Undetected diabetes left Mars, a student at Lincoln Elementary in Salt Lake City, sick, tired, and very thin. In 2015, Jan Beckstrom, RN, and the team at Intermountain Lincoln School Clinic discovered that Mars had diabetes. They now work with him to help him manage the disease.

In 2015, patients received care in more than 402,000 visits at 39 community clinics Intermountain either operates directly or financially supports. Intermountain operates clinics in locations that otherwise don’t have medical services available, providing a ‘medical home’ for those in need. We operate several of these clinics in schools because they’re a great setting for connecting with families in a safe place that’s trusted. The clinics are open to everyone in the neighborhoods.

A medical home is a place people can go when everyday medical needs arise—like fever or bronchitis. It is also a place where patients with chronic conditions such as asthma and diabetes can go for help in managing their diseases.

Mars’s father, Jared Russell, says the family is very grateful for the ongoing care Mars receives at Lincoln School Clinic. It makes him feel really good as a parent to have him here. They are able to meet with everyone and be on the same page with how to help Mars. Jared says that now, when he goes to work, he doesn’t have to worry.

Read and watch Mars’s story at https://intermountainhealthcare.org/annual-report-2015/community-clinic-medical-home/

Discover more stories and key information in Intermountain’s complete interactive online Annual Report at https://intermountainhealthcare.org/annual-report-2015/.