Talks
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
LuBeth Pérez
Academic Level (Author 1)
Faculty
Discipline/Specialty (Author 1)
Population Health
Academic Level (Author 2)
Staff
Academic Level (Author 3)
Staff
Academic Level (Author 4)
Faculty
Discipline/Specialty (Author 4)
Population Health
Discipline Track
Community/Public Health
Abstract Type
Program Abstract
Abstract
Purpose: The Community Health Partnership Centers were created through a shared vision and collaboration between UTRGV and its community partners to address health disparities in the Rio Grande Valley. Located in La Victoria, San Carlos, and Southmost, these centers provide accessible, affordable care embedded within neighborhoods that have historically faced barriers to healthcare. As part of the UTRGV School of Medicine’s mission to transform the health of the Rio Grande Valley through innovative education, community service, and high-quality, patient-centered care, the centers also serve as clinical training sites designed to cultivate a diverse healthcare workforce that is informed by and responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.
Description: The Community Health Partnership Centers house Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) and operate in collaboration with local county governments, which provide in-kind clinic space. Full-time nurse practitioners deliver affordable primary and preventative care, while medical residents offer additional services, ensuring comprehensive and preventive care for community members. Collaborations with specialties such as OBGYN and Podiatric Medicine further expand the scope of care available, addressing a wider range of health needs. Since opening our doors in 2018, we have provided care to over 40,000 patients. AHEC Scholars, who are students from diverse health professions, participate in hands-on, community-based training at the centers. Their involvement strengthens the health workforce pipeline by exposing future providers to real world experiences in rural and underserved settings. Our patient-centered model reduces financial barriers, fosters continuity of care, and builds trust within the communities served. Key lessons include the importance of local presence, sustained partnerships, and responsive care models tailored to community needs.
Partners: Our program is funded by the UTRGV School of Medicine and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). We collaborate closely with county governments in Starr, Hidalgo, and Cameron, who provide in kind space for clinic operations, an essential factor for sustainability and community integration. Through our special affiliation with the UT Health RGV clinical program, we offer health care services to patients in South Texas. Additionally, our AHEC Scholars Program enrolls students from the UTRGV School of Medicine, School of Podiatric Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Social Work, and the College of Health Professions. These students participate in interdisciplinary community-based training designed to address health disparities throughout the region.
Looking Ahead: The Community Health Partnership Centers continue to improve access and health outcomes by delivering consistent, affordable care and connecting patients with long-term providers. Our model supports individual well-being and helps bridge gaps in healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas. We remain committed to expanding services, strengthening partnerships, and adapting to evolving community needs to advance health equity across the region. As trusted sources of care, the centers play a meaningful role in strengthening the local health system and building relationships within the communities we serve.
Presentation Type
Talk
Recommended Citation
Pérez, LuBeth; Jimenez, Miguel; Duran, Xavier; and Vela, Leonel, "Community Health Partnership Centers: Strengthening Access to Care in Underserved Communities" (2025). Research Colloquium. 7.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/colloquium/2025/talks/7
Included in
Community Health Partnership Centers: Strengthening Access to Care in Underserved Communities
Purpose: The Community Health Partnership Centers were created through a shared vision and collaboration between UTRGV and its community partners to address health disparities in the Rio Grande Valley. Located in La Victoria, San Carlos, and Southmost, these centers provide accessible, affordable care embedded within neighborhoods that have historically faced barriers to healthcare. As part of the UTRGV School of Medicine’s mission to transform the health of the Rio Grande Valley through innovative education, community service, and high-quality, patient-centered care, the centers also serve as clinical training sites designed to cultivate a diverse healthcare workforce that is informed by and responsive to the needs of the communities they serve.
Description: The Community Health Partnership Centers house Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) and operate in collaboration with local county governments, which provide in-kind clinic space. Full-time nurse practitioners deliver affordable primary and preventative care, while medical residents offer additional services, ensuring comprehensive and preventive care for community members. Collaborations with specialties such as OBGYN and Podiatric Medicine further expand the scope of care available, addressing a wider range of health needs. Since opening our doors in 2018, we have provided care to over 40,000 patients. AHEC Scholars, who are students from diverse health professions, participate in hands-on, community-based training at the centers. Their involvement strengthens the health workforce pipeline by exposing future providers to real world experiences in rural and underserved settings. Our patient-centered model reduces financial barriers, fosters continuity of care, and builds trust within the communities served. Key lessons include the importance of local presence, sustained partnerships, and responsive care models tailored to community needs.
Partners: Our program is funded by the UTRGV School of Medicine and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). We collaborate closely with county governments in Starr, Hidalgo, and Cameron, who provide in kind space for clinic operations, an essential factor for sustainability and community integration. Through our special affiliation with the UT Health RGV clinical program, we offer health care services to patients in South Texas. Additionally, our AHEC Scholars Program enrolls students from the UTRGV School of Medicine, School of Podiatric Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Social Work, and the College of Health Professions. These students participate in interdisciplinary community-based training designed to address health disparities throughout the region.
Looking Ahead: The Community Health Partnership Centers continue to improve access and health outcomes by delivering consistent, affordable care and connecting patients with long-term providers. Our model supports individual well-being and helps bridge gaps in healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas. We remain committed to expanding services, strengthening partnerships, and adapting to evolving community needs to advance health equity across the region. As trusted sources of care, the centers play a meaningful role in strengthening the local health system and building relationships within the communities we serve.
