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CommUnityCare Health Centers Expands Telehealth Services Creating Greater Access

 CommUnityCare Health Centers is expanding its telehealth services, offering patients greater flexibility and addressing common barriers to care. For many, accessing care can be complicated by transportation challenges, work schedules or family responsibilities. By CommUnityCare Health Centers expanding its telehealth services, patients can eliminate some of these obstacles and allow them to choose how they want to receive care. 

“We recognize that an in-person visit can sometimes create the inability for them to make it to their appointments,” said Rosa De La Torre, CommUnityCare Associate Chief Medical Officer. “The beauty of telehealth is that we can see patients, as long as they are in the state of Texas, anywhere they want to be whether that be during their break at work or from the comfort of their home so they can continue to receive the care that they need.” 

The expanded telehealth access features a dedicated team of three providers and supporting staff members, offering services that cater to a wide range of needs, including pediatric care, chronic disease management, and acute evaluations. A fourth provider will join the new team at the beginning of 2025. Furthermore, new patient appointments will become readily available, reducing wait times for appointments.  

Additionally, telehealth appointments are integrated into patients’ broader care plans. Providers ensure continuity by sharing visit details with primary care doctors, maintaining a seamless connection between telehealth and in-person services. 

“If you see me as a telehealth provider, it won’t disrupt your relationship with your primary care doctor,” explained Dr. Roberto Rodriguez, CommUnityCare Telehealth Pediatrician. “I share the details of each visit with your regular provider to keep them in the loop about your health.” 

CommUnityCare Health Centers aims to reach 30,000 unique telehealth patient encounters in fiscal year 2025.  

The expanded telehealth program is a testament to the commitment CommUnityCare has to patient-centered care. By addressing barriers and offering more ways to connect with healthcare providers, the organization is paving the way for a healthier, more accessible future. To learn more about CommUnityCare telehealth services or to schedule an appointment, visit our telehealth services webpage. 

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Important Update for CommUnityCare Health Centers Patients 

Starting November 1, Executive Order GA-46 requires public hospitals to collect immigration status information from patients. However, this rule does not apply to CommUnityCare Health Centers or Carousel Pediatrics.

Key Points:

  • We do not collect immigration status information before providing care.
  • Our commitment to offering you safe and comfortable healthcare remains unchanged.
  • We encourage you to attend your scheduled appointments and participate in financial aid screenings.

If you have any questions about your rights as a patient, please visit Patient Rights and Responsibilities.

Thank you for trusting CommUnityCare Health Centers with your health.

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CommUnityCare Employee Honored with Statewide Award 

Austin, TX – The Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC), a private, not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to advancing equitable access to quality health care across Texas, proudly presented Audrey Straus, Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C), Director of Employee Wellness and Health Services, with the 2024 TACHC Emerging Leader Award.  

This prestigious award recognizes exceptional Texas health center staff for their outstanding contributions to enhancing patient and staff experiences, a crucial element of the value-based care model. 

“I feel incredibly humbled to receive this recognition and to be in the company of people like Dr. Mike Stefanowicz who is such an effective leader, improving the lives of our patients, teams, and community. While I’m technically receiving this award, it’s really a reflection of the tremendous work that CommUnityCare Health Centers has undertaken to support our workforce and our community — Nothing I do is done alone,” said Straus. “We are one team, and each of us plays an important role in lifting one another to sustain the work we do every day, providing high-quality, compassionate care for our neighbors. I’m endlessly grateful to have had the opportunity to grow, to lead, and to learn; without the advocacy of those before and around me, I would not have the opportunities I do to support those around me who share the same vision of health equity and social justice in Central Texas.” 

The TACHC Emerging Leader Award celebrates rising stars in Texas health centers, fostering new leadership to advance quality, community-centered health care.  

Straus is one of seven community health center staff members to receive the 2024 Emerging Leader Award. Straus proudly accepted the award at the TACHC Annual Conference in Fort Worth on October 19, 2024. 

Pictured left to right: Carlos Gormaz, CommUnityCare Board Member; Audrey Straus, CommUnityCare Director of Employee Wellness and Health Services; Dr. Nicholas Yagoda, CommUnityCare Interim CEO; Barbara Shirley, CommUnityCare Board Member

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About TACHC 
The Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC) represents community health centers across Texas, supporting their mission to deliver high-quality, comprehensive primary and preventive health care services to underserved communities. 

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About CommUnityCare Health Centers  

Central Texas Community Health Centers, dba CommUnityCare is a 501.c.3 tax-exempt charitable corporation operating a network of twenty-nine federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Central Texas. Our mission is to strengthen the health and well-being of the communities we serve. CommUnityCare services are available regardless of insurance status and discounted based on financial means for those with incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level. For more information visit https://communitycaretx.org.  

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CommUnityCare Health Centers Earns Prestigious Community Health Quality Recognition Badge

CommUnityCare Health Centers is thrilled to announce that it has been recognized with the Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) Silver badge for 2024, placing it in the top 20th percentile for clinical quality care across fellow Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and look-alikes nationwide. This recognition underscores the commitment to delivery of excellent healthcare services for the un- and underinsured in Central Texas. 

The CHQR badges are awarded to health centers that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in several critical areas including access, quality, health equity and health information technology.  

“At CommUnityCare, we are committed to providing the highest quality of care to all communities we serve. This dedication is central to our mission of advancing health equity and social justice. This national award reflects the passion, dedication, and vision of our teams at CommUnityCare Health Centers, who continually strive for improvement,” said Dr. Nicholas Yagoda, CommUnityCare Health Centers Interim President and CEO. “As we celebrate this recognition, we remain steadfast in our belief that every member of our community is entitled to the highest quality healthcare.” 

This honor is based on the data from the 2023 Uniform Data System (UDS) reporting period. In 2023, CommUnityCare Health Centers served 134,180 total patients. Of these, 97% from households earning at or Below 200% of Federal Poverty Guideline. Additionally, 87% of patients identified as racial and/or ethnic minority patients, 60% were best served in a language other than English and 51% were uninsured. 

To earn a Health Center Quality Leader (HCQL) badge, health centers must achieve outstanding performance in clinical quality measures (CQMs), including cancer screenings, immunizations, prenatal care, chronic disease management, and others. These awards highlight the exemplary work produced within the community health center model, the nation’s most effective demonstration of high-value, equitable primary healthcare.  

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Pediatric Residency Program Spotlight: Empowering the Next Generation of Pediatricians

At CommUnityCare Health Centers, we pride ourselves on not only providing exceptional care to our community but also fostering the growth and development of the next generation of healthcare professionals.  

The CommUnityCare Pflugerville Health Center is proudly helping train the next generation of pediatric leaders through its pediatric residency program affiliated with Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin.  

How a Resident is Involved in Your Care  

Residency programs serve to educate doctors in training while caring for current patients. Residents are scheduled in clinic regularly and far in advance to maintain stable teams and provide patient continuity. This approach not only ensures that patients receive consistent and familiar care, but it also introduces a new level of attention and thoroughness to their medical treatment.

“Residents bring fresh perspectives and the latest medical knowledge from their rigorous training. Their commitment to learning and improvement often results in excellent patient evaluations and innovative treatment plans,” said Dr. Tara Greendyk, CommUnityCare Director of Child and Adolescent Health and Dell Medical School Assistant Professor.

“Also, the collaborative environment, with supervising physicians overseeing and mentoring residents, guarantees that patients benefit from a combination of experienced oversight and the energetic, up-to-date approach of resident doctors. This dynamic not only enhances the quality of care but also fosters a learning culture where every interaction aims to improve patient outcomes and healthcare practices.” 

Residents are physicians who have completed medical or osteopathic school. After earning their M.D. or D.O. degree, they pursue 2 to 7 years of advanced training in a specialty like pediatrics. Key to Dell Med’s graduate medical education curriculum, the residents that train within CommUnityCare Health Centers are equipped to tackle systemic challenges in health and lead change in an evolving health care landscape. 

A Focus on Community Health 

Community health is a central tenet of the pediatric residency program at CommUnityCare Health Centers. Residents learn to understand and address the social determinants of health that impact our patients.  

Our health center’s commitment to serving underserved populations ensures that residents gain valuable experience in providing care to diverse and vulnerable patient groups. This experience not only enriches their training but also instills a deep sense of social responsibility and compassion. 

Through the pediatric residency program, skilled and compassionate pediatricians go on to make significant contributions to the field. Their success is a testament to the quality of training they received and their dedication to improving the health and well-being of children. 

Success Story: Yesenia Delgado, M.D.  

Dr. Yesenia Delgado’s journey to becoming a pediatrician at CommUnityCare Health Centers is a testament to her resilience and passion for serving underserved populations. Growing up as a first-generation Mexican American, Delgado experienced firsthand the challenges faced by many of the families who receive care at CommUnityCare Health Centers. This personal history instilled in her a deep empathy and commitment to making a difference in the lives of children from similar backgrounds, something her family fostered from a young age.  

“My family did a really good job of fostering the dream of becoming a pediatrician. They never giggled or thought it was funny. They encouraged me, even buying fake stethoscopes,” said Dr. Delgado. “My dad did have had one rule though, no matter what you do in life you need to help people.” 

During her three-year pediatric residency at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Delgado took advantage of the individualized curriculum to gain exposure in both general pediatrics and subspecialty medicine.  

During her rotations at CommUnityCare Health Centers, Delgado fell in love with the centers commitment toward serving underserved populations. Dr. Delgado’s cultural background and personal experiences uniquely positioned her to understand the struggles of the families she served at CommUnityCare. She brought a profound level of empathy to her practice, often going the extra mile to ensure her patients received the care they needed. Whether addressing common pediatric issues or more complex health concerns, she worked to break down barriers to healthcare for her patients. 

“As a first-generation Mexican American, I think I resonate with a lot of the things my patients experience. For instance, English being my second language or having a mom who doesn’t speak English,” added Delgado. “I try to reassure my patients and a lot of them find comfort with someone who talks like them or has experienced similar things as them. That is really what draws me here to CommUnityCare Health Centers and I feel very fulfilled after my workday.” 

Dr. Delgado’s story is an inspiring example of how personal experiences can fuel a career dedicated to helping others. Dr. Delgado has completed her residency at Dell Med and accepted a position with CommUnityCare Health Centers as a Primary Care Provider at the new Del Valle Health Center opening late 2024. The Del Valle Health Center brings health care to an area historically underserved in Eastern Travis County. 

Pflugerville Health Center 

We are now accepting new pediatric patients at the CommUnityCare Pflugerville Health Center. To make an appointment, visit communitycaretx.org.  

Additional Educational Opportunities 

CommUnityCare Health Centers is home to nine medical residency programs affiliated with the Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin, including pediatrics, family medicine and internal medicine. We also partner with a variety of other higher education institutions and school districts, including Austin Community College and the Austin Independent School District, helping to train frontline healthcare workers. 

For more information, visit our Educational Opportunities page.  

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CommUnityCare Health Centers Partners with Vot-ER to Encourage Voter Participation

CommUnityCare Health Centers recognizes the vital link between health care and voting, which is why we are proud to partner with Vot-ER to help drive voter registration in our communities. 

Check Your Registration  

We encourage our community, patients and staff to verify whether their voter registration is up to date at their current address. By confirming that your voter registration is up-to-date, you can secure a seamless voting process this November, whether you choose to vote from home or in person.  

Shape your Community, Shape your Health  

Casting your vote is an important way to ensure your voice is heard and to impact government decisions that shape our community. Studies indicate that when more people participate in the democratic process, our communities experience better health outcomes. The leaders we elect play a key role in decisions that affect us daily, such as the pricing of prescription medications and the availability of fresh produce in our neighborhoods. By voting, we have the power to directly influence these policies and contribute to the long-term well-being of our community. 

Vot-ER Resources

Vot-ER allows you to easily check your voter registration status, register to vote, request a ballot, learn more about voting in your state, plus connect with a helpline and chat with a real person for any questions.  

Important Dates:  

  • Monday, October 7, 2024 – Last day to Register to Vote 
  • Monday, October 21, 2024 – First day of Early Voting 
  • Friday, October 25, 2024 – Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail 
  • Friday, November 1, 2024 – Last Day of Early voting 
  • Tuesday, November 5, 2024 – Last Day to receive Ballot by Mail 
  • Tuesday, November 5, 2024 – Election Day 

CLICK HERE to visit Vot-ER.  

Vot-ER is a nonpartisan organization that develops civic engagement tools and programs for every corner of the health care system. 

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CommUnityCare Back-to-School Events Provide Vaccines, Backpacks to Hundreds of Families 

Hundreds of Central Texas students and their families started the school year healthier and better prepared thanks to the CommUnityCare Health Centers back-to-school events, held in honor of National Health Center Week (Aug 3-9). CommUnityCare Health Centers provided vaccines, backpacks filled with school supplies and other health resources to ensure students could begin the year with confidence. 
This year, a total of 777 vaccinations were administered, protecting children against preventable diseases. In addition, 1,600 backpacks went home with 596 families, helping students feel ready and equipped for the classroom. 
Bastrop ISD: Cedar Creek High School Back to School Bash  
Backpacks: 901 
 
Del Valle Health and Wellness Center 
Vaccines: 215 
 
Pflugerville Health Center 
Vaccines: 176 
Backpacks: 197 
 
North Central Health Central 
Vaccines: 386 
Backpacks: 502 
This year, CommUnityCare was proud to expand its reach further into the eastern crescent, a historically underserved area which has long faced barriers to access health care. By hosting events in the Del Valle and Bastrop communities, CommUnityCare Health Centers was able to connect families with essential services that can have a lasting impact on a child’s health, academic success and overall well-being. As part of this effort, a new partnership with Bastrop ISD allowed CommUnityCare to engage directly with families through the Cedar Creek High School Back to School Bash, distributing backpacks and school supplies while providing information on no-cost vaccinations at the newly opened in 2025 Del Valle Health and Wellness Center. This initiative not only helps families prepare for the school year but also strengthens trust and relationships in areas where access to health and educational resources has historically been limited. 
National Health Center Week is a time to recognize and celebrate the vital role that community health centers like CommUnityCare play in providing accessible, high-quality healthcare to underserved populations.   
These events were a true testament to the power of community. They came to life thanks to the dedication of CommUnityCare staff, volunteers and partners, whose hard work ensured that every detail—from organizing logistics to distributing backpacks and administering vaccines—ran smoothly. Every effort, big or small, made a meaningful difference for the families served. 
As the new school year begins, CommUnityCare remains committed to supporting underserved families throughout Central Texas. 

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CommUnityCare Health Centers Enhances Patient Communication with New SMS Service

AUSTIN, TX – CommUnityCare Health Centers is excited to announce an upgrade to its Short Messaging Service (SMS) by adopting the Epic Hello World application. This transition will provide patients with more timely notifications and seamless integration with their electronic health records and communication preferences.  

“CommUnityCare Health Centers implemented Epic systemwide in 2021. Through our continued partnership with Epic, we can now use the SMS application to make health care more accessible and convenient for all patients,” said Shondrea Haroon, CommUnityCare Associate Director of Patient Access. “This new and improved patient communication further removes barriers our patient population often faces and makes information more readily available.” 

As of July 25, 2024, all text messages from CommUnityCare Health Centers will be sent through Epic Hello World using the SMS short code, 65934. Patients who have opted to receive text messages will continue to receive all future communication from the new number.  

Patients who opt-in to receive text messages from CommUnityCare Health Centers receive timely updates including appointment reminders, MyChart alerts, prescription notifications, care management information, educational materials, event updates, and other patient-related messages.  

Patients who wish to start receiving text messages can opt-in or out by texting START/STOP to 65934. Patients can also manage their communication preferences by logging into their MyChart account and navigating to Account Settings > Communication Preferences> Manage Your Subscription. Data rates may apply, depending on a patient’s mobile phone plan.  

About CommUnityCare Health Centers  

Central Texas Community Health Centers, dba CommUnityCare is a 501.c.3 tax-exempt charitable corporation operating a network of twenty-nine federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Central Texas. Our mission is to strengthen the health and well-being of the communities we serve. CommUnityCare services are available regardless of insurance status and discounted based on financial means for those with incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level. For more information, CLICK HERE. 

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CommUnityCare Health Centers Aligns New Brand with Broader Central Health System

Austin, TX – CommUnityCare Health Centers is excited to announce its new brand that aligns with the broader Central Health System. The unified brand aims to better reflect the shared history, mission and commitment to expanding equitable access to health for the underserved communities in Central Texas. The new brand also aims to make it clear to patients, providers, and stakeholders that CommUnityCare Health Centers, Sendero, and Central Health are connected, hopefully making services easier to recognize and navigate. 

“Aligning our brands under a common symbol reflects our long-standing commitment to collaboration,” said Dr. Jaeson Fournier, President and CEO of CommUnityCare Health Centers. “This new visual identity communicates our shared dedication to delivering high-quality health care to all, while also strengthening our collective impact in the community.” 

In 2017, a third-party performance review requested by the Travis County Commissioners Court found that many constituents were confused about the relationship between the organizations in the Central Health system – Central Health, Sendero and CommUnityCare Health Centers. After a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizations embarked on a rebranding process that involved extensive research and community engagement.  

The new logo features the letter ”C” which stands for central and community. It also features the letter ”H” which stands for health and the internationally recognized health care cross. The new green color palette symbolizes trust, healing and warmth.   

Patients, staff and the community may have started to notice changes throughout CommUnityCare Health Centers and our materials. These changes will slowly take course over the coming months and years including a new logo, new clinic signage and other brand material updates.  

While CommUnityCare Health Centers is aligning their brand with the broader Central Health system, there will be no organizational structure or operational changes. CommUnityCare Health Centers remains a patient majority guided 501.c.3 non-profit and one of the largest federally qualified health center operators in the country. 

“Patients can rest assured there will be no disruption to their health care services provided by CommUnityCare Health Centers,” added Fournier. “Our brand alignment with Central Health and Sendero is a step forward in better recognizing our collective work together to strengthen the health and well-being of the communities we are so privileged to serve.” 

Central Health System Overview:  

  • Central Health is Travis County’s taxpayer-funded hospital district and is responsible for arranging for or providing healthcare services for low-income uninsured Travis County residents. Central Health also administers the Medical Access Program, which covers healthcare costs for eligible Travis County residents with low income.   
  • CommUnityCare Health Centers was established in 2003 as a philanthropic endeavor supporting the City of Austin’ Community Care Services Department’s health centers.  Fast forward to today, CommUnityCare Health Centers is one of the largest federally qualified health center operators in the nation and is co-applicant with Central Health on a US Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Center Program federal assistance award.  
  • Sendero Health Plans, created by Central Health in 2011, markets plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace created by the Affordable Care Act and provides comprehensive coverage for medically complex cases among people with low income through its Premium Assistance Program. 

About CommUnityCare Health Centers  

Central Texas Community Health Centers, dba CommUnityCare is a 501.c.3 tax-exempt charitable corporation operating a network of twenty-nine federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in Central Texas. Our mission is to strengthen the health and well-being of the communities we serve. CommUnityCare services are available regardless of insurance status and discounted based on financial means for those with incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level. For more information, CLICK HERE. 

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Help Shape the Future of Sexual Health Services by Joining Our Community Advisory Panel

CommUnityCare Health Centers is excited to announce a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing sexual health services in our community. This new initiative is thanks to a $2.5 million, five-year award from the CDC Enhancing STI and Sexual Health Clinic Infrastructure (ESSHCI). This award signifies a major step forward in addressing the pressing sexual health needs of our community, with a focus on underserved and priority populations.  

At the cornerstone of this initiative is creating a Community Advisory Panel, which will play a role in shaping the future STI and HIV prevention and advising the planning of a new sexual health access point.  

CommUnityCare Health Centers is seeking individuals passionate about promoting sexual health awareness, reducing health disparities, and advocating for the community to join the Community Advisory Panel. Recruitment for the Community Advisory Panel is open now through the end of August 2024. The goal is to have a fully established panel by September 2024.  

We are seeking individuals from priority populations with an emphasis on multi-marginalized people, such as those who are unsheltered or unhoused, and persons of color:  

  • Black/African American community members 
  • Latinx/Hispanic community members 
  • Women 
  • People who identify as LGBTQIA+ 
  • Young adults ages 18-24 
  • People who use drugs 

CLICK HERE to join the CommUnityCare Community Advisory Panel.  

“STIs remain a significant public health issue, disproportionately affecting certain groups within our community. CommUnityCare Health Centers is dedicated to developing innovative strategies to address these health disparities,” said Jael Williams, Sexual Health Program, Care Manager. “By involving community members in the panel, we ensure that the voices and experiences of those most affected by these issues are heard and integrated into the solutions.” 

More information is available on our website, talkactprotect.org. If you have any questions regarding the Community Advisory Panel, please contact us at advisory.panel@communitycaretx.org or call 512-716-7499.