Needlerock Family Health Clinic has been awarded a $50,000 grant to support rural health care.

At the Needlerock Family Health Clinic in Crawford, Jenny Mitchell offers health care to the underserved residents of the North Fork Valley.

A board-certified nurse practitioner, Mitchell provides primary and urgent care for new and existing patients of all ages. The non-profit clinic is located at 344 Hwy. 92 and can be reached by calling 921-5501.

"We plan to use the funds to buy a building here in Crawford, provided we can find matching funds," Mitchell said. "CU Boulder students have already designed a clinic for us, using the space above our current office."

The funds were awarded through the Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Program, established in August 2007 and funded with $7.5 million from UnitedHealthcare. The grants are being distributed over six years. The grants can be used to support various health initiatives, including health information technology, construction and remodeling projects, equipment, and staff training.

"As we continue toward our goal of providing access to high quality, affordable health care to all Coloradans, it is critical that we support our rural communities," Gov. John Hickenlooper said. "These investments will have a significant impact on care and on people's lives from Julesburg to Durango."

"UnitedHealthcare is committed to investing in a healthier Colorado and expanding quality health care services to rural communities throughout the state," said Beth Soberg, president and CEO, UnitedHealthcare of Colorado. "By supporting community organizations serving rural Colorado, together we are able to address the critical needs of the underserved population and help improve the health care delivery system statewide."

The Colorado Rural Health Center, Colorado's non-profit state office of rural health, administers the grant program.