Since its inception OCO’s Fulton Health Center has provided a wide array of healthcare services such as family practice, pediatrics, adult medicine, women’s health services and education.  OCO’s professional medical staff of physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants continue to strive to meet the healthcare needs of Oswego County.

Nurse Practitioner, Nancy Bidinger has been with OCO since 1993.  She has seen thousands of patients over the years and recognizes the impact that OCO’s health centers have on the community.  “Our health centers are staffed with medical professionals who provide a high quality of healthcare.  When you are dealing with an economically and socially underserved population the needs are much greater.  Therefore we go above and beyond with our efforts to provide our patients with excellent healthcare and support that will help them in making a better life for themselves,” said Bidinger.

While OCO’s Health Centers offer a full range of healthcare services for the whole family, they also focus on women’s reproductive health issues.   In that area OCO’s Health Centers offers the following women’s health services:

-         PAP Smears

-         STD Testing

-         Breast Exams

-         Colposcopies

-         HIV Testing

-         Birth Control Methods

-         Pregnancy testing & Options counseling

-         Infertility screening and counseling

OCO’s Health Centers have been focusing on the importance of HIV testing and will be participating in the 14th Annual National HIV Testing Day on June 27th.  According to statistics from the Center for Disease Control approximately 1 million people in the United States are living with HIV or AIDS. Out of the million, about one quarter do not  know that they are infected: not knowing puts them and others at risk.   Do you know your status?  OCO, Inc. Health Centers are always accepting new patients.  To schedule an appointment you may contact OCO’s Health Education at 592-7877 or www.myspace.com/4condoms.  

In an effort to make quality, affordable healthcare available to even more people in Oswego County, OCO’s Health Education Division has launched a new referral program that rewards existing patients with a $5 Fastrack gas card for each new patient that accesses OCO’s women’s health services.  “We are hoping to raise awareness of our women’s health services and remind women not only in the greater Fulton area but throughout Oswego County that the healthcare services they need are only a phone call away,” added OCO Health Educator, Carolyn Handville. 

OCO, Inc. Health Centers participate with most commercial health insurances and has options for the uninsured.  All women’s health services are offered at a sliding fee scale, making them affordable to all individuals.  In addition, Fulton Health Center has a staff member on site to enroll patients into multiple state health insurance programs.  “We strive to make healthcare affordable to all” adds Ms. Handville.

OCO’s Fulton Health Center, located at 522 South 4th Street in Fulton is open Mondays from 8:00a – 7p, Tuesdays through Fridays from 8:00a – 5:00p and alternating Saturdays from 8:30a – 12:30p.  For more information on the services available, or to make an appointment, you may contact them at 598-4790.

OCO Inc. is a not-for-profit Community Action Agency, supported by United Way, and includes seven service divisions – Senior Services, Transportation, Mental Hygiene, Health, Youth, Services to Aid Families, and Children’s.  For more information you may contact their offices at 598-4717 or visit their Web Site at www.oco.org.

About the Photo:  Keeping Fulton Healthy.  The staff at Oswego County Opportunities’ Fulton Health Center provides a wide array of health services including family planning and reproductive health services.  Pictured above are LPNs Lisa Godfrey, Rachel Halstead, Kira Dio, Julie Reid, Jackie Pullen, Christina Anderson and Michele Cary.