To address this issue of healthcare disparities PCN is endeavoring to establish a Whole Health Center in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona Central region. The Central region has one of the most diverse populations in the entire state. It will address a patient’s Whole Health needs using an integrated care model.
People of Color Network, Inc. (PCN Health) is endeavoring to establish a new community based whole health center in Phoenix, Arizona.
PCN Health is a nonprofit Accountable Care Organization providing integrated physical and behavioral health services through collaborative care models and approaches – delivering culturally and linguistically responsive services for children, youth, and adults challenged with complex behavioral, physical and oral healthcare needs including other determinates of health such as housing.
“As co-owners of the 85,000 sq ft. office building with 11,000 sq. ft. of medical and dental space and 1,200 office space with Native American Connections and Phoenix Indian Center, PCN Health want to establish a new accessible Community Whole Health Center in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona offering high quality health services through innovative care coordination through multi-disciplinary care teams. All space is available for immediate occupancy with flexible leasing terms, tenet improvements and partnership agreements”, says Tomas Leon – the Chief Executive Officer of People of Color Network (PCN).
“People of Color Network is a network of quality community-based providers, our mission is focused on creating and maintaining healthy people of color communities by turning recovery and resiliency into living well. Our staff and partners are dedicated to providing integrated behavioral and physical health care through collaborative care approaches”, he explains.
As CEO of the People of Color Network, the leading behavioral health care provider in the State of Arizona – Tomas is responsible for providing strategic innovative leadership and vision for a non-profit Accountable Care Organization, a $33M budget, 280+ employees & 30 health and human service organizations. He does this by spearheading efforts just like the Whole Health Care Center – which he hopes will serve as a nationwide model for healthcare delivery in the future.
In this particular case their target community of the Phoenix Central/South Central areas encompasses zip codes 85003, 85004, 85006, 85007, 85009, 85012, 85013, 85014, 85015, 85017 and is home to approximately 236,644 individuals, with a disproportional rate of people of color residents when compared to the country profile. In the are 7.93% identify themselves as African Americans, compared to 5.2 at the county level. Native Americans represent 3.13% of the population in this area, but only 2.1% in the overall county. Latinos/Hispanics in the are account for 56% of individuals compared to 29.7% in the overall county.
A significant percentage of families/individuals in the area are living below the poverty line with 60.2% below 200% federal poverty level (FPL) with 36.0% below 100% TPL.
In this area, approximately 45% of the individuals are enrolled in the Arizona Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), the state’s version of Medicaid.
The median household income is significantly lower in this area at $39,208 compared to $64,592 at the county level. A full 53.3% of children under the age of 12 are living in poverty here, compared to 21.9% at the county level.
The facility is in close proximity to St. Joseph’s, Veterans Administration, Banner Good Samaritan and Phoenix Indian Medical Center.
The proposed Community Whole Health Center would serve 2,800 patients generating approximately 17, 763 medical encounters, 5,329 dental encounters, an 4, 441 behavioral health encounters at full capacity.
“By adding collocated collaborative care partners and a Chief Medical Director, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Medical Assistants, Dentists, Dental assistants, Patient Educator and Community Outreach Staff, we will increase culturally and linguistically responsive integrated health care services consistently over time thereby reducing health disparities for medically underserved individuals and families in our area”, says Tomas.
See video: Why addressing health disparities is important? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGeRg8_5TYo
Want to join PCN and be part of the solution to eliminate health disparities in the community? Join the partnership to advance cutting edge integration of behavioral, substance abuse, oral and physical health services to care for a diverse people with complex healthcare needs.
Contact PCN Whole Health Center, Partnership inquiries: Tomas Leon 1 (602)385-0364. Facilities inquires: Rita Herbert 1 (602) 252-8242.