Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa has joined forces with Broadlawns Medical Center to build a new clinic that would provide medical services to college students and the local community.
The 12,000 square-foot facility, built on land owned by the university, seeks to address the healthcare gap that the US Health Resources & Services Administration found prevalent in the area.
The clinic will offer a wide range of services, including urgent care, family medicine, and mental health. Patients can also schedule wellness exams, vaccinations, or appointments for non-emergency care.
“The opportunity to build a community clinic here on this site is a natural extension of the mission of Broadlawns. We are enabling access to affordable health care for those whose needs may otherwise go unmet,” said Broadlawns Trustee Dave Miglin during a news conference.
Empowering the Community
Construction of the multimillion-dollar clinic is planned to begin in May 2022 and the center will be open in August 2023.
Drake University director of counseling Kayla Bell-Consolver said the partnership has provided mental health services to students and connected them with professional counselors, bringing helpful changes for students, especially with students of color using the services.
“We want to empower students and faculty with the resources and tools to enhance community care and support and … enhance equitable access to the appropriate care for our students from marginalized groups,” Bell-Consolver said.
“We have the opportunity to begin targeting mental health disparities and, through this partnership, we are offered even more resources and support to do so,” she added.