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Non-profit pediatric facility receives $141K in grants
By HEATHER M. SMITH, hsmith@acnpapers.com
PediPlace, a pediatric non-profit healthcare organization based in Lewisville and serving The Colony, recently received two grants totaling $141,000.
“These two grants will allow us to add staff, be open longer hours and expand our facilities,” said Jasmin Milz Holmstrup, development officer. “Right now we are evaluating what exactly we need to better serve our clients.”
The two grants were awarded by HCA North Texas Division sponsored by the Medical Center of Lewisville and Medical City Children’s Hospital. The grants include a $50,000 matching grant for electronic health record implementation.
PediPlace provides affordable, quality healthcare to uninsured and underinsured children. Its services include treatment for asthma and other chronic illnesses, acute illness, preventive and well-child care, specialty referrals, school vaccinations, and vision and hearing screenings.
“HCA, Medical Center of Lewisville and Medical City Children’s Hospital’s generosity extends PediPlace’s ability to provide quality primary healthcare services to hundreds more uninsured and under insured children in North Texas who lack access to care,” said Larry Robbins, executive director of PediPlace. “This collaboration between hospitals and PediPlace is a local solution to a significant community need. Together we keep kids healthy with preventive care, freeing up emergency rooms for true emergencies. Expanding access to primary care directly improves health and positively impacts educational outcomes and business productivity.”
PediPlace see patients all over the area including Denton, Dallas, Collin and Tarrant counties. Holmstrup said while the majority of clients come from Lewisville, the number of patients from Flower Mound has doubled, and the number of patients from The Colony and Coppell has risen, as well
“We see clients from all over,” Holmstrup said. “We even have some people come from Sherman. If there’s a need and the children don’t have health insurance, we’ll take them.”
PediPlace sees 85 patients per day and approximately 6,000 a year. Holmstrup said in the Lewisville, Flower Mound, and Highland Village areas, there are at least 10,000 uninsured children. Texas leads the nation in uninsured children with more than 23 percent or almost one out of four children, without insurance. Holmstrup said more and more middleclass families are coming to PediPlace.
“A lot of times, even middle class families can’t afford the high insurance costs,” Holmstrup said. “We’ve also seen families whose benefits have been cut or have suffered a job loss.”
PediPlace was established in 1994 by Dr. Mark Holt and Darla Kincaid. Holmstrup said they observed a need in the community and worked to fill that need.
“Places that provide quality healthcare for uninsured and under insured children are a necessity,” Holmstrup said. “PediPlace is dedicated to primary pediatric healthcare. Our focus is to see more kids for preventive care. We try to keep these kids out of the emergency room by keeping kids healthy and educating the families when to use the emergency room.”
PediPlace also recently received $24,000 in grants from UPS. The grants will be used for electronic health record implementation, expansion and for the purchase of durable equipment.
“The grants are a tremendous boost for us because it shows that they recognize what we can do,” Holmstrup said. “We are deeply honored to receive these grants.”
PediPlace currently has 15 exam rooms and has at least four nurse practitioners at the facility every day. Most nurses have at least 15 years experience, according to Holmstrup.
PediPlace accepts Medicaid and CHIP or children’s Medicaid. Uninsured patients are also welcome. About two-thirds of its budget comes from CHIP and Medicaid reimbursements. However, Holmstrup said the facility still loses money on every visit.
“It is our responsibility to provide this service for the children,” Holmstrup said. “We depend on the community to really pull together to make this happen.”
PediPlace is at 502 S. Old Orchard Lane, Ste. 126. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. PediPlace is closed Saturday and Sunday.
For information, call 972-436-7962 or visit www.pediplace.org.
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