Health Services

Definitions of Services

Adult Cardiology - A specialist, cardiologist, examines and evaluates adult health center patients who may have heart disease (Martin Luther King Jr. Community Health Center, Wyandanch only)

Adult Medicine - services provided by medical providers that only treat adult patients18 years of age and older 

HIV Testing - laboratory testing for the virus, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), that causes HIV infection and AIDS

Audiology - testing of hearing for health center patients

Bone Density Screening - a medical test to measure the thickness of bone, which may become thin in older persons

Breast Clinic - A surgeon specialized in breast diseases examines and evaluates health center patients who may have irregularities of the breast identified by self exam, provider performed examinations, mammography and/or sonography. Located at the Maxine S. Postal Tri-Community Health Center in Amityville and South Brookhaven Family Health West in Patchogue. Patients from all health centers may be referred to either site.

Chest (TB) Services - medical services including testing and treatment of tuberculosis, an infection which most commonly affects the lungs

Child Birth Classes - lessons which prepare pregnant woman and their support person for what to expect and how to help themselves during labor and delivery

Colposcopy - a medical procedure in which a provider looks at a woman’s vagina and cervix (opening of the womb) with a magnifying lens. This is done for women who have had an abnormal Pap smear. Small pieces of tissue (specimens) can be removed (biopsy) and sent to a laboratory to be looked at by a specialist physician (pathologist) to find out what the irregularity is. This procedure can also be done to treat the problem that was found on biopsy.

Community Outreach - informational services provided in various community locations such as health fairs at churches, schools and other community organizations, about the medical services that are available at the health centers

Dental HIV - dental services for health center patients that have HIV infection and AIDS

Diabetes Education & Counseling - this service gives people with diabetes the information and tools they need to successfully manage their diabetes. Registered Nurses and Registered Dietitians help patients create self-management plans that meet their needs.

EKG - a test called an electrocardiogram (EKG) that measures the electrical currents to identify irregularities of the heart, such as a heart attack

Family Planning - education and medical services for the prevention of pregnancy

Family Practice - services given by medical providers that treat patients of all ages

Genetic Counseling - specialized counseling for patients about conditions related to inheritance, generally for pregnant women

Gynecology - specialized services for the treatment of diseases of the female reproductive organs

HIV Case Management - assistance with organization of services for patients with HIV infection and AIDS

HIV Primary Care - general medical services for patients with HIV infection and AIDS

IAP - Immunization Action Program tries to ensure that children in Suffolk County are fully immunized by their second birthday, and that all infants born of hepatitis B positive mothers are appropriately identified, treated and tracked.

Immunizations - medical agents that are given to patients by needle, mouth or nasal spray to protect them from diseases that can be spread from person to person

Infectious Diseases - a disease that can be spread from person to person

Lab (Drawing Stations) - the collection of laboratory specimens from patients by taking a sample of the blood generally from the finger or arm and asking for a sample of urine

Mammography - x-ray examination of the female breast to screen for abnormalities including cancer

Medical Social Work Services - social workers assist patients who have problems following medical advice and care, such as money problems, lack of insurance, lack of family or community support, emotional problems, lack of information or understanding of the care needed, use of alcohol or drugs, mental illness, etc.

Migrant Health - health care services for migrant workers

Nutrition Counseling - this service teaches patients how healthy food and liquids are needed to help control diseases and keep them from getting worse

Obstetrics - the specialty of medicine that gives care to women while they are pregnant, during labor and delivery and for six weeks after giving birth

Parenting Classes - lessons which teach pregnant woman, mothers and fathers how to take care of their babies and children

PCAP - this program called the Prenatal Assistance Care Program (PCAP), pays for pregnancy care, hospital care for mother and baby, care of the mother for two months after giving birth and care of the baby for up to one year of age. The women must apply, provide proof of personal and financial information and receive services from specific health care providers. The Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ health centers are PCAP providers and assist pregnant women with the application process.

Pediatric Cardiology - A specialist, cardiologist, examines and evaluates children, who are patients of the health centers, who may have diseases of the heart. Located at the South Brookhaven Family Health West in Patchogue. Patients from all health centers may be referred to this service.

Pediatrics - the specialty of medicine that gives care to children

Podiatry - the specialty of medicine that cares for problems with the foot

Prenatal Care - care provided to women while they are pregnant

Public Health Nursing - a special program in which nurses make home visits to patients to help them with medical needs and/or problems. Visits are made to pregnant women, infants, children and those with special medical conditions such as asthma, infectious diseases and chronic diseases such as diabetes.

Public Health Screening - screening for diseases that can be spread from person to person

Radiology - a test which takes a picture of body parts using x-ray

Selected Specialty Clinics -

Sonography - a test which takes a picture of body parts using sound waves or ultrasound

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) - screening for and treating infectious diseases that are spread from person to person during sexual activity

Surgery Specialty Clinic - A surgeon examines and evaluates health center patients who may need to have an operation.

Vision Screening - a basic check of eyesight for health center patients

WIC - Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children - better known as the WIC Program - serves to protect the health of low-income women, infants, & children up to age 5, who are at nutritional risk by providing healthy foods and information on healthy eating to improve diets