panelists included Josh Rubin, Principal, HMA; Rita Gardner, President and CEO, Melmark; Dawn Holden Woods, President, Generative Consulting Partners; and Dawn Diamond, Executive Vice President of Operations, Woods Services. This webinar is available as a recording.

Upcoming webinars will address employee engagement (Feb. 16), integrated and complex care for special populations (March 15), and Strategies for Avoiding the Cliff at 21: Models for Education, Behavioral and Family Supports (April 12). All webinars run from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and will be available as recordings.

“Thriving Through Transformation” is available for free electronically by clicking here or on www.socialinnovationsjournal.org. Hard copies are also available on Amazon. Hansen-Turton has written several other books, including “Making Strategy Count in the Health and Human Services Sector,” “Practical Tools for Not-for-Profit Leaders,” “The Social Innovator’s Playbook 2.0,” and more. All are available on Amazon.

Two Mission-Driven Nonprofits – Woods System of Care and St. Mary Medical Center – Partner to Provide Quality Health Care

September 30, 2022

Woods System of Care, a Pennsylvania and New Jersey-based nonprofit organization that serves approximately 22,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, behavioral and mental health challenges, and acquired brain injuries, and St. Mary Medical Center and Nazareth Hospital, part of Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic the largest Catholic healthcare system serving the Greater Philadelphia area, are pleased to announce their partnership to ensure high quality healthcare for the individuals Woods’ serves and the dedicated and compassionate staff who care for them.

“This partnership makes sense on many levels for both St. Mary Medical Center and Woods,” said Michael Magro, DO, MBA, FACOI, “but the biggest benefits will be realized within our community. As two organizations with ‘caring’ at the core, our values and philosophies align; both strive toward innovation and clinical excellence. My colleagues and I look forward to a renewed relationship with the residents and staff of Woods to provide the best healthcare possible.”

Dr. Magro was named president of St. Mary Medical Center in July of this year. He also serves as president of Nazareth Hospital, a role he has held since 2018. Under his leadership has come a renewed commitment by two of Bucks County’s largest nonprofit employers to collaborate on innovative healthcare solutions that ensure equity and excellence. Dr. Magro became acquainted with Woods’ president and CEO, Tine Hansen-Turton, shortly after taking the helm at St. Mary, and these two leaders quickly found a way for Woods and St. Mary to work more closely together.

“Dr. Magro is an innovative and dynamic leader who believes in the power of building strong and lasting relationships with community stakeholders, as demonstrated by this new collaboration. Both St. Mary and Woods are committed to improving the overall health and well-being of our community and this agreement is just the beginning of that effort,” stated Hansen-Turton. Next steps will likely include activities to improve health equities in Bucks County generally and to help train St. Mary’s residents and practitioners in caring for the special needs population, she said.

“St. Mary and Woods have been neighbors for a long time, but in a sense we are new to each other – and that makes our journey of opportunity together even more exciting,” Dr. Magro said.

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About St. Mary Medical Center

Established in 1973, St. Mary Medical Center is guided by its Catholic-health core values of reverence, stewardship, integrity, justice and commitment to the underserved. Located in Langhorne, Pa., and with 371 licensed beds, St. Mary is a community teaching hospital and offers state-of-the-art technology and highly skilled physicians and clinical professionals to provide advanced care for complex cases. St. Mary offers advanced non-invasive treatments, adult and pediatric emergency services, inpatient medical and rehabilitation facilities, along with supportive health and wellness programs. St. Mary is designated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a Level II Trauma Center. St. Mary offers an NAPBC-accredited breast program, a Commission on Cancer-accredited cancer program and is a member of the Penn Cancer Network. Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic is a Regional Health System that includes Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital in Darby, Pa.; Nazareth Hospital in Northeast Philadelphia; Saint Francis Hospital in Wilmington, Del.; St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Pa. and home health and LIFE programs. Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic is a member of Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. For more information, visit www.st-marys.org.

About Woods System of Care

Woods System of Care/Woods Services is a nonprofit, life cycle care management and advocacy organization that, along with six affiliate organizations located in Pennsylvania and New Jersey – Abilities of Northwest Jersey; Allies, Inc.; Archway Programs; Legacy Treatment Services; Tabor Services; and Woods Community at Brian’s House – provides innovative, comprehensive, and integrated health, education, housing, workforce, behavioral health, and case management services to more than 22,000 children and adults in the intellectual and developmental disability, behavioral, child welfare, and brain trauma public health sectors who have complex medical and behavioral healthcare needs. Founded in 1913 by Philadelphia schoolteacher Mollie Woods with two simple goals – to advance quality of life and standard of care for individuals with disabilities – Woods continues its mission today by helping children and adults with disabilities and challenges to achieve their highest potential. Among the ways Woods does this is through its population health management strategy, which includes the integration of primary and specialty medical care with behavioral health. For more information, visit woods.org.

The 2022 Run for Woods: A Rainy Run to Remember

May 25, 2022

Consider 2022 a banner year for our annual Run for Woods 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run presented by Faulkner-Ciocca Dealerships, which took place on May 7!

More than $257,000 was raised, which is the largest amount of funds Woods has ever raised for this event – thanks to our generous families and Langhorne community. We are also grateful for this year’s record number of more than 50 sponsors. This includes our presenting sponsor Faulkner-Ciocca Dealerships.

We also had several Gold Sponsors, specifically Ally Financial, Ethos Group, Inc., Homestead Smart Health Plans, Johnson, Kendall & Johnson, Inc., Parx Casino, and TD Bank. Our Silver sponsors were Audi of America, Conner Strong & Buckelew, Experian, Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller, Razor Technology, Barry & Michelle Sharer, Synergy Pharmacy Services, and Volkswagen of America. A&K Industrial, Allies, Angelo’s Carpet One, Ardex Labs, CARFAX, Alice DeVoe and John Szabo, Future Scripts, Hyundai, Legacy Treatment Services, M&T Bank, PFMAM, Sailaja & Shankar Musunuri, Ricciardi Brothers/Benjamin Moore, Subaru of America, Top to Bottom Home Improvements LLC, Wawa Foundation, and Zimmerman Auto Body Supply were our Bronze sponsors.

The group ends with our Friendship sponsors Beth and Roger Angrick, Archway Programs, Bayada Home Health Care, Bob’s Discount Furniture, Boyle Construction, Woods Community at Brian’s House, Cars.com, Chubb, Cox Automotive, Crown Holdings, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Fenningham Demptster & Coval LLP, FRS Advisors, GM Financial, Harvest Moon, La La Lobster, Margolis Edelstein, Ridge Policy Group, Rob’s Automotive & Collision Center, Roscommon International, PRN Consultants, Scoles Systems, Tabor Children’s Services, Volkswagen Credit, and Weber Gallagher.

And while the weather was determined to rain on Woods’ parade during the event, our clients, staff and greater Langhorne community kept marching, walking, wheeling and running along. A beautiful ceremony kicked off the race, which saw Pa. State Sen. Tommy Tomlinson earn the Woods Services Humanitarian Award. Attendees also witnessed our resident Whit Park receive an award for being the highest individual fundraiser, a tribute to his mother who recently passed.

We are fortunate to be able to use the funds raised to further our mission in providing innovative, comprehensive, and integrated health, education, housing, workforce, behavioral health, and case management services. These services support our clients who have intellectual, developmental, and medical disabilities and acquired brain injury. We couldn’t do it without the help of the community around us, and for that, we say – THANK YOU!

To relive the May 7 event, enjoy this fantastic photo story from our friend Nancy Rokos at the Bucks County Courier Times. We’ve also included some photos below for your pleasure.

Until next year!