IN 2021

Evergreen Health opened a location at 800 Hertel Avenue to make the unconditionally non-judgmental and inclusive care people can expect at any Evergreen location more easily accessible to folks across the city. Our Hertel location is accepting new primary care patients!

Evergreen’s location at Hertel offers non-judgmental, affirming medical care for the whole family. In addition to adult and pediatric primary care, we also offer podiatry (foot and ankle care) and gynecology. Several of our providers at Hertel also specialize in caring for individuals with developmental disabilities. What’s more, we have a pharmacy on-site, so you can get your medical care and your medications all under one roof. Evergreen’s pharmacy coordinates your refills, delivers your medications to your door for free, and offers free tools like pharmacist consultations and presorted Pill Packs for patients who need to keep track of multiple medications. To name just a few more on-site services at our Hertel location – our team includes a registered dietician who can help you address any concerns around your nutrition. On-site lab services let us run blood work and get test results back to our primary and specialty patients quickly. And on-site Medical Case Managers are available to connect patients to other services that might benefit them both within Evergreen and through other providers.

On top of unconditionally welcoming primary and specialty care and an on-site pharmacy, our location at Hertel Avenue offers a few additional perks that our patients really enjoy. Evergreen at Hertel has a huge parking lot with accessible parking spots right by the door, which makes coming to get health care easily accessible for people with disabilities, families, and anyone who prefers not to drive or park downtown. For those who use public transit, our building is located right next to a bus stop. Our building at 800 Hertel is also co-located with several other businesses:

· People Inc. Rehabilitative Health Services (physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy for individuals with disabilities)

· People Inc. Counseling Services

· People First Mobility, a medical business providing durable medical equipment and wheelchairs

· ECMC Dental Clinic, which specializes in care for adult and pediatric patients who have difficulty with traditional dentistry, like individuals with disabilities, history of stroke or traumatic brain injury, dementia or other complex medical conditions

Hertel provider spotlight: Amberlee Libertone, DNP, FNP-BC (she/her)

We’ve recently welcomed a new provider to the team at 800 Hertel. While she’s still relatively new to team Evergreen, Amberlee embodies the unconditionally kind and affirming care we’re known for.

What are you enjoying about working at Evergreen on Hertel so far? What I am enjoying about Evergreen is the opportunity to provide equitable, quality health care services to underserved and marginalized populations, within an organization that values diversity and inclusion.

Is working at Evergreen different other places you have worked? Yes, Evergreen is definitely unique and stands out from any other organization that I have previously been a part of. Specifically, I appreciate the progressive efforts to identify gaps in healthcare and community services, and then being willing to “step outside the box” to pioneer program and services that truly meet the needs of the patients within the various communities across WNY.

Are you accepting new patients? As a new provider here at Evergreen Hertel location, my patient panel is growing and I am currently accepting new patients.

How do you spend your time outside of work? Outside of work, I am spending time with my wonderful husband, our son and our long-haired chihuahua. I am discovering new interests that I have, such as learning more about gardening and growing our own fruits and vegetables at home, which is quite time consuming but exciting at the same time.

Editor's Note: this story by Jean Conway originally appeared in the Evergreen Blog.

Buffalo Pride Week 2023 kicked off with the annual flag raising at Niagara Square across from City Hall. The Mayor and several elected officials spoke, along with community leaders including our own Kelly Craig.

Men's health is a critical issue. Unfortunately, many men tend to neglect their health until they experience a severe illness or injury. This leads to a higher risk of chronic diseases, disability and premature death. Additionally, men also tend to engage in riskier behavior, have riskier jobs and have fewer social connections. Consequently, men die, on average, six years younger than women.

For Black men, the difference is even greater. They die, on average, seven years younger than white men and eight years younger than Black women. Black men have an even higher prevalence of chronic conditions and worse outcomes across the lifespan, regardless of education or income. This disparity is attributed to a variety of factors, including pervasive racism, distrust in the medical system, socioeconomic status and environmental factors.

Gay, bisexual and transgender men have their own unique medical concerns that are often left undiagnosed due to discrimination and lack of access to appropriate care from providers. This leads to distrust of the medical system. It is important for gay, bisexual and transgender men to find a primary care provider that is both affirming and has the knowledge and skills to provide them with the care they need and deserve.

For all men, it is important to find a primary care provider they are comfortable with and who can provide compassionate and appropriate care, regardless of their gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, size or any other characteristic. Regular preventive medical care, including annual check-ups, screenings and immunizations, can help identify and prevent potential health problems before they become more severe. - submitted by Jason

Additional Resources from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

Men's Health Statistics

Gay and Bisexual Men's Health

Transgender Health

Surmaceviz

If you have signed up for the Stepping to Success Wellness challenge, be ready to get started as soon as June 3rd, 2023! Please make sure that you are able to document each week’s steps. You can do this by using a Fitbit, Apple Watch, pedometer, phone, or any other device that tracks how many steps that you take in a day! You will be required to submit your weekly step accomplishment by Friday at noon to be entered into the prize drawing that will be happening each week as well as the final drawing at the end of the challenge. There are awesome prizes you could win! Please reach out to the Wellness Team if you have any questions or concerns as we are here to support you!