Marisol Health

Finding Support and Empowerment: Tara’s Journey as a Single Mother with Marisol Health

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From Tara’s first visit for prenatal care at Catholic Charities’ Marisol Health to the birth of her son David and beyond, Tara found the support and guidance she needed as a first-time mother.

“I was eight weeks pregnant when I found Marisol Health. I didn’t have insurance, so I needed to use Medicaid. And, like a sign I was seeking, they just popped up. I gave them a call and knew this was where I was going to go. And then, lo and behold, I just felt comfortable,” said Tara.

Marisol Health provided Tara with both medical care and emotional support during her pregnancy. The staff made her feel welcomed and supported, helping her through the challenges of this uncharted territory. Tara’s first ultrasound at Marisol Health was a crystallizing moment, strengthening her bond with her unborn child and affirming her decision to seek help.

“I got to see David on the ultrasound at my first appointment. I looked at him and I was so excited to see his little, tiny little arms and feet. I’m so excited that I’m seeing this little person I get to take care of.”

Throughout David’s first 15 months, Tara has learned to navigate the complexities and joys of motherhood as a single mom. Marisol Health’s postpartum support and counseling services became lifelines for her during times where she shared that she felt lonely and struggled with a deep depression. Marisol Health provided her with those resources to help cope and a community of other mothers who were struggling with the same.

Marisol Health provides a continuum of services for the mother and baby long a child is born. The parenting groups and counseling sessions facilitated by clinical staff members gave her the support and guidance she needed to overcome postpartum challenges and form lasting connections with other moms.

As a single mother, Tara found strength in the community of Marisol Health and other mothers, discovering a sense of purpose and fulfillment in nurturing her son.

“I realized that I was put on this earth to be a mom, that is who I was born to become. I was transformed when I birthed a human. It really made me realize what your body is capable of. But the best part of all of this is that I get to raise this perfect little human.”

Blessings and Beginnings: Marisol Health Northern Colorado Opens its Doors

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At the grand opening of Marisol Health Northern Colorado, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila blessed the entire clinic inside and out. His words, “Life is a divine gift, and safeguarding it is our sacred responsibility,” resonated deeply with the attendees, particularly in light of the prevalent acceptance of abortion and pro-choice beliefs in our state. As … Read more

Marisol Health Director Finds Strength in Faith

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Sara Lugo

"The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother."

- St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Sara Lugo took the reigns as executive director of Marisol Health Denver just four months after it opened in 2016 and has led the operation as it provided care to more than 6,500 patients and celebrated more than 1,300 births. Primarily focused on supporting and providing care for abortion-vulnerable women, Marisol Health delivers a comprehensive spectrum of women's health care, counseling and family support services to women and their families. A key ministry of Catholic Charities Denver, the program boasts a 99% patient satisfaction rate with clients reporting that "I owe Marisol my life."

Sara's job is a big one for sure, but it's only one of many important hats that she wears. While leading the team at Marisol Health Denver, Sara gracefully juggles two girls and two boys ranging from 11 - 3 years old at home who are all excited about the impending arrival of their fifth child in June. In our interview, we delve into Sara's extraordinary ability to balance motherhood with her professional duties, exploring the challenges and strategies she employs to navigate these important roles.

Tell us about your family.
I have a wonderful husband (Ed Lugo, VP/Mission and Formation for St. John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Denver), four amazing children and I'm pregnant with my fifth baby who is due in June. I also have a generous mother-in-law who is instrumental in allowing us to manage our work-life balance. She's such a blessing to all of us.

Tell us about your journey to Marisol Health Denver.
I think the Lord led me to Catholic Charities because my heart was enlivened by what was happening in the Catholic community in Denver. I first started at Samaritan House, and it was there that I just fell in love with working with vulnerable women. My husband and I made a couple of moves out of state and, when we returned, I went back to Samaritan House - now with two children in tow - when the opportunity at Marisol came about. I just felt called to it and, ironically, the same week that I accepted the job, I found out I was pregnant with our third child, Rose. That was very providential in being able to really understand the newness of Marisol Health and also the newness of my family life. Marisol Health and I kind of grew up together.

That timing is providential, as you say. How did that impact the women you serve at Marisol Health?
I was really able to relate to the women we serve - their joy, their pain, their mental anguish and their overall experience of motherhood. In addition to my four living children, my husband and I also experienced a miscarriage while working at Marisol, so I was able to turn that experience into better understanding how to support patients who experience a miscarriage. I also got to share my birth experiences. I remember texting my colleagues after my last child was born with ideas about how we can better support our moms after they give birth. We created our hospital packets for our moms based on that experience. So, while I was living it, I was trying to also kind of bridge my life between work and home.

Balancing a demanding career with being a mom to four children, with one on the way, is undoubtedly challenging. How do you juggle it all?
Honestly, it's a challenge and to say otherwise just wouldn't be honest. I do have a wonderful husband who supports my personal and professional goals, and our priorities are aligned. God comes first, marriage comes second, and our focus always centered squarely on our children. It's always been important to me to have mission in mind, both within our family and at work because the mission itself carries a lot of the weight.

What inspires you to continue your career path even with a growing family?
Honestly, everything comes back to the mission. The impact of this work is great, and I get to have a front row seat on these very unique moments in people's lives when, literally, they are making life-changing decisions. Whether it's for a couple of years or just a few moments, the Marisol Health team has the privilege of seeing impact every single day.

As a seasoned mom, what advice do you offer to new moms at Marisol Health?
I think the greatest advice I've received and the greatest that I try to hand on is that we're in this together. It's not like "I'm the professional and you're the client, therefore, listen to what I have to say" but rather, "We're in this together and we'll learn from each other."

What stands out for you when you think back to new moms you've encountered?
I've had the privilege of running multiple parenting groups and it is always extremely eye-opening to talk with women who have gone through some really tough situations - from homelessness and financial challenges to mental health and substance abuse. Watching them soak in the parenting education and turning their lives around is profound. I find myself taking notes from them. We are all human and we all make mistakes. Our team is always here for our moms. We are in it with them and it's really joyful and it's incredible and, sometimes, it's really hard.

Could you share a particularly memorable experience or success story from your time leading Marisol Health Denver?
Honestly, that's a tough question. There will always be clients you connect with most and those stand out in my mind for sure. I do think the greatest gift of my role at Marisol Health is the gift of being a part of a team who gets to see lives changed quite literally every single day. I have the vantage point to watch women who overcome an incredible number of obstacles to thrive as a mother.

What's your bottom-line?
I know that the mission is not ours. The mission of Catholic Charities in total and Marisol Health more specifically is not mine or yours. It belongs to the Lord. It belongs to his mother Mary. We are humans and we make mistakes. The best that we can do to fulfill the mission that we've been given is to give back in gratitude for the opportunities of getting to walk with these women. It's incredibly impactful to our souls, to our hearts and to our minds. It's not me doing the work or our team doing the work. It's not about us. It's 100% about God and being in the right place today. Someone once told me that when we get to heaven, we'll get to meet all those people that we impacted. Our team is here for the mission itself, which has the greatest impact of all.

*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Catholic Charities Hires Key Leaders for Marisol Health Northern Colorado and Provides Updates on New Clinic’s Progress

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Catholic Charities is excited to announce the hiring of exceptional individuals who will lead the operations at the new Marisol Health Northern Colorado clinic, set to open its doors in Spring 2024. Sharon Keck has been named clinic director, and Lisa Gesterling has joined as the certified nurse midwife. These additions to the team, along with Dr. Kevin Tool, demonstrate Marisol Health’s commitment to delivering quality services and support to women and families in Northern Colorado.

“We’re so excited and blessed to have Sharon, Lisa and Dr. Tool join us as we open our new Marisol Health clinic! They are accomplished leaders in the field of women’s health and will be strong partners in creating a caring and dynamic culture of excellence,” said VP of Women’s and Family Services at Catholic Charities of Denver.

Sharon has nearly 40 years of experience in nursing administration, practice and education in both major teaching and community hospitals in Colorado, Illinois, Ohio and Arizona. Most recently, as a labor, delivery and postpartum nurse at Longmont United Hospital, Sharon has extensively embraced patient and staff education, professional/shared governance, quality improvements and change management. With a Master of Science in Nursing from the Ohio State University and a long history of professional honors, Sharon is looking forward to bringing her dedication to women’s health issues and patient-focused care to Marisol Health Northern Colorado.

“My approach to healthcare revolves around patient-centered care, and I am committed to fostering an environment where women feel empowered, respected and supported in their health and pregnancy journey,” said Keck.

Lisa is a certified nurse midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner. She specializes in obstetric and gynecological care, natural family planning and well-woman exams. Most recently a certified nurse midwife and women’s health nurse practitioner at Bella Health and Wellness, Lisa has a Master of Science from Georgetown University School of Nursing and Health Studies. Her previous clinical experience underscores her dedication to providing holistic, dignified care. She is a published journal author, a member of Catholic Medical Association and she lives in Ft. Collins.

“The Marisol Health model – high-quality, patient-centered obstetric and gynecological care with integrated social services – is such an innovative, needed model of care in Northern Colorado. The community’s excitement for this practice has been tremendous. I am so honored to be a part of this team, and I can’t wait to serve the women of Northern Colorado,” shared Gesterling.

In addition, Dr. Kevin Tool, Obstetrician and Gynecologist and longtime Fort Collins resident, is serving as Marisol Health Northern Colorado’s Medical Director. As such, he will provide clinical guidance and consultation to the medical team and receive referrals of patients with higher risk medical conditions, including those who need surgical procedures. Dr. Tool will also review and sign off on all ultrasounds and share delivery responsibilities with Marisol Health nurse midwives.

The clinic has made significant progress, including the completion of construction and the acquisition of the building. Efforts are now focused on securing furniture and fixtures, setting up the Electronic Health Record system, addressing financial projections and contracting with vendors and suppliers. Additional team members are being hired and the onboarding plan is underway.

Catholic Charities is grateful for the support and interest from volunteers who are eager to contribute to Marisol Health Northern Colorado. Volunteer opportunities will be available soon. In the meantime, Catholic Charities encourages individuals to get involved with its other ministries in Larimer and Weld County, such as Samaritan House Fort Collins and Samaritan House Greeley on the Guadalupe Campus. These shelters are always eager to have dedicated volunteers. The generosity of time and treasure at Marisol Family St. Joseph is also greatly appreciated, as they provide diapers, materials and educational opportunities for young families in Northern Colorado.

Marisol Health Northern Colorado, opening in Spring 2024 at 1221 West Elizabeth St., Fort Collins, CO 80521, aims to be the most comprehensive support system for women in the region. It will provide accurate information and support to help women make important decisions about their reproductive health.

Marisol Health offers compassionate options for mother of twins, Alyssa 

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The news of Alyssa’s pregnancy was unexpected. As many do in this position, she found herself contemplating different options and next steps. She took to the internet and started scrolling.

Towards the end of her search that was filled with frightening keywords, Alyssa came across Marisol Health and filled out a general inquiry. The very next day, she was accompanied by both nurses and case workers who walked her through the process with dignity and compassion. When the news came about her carrying not one, but two babies, she was understandably overwhelmed.

Alyssa shared that she felt cared for when the nurses showed her that first ultrasound. She walked away from the reception desk and knew that Marisol Health staff would be there to support her on this uncertain journey. And they did, they took her step by step.

Her twin girls Amelia and Brielle were born in July 2022, and Alyssa reflects on the many blessings Marisol Health continues to provide her, even beyond the gift of her beautiful daughters.

“I never thought motherhood of twins would be this hard. I feel like I can get up and do it every day, even when I am so exhausted, because I have support and resources such as Marisol Health.”

On top of offering prenatal care, Marisol Health assisted in the items needed for a mother of twins. They even helped Alyssa set up a baby registry. The postpartum counseling at Marisol Health that Alyssa receives from the support she needs as a new mother.

“I am blown away by the love I have received, even after my twins were born. From care packages to diaper donations, I am so grateful to have found Marisol Health,” Alyssa shared.