La Red Health Center celebrates 10th anniversary

A wise man once said that visionaries possess a poorly developed sense of fear and no concept of the odds against them. Those characteristics couldn’t be truer for the individuals who 10 years ago transformed a tiny 24-hour referral office into an independent ambulatory care center known as La Red Health Center.

They knew that they needed to create a medical oasis for the disenfranchised and uninsured - they just didn’t know how sorely needed their vision was.

“For so many people, this is a dream come true,” said Brian S. Olson, executive director of La Red Health Center. The Georgetown-based organization raised a glass to its founders at an April 2 gala in Heritage Shores that attracted more than 300 people from all over the state.

Since its founding, La Red has become the only federally qualified health center in Sussex County. It’s a community-based organization that provides comprehensive primary care and preventive care - including health and mental health services - to people of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay. Clients travel from throughout the region to receive services at the centers in Georgetown, Seaford and Dover.

At the gala, supporters praised La Red leaders for their determination to beat all the odds, particularly in a recession, to effectively develop a thriving medical center that in 2010 met the needs of 6,500 individuals.

Delaware Sen. Tom Carper noted that La Red represents a model program that provides access to affordable, high-quality, cost-effective healthcare to medically vulnerable and underserved people groups in addition to the insured.

Delaware Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf thanked La Red staff and leaders for helping reduce unnecessary medical expenses by giving individuals access to preventive care.

“Ten years is a true milestone,” she said. “I can’t thank you enough for all that you do for the people of Delaware.”

The gala featured a salute to the individuals who pushed forward their vision of a true community-based medical center. They include Dr. Francisco Rodriguez, Gonzalo Martinez, Allison Burris Castellanos, Sister Rosa Alvarez, Betsy Wheeler, Barbara DeBastiani, Dr. Anthony Policastro and the Rev. Jim Lewis.

Also recognized were the leaders who transformed La Red into the exceptional facility that it is today. Olson, executive director since 2002, received special recognition.

In 2002, La Red served 200 clients per month. In 2010, La Red professionals saw about 1,200 patients each month. Olson was credited with helping La Red reach some significant milestones, including the following:

• In April 2003, La Red became an independent, nonprofit organization governed by its own board of directors made up of community experts from the Division of Public Health, hospital administration, and the local business community

• In April 2005, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services designated La Red as the only federally qualified health center in Sussex County

• In August 2010, La Red opened the Family Practice Satellite in Seaford and a month later in Kent County began offering prenatal and perinatal services

• In February 2011, La Red broke ground on a 25,000-square-foot healthcare center that in one location will meet the comprehensive medical, behavioral, and oral health needs of the medically underserved in southern Delaware; construction is expected to be completed by December 2011.

La Red Medical Director Dr. Francisco Alarcon said one of the center’s keys to success has been the staff.

“We are a family, formed by a group of people who are very dedicated,” he said. “They may not realize it, but they make a difference in people’s lives every single day.”