(The original Ochoco Community Clinic in Prineville, circa 2002 | Photo courtesy of Mosaic Medical)
Celebrating 20 Years of Providing Quality Care for All
In the spring of 2001, a family in Prineville without health insurance lost their infant to a preventable disease. Driven by a desire to prevent this sort of tragedy from occurring again, the Prineville community and local leaders sprang into action. Together, they helped to establish Central Oregon’s first Community Health Center — the Ochoco Community Clinic — which would later evolve into Mosaic Medical. This private, nonprofit clinic chose patients and community leaders to guide the organization as the first Board of Directors.
Growing With the Community
During the first year of operations in 2002, the clinic provided affordable, preventative healthcare to nearly 700 people. Word spread quickly about the value of the Community Health Center model, and by 2006 Mosaic was operating clinics in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties.
“Mosaic was founded for the community by the community,” said Megan Haase, FNP and CEO of Mosaic. “We exist because our community believes that everyone who lives here should have access to high-quality healthcare. And that’s just what we do: We provide high-quality, integrated, culturally appropriate healthcare to Central Oregonians, regardless of life circumstances.”
As one of the first providers hired to work at the newly established clinic back in 2002, Haase has a unique perspective. She has seen firsthand how the organization has expanded over the last twenty years to now serve a patient base of more than 27,000 Central Oregonians, operating a network of 15 health centers in Bend, Redmond, Madras and Prineville. From a staff of less than ten to nearly 400 employees across the region, Mosaic continues to grow to meet the needs of the region.
Some things, however, remain the same. The organization is still governed by a volunteer, patient-majority board of directors. And it continues to be guided by the original purpose of the community members who banded together to bring the organization to life: to provide high-quality, affordable care for all.
Advocates For All
“At Mosaic we are advocates for our patients,” said Elaine Knobbs-Seasholtz, Director of Strategy and Development at Mosaic. “We have extremely dedicated staff and providers who work closely together to make sure that all aspects of an individual’s health are considered. We offer medical, dental, behavioral health, nutrition and pharmaceutical care, and in addition to that we work to address our patient’s basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, transportation and more.”
Anyone can be a Mosaic patient — insured or uninsured, working or unemployed. The organization accepts most private/commercial insurances, local Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) and most Medicare. They also offer a sliding scale reduced fee program. No matter what a person’s life circumstances are, the team at Mosaic believes that everyone deserves quality healthcare. And in alignment with their origins, Mosaic also provides health insurance enrollment assistance to their patients and to anyone in the community in need of help with the process.
Celebrating 20 Years
As part of the organization’s 20th-anniversary celebrations, Mosaic recently embraced a brand refresh. The new logo and brand colors now align more closely with the spirit of the organization: vibrant, diverse, and welcoming. Soon (pending legal approvals) they will also roll out a new name that fully reflects the depth of their services: Mosaic Community Health.
A 20th Anniversary Jamboree is planned for Friday, Sept. 23 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at the High Desert Music Hall in Redmond. Everyone in the community is invited to this free event featuring two live, local bands — ¡Chiringa! and Blackstrap Bluegrass — food and fun. To RSVP visit mosaicmedical.org.
From the initial tiny Ochoco Community Clinic, to the Mosaic Medical of today, and looking forward to the future Mosaic Community Health (new name expected to launch in 2023), the organization remains committed to providing excellent healthcare services while respecting the dignity of each patient.
