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CommUnityCare Health Centers Celebrates Black History Month

February marks Black History Month, a dedicated opportunity to recognize and appreciate the significant contributions and rich culture of African Americans.  

As we celebrate Black History Month, we recognize the widespread disparity of access to respectful, quality health care and its negative impact on health outcomes for black communities. In Texas, racial and ethnic inequities in medical treatment rank among the highest in the nation, and despite this, communities of color continue to be resilient and thrive.  

Join us as we shine a light on the voices and unique experiences of some of our black team members who are dedicated to the mission of strengthening the health and well-being of the communities we serve here in Central Texas.  

Jael Williams – Care Manager Supervisor: Sexual Health Program 

Jael Williams, CommUnityCare Care Manager Supervisor: Sexual Health Program, has been supporting the health of communities facing the greatest barriers to health care and the heaviest burdens of illness since 2019.  

Her work on our Sexual Health Team focuses on populations at greatest risk of contracting HIV. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), black people account for a higher proportion of people with HIV compared to other races and ethnicities. Racism, HIV stigma, homophobia, poverty, and barriers to health care continue to drive these disparities.  

“The Sexual Health Program works to develop effective outreach, education, and testing strategies and has partnered with local institutions like Huston-Tillotson University, the oldest HBCU [Historically Black College and University] in Austin, to collaborate with students who are equally passionate about educating their communities on how to stay healthy,” Williams explains. “I hope the impact has been a positive one: through empowering and supporting black people in self-advocacy and ownership of their health, confident partnerships between black patients and their provider teams will lead to positive health outcomes.” 

Raised in inner city Trenton, New Jersey, Jael’s parents cultivated a strong sense of compassion in her and her siblings that gave them the ability to see similarities instead of differences and feel comfortable in any environment.  

“Whether being educated in a highly competitive private school, homeschooled, or attending community college; providing community outreach with and to the street hustlers in our neighborhood at a young age; attending and eventually teaching dance classes at a Black woman-owned studio for 15 years; or having dinners with White House consultants and political pollsters as a teen, every experience was a teachable moment.”  

Tiffany Clayton – Pharmacy Technician: Patient Assistance Program (PAP)  

“I offer a unique understanding of the cultural and social factors that influence health factors in the [black] community. As a health care professional, I plant seeds of hope in our patients to help regain their trust in an overall broken health care system,” said Tiffany Clayton, PAP Pharmacy Technician at CommUnityCare Health Centers. “I serve as a role model, showing young black and brown kids in the community that careers in health care are attainable and rewarding. Representation matters.”  

Since 2020, Tiffany has been an integral part of the Patient Assistance Program, assisting patients in securing access to medications at little to no cost. She prides herself in engaging in meaningful dialogue with patients to ensure their voices are acknowledged. Tiffany deeply appreciates family, culture, and the values her mother instilled in her from a young age. “My mother, a woman of resilience and unwavering determination, worked tirelessly to provide for me and my three siblings. Watching her juggle multiple jobs, I learned early the value of hard work and the bitter taste of struggle,” Clayton explains, “The image of my mother’s weary but unyielding eyes became my motivation, a silent promise to myself that I would strive for a better life.”  

In 2019, Clayton became the second person in her immediate family to graduate college, earning her bachelor’s degree in biology from Huston-Tillotson University. There, she was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., an organization committed to community support with a primary focus on the black community. She’s currently pursuing a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University, with sights on graduating in 2024.  

Her drive to help others is not just a professional choice, but a personal one. At the age of 5, her son Gregory was diagnosed with Autism, which opened her eyes to the unique struggles and triumphs of other families with children on the spectrum. This inspired Tiffany to become an advocate, dedicating her time outside of work to help other families navigate the complexities of life with a child with Autism.  

“My life is a testament to the power of perseverance, community, and the enduring strength of family bonds. My story is about overcoming challenges and transforming them into avenues for growth, compassion, and societal contribution. As I move forward, I carry with me the legacy of my mother’s strength, the joy of my family’s unity, and a heart dedicated to service.” 

Tara Trower – Chief Strategy Officer 

In her role as Chief Strategy Officer for CommUnityCare Health Centers, Tara Trower combines a passion for civic engagement with her passion for helping her community thrive. “I get my energy from being with people who share my commitment to being proactive on behalf of those who, for various reasons, have difficulty accessing the things that many take for granted – shelter, health care, education, childcare, economic stability and food,” Trower says.  

Trower has spent much of her career shedding light on the inequities within our communities, amplifying the voices of marginalized individuals and bringing attention to systemic injustices. Trower spent years as a journalist at the Austin American-Statesman where she was able to shine a light on systemic inequities. She later joined The University of Texas at Austin where she played a role in bringing equitable access to education. Now, Trower works to bring equitable access to care in Travis County and Central Texas with CommUnityCare Health Centers.  

“African Americans are overrepresented in nearly every negative health category there is…in addition to looking at the data to support the strategic vision of community, I also lean on my community knowledge as a longtime Austinite and my lived experience as an African American woman.”  

Tara grew up in a military family, moving around the United States for her father’s assignments. Frequent moving meant experiencing different cultures and communities, and as a woman of color, navigating race-based assumptions. In some instances, she was the only black person in her school where her academic abilities were underestimated, her athletic abilities were overestimated, and when she spoke on topics like affirmative action, it was assumed she was speaking for all black people everywhere.  

“My experiences taught me about the dangers of making assumptions and to treat every encounter with a new person as a fresh slate. It’s one of the approaches I hope our team members take with our patients,” Trower explains. “I have suffered the indignity of being treated one way by a doctor when I was dressed in my executive pantsuit and a completely different way by the same care team when I showed up in sweats. We all have biases; it takes work to see the individual. I’m lucky that I have had lots of practice over the decades, allowing me to better support the work to improve the health of all the communities we serve.” 

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6 Tips for a Healthy 2024 

Health is about more than visiting the doctor’s office. Adding small but significant healthy habits to your daily life will lead to big improvements in your overall health and wellness in 2024.  Set yourself up for long-term success with these 6 tips for getting and staying healthy in the new year.  

Set Realistic Goals  

Big change happens in small steps. When people try to change too much, too quickly, they set themselves up for failure and can lose motivation. Set goals and make simple, measurable plans to take steps toward a healthier you. For example, if you’d like to start eating healthier snacks, a simple goal may look like exploring one new healthy snack each week. An unrealistic goal may be immediately preparing healthy snacks five days a week. Once you’ve accomplished one small goal, move on to the next, and by the end of the year, you’ll have accomplished so much.  

Move Your Body 

Moving your body is one of the most important things you can do for your health. It can improve your brain health, reduce your risk of disease, and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Some examples of steps you can take to slowly increase your physical activity include walking while catching up with a friend or family member on the phone, dancing at home or at a class, and parking farther away from the entrance of wherever you’re going.   

Two of our locations, Southeast Health & Wellness Center and Hornsby Bend Health & Wellness Center, offer Zumba classes if you’re looking for a new and fun way to move your body. Call 512-978-9015 for more information on class schedules.

Eat More Vegetables, Fruit, Beans and Whole Grains 

Eating more plant-based foods—whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and beans—plays a big role in preventing illness and helping you live a healthier life. These foods are high in fiber, protein, and other nutrients your body needs to thrive. You can get started by adding more vegetables (even small amounts) to your plate at lunch and dinner and including whole grains, like oatmeal and fruit, to your breakfast. 

Drink More Water 

Water is vital to our health. It plays a key role in how your body feels and functions—it even affects energy levels and how well your brain works. Most people need around 64 ounces, or eight cups, of water per day.  

Try keeping a reusable bottle with you, setting reminders to drink more water (for example, try setting a reminder to take a few sips of water every 30 minutes), or find ways to flavor your water with fruit to make your drinking experience more pleasurable. You can also eat more foods that are high in water, like zucchini, cabbage, watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew melon.  

Prioritize Sleep 

Sleep does more than just help you feel rested and energized for the day. Lack of sleep can raise your risk of high blood pressure, increased stress, weight gain, and depression.  

Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep a day. Try minimizing screen time before bed and get settled in bed just 10 minutes earlier to start.  

Schedule Health Screenings  

There’s no better time than the new year to schedule anannual check-up or any other health screening you may need. Regular check-ups allow your doctor to identify potential health issues before they become bigger problems. Scheduling your annual check-up or screening will also help you stay on top of immunizations and other preventative care.  

For quality, affordable care regardless of your insurance status or ability to pay, schedule an appointment at one of our locations by calling 512-978-9015 or visiting communitycaretx.org. 

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Parents Form Community Inside Medical Home through CenteringParenting® Program 

“It’s really an incredible model, you’re drawing out of the parent and empowering them to harness what they already know and key into that maternal or parental instinct,” said Dr. Michelle Gallas, Pediatrician at CommUnityCare Health Centers. “So, the idea is that families form a community inside of the medical home.” 

Parenthood has its ups and downs, especially for first-time mothers. New mothers often face symptoms of depression and stress as they adjust to parenthood. The CenteringParenting® Program is a group-focused approach offered at CommUnityCare Health Centers that better helps meet the health and social needs of patients who often face barriers when accessing healthcare. 

“This is the first time I have come to a doctor who has this type of program,” said Maria Angela Estrada, a mother and patient participating in the CenteringParenting® Program. “I love the idea. I believe it is something really beautiful that takes place here.” 

The group-focused care model is designed to host around six to eight dyads, or pairs of parents and their babies for routine health maintenance visits. Parents and babies are grouped together based on age increments, often one-month blocks. The group of similarly aged babies and their caregivers will meet ten times over the course of three years.  

“This program brings a tremendous amount of value not just to the families but also to the providers,” said Dr. Michelle Gallas, lead Pediatrician who has been running groups for the last decade at Community Care. “These families are able to build confidence, achieve better health outcomes, and form a connection with their providers, like no other.” 

Program visits are made up of three components: assessment, education and support. Upon arrival, babies receive a physical exam that includes vitals, developmental surveillance, screenings and immunizations. Then a facilitated discussion of infant and parenting related topics takes place led by providers and support staff. Finally, support or community within the medical home is built throughout the sessions.   

“The key word here is facilitation. We are offering up the question and they [parents] are the experts. They are sharing challenges, doubts and advice with each other,” added Dr. Gallas. “We offer our expert opinion when needed, but really want the best advice come from other mothers so families really get the chance to feel like they are not alone.” 

As part of the CenteringParenting® Program, mothers are also able to stay engaged in their own healthcare. The wellness visits and discussions offer a touch point to check in with mom and keep them engaged in their well-being. Mothers are provided follow up care such as well-woman exams, post-partum visits, family planning including birth control options and financial assistance.

“When I have any doubts and I get a response, I feel relieved because there are things I don’t know as a first time mom,” said Melani Navarro Hernandez, a mother and patient participating in the CenteringParenting® Program. “The moms in the group who already have children are able to answer my questions about things such as breastfeeding and sleeping schedule. I love it.” 

CenteringParenting® and CenteringPregnancy® Programs have been implemented into the care model at CommUnityCare Health Centers since 2009. The pandemic caused a hiatus, but the programs have recently made a return in the health centers and are growing. CenteringParenting® is an extension of the CenteringPregnancy ® Program, a similar group-focused model to discuss various topics with pregnant women and their healthcare providers.  

If you are an established patient at CommUnityCare Health Centers, please connect with your OB Care Coordinator at 512-978-9435 if you are interested in learning more about CenteringPregnancy® and CenteringParenting® Programs. Information is also available at FindHelp.org.  

The CenteringParenting® Program is offered at the CommUnityCare Pflugerville and North Central Health Centers. CenteringPregnancy® is offered at the CommUnityCare East Austin and North Central Health Centers.  

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CommUnityCare Health Centers Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month takes place every year from September 15 through October 15 as a time to celebrate the diverse cultures, contributions and extensive histories of those of Hispanic and Latino descent.

As the nation celebrates, it is key to recognize that the Hispanic community faces a number of disparities when it comes to accessing healthcare that can limit the overall health and well-being of both themselves and their families. Uninsured rates, underlying social and economic inequities, and linguistic barriers are all contributing challenges that lead to difficulty in accessing healthcare. In 2022, CommUnityCare provided services to 129,000 patients and of those patients 73% identified as Hispanic or Latino. 97% of the 129,000 patients fall at or below 200% of the federal poverty line and 47% of patients noted they were uninsured.

The 2023 theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is “Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One”. Join CommUnityCare Health Centers as we recognize the Hispanic voices and experiences of the employees who embody the 2023 theme and are dedicated to the mission of strengthening the health and well-being of the communities we serve here in Travis County and surrounding areas.

Ana Gomez-Rubio – Physician Assistant, Pediatrics

“The most important thing to me is caring for the Hispanic community. I take great pride in practicing medicine in a way that is culturally and linguistically comfortable for my patients and their families,” said CommUnityCare Pediatric Physician Assistant, Anna Gomez-Rubio.

As a Hispanic woman, Gomez-Rubio understands the complexities that come with feeling comfortable while adapting to a new environment. At the age of 17, Gomez-Rubio came to the United States after spending her childhood being raised in Bogota, Colombia, Costa Rica and Brazil. She has since called Texas home.

“Moving so often as a child made me an expert in adapting to change, but also made me feel like I never truly belonged somewhere. Even today, if I am in America, I feel too Colombian, but if I am in Colombia, I feel too American,” expressed Gomez-Rubio. “It’s a feeling I share, and talk about, with a lot of my teenage patients. I want them to know that it’s normal. Through these discussions I can remind them – and myself- that community is not the place; it is the people.”

Since the fall of 2022, when Gomez began her work with CommUnityCare Health Centers she has strived to make an impact in the daily lives of her patients. Gomez also shares her immense dedication to educating children and their families on healthy habits to improve the quality of life for the Hispanic community – one patient at a time.

“I am fortunate to represent a small population of female Hispanic Physician Assistants and have the opportunity to be a role model every day,” said Gomez-Rubio.

Michael Campos – Primary Care Behavioral Health Supervisor

Michael Campos, CommUnityCare Behavioral Health Consultant, knows first-hand the experiences and challenges that the majority of CommUnityCare patients face. Campos was born and raised in Texas in a Spanish-speaking, low-income and underinsured household – a reflection of most patients who walk through the doors of CommUnityCare Health Centers each and every day. His parents immigrated to the United States from El Salvador in the early 1980s.

“I was the first member in my immediate family to graduate from college, receiving a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and a Master of Social Work (MSW),” said Campos. “In college, I realized I wanted to go into a career that involved working with people who grew up or are currently living in similar situations to what I did. I chose social work as a profession so I could help empower lives and communities, especially the Hispanic community.”

Campos first came to CommUnityCare Health Centers in February 2016, sharing his appreciation for the team-based work environment with people who care for our patients, each other, and the mission.

“There is a known cultural stigma around the topic of mental health and behavioral health services within the Hispanic community,” said Campos. “In my role as a Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC), I have been able to reach and support a lot of the Hispanic community and provide services to many people who normally may not have access to or be as open to support.”

Yvonne Camarena – Chief Nursing Officer

“I was fortunate to have the most incredible role model, my mother,” said CommUnityCare Chief Nursing Officer, Yvonne Camarena. “My mother was creating her own environment of opportunity where there were limited options for Latina women.”

As a second-generation nurse, following in her mother’s footsteps, Camarena carries the principles her mother taught her in the daily work she does at CommUnityCare Health Centers.

Yvonne Camarena served as Chief Operating Officer for CommUnityCare Health Centers until August of 2022 transitioning to the Chief Nursing Officer role.  Yvonne areas of responsibility include Nursing Services, Referral Management, Population Health Management Programs, Care Management and Community Health Workers services, Value Base Care initiatives, Infection Prevention, Laboratory Services and Health Information Management services.   

“Regardless of the adversity she [my mother] faced, she instilled in her children the value of demonstrating the pride of a Latina personal identity, a strong work ethic, kindness for individuals who traditionally have not received respect, and not fearing doing what is best for your community,” added Camarena.

After nearly 16 years of calling CommUnityCare Health Centers home, Camarena’s dedication to the community and workforce has not faltered.

“As a Latina Nurse Leader, I am a reflection of our patients and workforce,” said Camarena.  “Supporting opportunities for growth and development for individuals who might otherwise not have as many prospects is key for our community and organization.”

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Ben White Dental Practice Moves to South Austin Health Center

Effective Sept 18th, CommUnityCare Ben White Dental site will be closed. Dr Lorena Ray will move her practice to our South Austin Health Center (2529 S. First St.) Hygienist services will move to Southeast Health & Wellness (2901 Montopolis Drive). If you have an existing appointment with either provider, your visit will be automatically moved to the new location and our staff will reach out to confirm. Please call (512) 978-9955 to schedule an appointment at any of our dental locations.

Additional information can be found here: (https://bit.ly/BenWhiteDental)

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CommUnityCare ™ and the Housing Authority of the City of Austin Establish New Health Center in East Austin

CommUnityCare ™, along with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA), are excited to announce the grand opening of the Chalmers Courts Health Center. This marks a historic step as one of the first times a federally designated community health center has been established directly within a Central Texas subsidized housing property. The CommUnityCare Chalmers Courts Health Center is located adjacent to Pathways at Chalmers Courts East, a newly rebuilt HACA property serving low-income families in East Austin.

Built in 1939, Chalmers Courts was one of the earliest public housing projects created under the U.S. Housing Act of 1937. In 2022, HACA redeveloped Pathways at Chalmers Courts East as the second phase of a three-stage renovation (including Chalmers Courts West and South) to expand to 398 deeply affordable housing units and offer valuable support services for low-income families. 

The Chalmers Courts Health Center will be critical to providing health and wellness services for residents and the community. The 5,000-square-foot health center offers family medicine, dental, behavioral health, labs, pharmacy services, care coordination and management.

“The rising costs of living in East Austin has forced many of our low-income and minority patients to leave a community they have called home for years,” said CommUnityCare Chief Executive Officer Jaeson Fournier. “Through this partnership with HACA, CommUnityCare is bringing its high quality and affordable primary care services just a few steps away from the doors of Chalmer’s residence.  And thanks to support from Central Health and this innovative partnership, underserved East siders will have access to a medical home in the heart of their community for years to come.”

According to a 2018 HACA Community Health Needs Assessment, 42% of the 150 existing Chalmers residents surveyed said that they visited an emergency room in the prior year, 73% had one or more chronic disease, 43% had difficulty accessing dental services, and 88% indicated that they would likely use on-site primary care services.

“The opening of the Chalmers Courts Health Center marks an exciting milestone for the Housing Authority of the City of Austin, CommUnityCare, Central Health, and the residents of Chalmers Courts,” said HACA President and CEO Michael Gerber. “Too many low-income and vulnerable people in Austin–especially in communities of color–have lacked access to health care resources.  The Chalmers Center represents a major step forward for our residents and the surrounding community to achieve a healthier, happier, and more independent quality of life.”

Medical appointments at the CommUnityCare Chalmers Courts Health Center can be scheduled by calling 512-978-8650. Dental appointments can be scheduled by calling 512-978-9640.

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CommUnityCare™ Health Centers Continues Important Work as National Funding Deadline Approaches

For most Central Texans with health insurance, the decision to see a family practice or pediatric provider is a simple calculation. Is this visit worth the co-pay and the time spent getting and going to the appointment?

For those without health insurance, that same decision is much more complex. The math for uninsured individuals starts with what the out-of-pocket costs for seeing a doctor will be, with this increased by the costs of needed lab work, prescriptions, transportation costs to get to their appointment, and, for many, lost wages because their employer does not provide leave benefits. For those who are low income and uninsured, these projected costs are unaffordable, and all too often lead to a delay in getting care or skipping care altogether.

Ensuring that primary care medical and dental services can be accessed by our low-income and uninsured neighbors is at the heart of the high-quality and affordable healthcare provided by the nation’s almost 1,400 federally funded health centers. Authorized under Section 330 of the US Public Health Service Act, these health centers serve over 30 million patients a year and are required to render care without regard to a patient’s insurance status, with low-income patients able to pay significantly less for their care based on financial means. In return, these health centers receive a federal grant to support their care provision, although, most of a health center’s services are supported by billing revenues.

Annually, the federal government invests almost $6 billion in grants to support primary care services to uninsured/uninsured patients cared for by the nation’s health centers. This investment has consistently saved the United States health system an estimated $24 billion a year with these same health centers also serving as important medical access points and employers within federally designated underserved communities.

Locally, the CommUnityCare™ Health Centers is one of the largest health centers in the country and is the second largest in Texas, operates 28 health centers in Austin and its surrounding communities.  Thanks to support and partnership with Central Health, CommUnityCare served more than 129,000 unique patients in 2022, of whom, 97% had incomes below 200% of the federal poverty level, 87% self-reported as a minority, 57% were best served in language other than English, and approximately 85% were Travis County residents.

Each year in August, the efforts of the nation’s health centers’ work are recognized during National Health Center Week. As part of our celebrations this year from August 6 – 12, CommUnityCare and Central Health will be opening the Chalmers Courts Health Center. This new health center, located in East Austin, is just one example of how community health centers leverage community partnerships and government funding to creatively fill community healthcare gaps. Even with the changes in East Austin’s historic demographics, pockets of lower-income households remain, often with more complex healthcare needs than their more affluent neighbors. Retaining affordable and accessible healthcare options in Austin’s city core is critically important to meeting the needs of our lower-income neighbors.

So, in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin and Central Health, the CommUnityCare has converted two of the historic housing units at the Pathways at Chalmers Courts public housing development on Chicon Street into a primary and dental healthcare clinic that will serve the residents of Chalmers Courts and low-income individuals that live nearby.

Yet, even as we are celebrating this grand opening, 70% of the federal funding supporting health centers are at risk unless Congress passes legislation renewing the Community Health Center Fund before the end of September. This funding uncertainty has already disrupted service planning for many health centers with many already planning for service reductions should funding not be renewed.

While this represents another math equation that needs to be solved, it is one that has a profound impact on those served by health centers like the CommUnityCare Health Centers. This issue is even more significant when one considers what it means for our and the nation’s health center patients.

Access to health care within our communities is critically important to achieving greater health equity – something that CommUnityCare and peer health centers work daily to achieve. In the end, the calculus matters for all of us. Delayed care costs because the math is too much for low-income uninsured patients to overcome costs more than dollars. It costs the viability and vitality of communities because it can result in preventive years of life lost. One thing we know for certain is that the equation for better health is accessing healthcare when it is needed.  We also know that the best way to save healthcare dollars nationally is to engage and empower patients in their care, including ensuring that preventative services like cancer screenings are obtained.

So, as we celebrate National Health Center Week and the tremendous work of the healthcare professionals and staff caring for the nation’s medically vulnerable including the CommUnityCare team, call on Congress to continue its long-standing support of the Community Health Center Fund and to renew this most important funding prior to September 30th. 

To learn more, click here.

Jaeson T. Fournier, D.C., MPH, is the chief executive officer of the CommUnityCare Health Centers, which operates 28 community health centers in Central Texas, serving more than 129,000 individuals. He also serves on the board of the Texas Association of Community Health Centers.

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Get Ready for Back to School at the CommUnityCare™ Health Centers 

In honor of National Health Center Week, the CommUnityCare™ Health Centers will host two back-to-school events in order to help Central Texas’ children get prepped for their return to classes. 

National Health Center Week (August 6th – 12th) is an opportunity to highlight the commitment and passion of Community Health Centers that diligently work to improve health outcomes and narrow health disparities. CommUnityCare Health Centers is Central Texas’ largest nonprofit health center network operating 28 locations, the newest addition being the Chalmers Courts Health Center. The CommUnityCare team is committed to providing a range of quality, comprehensive services to underserved populations regardless of their ability to pay.  

The Madagascar-themed back-to-school bash will offer immunizations for children ages 3-18. FREE backpacks, school supplies, paletas and music will also be offered.

Registration is required for both immunizations and the drive-thru backpack drive.  

To register your child(ren) for an immunization appointment, CLICK HERE. 

To register for a FREE backpack and school supplies, CLICK HERE. 

Southeast Health and Wellness Center 

August 5 | 8a.m.-12p.m.  

North Central Health Center 

August 12 | 8a.m.-12p.m.  

 

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CommUnityCare Health Centers Receives Delta Dental Grant Funding to Improve Dental Health for Patients 

CommUnityCare Health Centers provides equitable access to dental care for Central Texans through its eight dental clinics. In 2022, CommUnityCare provided vital dental services to more than 25,000 patients, the majority of patients falling 200% below the federal poverty guideline.  

Thanks to an $80,000 grant from Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, CommUnityCare Health Centers will be able to improve access to affordable, quality dental care for its patients. The grant will provide funding to purchase new equipment, make upgrades, and provide dental education and marketing.  

“This generous grant from Delta Dental allows CommUnityCare to further reduce the disparities that our patient populations face when trying to access crucial healthcare services,” said CommUnityCare Chief Executive Officer Jaeson Fournier. “We are thankful for this funding that will help us further support our mission of strengthening the health and well-being of the communities we serve.” 

 The funding is part of $16 million in grants that the foundation is distributing amongst nonprofit organizations throughout 15 states and the District of Colombia. The funding aims to increase and safeguard access to oral health care.  

“This year’s Access to Care Grants represent the program’s largest annual funding and are focused on three critical areas of need: the oral health crisis among older adults, health equity and rural oral health access,” said Kenzie Ferguson, vice president of foundation and corporate social responsibility for Delta Dental of California. “The important relationships with our partners enable us to achieve our broader mutual goals to help make the communities we serve strong, healthier and more resilient.” 

CommUnityCare’s fully trained dental teams are committed to helping families in Central Texas receive proper dental care. Dental services include preventative dental exams, cleanings, fillings, extractions, emergency treatments and more. To learn more about CommUnityCare dental services, click here.

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CommUnityCare Hosting Mpox (Monkeypox) Vaccine Event

CommUnityCare is hosting an event to vaccinate at-risk individuals against mpox (MonkeyPox). This event will be open to the community and all CommUnityCare patients. Qualifying risk factors to receive the vaccine include at least one of the below: 

  • Patient has known or suspected exposure to someone with mpox in the last 2 weeks
  • A new diagnosis of one or more sexually transmitted diseases in the last 6 months (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis)
  • More than one sex partner in the last 6 months
  • Patient has had any of the following in the past 6 months: Sex at a commercial sex venue (like a sex club or bathhouse), Sex related to a large commercial event or in a geographic area (city or county for example) where mpox virus transmission is occurring, Sex in exchange for money or other items
  • Patient has a sex partner with any of the above risks
  • Patient anticipates experiencing any of the above scenarios
  • Patient works in settings where you may be exposed to mpox or you work with mpox in a laboratory

To schedule your first or second mpox vaccine appointment call 512-978-9015 or CLICK HERE to schedule online.

To learn more about mpox (Monkeypox), CLICK HERE.