Care from Childhood to Adult

Service Lines Cover the Entire Spectrum of Health

By Loni Nannini

It’s said that health is wealth, and for more than a half century, El Rio Health has been on a mission to improve generational well-being in Tucson.

To accomplish this, the nationally recognized community health center integrates medical, dental and behavioral health with pharmacy, laboratory, radiology and other services under one roof for patients of all ages and all income categories.

“This means a child can receive their first pediatric checkup at El Rio, grow up seeing the same family medicine clinician, receive dental care throughout their life, and bring their children and grandchildren to us,” said Dr. Sonia Reidy, senior medical director at El Rio. “Being a ‘Health Home for Life’ means that El Rio Health is the constant in an often chaotic world.”

A Continuum of Quality Primary Care

El Rio’s trifecta of service lines − medical, dental and behavioral health − is the gateway to a full spectrum of health and wellness services that prioritize clinical quality, patient safety and patient experience.  

“We employ a team-based care model where clinical staff are empowered to proactively and independently address preventive care needs for patients though standardized workflows,” said Dr. Rajiv Modak, chief quality officer at El Rio. 

“Utilizing technology, we also conduct robust outreach to actively engage patients in their own healthcare, even when they are not in our health centers. Quality outcome data is shared transparently with our providers and staff to drive continuous improvement. This has helped drive a culture of quality within our organization.”

On the medical front, primary care clinicians in family medicine, pediatrics and internal medicine provide preventive and ongoing care. Medical services extend to reproductive care − which is handled by OB/GYNs and midwives − and to preventive screenings including colonoscopies and mammograms.

Comprehensive offerings include sports medicine, addiction medicine, pain management through the Buena Vida Integrated Pain Clinic, physical therapy, nutrition and wellness offerings. Additionally, specialized care is available for chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, HIV and hepatitis. 

Reidy said that El Rio’s patient-centric approach is designed to help people overcome barriers and achieve their health goals. 

“As a patient’s medical home, El Rio Health offers on-site laboratories, radiology and pharmacy at most of our health centers,” Reidy said. “Our eligibility team can help with insurance enrollment, including the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), Medicare, and the health insurance marketplace. We also offer a sliding-fee scale to ensure accessibility for those who do not qualify for health insurance.”

Dental Care as a Cornerstone of Health

Since 1972, El Rio has been intent on supporting lifelong oral health, beginning with a child’s first tooth.

“Oral health is deeply connected to overall health and well-being,” said Amanda Pinder, DDS, chief of dental services at El Rio.

“Dental issues can affect nutrition, speech, self-esteem, and can even increase the risk for chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. By providing access to high-quality dental care, we’re not only treating teeth, we’re improving lives.”  

Now the largest nonprofit dental program in Arizona, El Rio Dental offers comprehensive dental care to patients of all ages at seven sites citywide. General and pediatric dentists, endodontists, oral surgeons, and a periodontist provide general hygiene, implants and acute care. In 2025, the team is projected to serve more than 50,000 unique patients through nearly 100,000 visits. New patients are welcome.  

“We want every patient to feel empowered, respected, and cared for − regardless of age, income or background. We are here for Tucson, and we’re committed to building a healthier, happier community − one smile at a time,” said Pinder. 

Innovative Initiatives in Behavioral Health 

In response to community demand, El Rio’s behavioral health services line has grown 10-fold over the last five years, expanding inpatient and outpatient mental health and psychiatric services to 15,000 patients. 

“At El Rio, we serve the whole person, and bodies and minds are connected. We want the community to know that we are here to provide quality, best-practice mental health and behavioral health services to our patients,” said Vanessa Seaney, MSW, LCSW, CPHQ, chief of behavioral health integrated services at El Rio.

A dedicated staff of 160 psychiatrists, psychiatric residents, nurse practitioners, nurses, licensed clinical therapists, certified peer support specialists, and case managers provide outpatient programming for ages six and over. Providers treat patients dealing with anxiety, depression, grief and a full range of mental health disorders, substance use disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and neurocognitive disorders like dementia.

Inpatient care is provided through a unique partnership with Carondelet Health Network; other innovative programming includes the Behavioral Health Street Medicine team, which engages directly with homeless patients on the streets and in shelters.

Pictured above from left – Dr. Rajiv Modak, MD, Chief Quality Officer at El Rio; Dr. Sonia Reidy, MD, MS, CPE, FAAP, Senior Medical Director at El Rio. Photo by Brent G. Mathis

READ THE FULL SPECIAL REPORT HERE.