When community needs meet access to care, lives are transformed. That’s the vision driving the collaboration between Community Volunteers in Medicine (CVIM) and Equity Health Center in Coatesville. It’s a partnership designed to bring quality and compassionate health care directly to underserved residents in the Coatesville community.
CVIM is one of five integrated care providers under the umbrella of the Equity Health Center. Others include Coatesville Center for Community Health, Coatesville Youth Initiative, Penn Medicine/Chester County Hospital, and Transportation Management Association of Chester County.
During a recent discussion, CVIM’s Dr. Janet Jacapraro talked about how this relationship is helping to bridge healthcare gaps and strengthen trust within the Coatesville community.
Dr. Jacapraro’s journey into community medicine spans from Baltimore to Uganda to Arizona, where she gained experiences that deepened her commitment to caring for underserved populations. With a working knowledge of Spanish and a passion for helping to address the social determinants of health, she brings an empathetic, inclusive approach to her work at CVIM.
While CVIM’s practices in West Chester and Coatesville share a focus on comprehensive care, the Coatesville site offers a more intimate model. With a smaller patient panel and a focus on primary care and women’s health, the clinic provides more continuity and personalized attention
“The Coatesville satellite was created to address transportation barriers and to ensure Spanish-speaking providers are available,” Dr. Jacapraro explained. “Our presence here helps connect patients who might otherwise go without care.”
Approximately 25% of CVIM’s patients live in the Coatesville area, a community that has historically faced significant barriers to care. The CVIM and Equity Health partnership aims to change that narrative by offering accessible, culturally competent healthcare to residents in need.
This collaboration not only extends essential medical services but also strengthens relationships between healthcare providers and the communities they serve. “We’re not just offering care,” Dr. Jacapraro shared. “We’re building trust and a sense of belonging.”
Behind CVIM’s success is a dedicated team of volunteers, many of whom are retired healthcare professionals from Chester County. Drawn by the opportunity to focus solely on patient care without the administrative burdens of insurance, these volunteers find deep satisfaction in their work.
“Some of our volunteers haven’t worked with underserved populations before,” Dr. Jacapraro noted, “but once they see the impact, they’re hooked.” Volunteer recruitment often happens organically through word-of-mouth, personal invitations, and the genuine enthusiasm of those already serving.
For Dr. Jacapraro, mission-driven care is the antidote to burnout. Seeing patient health outcomes improve and relationships deepen keeps her motivated and inspired. “It’s incredibly rewarding to watch patients’ health metrics improve and to know that trust has been earned over time,” she said. “That’s what keeps me here.”
The Coatesville clinic welcomes uninsured residents with incomes below 300% of the federal poverty level, providing essential care to those who might otherwise fall through the cracks.
Local residents seeking care should visit cvim.org/become-a-patient, or call 640-836-5990, ext. 122 (English), 610-836-5990, ext. 148 (Spanish).“Our doors are open,” she emphasized. “If you’re unsure where to start, just come talk to us.”
As CVIM and the Equity Health Center continue their partnership, the shared mission remains clear — to promote health equity and ensure that everyone, regardless of income or background, has access to quality healthcare.
For more information, visit equityhealthcenter.org.
