Victor spent a decade homeless in Lawrence, Kan., struggling with addiction and neglected health. His life was a cycle of emergency room visits with no lasting solutions. But everything changed when he walked into Heartland Community Health Center.
At Heartland, Victor found more than just medical care. Nurse Practitioner Maureen Caro uncovered underlying health issues and connected him with a therapist to help address his mental health struggles. The team also provided crucial support during personal tragedies, including the loss of his daughter and a close friend. Staff members regularly checked on Victor, guiding him to community resources that improved his living situation. This ongoing support was vital in maintaining his recovery from addiction and rebuilding his life.
“Victor has done an incredible amount of work for his own recovery and health, and it is absolutely my most treasured experience as a provider to start with someone in a bad place and then later see them in their recovery,” Caro shared. “It brings tears to my eyes.”
Panda Pediatrics provides quality and compassionate health care to all children & adolescents in Lawrence and surrounding areas – focusing on integrated, patient-centered care.
As part of the Heartland Community Health Center Family, Panda Pediatrics accepts all patients regardless of income or insurance status.
Last year, River City Pharmacy saved 2,585 patients more than $6.7 million on their medications.
In addition to making life-saving medications affordable, this year our pharmacy also began offering free local delivery to further reduce barriers to medication access for our patients and community members
Healthy Futures is a community-based program from Heartland and Panda Pediatrics that brings diagnostic, preventative and operative services to children at schools throughout the state of Kansas.
Heartland’s dedication to inclusive, compassionate care guarantees that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, receives quality healthcare.
In 2023, Heartland and Panda Pediatrics served 21,156 patients through 71,273 visits, reaching 13,659 children, 319 individuals experiencing homelessness, and 461 veterans.
Our commitment to historically marginalized groups is clear: 57% of our patients were uninsured or on Medicaid or Medicare, and 28% identified as a non-white race, highlighting Heartland’s crucial role in providing care to those who need it most.
In the past year, Heartland’s total charges amounted to $34,620,035, with $17,142,960 collected from billing. Significant financial assistance was provided through our sliding discount program, which totaled $8,785,716, and we also wrote off $692,712 in debt to ensure that no patient was burdened by unaffordable costs.
This year marks a significant milestone for Heartland Community Health Center as we proudly opened Bluestem Wellness, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the mental wellbeing of our patients and the community.
Located at 534 Michigan, Bluestem Wellness represents our commitment to providing comprehensive mental health services in a welcoming environment. Our new site offers a range of services, including psychiatry, psychology, therapy, psychological testing, play therapy, couples and family therapy, and substance use treatment.
Together, we are building a brighter future where mental wellbeing is prioritized and accessible to everyone.
