The construction of Mesa County’s new health center is progressing rapidly. In about 120 days, moving crews will relocate the staff of MarillacHealth from the main clinic at 2333 N. Sixth St. to our new building at 526 29 1/2 Road.

It’s a plan Marillac put into motion three years ago, when our main clinic outgrew the lobby area, clinical space and parking capacity.

Marillac served a patient population of 12,074 children and adults in 2023, which swelled to 16,426 patients in 2024. With eight sites (including two school-based clinics), Marillac has expanded to serve Montrose and several surrounding counties.

All Marillac service lines are growing or projected to grow, including the organization’s medical, dental, behavioral health and its new service line, pharmacy.

Beyond the goal of expanding services to an additional 3,000 patients, Marillac’s new health center will also address workforce development. The new facility includes ample classroom space for hosting educational training in the dental, medical and social-work professions.

Marillac will continue to partner with Colorado Mesa University and other organizations in order to attract and train new talent.

Growing the next generation of healthcare workers also involves hosting student interns in our clinic sites. Those who seek internships and clinical rotations at Marillac include medical assistants, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, dental assistants and behavioral health providers. All students and interns are precepted by Marillac care team members who mentor and coach.

Marillac seems to be a magnet for students. They tell us they like Marillac’s values-based mission of affordable healthcare for lower-income families. After graduation, many return to seek employment because of our competitive salaries, array of benefits and desirable work culture.

Some clinical job positions qualify for student-loan-repayment assistance, because Marillac is part of the nation’s network of Community Health Centers.

In only a few years’ time, Marillac’s workforce has grown from 75 to 125.

As the new health center nears completion, Marillac is urging all members of the community to make financial contributions toward the New Doors to Health campaign. Every gift, no matter the size, is applied toward the cost of constructing the new health center.

To make a gift, please call us at 970-200-1628; visit MarillacHealth.org; or mail your contribution to MarillacHealth, 2333 N. Sixth St., Grand Junction, CO, 81501.

We believe Mesa County is a beautiful place to grow up, grow old and enjoy life’s abundance. Please send a generous financial contribution so that, come August, we can celebrate and at long last open new doors to health.

MarillacHealth at a Glance

• Opened in 1988.
• A free-standing not-for-profit organization.
• Gained Community Health Center status in 2015.
• Serving 16,000-plus patients through 8 clinic sites.
• Marillac accepts all insurance plans.
• 1 in 5 patients is uninsured.
• 125-person workforce.

About the new health center

• 27,090 SF on 4.3 acres.
• 24 medical exam rooms.
• 4 behavioral health counseling rooms.
• 16 dental operatories.
• Urgent care and extended hours.
• Drive-through pharmacy for patients and public.
• Capacity for 3,000 new patients.
• Creation of 12 new jobs in first 30 months.
• FCI Constructors, general contractor.
• Chamberlin Architects, design.

Dr. David Dreitlein, MD, is chief medical officer of MarillacHealth; and Dr. Thomas Lavery, DDS, is chief dental officer.