February 1, 2024
DENVER — A first-of-its-kind partnership between Denver Health and Denver Public Schools aims to increase access to health care services through a mobile health clinic for DPS children and their families, including many newly arrived migrant families.
Denver Health’s Mobile Health Clinic will initially target visits to four DPS Community Hubs throughout Denver so that health care services are available in addition to the clothing, food, language classes and more provided at the DPS Community Hubs.
The Denver Health Mobile Health Clinic 3, led by Denver Health Nurse Practitioner Rose Bernal-Barrera, has already commenced its operations at Swansea Elementary, marking the beginning of this transformative partnership with DPS. The health services provided include vaccines, pediatric primary care services including acute care and chronic illness care, adult acute care and more, catering to the diverse needs of DPS families, particularly those who have recently migrated to Colorado. As the team gains a deeper understanding of the healthcare requirements of their patients, the services offered by the Mobile Health Clinic are expected to evolve accordingly.
“The Mobile Health Clinic team is providing an essential resource for families as they adjust to their new lives in Colorado,” said Cori Depue, MPH, mobile health operations manager for school and community programs at Denver Health. “I’m so glad partnerships like this have been made possible to help increase access to health care for families in the Denver community.”
The expansion of health services outside of Denver Health’s School-Based Health Centers was made possible thanks to Denver Health Foundation’s collaboration with the Denver Public School Foundation, with both organizations raising $150,000 for the initiative. Special recognition goes to the Singer Family Foundation for their generous early contribution to Denver Health Foundation, which served as a catalyst for this initiative.
“Denver Public Schools Foundation is thrilled to support the mobile health clinic that will be supporting students and families at DPS Community Hubs,” said Denver Public Schools Foundation President and CEO Sara Hazel. “A healthy child is a thriving child and therefore, supporting student well-being is a top priority. Having access to healthcare ensures that students are able to focus on learning when in the classroom. We are excited about this collaboration with Denver Health Foundation for the health and wellness of our students."
This partnership between Denver Health and Denver Public Schools represents a significant step towards ensuring the well-being and academic success of DPS students, as well as creating a healthier Denver community.
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About Denver Health
Denver Health is a comprehensive health and hospital system that provides high-quality care and proudly serves as the city’s safety net hospital. For more than 160 years, Denver Health has been guided by its mission to serve the people of Denver, to educate the next generation of health care professionals and to engage in research and community partnerships to better deliver the health care needs of our patients while strengthening our community.