Meeting community healthcare needs in the south metro
We’ve formed a unique partnership with St. Mary’s Health Clinics in response to the need for accessible healthcare for uninsured adults in the south metro.
St. Mary’s was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet with the mission of providing healthcare to underserved communities in the Twin Cities metro and has been one of our longstanding community partners.
When we heard they needed a space to serve patients in the south metro, our health system responded.
In partnership with St. Mary’s, the M Health Fairview Community Advancement team developed a plan with our Apple Valley clinic. Within a few months, St. Mary’s volunteer providers and nurses were seeing patients one day a week using the clinic space.
“We share a commitment with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet to serve our neighbors who face significant barriers to accessing healthcare,” said John Swanholm, vice president of M Health Fairview Community Advancement. “We have partnered with St. Mary’s since the Sisters opened the first clinic 30 years ago. M Health Fairview offers clinical and non-clinical volunteers, donates discounted supplies and services, and makes grants from our foundation — this seemed like another great way to partner in the Sisters’ ministry.”
St. Mary’s provide free primary care services to adults who are uninsured, many of whom are undocumented and have challenges in accessing care. Clinics are hosted by trusted sites such as churches and community partner organizations, managed by a St. Mary’s supervisor, and staffed by volunteer nurses and providers. The healthcare model is funded by grants, individual donations, and state, county, and city funds, including support from our foundation.
With six Twin Cities locations, St. Mary’s served 2,371 patients through 4,866 virtual or in-person visits last year alone. Still, there was a waiting list and patients often couldn’t get in to see a provider for an extended period. Data showed there was a significant need in the south metro for additional appointments and more conveniently located care.
“When we learned that St. Mary’s had a need for space in the south metro, Apple Valley seemed like the best location — so we made room for them,” said Amber Trudeau, primary care service line manager at M Health Fairview Clinic – Apple Valley. “Having St. Mary’s at our site is a source of pride for our employees. It’s a way for our clinic to give back to the community.”
Having a dedicated space in Apple Valley allows St. Mary’s to meet the healthcare needs of even more people.
“This additional clinic space is great because it’s located where people live,” said Melinda Monigold, St. Mary’s nurse and Apple Valley manager.
Most patients learn about St. Mary’s through word-of-mouth in the community. St. Mary’s also has close relationships with the Mexican Consulate in St. Paul and the Ecuadorian Consulate in Minneapolis, which provide referrals.
“Because of our patients’ economic and immigration status, many of the people we see would probably go without routine healthcare if these clinics weren’t available,” said Susan Gehlsen, executive director of St. Mary’s. “I think we fill a void in the community; serving people that otherwise may go unserved.”
