Broadlawns Celebrates Grand Opening of Community Clinic at Drake Press Release September 8, 2023 NEWS RELEASE (Des Moines, IA) – Broadlawns Medical Center hosted an open house and ribbon cutting today at the new, Community Clinic at Drake, located at 2970 University Avenue in Des Moines. The 12,000 square foot healthcare clinic will provide area residents and members of the Drake University community with primary care, urgent care, and mental health services. Patients are now able to schedule routine visits, such as wellness exams and vaccinations, in addition to being seen for non-emergent, acute illnesses, and injuries. As a public healthcare provider, Broadlawns accepts patients with Medicaid and Medicare health coverage, as well as those with commercial insurance. “We are so proud to partner with Drake University and provide a state-of-the-art medical clinic that will best serve the school and the surrounding community,” said Broadlawns Medical Center President and CEO Dr. Anthony B. Coleman. “Thanks to Graham Construction and Shive-Hattery for helping make this bolder, better, brighter clinic vision a reality for the Bulldog community.” Increasing access to healthcare in central Iowa is the first priority listed in the latest Central Iowa Community Health Needs Assessment, a report prepared annually by the Des Moines area’s three largest health systems. The Drake neighborhood is part of the only medically underserved area in Polk County, according to the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration. The new clinic will aim to address a gap in primary care providers in the community. “The opening of the Community Clinic at Drake celebrates a new chapter in the robust partnership between Drake University and Broadlawns Medical Center,” said Drake University President Marty Martin. “Through this clinic we will enhance our student health services, deepen the collaboration benefiting pharmacy and health science education, and address a top community-identified need for quality healthcare services in our neighborhood.” Currently, Drake students receive medical and mental health services through Broadlawns Medical Center at the American Republic Student Health Center on the Drake campus. The student health and counseling facility serves approximately 908 patients per year with 2,720 patient visits. The Community Clinic will replace that facility. “The new Broadlawns Community Clinic at Drake is an extraordinary private-public partnership,” said City of Des Moines Councilmember Connie Boesen. “Broadlawns and Drake collaborated with the city, county, and area neighborhood associations for the needs assessment, planning, and development – and all partners have been fully supportive.” Broadlawns also partnered with Iowa-based artist, advocate, and mentor, Jill Wells, for an art installation along the east-side clinic entrance. Three wall-sized canvases feature a blue ombré background, showcasing the calming effects of the color while providing a nod to Broadlawns and Drake University branding. Additionally, 3D Braille butterflies take flight across the canvases, representing the mental health journey. A 2005 graduate of Drake University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Jill Wells is known for her dynamic, colorful, and tactile multimedia works investigating race, history, stereotypes, accessibility, and human experiences.