For more than a decade, Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center has proudly collaborated with the Kansas City-based Mexican Consulate to extend crucial health care services and support to the local community. This partnership, which began in 2009, has played a vital role in enhancing access to quality care, and promoting wellness among Spanish-speaking populations in the Kansas City area. In 2023, the Mexican Consulate, according to Deputy Consul Oscar Soberanes, referred approximately 4,000 clients to Sam Rodgers. “This is why Sam Rodgers is my first priority, Soberanes said. “I know most of the staff there. They always find a space for the clients we refer.”
A Long History of Collaboration
The collaboration between Sam Rogers and the Mexican Consulate is founded on a shared commitment of serving those in need. The Ventanilla de Salud program, translated as the “Window of Health,” provides health care services and resources to Mexican nationals living abroad, particularly in the United States. The program, established by the Government of Mexico, operates through Mexican consulates across the U.S. and aims to address the health care needs of Mexican immigrants, as well as Guatemalans, Hondurans and other Hispanic communities.
One of the key initiatives of the partnership is the provision of essential health care services to individuals who face access barriers to quality care. Through a joint effort, a dedicated professional from Sam Rogers facilitates outreach activities at the Mexican Consulate and connects individuals to vital health and social care resources.
This collaborative approach ensures that individuals receive the support they need. This includes monthly screenings for blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol, as well as referrals for specialized care, and connections to social care services like health insurance enrollment. “The Window of Help program and the partnership with Samuel Rogers for us is instrumental in all the activities that we do because it complements our functions,” Soberanes said.
“This partnership serves as a natural extension of our health center,” said Sam Rodgers CEO Bob Theis. “We complement each other well. They refer clients who may not otherwise seek care, and we are able to serve them in a manner that’s compassionate, welcoming, and culturally responsive. Increasing access to quality care is a huge part of our mission. On top of that, working with the Mexican Consulate has enabled us to establish ourselves as a medical home for patients who would have difficulty not only accessing care but navigating the full range of health care and social care services that are available.”
There have been instances where a referred patient visits Sam Rogers and discovers they had a more critical ailment then they thought, thus preventing grave outcomes through interventions and treatment. In one instance, a woman was referred to a dentist for what was thought to be a tooth infection. After visiting with a medical doctor at Sam Rodgers, she was diagnosed with mouth cancer. Fortunately, Sam Rodgers was able to refer her to what was then called Truman Medical Center (now University Health) where the cancer was treated, enabling her to make a full recovery. Soberanes describes Sam Rodgers as ‘one of a kind’ in the region, “There is nothing like it,” he said.
As the partnership between Sam Rogers and the Kansas City Mexican Consulate continues to evolve, both organizations remain committed to advancing their shared mission of promoting access to quality care. By leveraging their respective strengths and resources, they aim to expand their reach, enhance service offerings, and address emerging health care needs within the community. “We both have the same mission,” Soberanes said, “and we have this human element that allows us to create programs and projects that truly make an impact.”
