Primary Health Network Opens Emlenton Health Center
- Editor
- 22 hours ago
- 3 min read
Celebrates with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Emlenton, PA – Primary Health Network (PHN), Pennsylvania’s largest Community Health Center, officially opened the doors of its new Emlenton Health Center on June 2, 2025. To celebrate this milestone, PHN hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony in partnership with the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, August 7, at 12:00 p.m.
Located at 516 Main Street, Emlenton, PA 16373, which was formerly the site of Emlenton Area Family Practice, the new health center brings expanded access to primary care services for the community. PHN began offering interim services through its Mobile Health Unit in January 2025 while construction on the permanent site was underway.
The ribbon cutting event featured an Open House with guided tours of the facility, remarks from PHN leadership and staff, and the ceremonial ribbon cutting. Community members, local partners, and healthcare professionals came together to mark the occasion and learn more about the services now available in the heart of Emlenton.
The Emlenton Health Center is staffed by Stacy Zacherl, CRNP, a dedicated Family Nurse Practitioner providing comprehensive services including primary care, minor sick visits, medication management and education, and tele-health options. A native of the region, Zacherl holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Clarion University in Oil City, a Master of Science in Nursing as a Nurse Educator from Chamberlain University and completed a Post-Graduate Family Nurse Practitioner Certification from Chamberlain in April 2024. Her clinical expertise and community ties make her a vital asset to local healthcare delivery.
In addition to expanding care options, PHN is also addressing transportation barriers. Free transportation is available to and from PHN appointments for patients. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), PHN accepts most insurance plans and offers a Sliding Fee Discount Program to ensure cost is never a barrier to care.
PHN also excitedly shared that it was recently selected to receive funding through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Health Outreach program in support of establishing the site. The program acknowledges the critical healthcare needs in communities like Emlenton and will help establish a solid foundation for long-term success. As part of the initiative, a formal rural health consortium is being created, including partners such as Independence Health System and Linmas Drugs, to strengthen care coordination and ensure access to specialty and pharmacy services, creating a more comprehensive and connected healthcare experience for patients.
“The opening of the Emlenton Health Center represents more than just the launch of a new facility,” said Dr. George Garrow, CEO of Primary Health Network. “It is a symbol of our enduring commitment to bringing high-quality, accessible healthcare to rural communities. Every person, regardless of their zip code, deserves the opportunity to thrive through better health.”
This new center is part of PHN’s ongoing mission to provide compassionate, accessible care where it is needed most. Appointments can be scheduled by calling 724-704-4358.
For more information about Primary Health Network and its services, visit www.primary-health.net.
Primary Health Network, Pennsylvania’s largest community health center, is dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered care across a broad range of services, including primary care, behavioral health, dental, pediatrics, podiatry, chiropractic, and more. With a team of compassionate providers and staff, Primary Health Network offers comprehensive care focused on promoting overall health and empowering patients to lead healthier lives.
Last year, Primary Health Network served over 75,000 patients across 16 counties in Pennsylvania and one county in Ohio. The network participates in most managed care plans, accepts a wide variety of insurances, and offers a Sliding Fee Discount for eligible patients.
For more information about Primary Health Network and its services, please visit
