PEAs Help Primary Care Grow

As Ann Abdella would bicycle to work, she would pass by small farms and think about the similarities between small farmers and independent primary care practices. Both are the backbone of the community and have a great sense of pride, but they are disappearing at a rapid rate. Primary care is the foundation for transforming our health care system. For almost a century, farmers have had the support of local extension agents. Independent physicians have had to fend for themselves. That is, until trained practice enhancement associates, or PEAs, came to Western New York to help practices transform.

Ann Abdella, RN, is the executive director of the Chautauqua County Health Network in Western New York.