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At Juxtapose, we are attracted to opportunities where shifting market dynamics allow us to transform an industry, and in healthcare we have been particularly attracted to reshaping care delivery in underserved markets - whether that’s allergy, advanced primary care, dental, or beyond. In 2023, we started exploring the pediatrics space and learned that roughly half of children in the US are enrolled in Medicaid and struggle to get appointments with doctors, often because those providers don't accept Medicaid or have located their practices far from low income neighborhoods — creating "pediatric care deserts." We immediately felt called to find a solution that could create a clear path to improving outcomes for children while reducing overall healthcare costs. Inspired by a mission to provide great, holistic care for every child, regardless of income status, we began building Bluebird Kids Health - a new healthcare services company designed to deliver value-based pediatric primary care to all children.
Today marks an important milestone in Bluebird’s journey - under the leadership of Co-Founder and CEO Chris Johnson, the company has closed on a $31.5 million capital raise co-led by F Prime and .406 Ventures, with participation from AIF and Juxtapose.
We were thrilled to find a partner in Chris, who brings a unique set of experiences to building modern, patient-focused healthcare delivery, early on in the development of Bluebird Kids. Prior to Bluebird Kids, he served as CEO of Landmark Health, which was acquired by Optum for $3.5B in 2021. Landmark provided in-home primary care to seniors in value-based care arrangements with payors. As CEO of Landmark, Chris expanded the organization from 12 to 38 states and quadrupled patients under management as Landmark. Chris is also joined by a growing team of incredible, experienced operators, including:
- Chief Operating Officer Rachel Wilson, former COO of Atrius Health and CEO of CIC Health
- Chief Medical Officer Michael Glazier, former Chair of Pediatrics at Atrius Health
- Chief Product and Technology Officer Greg Joondeph-Breidbart, former CTO of C the Sign, Vanna Health, and Buoy Health
- Chief Marketing Officer Eric Ng, former SVP at at Two Chairs and Eden Health
As part of this funding, Bluebird will also welcome industry veterans F-Prime Capital Partner Brett Cook and .406 Ventures Principal Kathryn Taylor Reddy to its board.
Bluebird Kids is addressing the disparity in children’s healthcare by building pediatric practices in access-starved neighborhoods, using a modern, tech-enabled approach to care delivery, and implementing a high-performing model built specifically for pediatrics and value-based care (VBC). By establishing VBC arrangements with commercial and Medicaid payers, Bluebird Kids drives more access to pediatric care, cost savings, quality improvements, and significantly better outcomes for patients.
Through Chris’s vision, Bluebird Kids Health aims to combine a welcoming, community feel with modern medical practices. As an NCQA-designated patient-centered medical home, Bluebird Kids provides the physical, mental, and social care that children need to thrive. The clinics offer 24/7 access to care, exceptional pediatricians and care teams, and convenient locations with integrated virtual care.
In 2024, Bluebird Kids Health acquired a pediatric primary care practice in Palm Beach County. Today, the Bluebird Kids care model already results in some of the highest performing clinical practices in Florida. With three locations, Bluebird Kids now serves roughly 20,000 active patients and will expand by applying its care model to brand new, de novo practice locations. Construction is already underway in Jacksonville and more communities are on the horizon.
Bluebird Kids Health is also introducing a proprietary tech platform to proactively manage and coordinate care, using AI to enhance and simplify the experience for its clinical team. As Bluebird Kids expands, it will build regional hubs that offer extended urgent care and specialized programs, with expanded 24/7/365 remote clinical care and support services.
We’re energized to be working with Chris to not only improve access to care, but redefine what great pediatric care can be. You can follow along with Chris and his team at www.bluebirdkids.com and on their LinkedIn.
More on Bluebird Kids Health
Bluebird Kids Health is a value-based pediatric care practice transforming primary care. Its mission is to provide exceptional care so every child can thrive—including vulnerable populations, regardless of income level or payer status. Bluebird Kids Health delivers high quality care to all through the combination of high-quality primary care practice operations, a modern operating footprint, and value-based contracting. The company aims to deliver exceptional outcomes while simultaneously delighting patients, providers and surrounding communities. Bluebird Kids Health’s first practices are located in Palm Beach County, FL and will expand to Broward County and Jacksonville this year.
