Paint the Gap: How Art, Community, and Partnership Came Together at MHPA25

At Modivcare, we believe health happens everywhere: in clinics, in homes, and in communities. That’s why we were proud to bring Paint the Gap to life at this year’s Medicaid Health Plans of America (MHPA25) conference in Kansas City. This unique community partnership combined art and storytelling to highlight how we can close gaps in care and build healthier futures together.

Transforming Healthcare Barriers into a Living Canvas 

Paint the Gap was a live mural created by local artist MariChellé Okorie alongside students from De La Salle Education Center. Together, they worked for two weeks to design a mural that evoked the realities of health disparities and the power of community-based solutions. 

During the conference, attendees watched the mural come to life in real time, each brushstroke telling a story in three parts:

• The Barriers: A visual reflection of the real obstacles people face when trying to access care
• The Living Canvas: A shared space where students added their own voices and dreams
• The Vision: A future where care is equitable, and no one is left behind

This mural made something clear: healthcare is personal. And when we engage communities directly, we can create lasting, meaningful change.

Supporting the Next Generation

Beyond the mural itself, this project gave Modivcare the opportunity to invest in the next generation of innovators. The company was proud to support WeCode KC, a local nonprofit that equips children and young adults with skills in coding, robotics, web development, and workforce readiness. Their mission to bridge the digital divide is in lock step with Modivcare’s own commitment to addressing healthcare disparities and building brighter futures. 

A Community Effort 

This project would not have been possible without the unique and meaningful contributions of Modivcare’s partners: 

• Best Food Forward and CaryHealth stood alongside Modivcare to champion equity and support WeCode KC.  
• MHPA created an event that values both healthcare transformation and community connection, with this year’s theme being “The Rhythm of Progress: Medicaid’s Beat in the Heartland.” 
• MariChellé Okorie, Artist & Founder of ILOABUCHI, who transformed these challenges into a vibrant work of art. 
• WeCode KC, which helped to drive the vision as the community partner for MHPA25. 

Transforming healthcare requires collaboration across organizations, industries, and generations. Paint the Gap serves as a powerful reminder that when healthcare leaders, community organizations, and community members work together, we can create a better future of healthcare that’s rooted in access, compassion, and community. 

Modivcare is grateful to have played a role in this initiative and remains committed to investing in partnerships that help close care gaps and support healthier lives.