Aims Student Health and Wellness Center Approved to Move Forward

The Aims Board of Trustees approved funding at the March 2024 meeting. The total cost to establish the center is $18.4 million. “By investing in student healthcare access, we are investing in student success. Ensuring Aims provides a safe and supportive environment where students can thrive ties directly to our mission as a college,” said Heidi Windell, treasurer of the Aims Board of Trustees.

The board also authorized a partnership with Sunrise Community Health, which will provide medical care at the new Aims facility. Sunrise has provided high-quality, affordable healthcare to northern Colorado since 1973. 

“This is a perfect example of how Aims and community partners can work together to meet a considerable need among students,” said Dr. Leah L. Bornstein, Aims Community College CEO and president. “We’re fortunate to have an experienced organization like Sunrise poised to step in.”

An initial plan outlines that:

• Sunrise Community Health will provide:
  • Medical care including but not limited to:
    • general primary care
    • diagnostic lab and radiology
    • health screenings
    • immunizations
    • gynecological care and family planning
  • Dental services
• Aims will provide:
  • Mental health counseling
  • Case management services
  • Group meeting spaces for group therapy, recovery meetings and more

Need for On-Campus Healthcare at Aims

“We're constantly looking for ways to serve students better and ensure that we’re supporting their success,” said Aims Vice President of Student Engagement, Inclusion and Success Larry Pakowski. He said the college has long wanted to provide students more robust physical and mental healthcare services. “The hope is that they would be able to address conditions that a primary care physician might treat, but also to bridge that connection to mental health,” he said. “

The ease of access to the campus is also a plus for students who want to access services before or after class.”

Feedback shows a need for more healthcare options for Aims students. At a recent student government town hall, 83% of attendees said they would use a free or low-cost on-campus health center. Aims also conducted a recent survey that showed:

• 31% of students are a recipient of Medicaid or other government assistance
• 12% of students do not have insurance
• 5% of students are unsure of their health insurance status

Establishing the new Student Health and Wellness Center is a significant step toward offering more services to Aims students in the future. As this project progresses, more information will be available at aims.edu/news.