Clínica Verde is building a new model of care for families in need. We were founded in April of 2007 with the urgent belief that we could – and should – rethink our approach to healthcare for the poor to include a more complete understanding of an individual’s wellness. Clínica Verde approaches health holistically, creating a clinic prototype that starts with environmentally sustainable design and clinical excellence and extends to the nutritional, educational, spiritual and economic health of an individual, her family, and community.

We are building our clinic prototype in the country of Nicaragua. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in Latin America, with almost half of its population surviving on the equivalent of less than $1 US a day. One in 5 children is chronically malnourished. The country has the highest rate of adolescent fertility and the second highest rate of maternal mortality. Clinica Verde addresses these issue, while seeking to create a community that provides education, support and opportunity to our cherished clients.

Clínica Verde will provide a medical home for 4,000 children for 12,000 visits per year and prenatal care for 1,500 high-risk pregnancies for 6,000 visits per year. The clinic aims to reduce by 20 % the number of hospitalizations for infant dehydration, infant mortality and the number of babies of low birth weight. This number is strongly linked to Nicaragua’s high rate of adolescent fertility, thus making the sexual education of young women essential. The clinic will employ well-trained and motivated healthcare professionals from Nicaragua and will also utilize volunteer healthcare providers from the U.S.

Since the fall of 2007, we obtained legal title of land in Nicaragua (donated by the local mayor), engaged a LEED-certified architect to design our clinic in consultation with our Nicaraguan architect, developed strong relationships with Nicaraguan community leaders, hired our Nicaraguan medical director, and raised nearly $700,000 from individuals, foundations and organizations. In February of 2010, we began construction. If all goes according to plan, we hope to complete clinic construction in November of 2010.