Drive-through or Home Visit, PPOA Has You Covered for COVID-19 testing

,

Tampa COVID-19 Testing Gives PCR Results in as little as 24 Hours

Physician Partners of America drive-through and at-home Covid testing came along at just the right moment to assist thousands of people with timely results, and still does. Whether one wants concierge service or to drive up and go, PPOA offer excellent options for rapid test results.

“Since our drive-through site opened, about 5,000 people have taken advantage of the service,” said Rekha Rajan-Wilson, PPOA Vice President of Compliance and Risk. “PPOA is honored to be able to serve our community with this added service.”

“Since its introduction, over 750 people have also taken advantage of the VIP option,” said Rajan-Wilson. “We knew that many people would appreciate the VIP service and they still do. The benefits of at-home test isn’t just added convenience but also as an extra step of care if you already have symptoms and wish to isolate.”

The VIP service has been an ideal choice for people who live within 20 miles of the office to get an at-home or office-based test, where a PPOA employee comes to them. “They’re asking us to come into their home, test the families, getting them results within 24 hours. They’re in the comfort of their own home, so I think they feel a little bit more at ease that way,” Rajan-Wilson said.

PPOA offers two different types of tests – diagnostic and antibody tests. PPOA’s PCR testing is 24 hour turnaround and sometimes even the same day.

With the diagnostic test, a person may know if they have an active coronavirus infection and should take steps to quarantine or isolate themself from others.

The antibody test looks for antibodies that are made by a person’s immune system in response to a threat, such as a specific virus and may stay in the blood for several weeks or more after recovery. Because of this, antibody tests should not be used to diagnose an active coronavirus infection.

“We intend to keep our Tampa site open as long as there’s a community need,” said Rajan-Wilson.

Testing is open to anyone with or without symptoms. All insurances are accepted for the test that returns results in 72 hours. Both options offer the nasal swab and PCR testing which is 99.9% accurate.

The drive-thru site is located at 3450 E Fletcher Ave, Tampa 33613

Appointments are required. People must pre-register at ppoalabtest.com or by calling 855-630-SWAB(7922). A representative will call back with a time slot.

/by

PPOA to Offer Medical Services During 2019 Warrior Games

,

Physician Partners of America supporting first Warrior Games in Tampa –

On June 21, some 300 inspirational military athletes will come together in Tampa, Fla. for the Department of Defense (DOD) Warrior Games, and PPOA will stand ready to assist them.

This Paralympics-style competition will run through June 30 in venues throughout the city. Its purpose is to allow disabled athletes to experience the healing power of sports while drawing inspiration from their fellow warriors and teammates.

It is free and open to the public.

Dr. Abraham Rivera, a veteran himself, is the Chief Medical Officer of Physician Partners of America and will welcome veterans from around the world to town. He and others from PPOA will volunteer their time during the games by offering consultations, x-rays and MRIs as needed.

“We are proud to offer our staff and facilities to these brave athletes during the games,” says Dr. Rivera. “They are truly an inspiration to us all.”

Established in 2010, the Warrior Games’ mission is to enhance the recovery and rehabilitation of wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans. They come from all military branches including the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

They have overcome a variety of challenges such as injuries to their upper or lower body and spinal cord. Some have suffered traumatic brain injuries, visual impairment, serious illnesses or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

This is the first year the highly anticipated games will be held in Tampa. Teams have expanded, as this year’s Warrior Games will include five additional teams from U.S. allied nations: the Australian Defence Force, Canadian Armed Forces, the United Kingdom Armed Forces, the Danish Armed Forces and the Dutch Armed Forces.

Fourteen adaptive sports will be represented including archery, track, field, indoor rowing, powerlifting, road race cycling, time trial cycling, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming and wheelchair basketball. For the first time, there will be competitions in golf, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair tennis.

The mission of USSOCOM’s warrior care program is to provide wounded, ill, and injured Special Operations Forces, veterans, and their families with advocacy after a life-altering trauma or illness to enhance their quality of life and strengthen SOF readiness.

The games will demonstrate the mass potential of wounded warriors through sports and show their incredible ability to prosper and overcome their challenges. For tickets, visit DODWarriorGames.com.

/by

PPOA Florida to Sponsor Walk to Cure Arthritis

About 54 million Americans suffer from arthritis, including 300,000 children affected with this lifelong disease. Physician Partners of America treats many cases of spinal and osteoarthritis pain each year, and has a passion for this cause.

Therefore, we are honored to be a corporate sponsor for the Arthritis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Arthritis in Tampa and Orlando. This fun and family-friendly 5k and 1 mile walk will be on Saturday, May 4, at Al Lopez Park in Tampa and Saturday, May 11, at Lake Eola in Orlando.

In addition to being a corporate sponsor of both walks, Physician Partners of America is committed to having a large team of at least 30 participants in Tampa and 20 in Orlando.

With support, the Arthritis Foundation will continue its mission to boldly pursue a cure for arthritis America’s No. 1 cause of disability, while championing the fight against arthritis with life-changing resources, science, advocacy and community connections.

The community at large is invited to join PPOA staff at the Walk to Cure Arthritis on May 4 in Tampa or May 11 in Orlando. Contact team leads Connie Huber at @chuber@physicianpartnersoa.com or Angela Jimenez at ajimenez@physicianpartnersoa.com. Or visit the Arthritis Foundation Events page to get involved in your community.

 

/by

Physician Partners of America Honored by Top Tampa Charity

,

Metropolitan Ministries praises collection drive efforts

Physician Partners of America has received the Golden Barrel Award from Metropolitan Ministries, a leading charity for the homeless and at those at risk of homelessness in Tampa Bay.

In presenting the award at PPOA’s Habana Ambulatory Surgery Center on Feb. 15, Metropolitan Ministries President Tim Marks, said, “I want you to know we look at you all as ambassadors of hope by coming alongside us and helping these families. This is something we like to honor.

“We love organizations that give back to others in the community and that’s what we want to celebrate today. For us, to see an organization like Physician Partners give their time, talent and treasures, and the donations that have come to us …it gives people hope.”

Josh Helms, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing for Physician Partners of America, has been an Ambassador with the charity for more than five years, and has been instrumental in involving PPOA for the past year.

“We at Physician Partners of America feel very blessed to have the opportunity to serve our patients while at the same time giving back and having a positive influence in our community,” Helms said.

The company has donated hundreds of pounds of clothing, toys, school backpacks and canned food to Metropolitan Ministries’ in its signature blue barrels placed in its clinics and offices.

“I appreciate Josh’s leadership as a volunteer with the Ambassadors for many, many years and helping families in need,” said Marks. “To see that bubble up here, with all your involvement and engagement, we give the Golden Barrel Award to Physician Partners of America, honoring your dedication and outstanding service to others. Salute you and thank you.”

The agency, which has been around for 45 years, has seen the needs of area families double from 100 to 200 per month. Part of it is attributed to Florida residents and Puerto Rican refugees from Hurricane Irma and, in general, “the storms of life.”

Marks added, “We’re able to help many more people, and you all are part of the solution.”

/by