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AUSTIN — CommUnityCare Health Centers announced this month that Austin labor attorney Steven Garrett has been elected to its board of directors. Garrett is an associate with Boulette Golden & Marin and is board certified in labor and employment law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Garrett joined Boulette Golden & Marin in 2013, after three years with the City of Austin as prosecutor and then as an assistant city attorney. Since joining the firm, Garrett has represented clients in a variety of labor and employment issues, including negotiating initial collective bargaining agreements, litigating non-compete and trade secret matters, advising clients on work separation decisions, assisting with federal and state agency compliance and investigations, and of course, defending employment claims.CommUnityCare Board member Steven Garrett

“I could not be more honored to join the board of CommUnityCare. Like for many people, COVID-19 was a catalyst for me to look around my community and see what I could do to help out,” Garrett said. “Learning about the invaluable service provided for low-income people in and around Travis County made me excited to join CommUnityCare in its vision to provide the right care, at the right time, at the right place.”

With more than 27 Central Texas locations, CommUnityCare is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides outpatient primary health care, dental care, pediatric, specialty care, lab, radiology including mammography, a full-service pharmacy and behavioral health services. CommUnityCare is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and is part of the nation’s vital safety net community health system, providing high quality care to underserved communities without regard to insurance status.

CommUnityCare is governed by the Central Texas Community Health Centers Board of Directors. As required by the Health Resources ServicesAdministration (HRSA), the FQHC board must be comprised of more than 51 percent patients of the health centers. In addition to its patient members, the CommUnityCare board represents a wide variety of community professions, including medicine, law, finance, technology and ministry.

“As a Community Health Center we rely on our patient majority Board of Directors to guide our work to improve health equity across Central Texans and especially for our neighbors who are low income. Steven is a welcome addition to our board and his wealth of legal knowledge and his passion for community service is an asset to CommUnityCare and the 123,000 plus patients we care for each year” said CommUnityCare Chief Executive Officer Jaeson Fournier.

 

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(Blog) – This December 1st 2021 marks World AIDS Day — a solemn moment of reflection during the 40th year of the HIV epidemic. For many of the early survivors, World AIDS Day is a somber moment to pause in remembrance of those who lost their lives to HIV; celebration as we note the progress that has been made in science and medicine; and consternation as we pass yet another year of an epidemic that has not been brought under control.

CommUnityCare has been at the forefront of the fight against HIV in central Texas with the David Powell Health Center, which has been centering people living with HIV with comprehensive primary care, pharmacy, mental and behavioral health, and social services for over 30 years. Click on the video to hear from our team members at David Powell who are at the forefront of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

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(Blog) – In 1978, Delta Airlines pioneered the “Hub and Spoke” model, following deregulation of the airline industry, with the goal of increasing access and efficiency of air travel. Atlanta, GA was established as the hub through which most flights were routed while other airports were designated as spokes where travelers might begin or complete their routes. In healthcare, the Hub and Spoke Model has been used to increase access to specialized care within primary care settings, in addition to the traditional offering at a hospital or specialty clinic. CommUnityCare’ s Care Connections (CareCo) Clinic serves as both a hub (for complex procedures) and a spoke (for key services), bringing together a remarkable array of services for our patients with the highest burden of clinical illness as well as people experiencing homelessness. With this model we are boldly and safely challenging traditional notions of “right care, right place, right time.” Some of these services include the following:

1. Paracentesis is a procedure that is typically provided in a hospital setting that provides relief to individuals by draining fluid that has accumulated in the abdomen. This procedure helps avoid visits to the emergency room or hospital, and patients prefer the calm setting of our clinic with their trusted providers and team.

2. Hepatitis C treatment was traditionally provided exclusively by a GI or Infectious Disease specialist, but with newer hepatitis C medications, treatment protocols have been simplified allowing for treatment in the primary care setting. CareCo is one of a number of sites at CommUnityCare to offer Hep C screening, diagnosis, and treatment within the convenience of our patients’ primary care experience.

3. Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) combines medication and behavioral therapy to treat substance use disorder, including the remarkably effective medication, buprenorphine, for the treatment of opioid use disorder. Initiation of this treatment requires intensive support, however, once a patient has stabilized on buprenorphine at our SEHWC hub, they are then transferred to a spoke site, including CareCo, for continued treatment. This exciting work is led by our MAT lead, Emily Humphrey.

4. HIV care has traditionally been delivered out of our hub site, the David Powell Clinic. Timely linkage to care is critical in the treatment of HIV, and CareCo Clinic has been developed as a spoke site to provide HIV care. Through additional HRSA grant funding, a HIV case manager and community health worker will be hired to assist with the spoke model work. This exciting addition is led by our Sexual Health Associate Director, Dr. Mike Stefanowicz.

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(Austin) – Central Health-affiliated CommUnityCare Health Centers is now administering Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages 5 through 11 years old who are established patients. CommUnityCare is also offering booster shots by appointment only to eligible adult patients who completed their primary Pfizer-BIONtech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine series. Children and adult patients can receive their shots at their CommUnityCare home clinic (medical home).

To support the demand for pediatric vaccines and provide adequate staffing, CommUnityCare will close its walk-in vaccine locations starting this Friday, Nov. 12, at Rosewood-Zaragoza, North Central Health Center, and Southeast Health & Wellness Center. “CommUnityCare strongly encourages patients eligible for a COVID-19 booster to come in and get their shot and is also encouraging parents to vaccinate their children five and up,” CommUnityCare CEO Jaeson Fournier said, while noting that, “Vaccines continue to be the most effective way to prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, the following vaccine recipients are eligible for any of the COVID-19 boosters authorized in the United States:

Those who have completed the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine series at least six months ago and are:

      • 65 years or older
      • Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
      • Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
      • Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk setting

Those who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago and are 18 years and older

“Vaccines and boosters are key to stopping the spread and keeping each other safe,” Central Health President & CEO Mike Geeslin said. “COVID boosters and pediatric vaccines are free and will be the best reinforcement for a safe and healthy holiday season.” Pfizer’s vaccine for younger kids is two doses of 10 micrograms, rather than the 30 micrograms per dose used for people 12 and older.

For more information and to schedule appointments, call CommUnityCare at 512-978-9015. For the latest information on CommUnityCare’s efforts related to COVID-19, visit HTTPS://COMMUNITYCARETX.ORG/COVID19/#VACCINEINFO.

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(Blog) – We’re celebrating more than 10 years of serving Central Texas to improve health equity and we are looking forward to another 10 years. We are committed to providing the right care, at the right time, and the right place for those who need us most. We can’t wait to show you what we do next. Click on the video link below to learn more!

For Spanish version click below:

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(Update) – We are now administering COVID-19 booster shots to eligible patients who completed their primary Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine series. (We do not have J&J boosters).

The CDC’s new recommendations allow for mix and match dosing for booster shots. While booster vaccines are available at all CommUnityCare locations, the type may vary depending on location. CommUnityCare is reaching out to patients via phone, text and MyChart to encourage them to make an appointment for a booster if they meet the criteria.

We are also preparing to provide recently approved pediatric doses for patients age 5 to 11 once federal and state guidelines for vaccination are finalized. Appointments will be made available once that work is complete.

CommUnityCare and Carousel patients can receive their booster and children’s vaccines at their home clinic; the broader community can receive their boosters at the following sites:

North Central Health Center
1210 W. Braker Lane
Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Southeast Health & Wellness Center
2901 Montopolis Drive
Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

More information and appointments are available by calling our Patient Navigation Center at 512-978-9015.

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(Blog) – Nurses are the heart of CommUnityCare Health Centers and are often the first providers that patients engage with. Listen to Marion Douglas, long time nurse and The DAISY Award winner talk about why she loves working at CommUnityCare and what the DAISY award means to her.

 

 

 

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(Blog) – The Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH)  is a homeless shelter in downtown Austin that can house up to 100 individuals on any given night. Our ARCH clinic, dedicated to patients experiencing homelessness, is located on the first floor of the lobby.

On October 14th, 2021, the ARCH clinic team hosted a special event for women experiencing homelessness, to encourage health screening and improve health engagement. The event was open only to women, and they were warmly welcomed into the waiting room for snacks, tea, and free goodies like purses and nail polish. Many women participated, some of who had not had any regular healthcare for over 10 years. Pap smears (cervical cancer screening) were collected, mammograms were ordered, flu and Covid vaccines were administered, and screening labs (for diabetes, STDs, etc) were performed. The women had a chance to meet the whole team, including our behavioral health counselor and case manager, to discuss their needs and struggles. Many women shared that, through the event, they felt loved and cared for; our hope is that our team at the ARCH will continue to support these women to promote their health and well-being.

 

 

 

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(Blog) – View the latest blog post from CommUnityCare Health Centers about dealing with stress, especially as a healthcare provider, and how to provide self-care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Remember, help is just a phone call or click away.

Self-Care during the COVID-19 pandemic

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(Austin) – Central Health-affiliated CommUnityCare Health Centers announced guidelines and eligibility requirements for COVID-19 booster shots for patients and non-patients who received their second Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least six months ago.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, to be eligible for the Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot, individuals must have completed their primary Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine series at least six months ago AND are either:

  • 65 years of age and older
  • residents of long-term care facilities
  • aged 50-64 with an underlying medical condition
  • aged 18-49 with an underlying medical condition who want a booster vaccine based on individual assessment of benefit and risk
  • aged 18-64 who are in an occupational or institutional setting where the burden of COVID-19 infection and risk of transmission is high (including but not limited to healthcare workers, first responders, and teachers)

Studies have shown that after getting vaccinated against COVID-19, protection against the virus, including the delta variant, may decrease over time.  COVID-19 vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent severe disease, although data suggests that mild disease may still occur, especially with the delta variant. Based on clinical trial data, a Pfizer-BioNTech booster shot improves protection against COVID-19, including the delta variant.

“We strongly encourage recommended groups who got their second COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine more than six months ago to get a booster shot now,” CommUnityCare CEO Jaeson Fournier said, while noting that, “Eligible CommUnityCare patients can schedule their booster shot by calling 512-978-9015 or they can stop by our Rosewood Zaragosa Vaccine Clinic,

North Central Health Center, or the Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center to get their booster without an appointment.”

CommUnityCare will also be providing the COVID-19 boosters to anyone from the community who is eligible to receive their COVID-19 Pfizer-BioNTech booster at the walk-in sites mentioned above.

Consistent with CDC guidance, CommUnityCare will only be providing the Pfizer-BioNTech booster to people already vaccinated with two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. People in the eligible groups who received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine might also see enhanced protection from a booster shot but will need to wait for further study and analysis from the CDC and authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Vaccines are the most important protection against COVID-19, but we must do even more,” Central Health President & CEO Mike Geeslin said. “As long as COVID-19 continues to spread in our community, even vaccinated people should be cautious about indoor and outdoor gatherings, and while shopping, eating out, and traveling. Masks are an added level of protection and we should keep wearing them as continue to work on getting everyone in our community fully vaccinated.”

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About Central Health
Central Health is the local health care district that connects 1 in 9 Travis County residents with low income to quality health care. We work with a network of partners to eliminate health disparities and reach our vision of Travis County becoming a model healthy community.

 

About CommUnityCare Health Centers
CommUnityCare’s vision is to improve the health of the community by increasing access to the best care possible. Today, CommUnityCare provides services at 27 locations in Travis County. Each year, its health centers provide care to almost 125,000 individual patients through 400,000 plus medical and dental patient appointments.