Comprehensive primary care services will soon be much more available to residents of the mountain communities across Boulder and Gilpin Counties. Clinica Family Health is pleased to announce plans to open two primary care clinic locations in Nederland and central Gilpin County.
"For years, many residents of the mountain community have been driving long distances to access health care. Some have even gone without care because it is too difficult to access," said Simon Smith, president and CEO of Clinica Family Health. "Mountain community members from across Boulder and Gilpin Counties strongly encouraged and supported us in bringing health care to their neighbors. Increasing access to high-quality, affordable health care is a core part of Clinica’s mission and vision. We are delighted to partner with these communities to improve the health of their residents."
The clinics are slated to open in late spring or early summer of this year. They will offer a full scope of primary care services including well visits, prenatal care, immunizations, chronic disease treatment, lab services, minor surgical procedures and acute care. Clinica accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and almost all private insurance options. Sliding-fee discount options are available for most uninsured individuals. Mental Health Partners, a not-for-profit that provides a broad scope of behavioral health services, will co-locate at the Nederland location and will provide therapy and case management to Clinica patients and other members of the community.
"We have a long-standing relationship with Clinica, partnering with them in strategic endeavors to integrate physical and behavioral healthcare," said Jennifer Leosz, co-CEO of Mental Health Partners. "We are eager to provide mountain communities with more access to our broad scope of services and programs through expert, personalized care from our multi-disciplinary and compassionate clinical teams."
Clinica staff will split their time between locations in the High Country Professional Building in Gilpin County and the Hub Ned building in Nederland. Staff will include a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, a clinic nurse, an office manager and Dr. Shivaun Hoyl, a Rollinsville resident, as the primary medical provider.
"Having a physician who is also a neighbor, someone who truly understands life in the mountain communities, is vital to connecting to patients,” said Dr. Lisa Winkler, Clinica’s vice president of medical services – strategic programs. "Dr. Hoyl is an experienced, compassionate, holistic physician who will understand the needs of her patients much better than someone from outside of the area. We are overjoyed to have such an ally and partner join our team."
Smith said that Clinica’s decision to open the clinics was informed by a comprehensive survey conducted last summer. The survey response helped define current health access and service gaps, and quickly identified more than 1,000 potential patients who were overwhelmingly positive about opening a clinic in Gilpin County or Nederland.
County and community leadership are also highly supportive of bringing high-quality health care closer to those living in the mountain community. Gilpin County Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth, who served on the Mountain Health Task Force that determined the need for health care resources, was pleased that the clinics were opening.
"I'm so grateful that the residents of Gilpin County will soon have convenient access to something as basic and essential as health care," Hollingsworth said. "Our rural mountain community has wanted health services for residents for years. This will not just improve the health of our residents and workforce, but also improve our quality of life in Gilpin County. Thank you for the hard work of the committee and Clinica staff."
"Clinica has begun the hiring process and encourages qualified members of the community to apply for positions at the new clinics. Job descriptions and additional information are available on Clinica’s web site at www.clinica.org. “We are genuinely excited to be able to open these clinics and bring broader access to affordable health care to these unique and beautiful communities," Smith said. "We look forward to a long and healthy partnership with our future patients and partners."
For Interviews or Additional Information:
Susan Wortman, Vice President of Development
Clinica Family Health
Email: swortman@clinica.org
Cell: (720) 341-3849
Kristina Schostak, Communications Manager & Public Information Officer
Mental Health Partners
Email: kschosta@mhpcolorado.org
Phone: (303) 245-4405