Variety Care and OCCHD Partner to Increase Access to Health Care Services in NW OKC

In 2019, OCCHD announced plans to turn two elementary schools into health and wellness centers. The area surrounding Sequoyah Elementary previously did not provide access to a community health center. According to national data records, the service area included 10,773 low-income residents, 4,016 uninsured residents, and 3,591 Medicaid members. The health agency transformed the former Sequoyah Elementary School into the OCCHD Learning and Wellness Academy, with the goal of working with Oklahoma City Public Schools and other community partners to improve the physical, social, and emotional health of the city’s vulnerable youth and their families.

“Having a primacy-clinic in the building is a huge win because nearby residents now have accessible and affordable health care,” Dr. Patrick McGough, OCCHD CEO, said “We are thrilled to partner with Variety Care and be able to offer quality clinical services in the Sequoyah neighborhood and surrounding areas. We look forward to working with Variety Care to continue improving the health outcomes for residents in this area and throughout Oklahoma County.”

The collaboration is the latest in an expansion initiative by Variety Care to increase access to health care across the state. Variety Care recently opened a second health center on Portland Avenue in Oklahoma City and increased patient access in Canadian County through the addition of family medicine services at Variety Care Yukon.

“We will continue to pursue our vision of expanded health care for all throughout Oklahoma,” Variety Care CEO Lou Carmichael said. “We are proud to collaborate with OCCHD and stand firmly with Sequoyah residents on our commitment to improve access to health care. This partnership will allow us to unleash our full potential in the Sequoyah area and help residents improve their overall health.”

Variety Care Sequoyah officially opened on Sept. 16, 2021. Available services include:

• HIV & Viral Hepatitis Services
  

  In Jan. 2020, Variety Care received a Primary Care HIV Prevention grant to increase HIV screening and education. Variety Care recruited Phil Burke, PA-C, to lead the HIV and Viral Hepatitis service line. Variety Care Sequoyah will now house these services. A medical provider from the OU Infectious Disease Institute’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program will also be available to offer HIV treatment to uninsured patients.

• Teen Clinic by Variety Care
  Teen Clinic was established in 2011 to empower youth with medically accurate sexual health education and accessible support services. The program uses adolescent health specialists strategically placed in Oklahoma City Public Schools to encourage student participation. In 2019 – 2020, Teen Clinic served 5,719 individuals through 37,942 encounters.
• Family Medicine
  Services will be available January 2022. The collaboration will also serve program participants at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County and the Salvation Army of Central Oklahoma. 

About Variety Care, Inc.
Variety Care, Inc. is Oklahoma’s largest community health center with 18 health care facilities in central and western Oklahoma. In 2020, VC provided comprehensive and coordinated medical, dental, behavioral health, vision, and social services to 151,742 individuals through 335,368 face-to-face and group visits. A United Way partner agency, Variety Care serves all patients, regardless of insurance status, and strives to make health care affordable and accessible for everyone. The Variety Care Foundation provides philanthropic support and community awareness for Variety Care and its efforts. For more information, please visit varietycare.org.