Community Health Connection’s clinic at Rosa Parks

By now many Tulsans, particularly those in the city’s growing Hispanic community, are aware of the medical services offered at Community Health Connection at its two clinics, one in the Kendall-whittier neighborhood at 3rd and Lewis and the other in East Tulsa at 9912 E. 21st Street.

But what most people probably don’t know is that Community Health Connection has a satellite clinic on the campus of Rosa Parks Elementary School.

Located at 13702 E. 46th Place South, the CHC clinic at Rosa Parks serves not just students and their families, but anyone needing to see a doctor. And, like the other CHC locations, the clinic at Rosa Parks offers bilingual and culturally sensitive care on a sliding scale, so even those without health insurance are able to get the medical care they need.

Owen Cowdery, CHC’S Marketing, Public Relations & Outreach Manager, told La Semana that the space was previously occupied by a different clinic, and when that one closed Union School officials contacted CHC to provide medical services to the students and the surrounding community. The CHC clinic opened when school began last fall.

“The hours are different, it’s 7:00 to 4:00 Monday through Friday,” Cowdery said, adding that otherwise patients are able to get most of the same services available at CHC’S other clinics.

Most patients are able to be seen the same day, but should call ahead to schedule an appointment. The number to call is 918-622-0641, which is CHC’S main number.

Cowdery said that currently the Rosa Parks clinic is staffed with two pediatric and family medicine providers, but additional resources are planned for the future.

“We’re hoping to get a behavioral health person over here as well,” he explained, “because that’s a real need at the school.”

Cowdery predicted the addition would come after CHC opens its new clinic on the campus of Ochoa Elementary at 31st and Garnett later this year.

Danielle Brinlee with Rosa Parks said having the clinic there has been great for the students and their families.

“We know the importance of having a thriving clinic here on site for the simple fact that we have so many families here that can benefit from it,” she said. “There’s a lot of families here that are either not insured, or they don’t have documentation, and so often times they go without those needs being met, and we know that because those needs are not being met it filters directly into our school day.”

Brinlee said the clinic means healthier students, and healthier students are more successful in their academic studies.

And while the Rosa Parks clinic doesn’t have a dentist on site, the dental staff from the 3rd and Lewis location does come to the school to conduct free dental screenings.

Cowdery stressed that anyone can visit the clinic, not just students and their families, and urged those who live in the area and need to see a doctor to call 918-622-0641 for an appointment. (La Semana)