HealthCore Clinic, located in Northeast Wichita, will expand its services into downtown Wichita in a collaboration with the Mayflower Clinic, located at 154 N. Topeka.
Mayflower Clinic was founded in 2010 by successful immigrants who wanted to give back to the Wichita community after the great recession. The nonprofit clinic is staffed by a small team and relies on volunteer physicians and trained healthcare community members, and provides services on a sliding-fee basis.
HealthCore, located on North 21st Street just west of the Wichita State University campus, was founded in 1998 to address the disproportionate rates of illnesses affecting individuals in the local community. The focus was on prevention, education, and wellness as well as a vision to promote a healthy community regardless of one’s ability to pay.
The collaboration will extensively expand the services offered at the Mayflower location. The center will go from a part-time clinic with a staff of three to a full-time operation with an initial staff of 15 full-time and part-time employees. The collaborative will also continue Mayflower’s tradition of providing opportunities for volunteer staff to serve the community.
Services offered at the clinic will expand beyond primary care to include dental, behavioral health, substance abuse, and pharmaceutical services. The downtown location will be renovated to accommodate the expanded services. The newly renovated clinic is expected to open in January 2026, with only minimum downtime expected at the downtown location, with the old location expected to close at the end of 2024.
“This exciting change has come after long deliberation from the HealthCore Board of Directors in collaboration with the leadership of Mayflower Clinic,” said Teresa Lovelady, CEO of HealthCore Clinic. “Downtown Wichita is lacking vital healthcare services where people live, work, and play. We intend to bridge that gap in access through our integrated approach to healthcare.”
Abdul Arif, CEO of Mayflower Clinic said, “The Mayflower Team is proud to hand off its almost 15-year legacy to a worthy strategic partner that will elevate the quality of care for the medically underserved community into perpetuity.”
Bud Gates, co-founder of HealthCore Clinic and advocate for Mayflower Clinic added, “During this transition, HealthCore Clinic intends to uphold Mayflower’s legacy and create opportunities to honor their history while ensuring no patients are left behind.”
The downtown location will allow learning opportunities for future healthcare professionals who will have the opportunity to expand their skills and knowledge in a collaborative, hands-on environment.
HealthCore, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), offers services for the uninsured on a sliding fee scale and will continue to do so at the Mayflower location.