Bayless Integrated Healthcare, a leader in combining physical, social, mental and emotional health services at each of its clinics, will open a sixth location, Bayless Integrated Healthcare, Avondale Elementary School District Integrated Clinic, located in Avondale, Ariz. The multi-specialty clinic will provide integrated healthcare services including family medicine, behavioral health and life skill services to students and families who reside in Maricopa County’s Southwest Valley – an area in great need of care and resources.
Nearly 1 in 4 children in Maricopa County are living at or below the poverty line, and many lack access to needed healthcare services. For example, studies show 70 percent of Arizona children with major depression do not receive needed mental health treatment. To help expand access to underserved children and families in Maricopa County, the new clinic will offer physical and behavioral health services to approximately 12,000 to 13,000 students in the Avondale Elementary School District including Avondale Middle School, Elíseo C. Félix School and Lattie Coor School.
The clinic will be based out of the original AESD school building located at 235 W. Western Avenue, Avondale, Arizona, 85323. WellCare Health Plans, Inc., Care1st Health Plan Arizona, and the WellCare Community Foundation donated $230,000 to support the new clinic. The donation to the Arizona Therapeutics Learning Center (AZTLC) will help expand and renovate these offices so that physicians from Bayless Integrated Healthcare can provide vitally needed services to the community.
“We’re excited to offer quality healthcare services to meet the physical and behavioral health needs of the Avondale Elementary School District and surrounding communities,” said Justin Bayless, CEO, Bayless Integrated Healthcare.
“We greatly appreciate this generous donation,” said Dr. Kristen Ray, member, AZTLC board of directors. “These funds will be instrumental in ensuring we build a state-of-the-art health clinic that’ll support a healthier community in the Southwest Valley for years to come.”
“We’re honored to work with AZTLC, Bayless Integrated Healthcare and the Avondale Elementary School District who share our commitment to giving back to those we serve,” said Rhonda Mims, senior vice president and chief public affairs officer, WellCare. “This donation will help support a convenient, one-stop shop clinic for students, families and community members in Avondale to help promote better health outcomes and a brighter future for Arizona’s next generation.”
Many students in the Southwest Valley also face social and economic barriers to care such as lack of transportation, affordable housing and nutritious foods. In response, the Bayless Integrated Healthcare Clinic will collaborate with the Care1st Avondale Resource Center, a one-stop hub of community resources conveniently located across the street, to connect patients to social and human services. The center offers a variety of programs such as healthcare enrollment, Women, Infants and Children (WIC), financial literacy workshops, parenting classes, and more.
“Through our collaborative efforts, we’ll be able to improve the quality of life of our students and their families,” said Dr. Neil Stafford, AESD director of comprehensive health initiative. “By connecting them to social and human service, we’re working to enhance overall health and boost academic performance for our students most in need.”
To learn more about Bayless Integrated Healthcare, call 602-230-7373 or visit www.baylesshealthcare.com.
