Two prominent healthcare organizations serving the northwestern Denver metro area, including Boulder County, are joining forces to improve healthcare delivery for underserved populations. Mental Health Partners (MHP), known for its comprehensive mental health services, and Clinica Family Health, a leader in physical health care, have announced a merger that will create a more integrated and robust healthcare system.
The merger aims to provide more comprehensive and sustainable care to communities across Boulder, Broomfield, Gilpin, and Adams counties. The newly formed entity, Clinica Family Health & Wellness, will offer a wide range of services, including physical, behavioral, and oral health care, all under one umbrella.
“This merger is fundamentally about enhancing the care we provide to our patients and clients,” stated Clinica president and CEO Simon Smith. Both Clinica and Mental Health Partners are non-profit organizations committed to serving vulnerable populations.
This strategic alliance follows another significant merger between WellPower and Jefferson Center, two other large community mental health centers. These consolidations are partly driven by evolving state funding models and regulations impacting community mental health centers.
Organizations like Mental Health Partners and federally qualified health centers like Clinica often serve a significant number of patients relying on government insurance programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. Changes in these programs, particularly Colorado’s move towards more competitive funding for mental health services, and the rising costs of medical care, are creating financial pressures. Merging allows these community-focused clinics to strengthen their financial stability and ensure long-term sustainability.
The merger is expected to diversify revenue streams, consolidate assets, and better position the combined organization to adapt to the changing healthcare landscape.
A sign reading
Image: Clinica Family Health in Lafayette, Colorado, to merge with Mental Health Partners, enhancing comprehensive care access in Boulder County and surrounding areas.
Beyond financial benefits, the merger will enhance recruitment and training opportunities for staff, and crucially, expand access to care for patients in Boulder County and the surrounding regions.
Dixie Casford, co-CEO of Mental Health Partners, emphasized the amplified voice the merged organization will have in policy discussions. “By uniting, we can advocate more effectively for health equity. Our combined strength will allow us to influence policies, systems, and funding structures more powerfully than we could as separate entities.”
This merger also aligns with the growing trend of integrating physical and mental health services to facilitate smoother transitions and coordinated care. This “warm handoff” approach ensures that patients receive holistic care addressing both their physical and mental well-being.
Jen Leosz, the other co-CEO of Mental Health Partners, highlighted the benefits of integrated care teams. “We are creating environments where primary care providers, mental health professionals, and oral health providers can collaborate closely. This integrated setting fosters better communication and enables us to achieve shared goals for improved patient health outcomes more effectively.”
Clinica currently operates eight locations, serving approximately 59,000 patients annually. Upon completion of the merger, Simon Smith will lead Clinica Family Health & Wellness as CEO. Jen Leosz will assume the role of chief integrated health officer, and Dixie Casford will become chief administrative officer. The board of directors will include members from both Clinica and Mental Health Partners, with a continued commitment to patient representation in governance, ensuring the organization remains responsive to the needs of the communities it serves in Boulder and beyond.
