Our History
Our health center opened in 1969 as Model Cities Health Corporation, as part of President Lyndon Johnson’s Model Cities program. Our first clinic was in the basement of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church.
The first year, with 20 associates and a $100,000 budget, we served more than 2,000 patients a year. Today, Swope Health has grown to employ over 600 associates and provide care for almost 50,000 patients a year in western Missouri and eastern Kansas. We are a Federally Qualified Health Center and Federal Tort Claims Act-deemed facility, recognized by the NCQA.
1969
Our Founding
E. Frank Ellis founds Model Cities Health Corporation, now Swope Health.
1970
First Opening
1978
Relocation
Relocated to a larger location at 4900 Swope Parkway, Kansas City, MO.
1980
Services
services is added.
1981
Accreditation
1986
Recognition
1987
Homeless Program
is established.
1991
Housing Care
1993
Northland Health Clinic
1995
Capital Campaign
Capital Campaign completed and new facility (Swope Health Central) at 3801 Blue Parkway in Kansas City, MO. opens.
2000
Clinic in Quindaro
2001
Swope Health Independence
2002
Expansion
in primary care.
2003
Swope Health Services
Health Services.
2006
Mobile Medical Clinic
Swope Health acquires a state of the art custom-built 39 foot Mobile Medical Clinic equipped with two exam rooms, laboratory, restroom, and wheel chair lift.
2008
Dental Van
Mobile Dental Unit begins service to children in several area school districts.
2009
Fortieth Birthday
2010
Swope Health East
2011
Swope Gardens
Behavioral Health residential facility Swope Gardens opens in Kansas City, MO.
2012
Penn Place
2014
Swope Health Belton
E. North Avenue.
2016
Hickman Mills
Kansas City, MO.
2017
Swope Health Services
Swope Health Maple woods opens in Northland Human Services Building, Kansas City, MO.
2019
50 Years Celebration
Swope Health celebrates 50 years of service and the appointment of new President and CEO, Jeron Ravin, JD.
2020
Expansion
2021
First School-based Clinic Opens
2021
Second School-based Clinic Opens
2022
Swope Health KidsCARE Tenney Pediatrics Opens
Swope Health expands its pediatrics services to Hickman Mills with the opening of Swope Health Tenney Pediatrics.
2022
Expansion
The groundbreaking of the PACE KC Adult Wellness Center.
2023
Swope Health KidsCARE Opens New Location in Leavenworth
2023
Swope Health KidsCARE Opens Third School-based Clinic
2024
Swope Health Hickman Mills Expands
2024
