After working in the healthcare industry for over 15 years, Ericka Sinclair (UWM MS, Clinical Laboratory Sciences [now Biomedical Sciences], 1998) had a vision of redefining patient care by creating a community-based clinic. In traditional clinical care, she saw patterns that were not beneficial to the patients: physicians weren’t trained to have deep conversations with them, and people often didn’t know how to use their insurance.

As a response, Sinclair had her sights set on a “systems change,” she says, so in 2015, she started what is now called Health Connections, Inc.

Health Connections started as a medical center meant to provide primary care for vulnerable populations with a special focus in HIV treatment and prevention and is now known for its specialty in transgender care. Sinclair built a model that prioritized training staff to have deeper conversations with clients and teach patients how to use their insurance.

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