News
Take a look at our news and events below.
Monday, October 26, 2026 – Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC) is pleased to announce that Jeren Stepp has joined the organization as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With more than 14 years of health care finance leadership experience, Stepp brings extensive expertise in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), financial operations, revenue cycle management, federal grant compliance, strategic planning, and organizational growth.
Many people check expiration dates on milk, bread, and other food items, but medications are often overlooked. Whether it's a prescription bottle in the medicine cabinet, allergy medication in a purse, or an old tube of antibiotic ointment tucked away in a drawer, taking a moment to check expiration dates can help protect your health and ensure medications work as intended.
Each year, Medicare Open Enrollment gives beneficiaries an opportunity to review their health care coverage and make changes that better fit their needs. Whether your health has changed, your prescriptions have changed, or you simply want to ensure you're getting the best value from your plan, Open Enrollment is the time to take a closer look.
At Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC), our commitment to excellence is guided by one of our core values: Continuous Improvement. It is one of the foundational pillars of our "Three Cs" culture, alongside Compassionate Care and Community Connections. Continuous Improvement reflects our dedication to learning, growing, and finding better ways to serve our patients every day.
Health care is constantly evolving. New treatments, technologies, regulations, and patient needs require organizations to remain adaptable and forward-thinking.
October 16, 2026 – Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC) clinics have received flu vaccines and are administering them to patients.
Flu season typically occurs during the fall and winter months. This year's season is expected to run from October 2026 through April or May 2027, with peak activity anticipated in February 2027.
Tuesday, September 9, 2026, marks Health Empowerment Day, a national awareness day focused on helping health care patients become more confident, informed, and engaged in their health care decisions. The initiative encourages individuals to be their own health care advocate - taking an active role in managing their health by learning about preventive care, understanding treatment options, utilizing available health care resources, and asking questions that support better health outcomes.
At Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC), we believe that empowered patients are healthier patients. When individuals have the knowledge, tools, and support they need to make informed healthcare decisions, they are better equipped to manage, prevent, and improve their overall well-being.
September 28, 2026 – Joycelyn Yanis, Ph.D., Chief Quality Officer at Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC), was presented with the Georgia Primary Care Association's (GPCA) 2026 Elsie Peavy Brown Community Service Award during the 2026 P.E.A.C.H. Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, September 22, at the Jekyll Island Convention Center.
For over 40 years, AAPHC has built an organizational culture on 3 Cs – Compassionate Care, Community Connections and Continuous Improvement. These three principles guide everything we do as we strive to fulfill our mission of providing ‘quality health care to everyone’.
September 24, 2026 – Dr. James Hotz, Clinical Service Director, Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC) has been named by The Milken Institute School of Public Health at the George Washington University as the 2026 Geiger Gibson Program Distinguished Visitor.
The Distinguished Visitor Program recognizes leaders in the community health center movement who have made exceptional contributions to community health and medically underserved communities. Each year, the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health selects a Distinguished Visitor to share their experience and insights with students, faculty, and staff through an in-residence lectureship and campus visit. Geiger Gibson Distinguished Visitors represent the finest in community health center leadership and serve as informal advisors on Geiger Gibson research and scholarship.
If you’ve tried dieting, exercise or other weight loss programs without lasting success, you are not alone. Losing even a modest amount of weight may help improve overall health and reduce the risk of obesity-related conditions. For many, weight is influenced by hormones, metabolism, and medical conditions – not just willpower. The addition of medically supervised weight management can be an important part of improving quality of life.
GLP-1 medications (medications such as Wegovy®, Zepbound® Kwikpen, and Foundayo) may help get your weight loss journey started. GLP-1 medications work with your body’s natural hormones to help you feel fuller longer, reduce hunger and cravings, and achieve sustainable weight loss when combined with lifestyle changes. It may also help improve your blood sugar control, reduce appetite and cravings, and improve overall metabolic health.
Every year on September 29, World Heart Day reminds us of the importance of taking care of our hearts and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, but the good news is that many heart-related conditions can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices and regular medical care.
At Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC), we believe that protecting your heart starts with simple, everyday habits that add up overtime. World Heart Day is the perfect opportunity to learn more about heart health and make positive changes for yourself and your family.
ALBANY, GA — AUGUST 3, 2026 — Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC) joins the National Association of Community Health Centers and over 1,500 Community Health Centers (CHCs) across the country to celebrate National Health Center Week and recognize the vital role health centers play in providing affordable, effective, comprehensive primary care to more than 52 million Americans, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. This year, we celebrate how health centers use innovation to reach more patients and improve outcomes.
At Albany Area Primary Health Care (AAPHC), we know good health starts long before a patient walks into a health care facility. The foods we eat every day play a powerful role in preventing chronic disease, managing existing health conditions, and improving overall well-being. Yet for many individuals and families, access to healthy foods and nutrition education can be a challenge.
Chronic Disease Day is annually observed on July 10 as a national awareness and advocacy initiative dedicated to addressing the significant impact of chronic diseases in the US. The date represents a critical statistic: seven out of 10 deaths in the US are caused by chronic diseases – including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
