When we first met Margo Sobocinski, we knew her only as a friend and fellow mom of Steele Elementary. She very humbly did not inform us that she leads the helm of a pediatric practice that stands only to serve children of families without healthcare. Now we know that she is quite literally a super hero and miracle worker, who has cared for thousands of families over the years. She took time out of her day to tell us more.
You are part of an incredible pediatric practice called Carin’ Clinic, which was founded in 1993 by two Jefferson County nurses. Can you tell us a bit about them, the history of Carin’ and its mission?
Karen Pramenko and Karen Conner were 2 school nurses that had many students that had no where to go for vaccines or sports physicals because they had no health insurance. These hard-working nurses went in front of the City of Arvada to ask for funding to create a clinic to help these children – and Carin’ Clinic was born! The clinic started out in the corner of a school classroom with curtains for walls and was open 3 half-days a week. Care was provided by Dr. Victoria Erickson from CU School of Nursing and her student pediatric nurse practitioners. As time went on, we expanded hours, built walls, expanded services and moved locations. We are now a pediatric primary care medical home open 7 days a week, including evening hours to accommodate working parents and student schedules. Our mission is to provide high quality, affordable health care to low-income children with no access or limited access, and help create healthy children, healthy families and a healthy community that thrives.
Did you always know you wanted to be in the medical field? How did this journey begin for you?
I am very grateful that I have known since high school that I wanted to be a nurse. After college I worked at Children’s Hospital for a couple of years then completed a 2-year commitment as a Peace Corps Volunteer providing health care in rural Paraguay, South America. Afterwards, I returned to Children’s Hospital to work as an RN for another 7 years. I decided that I wanted more autonomy, so I got my master’s degree at CU to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. Dr. Erickson was my advisor and mentor, and I was a student with her at Carin’ Clinic. A few years after graduating, she hired me to fill in for her at Carin’ Clinic. After a few years I was a regular provider at the clinic and in 2008 I became Executive Director as well as one of the nurse practitioners providing direct patient care. I am so grateful to work at Carin’, it is a one-of-a-kind clinic that provides great care.
Carin’ Clinic is a nonprofit organization offering high-quality, affordable health care to underserved communities. How do you receive support and how can our readers donate to your wonderful program?
Thank you for asking! Originally, we only operated by grants and donations and asked for a small co-pay from patients (if they could afford it). With Obamacare, more children were going to be covered by Medicaid, so we became a Medicaid provider, as well as continuing to serve the uninsured children. Medicaid reimbursement helps, but it does not cover our budget (that is why most private clinics do not accept children with Medicaid). Therefore, we also rely on grants and donations. We continue to receive a grant from the City of Arvada – which may be delayed if the looming government shutdown happens. We appreciate any and all donations! Our website carinclinic.com has an option to give with a credit card, or checks can be mailed to the clinic (Carin’ Clinic 5150 Allison Street, Arvada, CO 80002)
You inspire us with the fact that you are truly making a difference each day with your work. Do you have any stories that stand out to you from your years in this profession that you would like to share?
It is so gratifying to help these children lead healthy lives. Many times, I have helped keep sick children out of the Emergency Room by providing nebulizer machines and medicine for asthma. For our uninsured families, a trip to the Emergency Room could bankrupt the family. Some of our families continue to bring home-baked treats to us “for saving my child.” And then there were the times I delivered babies in rural Paraguay with no running water or electricity . . . but that’s another story!
You live in Wash Park, and your practice is located in Arvada. How do you spend your free time?
I like to go camping with my husband, and our friends that we made at Steele Elementary 18 years ago! We also like to travel, and hope to go back to visit Paraguay some time. I’m also trying to learn the piano – but don’t practice enough!
What does the future hold for Carin’ Clinic?
We plan to continue providing care well into the future! We now have a counselor at the clinic who provides mental health care, which has been great. When possible, I provide home visits for newborns just home from the hospital, and I’d love to expand this program. We plan to continue to grow and expand!
Margo, we’re so grateful to know you and to have someone like you in our community. Thank you so much for sharing your story with our readers. If you would like to make a donation to Carin’ Clinic, please visit carinclinic.com and keep them on your radar for Colorado Gives Day. Thank you!