Guest Op-Ed | Business Times

July 31, 2024

MarillacHealth Recognizes National Health Center Celebration

In August each year, communities across the country recognize the Community Health Centers that provide integrated preventive and primary care services to nearly 32 million people. MarillacHealth is one of 20 Health Centers now serving 1 in every 7 Coloradans. Many are familiar with Marillac’s 36-year-old mission of providing affordable, high-quality healthcare to persons of lower income. Marillac provides medical, dental and behavioral healthcare services (and discounted medications) to the unhoused, to migrant farmworkers, undocumented individuals, and persons of lower income who are often uninsured, underinsured or on Medicaid. Our organization connects with these hard-to-reach populations to convey the message that healthcare and better health are within reach. For those who have fallen on tough times or are simply living from paycheck to paycheck, Marillac’s doors are always open. About one-third of our patients are children and adolescents, and a growing number are older adults.

Under the sponsorship of St. Mary’s Hospital from 1988-2014, Marillac formerly operated as a busy safety net clinic that had limited parking, space and capacity to serve the growing number of people who depend on us for their healthcare. After self-incorporating and becoming a Federally Qualified Community Health Center in 2015, Marillac doubled in size thanks to an annualized grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), enhanced Medicaid reimbursement and additional clinic sites. Because the HRSA grant accounts for less than 10% of our operating budget, Marillac supplements its revenue with foundation grants, community donations, and fundraising events.

Community Health Centers, Marillac included, bring demonstrable value and impact to their communities. According to Capital Link, which periodically profiles Marillac’s economic performance, Marillac’s positive impacts are multitude. Using the most recent data available, CapLink reported that Marillac achieved 24% lower costs when serving Medicaid patients and in 2021, alone, saved $17.5 million in overall Medicaid costs. Today, Marillac’s impact on local employment boasts 123 jobs, with competitive wages and a handsome array of fringe benefits for all employees. In addition, CapLink reported that Marillac’s operations indirectly support at least 72 ancillary jobs. Direct health center spending in 2021 amounted to $11.1 million, with an additional $13.2 in community spending, creating $24.3 million in total economic impact in current operations. Closed for only 7 major holidays, Marillac is an economic engine that produces nearly half a million dollars in state and local tax revenue and another $2.5 million in federal tax revenue.

Marillac’s pandemic response included launching drive-through testing sites for diagnosing COVID-19 and the county’s first drive-through immunization clinic. During the 2020 statewide shutdown, when all dental practices were prohibited from seeing patients, Marillac worked with authorities to undertake extraordinary precautions and remain open. During this time, Marillac welcomed all community members, regardless of their income level, who were experiencing dental emergencies. Many grateful patients received relief from pain, healing restorative treatment and a memorable introduction to Marillac’s role as their Community Health Center.

Like all thriving for-profit and non-profit organizations, Marillac depends on the guidance and governance of its Board of Directors, ongoing market analysis, a fidelity to strategic planning, and a talented and happy workforce. Marillac endeavors to employ an abundant workforce that is diverse and inclusive—an essential approach for welcoming and serving an increasingly diverse patient population. Within our workplace culture that emphasizes learning and leadership, we continue to explore new approaches to rewarding high performance.

By combining medical, dental, behavioral health and discounted medications under one roof (our integrated care model), and providing sliding fee discounts to all qualified patients, Marillac is successfully welcoming new patients and inspiring their trust. On July 22, 2024, Marillac broke ground on a centralized health center that is destined to welcome and care for hundreds of thousands of our neighbors in the coming years. Thanks to the magnanimity of charitable foundations, service clubs,
businesses and churches that have pledged support, and the generosity of individuals and families who have generously contributed and continue to give, Marillac will open new doors to health (our campaign theme), at 526 29 ½ Road (next to the Mesa County Workforce Center) in late 2025. In partnership with Colorado Mesa University (CMU) Tech, a dynamic dental hygienist training and certification program will be co-located within the center.

Opening in late 2025, MarillacHealth’s new 27,000 SF health center will expand service to an additional 3,000 new patients, offer a drive-through pharmacy and host a Dental Hygienist training and certification program in partnership with CMU Tech.

More than ever before, it is affirming to have the bi-partisan support of our elected officials: U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, State Senator Janice Rich, State Representative Rick Taggart and Matt Soper, along with other notable leaders on the Board of County Commissioners, Grand Junction City Council and School District 51 Administration and Board of Education. Most have visited, toured, and promoted our clinics and/or helped to secure funding for MarillacHealth. It is my joy and honor to lead Marillac. Please join me in congratulating the entire MarillacHealth board, workforce, vendors, partners, donors, and patients as together we renew our commitment to this vibrant, caring community and celebrate another year of service!

MarillacHealth by the Numbers

Patient Population
12,074 in 2023
13,500 Projected 2024

Total Number of Service Sites

• 7 Fixed Sites
• Including 2 School-Based Integrated Care Clinics
• And 1 Weekly Outreach Clinic for the Unhoused
• And an Embedded Hygienist at a private practice pediatric group
• Additional Mobile Seasonal Clinics for Migrant Farmworkers

Workforce – 125 Employees, 15-20% bilingual

• 19 Medical Providers
• 8 Dentists
• 10 Behavioral Health Providers
• 9 Registered Dental Hygienists

Service Area – 7 Counties

• 80% of patients reside in Mesa County
• 20% Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, San Miguel

Current Projects

• GJHS Tiger Wellness Center, opening August 2024
• New Pharmacy at 6th Street Clinic, opening November 2024
• New Health Clinic/Center of Operations, opening Fall 2025

Caption for Illustration of New Clinic
Opening in late 2025, MarillacHealth’s new 27,000 SF health center will expand service to an additional 3,000 new patients, offer a drive-through pharmacy and host a Dental Hygienist training and certification program in partnership with CMU Tech.