In a significant step towards enhancing healthcare services, Clinica Family Health and Mental Health Partners (MHP) have officially merged in October 2024 to form Clinica Family Health & Wellness. This unified organization is committed to providing comprehensive physical, mental, and oral health services across Boulder, Broomfield, Gilpin, and Adams counties, operating from the combined locations of both previous entities.
This merger is fundamentally driven by a shared vision: to deliver the highest quality, most comprehensive healthcare to our valued patients and clients. By bringing together the expertise and resources of Clinica Family Health and MHP, we are creating a robust healthcare agency that significantly improves access to a wider range of services. Our new integrated, whole-person care model is designed to better serve the diverse needs of individuals and families within our communities, particularly those who are most vulnerable.
Addressing the Evolving Healthcare Landscape Through Integration
We recognize the complexities of today’s healthcare environment, where fragmented systems often create barriers to accessing necessary care. For years, both MHP and Clinica have strived to simplify this landscape, aiming to consolidate resources and streamline patient experiences. Over the past two years, thoughtful discussions between our organizations explored avenues for closer collaboration. It became increasingly clear that a merger – leveraging over a century of combined experience in physical and behavioral health – offered the most powerful path forward for meaningful, positive change.
By uniting a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC), Clinica Family Health & Wellness is uniquely positioned to offer truly comprehensive care to the populations we serve. Individuals seeking health and wellness deserve a seamless experience, not a labyrinth of referrals and repeated medical histories. They need coordinated care from trusted providers who understand their long-term health journeys and efficient access to specialists when required. By fostering a more integrated, collaborative, and team-based approach among healthcare professionals, we are better equipped to support your health goals and improve overall well-being. The benefits of this integrated approach have already been evident in our long-standing partnership, with patients and clients reporting measurable improvements in their care experiences.
Three Decades of Partnership Lead to a United Future
The foundation of this merger lies in a strong partnership between Clinica and MHP, built over more than thirty years. Our organizations share deeply aligned values, missions, and visions: a commitment to providing access to high-quality, affordable healthcare for everyone, regardless of income level or insurance status. We are dedicated to serving our communities with cultural humility, and this union strengthens our collective voice in advocating for health equity for all.
Simon Smith, formerly the President & CEO of Clinica Family Health, now leads Clinica Family Health & Wellness as President & CEO. Jen Leosz and Dixie Casford, who previously served as co-CEOs of Mental Health Partners, have taken on crucial new roles as Chief Integrated Health Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, respectively.
As a combined and stronger entity, we are poised to make a greater impact on policies, systems, and funding structures related to community health and wellness, advocating more effectively than either organization could achieve independently.
Leading Our Communities Towards a Stronger Healthcare Future Together
This merger is about amplifying the combined talents and expertise of our dedicated teams in innovative and impactful ways. MHP and Clinica Family Health are highly complementary organizations. By uniting, we will progressively expand our specialized areas of expertise, offer enhanced professional development and career advancement opportunities for our staff, and further strengthen our ability to support and meet their needs. This also positions us to be even more attractive in recruiting and retaining top talent—a critical advantage as the healthcare sector continues to face workforce challenges.
Integrating two organizations with such a wide array of programs and services is a complex undertaking that demands careful planning and execution. We are committed to dedicating the necessary time and thoughtful consideration to this process. In the coming months, we will actively engage with our patients, clients, colleagues, and community partners to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.
We extend our sincere gratitude for your ongoing trust and support as we continue to serve as leading providers of high-quality, affordable healthcare in our community. As we embark on this exciting next chapter together, responding proactively to the evolving healthcare needs of our community, we are honored to continue leading the way as healthcare innovators.
Onward!
Simon Smith, Jen Leosz, and Dixie Casford
