Kadlec seeks to expand training for behavioral health providers and care for clients

Joseph Penaflor was a hospital-based registered nurse when he came to understand the important connection between physical and behavioral health. It motivated him to return to school to earn his doctorate as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. 
 
As part of his training, he did several rotations at Grace Clinic, a free clinic in Kennewick, Wash., offering medical, behavioral health and dental services. Grace Clinic has many community partners, including a significant, long-standing relationship with Kadlec Regional Medical Center. Funding provided in 2024 was aimed at increasing training opportunities for students like Penaflor. 
 
The initiative seeks to expand access in two ways – more counseling availability for Grace Clinic’s clients, and more behavioral health students receiving the training they need to graduate into practice. 

“It is a win-win,” said Avonte Jackson, Grace Clinic executive director. “Over the years we have trained over 50 counselors, and more than half have stayed local. Kadlec is such a generous and supportive partner. There are so many points of connection. It has been such a rich and impactful partnership.” 

At any one time, Grace Clinic has four interns from area colleges and online academic programs. The interns work under the supervision of Cynthia Preszler, LMHC, director of counseling. The clinic hopes to hire a psychiatric advanced registered nurse practitioner in the coming months. 
 
Penaflor completed his final rotation at Grace Clinic in 2024 and is planning to return as a volunteer. 
 
“The reality is that there are populations that do not have good access to care,” he said. “The clinic does excellent work but has limited resources. There are a lot of gaps in rural health care. I want to help address those gaps.”