The health system is contributing $250,000 to quadruple the size of an community health clinic in Denver, part of a project that includes 150 affordable living units and space for fresh food providers.
Health systems are investing in innovative partnerships that not only improve access to care but address some of the social determinants that affect access and outcomes.
The latest example is taking place in Denver, where Intermountain Healthcare is funding the expansion of a community health clinic serving the Hispanic/Latinx community, which accounts for almost 30% of the city's population. The $250,000 grant will quadruple the size of the Tepeyac Community Health Center, which sits in the middle of an even bigger project that will include 150 affordable housing units and 5,000 square feet of space for fresh food providers.
“Intermountain has a reputable legacy of standing in the gap to serve our communities that are most in need," Tiffany Capeles, Intermountain's recently appointed chief equity officer, said in a press release. "This is fulfilled through offering health care options that are both high quality and affordable.”
The project is one of many springing up around the country that combine healthcare services with other services that address the needs of underserved communities. Clinics are being built alongside schools, libraries, housing and senior care complexes, retail centers, markets, and other programs that focus on ease of access and inclusion.
The expansion will quadruple the clinic's size to 24,500 square feet, add imaging and pharmacy services, and expand annual patient visit capacity from 20,000 to 37,000.
The clinic has operated in East Denver for roughly 25 years, offering primary, behavioral and dental care services in an area that has seen an 88% increase in growth over the past 20 years.
Tepeyac Community Health Center is the first line of care for the fast-growing community, and sends patients in need of more services to nearby Intermountain St. Joseph's Hospital, which is coordinating the grant.
“For the past 28 years, Saint Joseph’s Hospital has been a steadfast partner of Tepeyac Community Health Center and has stood with Tepeyac at every stage of our growth," Jim Garcia, the health center's founder and chief executive officer, said in the press release. "As we prepare to open our new clinical facility, Saint Joseph’s has once again demonstrated their unwavering support, as we continue our mission of serving (or 'of providing high quality, affordable healthcare') to the most vulnerable members of our community."
Eric Wicklund is the associate content manager and senior editor for Innovation at HealthLeaders.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Intermountain Health is funding the expansion of the Tepeyac Community Health Center, which serves the fast-growing Hispanic/Latinx community in Denver.
The clinic sits in the middle of a bigger program that will add 150 afforable living units and 5,000 feet of space for fresh food providers, addressing two social determinants of health that indirectly affect the health of the surrounding community.
This project is one of many to feature unique partnerships that combine healthcare access with other services targeted at underserved communitites and populations.