Opening Doors Benefit Raises Awareness and Needed Funds for the Uninsured
By Catherine Rice, Vice President of Marketing/Outreach
The COVID-19 Pandemic has thrown us all a curve ball, but it didn’t stop Health Partnership Clinic (HPC) from opening their doors virtually for its annual benefit in September. The benefit raises funds to help support uninsured adults and children in Johnson, Franklin and Miami counties. HPC provides more than $3 million of uncompensated care annually. However, clinic officials believe this will soar as unemployment climbs due to the coronavirus. Thanks to generous sponsors and donors, the clinic has raised more than $66,000. Donations are still being accepted. To donate, please visit, https://hpcks.org/give-back/.
The clinic held its Opening Doors Benefit on Sept. 3 via Live Zoom with Amy Falk, CEO, providing opening remarks; Barbara Letch, a HPC patient since 2012, sharing a patient testimonial; and Wael Mourad, MD, Chief Health Officer and family physician, updating viewers about the clinic’s response to COVID and providing insights surrounding racial health disparities and the clinic’s role. In addition, the clinic featured its 2020 video, Opening Doors and Embracing New Opportunities. More than 60 individuals and groups joined the Live Zoom meeting.
Founders Award
During the 45-minute event, HPC recognized Nevin Waters, DDS, Olathe, Kan., a former clinic board member and Dental Director, with the Founders Award, and the Olathe Fire Department with the Leadership Impact Award.
The Founders Award honors an individual who has significantly impacted the health and wellness of the communities we serve. It is because of Dr. Waters’ vision and collaborative spirit that dental services are offered today at Health Partnership. Under his leadership and direction in 2002, he secured donated mobile dental equipment and forged partnerships with UMKC Dental School and Johnson County Community College to provide volunteer staffing. Over the years, dental services have expanded to include both children and adults and inside and outside of our walls.
Leadership Impact Award
The clinic also recognized the Olathe Fire Department with the Leadership Impact Award. This award recognizes efforts of an individual or organization that has advanced the mission and philosophy of Health Partnership and has contributed leadership expertise in the promotion of HPC, health care and wellness in the communities served by the clinic.
In 2015, Olathe Health, Olathe Fire Department and Health Partnership established a Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) program. Together, we have worked diligently to provide direct patient care with same day appointments and chronic disease follow up care to reduce overuse of the Emergency Room and 911 services. Because of this innovative program, we have been able to help thousands of underserved Olathe residents who are frequent 911 callers, people with chronic diseases or elderly or disabled individuals trying to live independently. The team also works with individuals experiencing homelessness and educates school children. The MIH team includes Whitney Venegoni, APRN, FNP-C and Kevin Harris, MIH/Firefighter/Paramedic.
Event sponsors included:
Platinum level: AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Medical Staff, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City, Overland Park Regional Medical Staff
Gold level: Olathe Health
Silver level: AdventHealth Ottawa, BKD, LLP Scott Gold/Dana Gold, Bridge Builder Tax and Legal Services, PA, and Kansas City University
Bronze level: PMG, Inc., Sunflower Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare, Whole Foods Market, Luncheon level: AdventHealth, Aetna Better Health of Kansas, Bank of Blue Valley, Cigna Health Care, Creative Planning, Kansas Gas, Lakemary Center and Olathe Fire Department
Supporters: Blue Gurus and Holmes Murphy
If you did not have a chance to join us for the event, you can watch the recorded version and view photos here!
