The Power of an Inclusive Healthcare Clinic

The Heart Ministry Center established in an urban setting upholds its mission to provide food, healthcare, and a way forward to people severely impacted by poverty. Its safety-net healthcare clinic is supported in collaboration with a local university whose mission is to promote social justice. The primary care clinic is supported by an interprofessional healthcare team including occupational therapists, physical therapists, advanced practice nursing, physicians, social workers, dentists, optometrists, mental health practitioners, and multiple health professional students.Implementation: Healthcare at the Heart Ministry Center expanded services through an interprofessional approach, systematically assessing community needs. The clinic strategically integrated multiple healthcare professions, enhanced physical resources, and developed a robust student learning environment focused on collaborative care delivery and addressing urban healthcare disparities.Evaluation plan: In 2023-2024, the food pantry provided 70,000 pounds of food a month to community members and the healthcare clinic saw more than 3500 clients. Another benefit has been to see the development of healthcare practitioners and students in valuing interprofessional collaborative practice. In a self-reported questionnaire, students reported improvements in multiple IPEC core competencies: roles and responsibilities, teamwork, and communication.Outcome(s) and significance: The interprofessional clinic model addresses healthcare disparities by flexibly adapting practitioner roles to meet vulnerable populations' complex needs. By prioritizing collaborative care and team-based approaches, the center enhances healthcare equity and provides transformative learning experiences for students that can significantly influence future healthcare practice and community service.