Community Health Net Launches Groundbreaking Telemedicine Initiative

CHN partners with ‘Back On Track – Erie’ to Pioneer Specialized Services for Parolees.

Erie, PA – November 28, 2025 – Community Health Net (CHN), the leading Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving the Lake Erie region, announces a specialized telemedicine initiative designed for individuals transitioning from prison life to civil society. This initiative, in partnership with Back On Track – Erie (formerly Community Transition Center), the only one of its type in the State of Pennsylvania and potentially the nation, promises to transform the delivery of medical services to this underserved group.

Each year, around 17,897 individuals are released from prisons in Pennsylvania. CHN’s initiative aims to address the healthcare needs of this population, emphasizing the importance of continuity in medical care during their critical transition phase. Unlike conventional telehealth, CHN’s program involves an on-site healthcare professional, a nurse’s aide, who plays a crucial role in patient intake and vital signs collection, while the organization’s Providers remain virtual, ensuring a comprehensive healthcare approach.

“Our targeted telemedicine initiative is a testament to our dedication to our mission to improve the quality of life in our region by providing professional healthcare services with compassion, respect, and dignity to all,” said Craig Ulmer, CEO of Community Health Net.  “By partnering with Back On Track- Erie, we are breaking new ground, focusing on the unique challenges faced by individuals who are reintegrating, such as their ability to pay for quality healthcare.”

Although healthcare services are mandated for prisoners, medical services are not mandated for parolees, nor are they free of charge. This pioneering initiative is expected to ensure that health services to people reintegrating into the region’s communities are available regardless of their ability to pay. 

“Back On Track- Erie serviced 615 individuals in 2024,” says Renee M. Kirby, Program Director, Back On Track- Erie. “Our partnership with Community Health Net aims to enhance access to healthcare, reduce recidivism rates, and facilitate smoother integration of individuals being reintegrated into society. This partnership is leading the way in healthcare in a unique way.”

HIPPA-compliant data collected from this initiative will be analyzed and shared with the Department of Human Services to potentially inform and enhance healthcare services statewide for individuals in reentry.

To learn more about Community Health Net’s services, visit their website at www.communityhealthnet.org.

About Community Health Net

Community Health Net is a Federally Qualified Health Center with seven locations and 39 years of service to the Erie region. As the premier regional healthcare organization committed to patient-centered care, CHN delivers accessible medical, dental, and behavioral health services regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. Its mission is to improve the region’s quality of life by providing professional healthcare services with compassion, respect, and dignity to all.

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