A reflection on the 3rd annual Safety Net Clinic Week

For months, ClinicNET and the Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC) were actively gearing up for Safety Net Clinic Week 2012.  This hard work helped make the 3rd annual celebration a great success! ClinicNET & CRHC were pleased to have Charlotte Kaye, a senior at Colorado College, on board to help coordinate Safety Net Clinic Week.  With a warm smile and a calm demeanor, Charlotte executed her role and responsibilities exceptionally.  In her own words, Charlotte shares her experience from Safety Net Clinic Week.

“Seeing and hearing the response for the third annual Safety Net Clinic Week was impressive on all ends. From big events to individual tours, the questions that were brought up and discussed and the awareness that was raised will make a lasting impact. When visiting Carin' Clinic with Jerry Pifer, aide to Congressman Perlmutter, I was struck not by the fact that many of the representatives and aides that visited clinics during this week were unaware of their existence, but how strong the voice of the clinic was coming directly from the people who work their everyday. The tour of Carin' Clinic was not unique in this sense. Each tour and open house demonstrated the impact of these clinics through the passion of their patients, volunteers, and staff. It was a great experience sharing these clinics with the public and policy makers because I know each clinic was heard.”  

Some highlights of Safety Net Clinic Week include:

•  State Representative Dave Young visiting with North Colorado Family Medicine in Greeley
•  Executive Director Cara Russell hosting State House District 60 Candidate Jim Wilson and Chaffee County Commissioner Candidate Kathryn Wadsworth at Chaffee People’s Clinic in Salida.  Check out this media coverage of the event.
• State Senate District 14 Candidate Syndi Anderson learns more about the safety net health care scene and residency programs at from Austin Bailey, MD and ClinicNET board member Mark Schifferns, CPA at Fort Collins Family Medicine Center
•  Mission Medical Clinic in Colorado Springs hosts an exciting open house with many attendees
•  Denver City Council provides proclamation 585 recognizing Safety Net Clinic Week.  Watch the video!
•   the list goes on!  Visit our Facebook Page to see some photos from the week.

[Top Left: Rocky Mountain Youth Clinics;  Top Right: ACS Community Lift; Bottom Photo: Mountain Resource Center]

        

Tell us about your experiences during Safety Net Clinic Week Did you expand someone’s understanding of your role and impact in your community?  Do you have suggestions for next year?? Contact Program Manager Brooke Powers to do so.