From left to right: Lyndsay Boothby, MD; Krystyna Mychal Castro, MA; Rachel Ledger, FNP; Selina Roque Nogueda, PCT; Robbie Martin, MD; Alyssa Gillespie, PSR; Brigid Carman, RN.
As one of the newer CU Anschutz Department of Family Medicine (DFM) clinics, the Aurora Wellness Community Health Center (AWCHC) is approaching its two-year anniversary this August. In that short time, the AWCHC has demonstrated a deep commitment to the Aurora community—while also growing its clinical space and care team to meet evolving needs. With both its mission and footprint expanding, AWCHC is the most recent feature in the DFM’s clinic spotlight.
From the moment patients arrive, they are welcomed by a colorful front door, a “free little library” outside the clinic, community art on the walls, and a thoughtful team that gives their all to ensure patients’ needs are met and resources are accessible. These features—paired with comprehensive, whole person care—highlight AWCHC’s community-driven approach and dedication to creating a warm, inclusive space.
Growing to Meet Community Needs
The AWCHC has experienced tremendous growth since its opening. What began with one provider and three exam rooms has expanded into a team of seven providers—including a behavioral health specialist—and 20 exam rooms, dramatically increasing access to care for the Aurora community.
Kelet Robinson, MD, Medical Director of the AWCHC and Associate Professor of Family Medicine at CU Anschutz, reflected on the health center’s progress:
“It’s kind of crazy to think about how much we’ve grown. We opened with just three exam rooms and one physician (myself). One of the doctors from another clinic would come in to cover shifts so I could take a break. In the beginning, there was constant construction, and everyone got used to working to the sounds of hammers and walls coming down in the background,” said Dr. Robinson. “Now, we have twenty rooms and seven providers. We’ve tripled our number of patient visits over the last several months and added services like nutrition counseling and medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders. I’m really excited about what we’ll accomplish in the next year.”
With that expansion in mind, Dr. Robinson was asked what she wishes more people knew about the clinic’s services.
“I think a lot of people still don’t realize that we see kids. We are all Family Medicine trained, meaning we can care for patients of all ages. That includes sports physicals, routine childhood illnesses, school-required vaccinations, lactation support for new moms, and pediatric behavioral health therapy and testing.”
Across the Health Center, that commitment to young patients comes to life in kid-friendly details—from a treasure chest of toys and trinkets to colorful artwork lining the check-in desk walls.
Community Driven and Focused
Robbie Martin, MD, Physician at the AWCHC and Senior Instructor of Family Medicine at CU Anschutz, says access to care remains one of the most crucial health issues facing the Aurora community.
“One of the most pressing issues in our community is access to care for individuals without insurance. We see how gaps in coverage delay care, worsen chronic conditions, and limit preventive services. Expanding access for uninsured patients would have a meaningful impact on overall community health.”
These challenges help drive AWCHC’s approach to care and its mission to better serve patients.
“This clinic stands out because of who we serve and how deeply the team is invested in that mission. Aurora is the most diverse city in the state, and our patients reflect that richness—as well as the challenges that come with limited access to care. Many arrive after long waits, often carrying the weight of significant social and economic barriers. What’s remarkable is how consistently our team rises to meet those challenges—providing high-quality care, staying grounded in the community, and pushing forward with a shared sense of purpose.”
With those needs in mind, the AWCHC offers a range of services to promote health and wellness, treat acute illnesses and manage chronic disease. The clinic also accepts a variety of insurance types—including Medicaid, Medicare and TRICARE—helping to expand access to care for the patients it serves.
A Family Helping Families
Beyond its services, the AWCHC is defined by its tight-knit, supportive team—one that uplifts not only patients, but each other as well. That culture is visible in small ways, like a break room recognition board filled with handwritten notes from staff and providers celebrating one another’s work and accomplishments.
Dr. Martin, who has been with the AWCHC since August of 2025, has seen the Center grow along with its culture and teamwork.
“What stands out most is the culture here. Even during busy clinic days, there are moments where the team comes together, supports each other, and finds time to laugh. That kind of camaraderie is rare, and it creates an environment where people feel encouraged, resilient, and better able to care for patients. It’s something I’m genuinely proud to be part of.”
Alyssa Gillespie, PSR, Care Team Tech II, who oversees the front desk, echoed the sentiment of camaraderie with both the community and clinical team.
“We have resources to help the patients and community, like our food pantry—which helps patients when they don’t have access to a lot of food. Our team is also diverse, with many different backgrounds. Even though we come from different places, we are still a family—helping families.”
Get to Know Some Faces of AWCHC:
Enjoy these inspiring stories and quotes from the AWCHC. While we can’t feature every team member and their hard work, these voices help capture the spirit of what makes this health center thrive. (Individuals are listed alphabetically by last name.)
Alyssa Gillespie, PSR: Care Team Tech II (UC Health Staff supporting the AWCHC). Alyssa has been with the team for ten months and is the face of the clinic as she oversees the front desk. Her role includes insurance, scheduling, and patient processes.
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What’s one of your favorite aspects of your role?
“I love being able to support the patients in any way I can. I tend to go above and beyond to make sure they have everything they need.”
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What makes this clinic unique in its culture, community work, or teamwork?
“We have resources to help the patients and community, like our food pantry—which helps patients when they don’t have access to a lot of food. Our team is also diverse, with many different backgrounds. Even though we come from different places, we are still a family—helping families.”
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What’s something people might not realize about the work done behind-the-scenes at the clinic?
“How dedicated we are to make sure things run smoothly for our patients.”
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Can you share a moment from your time at the clinic that you’re especially proud of?
“We had a patient that was having an emotional break down in their car because she was late to the appointment. I went outside to comfort her, brought her inside, and checked her in. I made sure she was okay throughout the whole appointment.”
Matthew (Robbie) Martin, MD: Senior Instructor of Family Medicine at CU Anschutz and Family Medicine physician at the AWCHC. Dr. Martin has been with the clinic since August of 2025. His clinical interests focus on improving health and quality of life for all patients, providing inclusive care to members of the LGBTQ+ community, with a strong emphasis on disease prevention, early intervention, weight management, and long-term chronic care.
- What’s one of your favorite aspects of being a Family Medicine provider?
“What I love most about Family Medicine is how personal it is. Every patient brings a different story, and it’s a privilege to meet people where they are and work together toward better health. I try to approach each visit with humility—listening first, then offering thoughtful, thorough care. There’s something deeply satisfying about being able to help with almost anything that walks through the door, often starting with just a conversation and a stethoscope.”
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Can you share a moment from your time at this clinic that you’re especially proud of or felt most rewarding?
“It’s hard to point to a single moment—what stands out most is the culture here. Even in the middle of a busy clinic day, there are moments where the team comes together, supports each other, and finds time to laugh. That kind of camaraderie is rare, and it creates an environment where people feel encouraged, resilient, and better able to care for patients. It’s something I’m genuinely proud to be part of.”
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What makes this clinic unique in its culture, community work, or teamwork?
“This clinic stands out because of who we serve and how deeply the team is invested in that mission. Aurora is the most diverse city in the state, and our patients reflect that richness as well as the challenges that come with limited access to care. Many arrive after long waits, often carrying the weight of significant social and economic barriers. What’s remarkable is how consistently our team rises to meet those challenges—providing high-quality care, staying grounded in the community, and continuing to push forward with a shared sense of purpose.”
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Is there a health issue in your local community that you believe deserves more attention?
“One of the most pressing issues in our community is access to care for individuals without insurance. We regularly see how gaps in coverage delay care, worsen chronic conditions, and limit preventive services. Expanding access for uninsured patients would have a meaningful impact on overall community health. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said, ‘Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health is the most shocking and the most inhumane.’ That statement still feels very real in the work we do every day.”
Kelet Robinson, MD: Associate Professor of Family Medicine at CU Anschutz and Medical Director of the AWCHC. Dr. Robinson has been with the health center since its opening. Her clinical interests include women's health, palliative medicine, pharmacotherapy for weight loss, and primary care.
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What makes this clinic unique in its culture, community work, or teamwork?
“We are part of the CU Anschutz School of Medicine, but we’re also part of the Aurora Wellness Community, a nonprofit focused on improving the lives of people in Aurora. Having that additional nonprofit arm, I think, helps keep us grounded in the community. We believe in practicing up-to-date, evidence-based medicine, but we also answer directly to the people in the neighborhood—many of whom have not always had the best experiences with the healthcare system.”
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What is something you wish others knew more about the AWCHC?
“I think many people still don’t realize that we see kids. We are all trained in Family Medicine, which means we care for patients of all ages, including kids. We provide sports physicals, manage routine childhood illnesses, and update vaccines required for school. In addition, we offer lactation support for new mothers, as well as pediatric behavioral health therapy and testing.”
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With the AWCHC celebrating an anniversary, how do you feel the clinic has grown since its opening?
“It’s kind of crazy to think about how much we’ve grown. We opened with just three exam rooms and one physician (myself). One of the doctors from another clinic would come in to cover shifts so I could take a break. In the beginning, there was constant construction, and everyone got used to working to the sounds of hammers and walls coming down in the background. Now, we have twenty rooms and seven providers. We’ve tripled our number of patient visits over the last several months and added services like nutrition counseling and medication‑assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorders. I’m really excited about what we’ll accomplish in the next year.”
Happy anniversary to the Aurora Wellness Community Health Center, and a big thank-you to their team for giving us a glimpse into the heart of their clinic. Their continued growth, dedication to community-centered care, and commitment to team support are truly inspiring and reflect the Department’s core mission of healing and uplifting our community, patients, and their families. We are excited to see how the AWCHC will continue to grow and serve!
This newsroom series highlights and celebrates our DFM clinics through light-hearted and educational short stories. Showcasing each clinic through photos and interviews, the series aims to promote awareness of the important work being done by our providers and in our clinics.
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