Kathryn Camp’s story is one of perseverance, adaptation, and a deep sense of community. Originally from Alabama, Kathryn moved to Colorado in 1992 after college. Over the years, she has worked in publishing, the culinary arts, and as a preschool owner and assistant. Despite the high cost of living in Colorado, Kathryn chooses to stay, drawn to the community and cultural values that are ideal for raising her children.
One constant challenge in Kathryn’s life has been navigating healthcare, particularly as she is a self-employed and has often had to rely on individual health plans. These plans typically come with high premiums and deductibles, making even routine medical care expensive.
When she needed a strep test while running her preschool, Kathryn’s experience intensified. With a fever and sore throat, she was concerned about possibly infecting the children in her care and decided to get checked out. “I have a really high deductible, and I tend not to go to the doctor unless I’m really sick,” Kathryn shared. But this time, she knew she had an ethical responsibility to ensure she wasn’t contagious. “I was not going to chance getting those babies sick.”
Kathryn chose Mountain Family Health Centers in Glenwood Springs for her care, where she had a remarkably positive experience. She was able to get an appointment the same day, which was a major relief given her busy schedule. “Everyone was very, very friendly,” she recalls. “I called and got an appointment that day. It was just seamless, really. I would have gone back if I had needed to.”
Kathryn had shared with the provider the pressure she was under, trying to balance her role as a caregiver for both her family and the children in her preschool. “He got me the results really quickly, and I felt like that was out of an abundance of caution to give me the cover with my client.” This efficient care allowed her to fulfill her professional commitments while ensuring the safety of the children in her care.
What stood out most to Kathryn about her visit to Mountain Family was the kindness and professionalism of the staff, as well as the feeling of being truly heard. “I feel like I was really heard. I was really understood,” she said. “I think we’ve all been at doctor’s appointments that happen quickly, and you feel like the person didn’t really look you in the eyes or listen. I didn’t feel that way. I felt well cared for.”
Kathryn’s experience at Mountain Family Health was meaningful not only because of the quality of care but also due to the empathy and attention to her unique situation. As a caregiver balancing family and her preschool job, she felt supported when the provider quickly delivered results out of caution, offering her peace of mind. The clinic’s accessibility and compassionate care left a lasting impression, especially as a small business owner facing ongoing healthcare challenges. Despite this positive experience, Kathryn’s struggles with health insurance persist, highlighting the importance of community-based resources.
Just last year, a family member’s insurance was dropped, forcing them to scramble for costly, limited temporary coverage before re-enrolling in a new plan. “I spent a lot of hours working on it, and the panic over making sure it was squared away,” Kathryn said.
Community resources like Mountain Family Health Centers play a vital role in alleviating the burden of cost. Kathryn’s experience underscores the importance of accessible, compassionate care and the profound impact it can have when individuals feel truly seen, heard, and cared for in their time of need. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of community-driven healthcare systems that prioritize the well-being of individuals and families, particularly in high-cost environments where affordable care is often out of reach for many.
For more information on Mountain Family Health Centers, or to make an appointment, visit our website at https://mountainfamily.org/.
Photo Credit: Sarah Kuhn