Since its humble beginnings in 1983, the Lewis County Primary Care Center (LCPCC) has been focused on its mission to provide advanced, affordable health care to all regardless of their ability to pay.

The federally qualified health center which was founded in Vanceburg has never lost sight of their goals and has found themselves 23 years later with eight facilities across the Northeastern Kentucky area (not to mention several in-school collaborations).

With each new venture the organization has brought forth a new name meaning with all eight sites, there are eight different names including Lewis County Family Health Center & Pharmacy, Tollesboro Family Health Center & Pharmacy, Fleming County Family Health Center, Maysville Family Health Center, Maysville OB/GYN, Lewis County Family Dental Center, Eleanor Johnson’s Women Center, and Fitness First & Rehabilitation. 

As the company continues to look towards the future the time has come to simplify and rebrand their many names to one - PrimaryPlus.

The name change will be strictly that, the parent company will continue to be LCPCC doing business as PrimaryPlus with the same familiar faces, same quality services, and the same convenient payment methods. 

The name, PrimaryPlus, highlights everything that LCPCC has to offer especially the extensive list of services. LCPCC is excited for the rebranding and feels it will be more convenient for all, especially the patients.

“We want people to recognize the fact that our sites are united as a family, so therefore the name PrimaryPlus will unite all of our entities helping people to understand that we are a strong, established company within many communities,” comments Jerry Ugrin, CEO.

All LCPCC entities will slowly begin to transition to the name change over the next several weeks. Patients will begin to see changes in signage, brochures, billing statements, etc. “Our hope is that the transition will be seamless,” states Tracy McGuire, Marketing Director. “It will be a big adjustment for all involved—employees, patients, community partners; but we are confident that in the long run it will make it easier and more convenient.”

LCPCC just announced last month the plans for a new 35,000 square foot facility in Maysville that will house their OB/GYN and Family Health services (currently known as Maysville OB/GYN/Family Health Center). Maysville OB/GYN/Family Health Center (606-759-5331-OB/GYN and 606-759-0433- Family Health) operates out of two separate locations both located on Medical Park Drive.

Other LCPCC entities that will change to PrimaryPlus include Lewis County Family Health Center & Pharmacy (606-796-3029), Tollesboro Family Health Center (606-798-3151), Fleming County Family Health Center (606-845-0028), Lewis County Family Dental Center (606-796-9511), Eleanor Johnson’s Women Center (606-796-3660), and Fitness First & Rehabilitation (606-796-0373). If you would like any more information on LCPCC/PrimaryPlus or would like to schedule an appointment please call one of our many facilities (numbers listed above).

After months of work, Lewis County leaders have devised a technology plan designed to improve the county’s economy and quality of life.

The Connect Lewis County report makes recommendations for technology-based improvements in nine sectors of the community: business and industry; healthcare; libraries; K-12 education; higher education; community-based organizations; government; agriculture; and tourism, recreation and parks.

The report identifies the top priorities for the next two years:

*Increase Technology Education: Organize existing technology classes and offer new ones, with the goal of increasing the computer usage rate in the county.

*Increase Online Communication: Work with providers to accelerate the expansion of broadband in the county.

*Make Government More Accessible Online: Create user-friendly government websites that provide for the request and delivery of local government services over the Internet.

The report also includes dozens of recommendations for future steps, such as encouraging more hotspots in locations such as bookstores, businesses and libraries, offering after-school programs to bridge the digital divide that exists among students and helping non-profit groups learn how to use the Internet to save on the cost of paper mail.

A team of local volunteers completed the "road map" for technology-based growth and development during a months-long meeting process. 

The Lewis County eCommunity Leadership Team built the plan with guidance from ConnectKentucky, a non-profit group that believes technology can help Kentucky remain the place of choice to live, work and raise a family.

The meetings are part of Kentucky's Prescription for Innovation, a plan to ensure that every Kentucky household has access to high-speed Internet by 2007. The plan ultimately aims to increase the number of high-tech companies and jobs in Kentucky.

ConnectKentucky's local project manager, Ernie Wood, will continue to work with local volunteers as they implement the plan.

Kentucky once lagged behind when it came to technology, but the Commonwealth has now become a technology leader. 

Broadband coverage has increased from 60 percent of households in 2003 to 87 percent of households in 2006. Home computer ownership has increased by 17 percent, and more than 110 counties are actively engaged in the eCommunity Leadership Team process.

Broadband technology can help Kentuckians take advantage of world-class opportunities without having to leave home. For example, small business owners can set up shop in a rural area while serving customers around the globe; students can study with experts in their fields; and libraries can offer the latest electronic books with no waiting list.

Already in Kentucky, broadband service is being used to remotely arraign prisoners in state courts, to web-cast high school athletic games, and to conduct biotech research in a rural county. Employers who located thousands of jobs in Kentucky attributed their decision to the availability of high-speed Internet.

For more information, or to participate in future meetings, please contact ConnectKentucky Project Manager Ernie Wood at 270-799-0875 or ewood@connectky.org.

Members of the Lewis County eCommunity Leadership Team include: Larry Alexander, ATC Consultants, LLC; Steven Applegate, Lewis County; Sherrill Bentley, Lewis County Cooperative Extension Service; Charlie Borders, Commonwealth of Kentucky; Marilyn Conway, Helen H. Rayburn Public Library; William Cooper, City of Vanceburg; Tommy Griggs, Cabinet for Economic Development; Melissa Hardy, Buffalo Trace Area Development District; Mike Hardy, Maysville Community and Technical College; Darin Helphenstine, Fleming Mason Service Corporation; Jason Hill, Lewis County Sheriff's Office; John Holder, City/County Attorney; Patty Kennard, City of Vanceburg; Philip Konopka, Lewis County Cooperative Extension Service; Greg McCane, Lewis County Schools; Lovell Polley, City of Concord; Betty Ripato, Lewis County Property Valuation Administrator; and Robin Webb, Commonwealth of Kentucky.

About ConnectKentucky: Recently named as the nation’s top innovator in economic development by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, ConnectKentucky is leading the way into a new economy for Kentuckians. As an independent technology-based economic development organization, ConnectKentucky works with businesses, government entities and universities to accelerate technology in the Commonwealth. For more information, visit www.connectkentucky.org.