A new grant from Cambia Health Foundation will help MAVEN Project expand access to specialty expertise for patients served by safety-net clinics across Utah.
The $40,000 grant will support a pilot initiative delivered in partnership with the Utah Primary Care Association (AUCH), bringing MAVEN Project’s virtual clinician-to-clinician support model to community health centers throughout the state. The effort is designed to strengthen care teams within the medical home by connecting frontline clinicians with experienced volunteer specialists for peer-to-peer consultation, education, and mentoring.
“In rural Utah, primary care providers are often the only source of care available, and they frequently handle complex cases without the specialist support they need,” said Steven Lesky, senior program officer at Cambia Health Foundation. “By investing in the Maven Project’s innovative clinician-to-clinician model, we aim to bolster the healthcare workforce that is delivering much needed care to ensure patients don’t fall through the cracks. At Cambia Health Foundation, we’re committed to building a healthcare system where this type of integrated, affordable care is a reality for everyone, and we’re proud to support Maven Project in this work.”
Utah continues to face significant healthcare access challenges, with 23 of the state’s 29 counties designated as health professional shortage areas and many patients unable to obtain timely specialty care. By bringing MAVEN Project’s proven model to Utah, the pilot will strengthen the frontline healthcare workforce, expand timely access to specialty expertise, reduce unnecessary referrals, and help more patients receive high-quality care close to home.
“No one should have to go without specialty care simply because of where they live or the resources available in their community,” said Jessica Lee, MD, CEO of MAVEN Project. “When frontline clinicians have timely access to trusted specialist colleagues, they can care for more patients closer to home and with greater confidence. We’re grateful to Cambia Health Foundation and AUCH for partnering with us to strengthen Utah’s healthcare workforce and expand access to high-quality care.”
Cambia Health Foundation is the corporate foundation of Cambia Health Solutions. Founded in 2007, the foundation has funded more than $137 million in grants to advance patient- and family-centered care for all. Cambia Health Foundation purposefully invests in ideas that expand access to behavioral health care and advance whole-person health.
