We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
[[Immigrants in the Western U.S. state of Colorado have a unique place to go when they are not feeling well: a health care clinic that serves newcomers from many countries. For VOA, Svitlana Prystynska has more about the facility, which was founded by a Ukrainian immigrant.]]
Content TypePackage
LanguageEnglish
Transcript/ScriptUS - IMMIGRANT CLINIC
HEADLINE: Colorado Clinic With International Staff Welcomes Immigrants
TEASER: Clinic owner knows new immigrants' struggles because she was one herself
PUBLISHED AT: 05/08/2023 at 2:15pm
BYLINE: Svitlana Prystynska
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Arvada, Colorado
VIDEOGRAPHER: Olena Andrushenko
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Stearns, Reifenrath
VIDEO SOURCE (S): All original
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:53
VID APPROVED BY:MAS
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES
((INTRO:))
[[Immigrants in the Western U.S. state of Colorado have a unique place to go when they are not feeling well: a health care clinic that serves newcomers from many countries. For VOA, Svitlana Prystynska has more about the facility, which was founded by a Ukrainian immigrant.]]
((NARRATOR))
Ellie Titarenko knows the challenges of adjusting to life in the United States. She came to Colorado from Ukraine in 1999. Mindful of the health care obstacles many immigrants face, including language and insurance, the nurse practitioner decided to open her own clinic in suburban Denver …
((Mandatory courtesy: Ellie Titarenko))
… in 2021.
((Ellie Titarenko, Arvada West Family Medicine Owner)) ((in Ukrainian))
"We were learning how to do accreditation, learning how to do marketing, learning how to work with insurance companies, learning how to run a business, learning about HR [human resources].
((Mandatory courtesy: Ellie Titarenko))
We started with probably two people. My very first patients were my office manager’s children."
((end courtesy))
((NARRATOR))
Two years later in 2023, the clinic had grown to more than 4,000 patients, including Kali Caldwell – whose parent is an immigrant – and her daughter, Kalani.
((Kali Caldwell, Patient))
"I am not just a patient here. I am a person, and that’s what I enjoy the most in this clinic. They are always open for us. Even if it is just a sore throat, you can always get an appointment."
((Kalani Caldwell, Patient))
"Doctor Ellie is nice because she treats people nice."
((NARRATOR))
The clinic has staff members from Ukraine, Mexico and Iran, and its patients hail from all over the world.
((Ellie Titarenko, Arvada West Family Medicine Owner))
“We take huge pride in saying that we are seeing patients from 40 plus different countries here. Every employee here who came from a different country brings part of their culture to us.”
((NARRATOR))
Patient Ania Boglino came to Colorado from Poland.
((Ania Boglino, Patient))
"They don’t just do whatever the book says. They follow their heart, and you can feel it.
((Mandatory courtesy: Ellie Titarenko))
It is not just help with your physical body but also mental health."
((end courtesy))
((NARRATOR))
Sara Barahman moved to Denver from Tehran. She was a patient first, then started working at the clinic while studying physical therapy prerequisites at a local university.
((Sara Barahman, Arvada West Family Medicine))
"Patients are people here; they are not numbers. One of the first things I noticed is our wall that has a portrait of people from all over the world."
((NARRATOR))
Titarenko says the clinic’s main rule is to never refuse to help.
((Ellie Titarenko, Arvada West Family Medicine Owner))
"We will normally be seeing them no matter what their insurance status is. If they are able to pay, we will accept their payment. If they are not able to pay, we will just help them out.
((NARRATOR))
She says it is important to let immigrants know these first challenges do not go on forever.
((Ellie Titarenko, Arvada West Family Medicine Owner))
“This is a difficult beginning. It’s part of it. You are going to make it through it, and it is just going to make you stronger.”
((NARRATOR))
Titarenko says she is opening a second clinic to better serve the growing immigrant community here.
((Svitlana Prystynska, for VOA News, Denver, Colorado))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Denver, Colorado
Embargo DateMay 8, 2023 17:31 EDT
Byline
Svitlana Prystynska, for VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
