MEET OUR AWARD WINNERS…
Each year, Health Partnership Clinic (HPC) bestows two awards, the Founders Award and the Leadership Impact Award. The Founders Award is given to an organization or individual who has had a lasting impact on the health and wellness of the communities served by the clinic; the Leadership Impact 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 the clinic, health care and wellness in the communities served by the clinic.
Olathe and Shawnee Mission School Districts received the 2024 Founders Award for their McKinney-Vento programs, and Auburn Pharmacy received the 2024 Leadership Impact Award at our Opening Doors Luncheon on April 11, 2024.
HPC is the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) designated homeless grantee, and the Olathe and Shawnee Mission School Districts help us fulfill the program’s goals and objectives. Their teams play a key role in helping the clinic connect with a population that is difficult to access.
The school districts have worked collaboratively since 2011 and 2012, respectively, with a common goal of improving students’ access to health care. One example of our collaborative spirit is working with children and families who are served by the McKinney-Vento Program.
The McKinney-Vento Act is federal legislation that ensures the educational rights and protections of children and youth experiencing homelessness. It requires all local educational agencies (school districts) to ensure homeless students have access to the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youth. Homeless children and youth are those who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.
We are proud of our partnership to support Olathe and Shawnee Mission School Districts’ students and families who are struggling with homelessness and provide affordable, quality and accessible medical, dental and behavioral health care. HPC extends a huge thank you for their leadership, vision and collaborative spirit in supporting the clinic and embracing its mission to serve the most vulnerable in our community. We appreciate the high level of communication and always welcoming our team to provide various health services.
Founders Award – Olathe School District
For the last 13 years, Olathe School District and Health Partnership have led many collaborative efforts to meet the needs of their McKinney-Vento staff programs: Attending school events, such as Impact Olathe, which is the McKinney-Vento program collaborative care approach to support families facing homelessness or households dealing with economic challenges; making the Mobile Integrated Health Team available to visit schools and connect uninsured or underinsured parents to a medical home thanks to a partnership between Olathe Health, now part of The University of Kansas Health System, Olathe Fire Department and Health Partnership; and providing dental and health care to Olathe Back to School Outreach which won the best support program from the National Association of Education of Homeless Children and Youth.
Together, with our aligned missions, these efforts have resulted in more children being healthy and ready to learn when they walk into the classroom. In addition, parents are connected with community resources to access immunizations and health resources to meet the needs of families living in group shelters, hotel rooms, etc. Offering this full spectrum of care is critical for the families in Olathe.
Founders Award – Shawnee Mission School District
HPC’s mission is closely aligned to Shawnee Mission School District’s belief that “Respecting a community’s diversity and each individual’s dignity demands equitable access.” Whether it is access to high quality, affordable care or access to meals, community resources and a free, appropriate public education, we are united in our efforts to remove barriers and ensure every student can be healthy, continue their education and be successful. We have accomplished this with onsite health services.
In the Spring of 2018, the first school-based health clinic opened in Merriam Park Elementary for students and their siblings in the Shawnee Mission School District. The clinic has since moved to Shawnee Mission West High School. In addition, the clinic staff works with school nurses and the McKinney-Vento liaison to ensure children receive back to school physicals, behavioral health and dental care and that families are connected with community resources.
Together, through shared values and outstanding communications, we have ensured greater access to health care for students across the district, including those experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness. Thanks to this collaborative partnership students receive the care they need and deserve.
Leadership Impact Award – AuBurn Pharmacy
Under the leadership of Michael Burns, RPh, AuBurn Pharmacy has always been right by our side and an integral member of the healthcare team. When the clinic transitioned to using local pharmacies several years ago, Michael and his team stepped in to provide invaluable expertise and guidance, donating countless hours of their time. This support ensured everything was done properly and within legal bounds.
Through the years, Auburn’s capable and friendly staff has worked closely with our patients to ensure they have access to affordable medications and education about medications, wellness, prevention and medical conditions. Their responsiveness, commitment to service and sense of community have positively impacted the lives of many in Johnson, Miami and Franklin Counties. This patient-centered pharmacist philosophy improves medicine management by patients, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.
We thank Auburn Pharmacy for continuing to act as a resource in this highly fluid and challenging pharmaceutical environment, living the mission and philosophy of HPC and impacting the lives of so many in the communities we serve.
