$50M Donation Expands Access to Healthcare in Underserved Areas

Legacy Community Health announced Houston Methodist, a leading health system in Texas, donated $50 million to expand access to healthcare services by building community health centers for underserved communities in Houston.

Legacy Community Health is the largest federally qualified health center (FQHC) in the state of Texas, with more than 50 community health centers in Texas and 41 centers in communities of the Greater Houston area.

The investment will fund two capital projects in addition to supplying operating funds for Legacy Community Health centers in North Houston and Pasadena.

Furthermore, Houston Methodist will purchase the land for Legacy Community Health’s two new clinics.

“Thousands of patients across the city will benefit from the addition of two new community health clinics in the Houston area. Together we can expand to provide quality, specialized health care and support programs designed to tackle some of the greatest health issues impacting our communities,” Marc Boom, MD, president, and CEO of Houston Methodist, said in a public statement.

The Houston Methodist donation aims to close care gaps and deliver critical services to some of the most underserved communities in Texas. The clinics will provide residents of North Houston and Pasadena access to adult and pediatric primary care, comprehensive HIV care, specialty care such as endocrinology, and support services.

“These centers will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology designed to offer a welcoming atmosphere to those in need of health and wellness services, without judgment and regardless of their ability to pay,” the press release states.

As part of its Community Health Program Investment, Houston Methodist has earmarked $100 million for future community health projects to support underrepresented communities in the Houston area.

“Houston Methodist is proud to partner with Legacy Community Health to support the critical work it is doing in some of our most vulnerable Houston communities,” said Boom.

Legacy’s partnership with Houston Methodist started in 1998 and has supported several community-based programs such as Legacy’s Youth Re-entry Program, the Community Scholars Program, and the Community Network of Care.