OUR LEGACY TODAY Fall 2025 | Legacy Community Health Newsletter | LegacyCommunityHealth.org
Legacy’s Next Chapter Begins with Robert Palussek at the Helm When the Legacy Operating Board appointed Robert Palussek as Chief Executive Officer earlier this year, it confirmed a leader who had already been guiding the organization through transition. His appointment took effect on June 5, following several months of service as Interim CEO. Robert first stepped into that interim role last November. “Robert has provided steady leadership and an unwavering focus on patient-centered care,” said Ryan Martin, Chair of Legacy’s Operating Board. “The Board is confident he is the right leader to guide Legacy forward.” From the start, Robert emphasized listening. He launched clinic visits to hear directly from staff and clinicians. “Those conversations were one of the most meaningful parts of my transition into the CEO role,” recalled Robert. “Whether I was sitting with clinical teams to understand their needs, talking with front desk staff about their interactions with patients, or learning about each clinic itself, I left with appreciation for their honesty and a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities we face as one team at Legacy.” That emphasis on listening was paired with transparency. Robert prioritized organizational health with regular all-agency calls, clearer communication, and a reorganization better to align people and processes with Legacy’s mission. “We realized we had to right-size some decisions and make changes in organizational leadership to set a foundation for a future-ready structure,” he explained. He has also worked closely with executive and senior leaders to establish four guiding pillars for Legacy’s future: Fiscal Responsibility, Healthy Growth, Patient Access, and People & Culture. These principles now shape decisions at 62 locations and ensure Legacy stays true to its mission of delivering health care without judgment or exception. “We’ve driven enhanced access and quality scores, and we’re seeing better financial results that support our journey to long-term sustainability,” Robert noted.
Robert and Iwona Palussek Investing in people is central to Robert’s vision. To ease burnout and improve patient care, Legacy has added nearly 40 support positions to ensure clinical teams have the resources they need. “We are optimizing internal support so clinicians can focus on patients, and every team member can deliver great service without carrying an unsustainable load,” he emphasized. That investment extends to provider retention, performance expectations, and culture. “It’s okay to disagree and to point out opportunities,” he added. “When we do so respectfully, we get better together.” Robert has also taken Legacy’s story beyond Houston, advocating in Austin and Washington, D.C. to ensure policymakers understand the essential role community health centers play. “We are preparing for potential headwinds by staying nimble and diversifying revenue,” he shared. That diversification includes expanded philanthropy, grants, pharmacy income, and new partnerships—such as the collaboration with Houston Methodist and its $51.5 million grant for clinics in Pasadena and Acres Home. For Robert, Legacy’s greatest strength is its people. “The people of Legacy are here for the right reasons,” he reflected. “Our leaders have stepped up, our teams are engaged, and together we are forging a new path ahead.” With nearly 190,000 unique patients served last year across the Texas Gulf Coast, Legacy’s impact is immense—and deeply tied to the commitment of staff, clinicians, and supporters. Robert also reaffirmed Legacy’s unwavering commitment to inclusive care. “We will continue to provide the services to our core communities until the federal government tells us we’re no longer allowed to,” he affirmed. “Legacy has the reach, the breadth, and the resilience to weather challenges and focus on the future while delivering excellent patient experiences and outcomes.”
Robert’s approach is shaped by decades of experience in health care. He began his career as a finance analyst with the Florida Department of Health, later holding director roles in finance and operations. After experience In Robert’s words, in a for-profit Legacy is like a hospital system, lighthouse in stormy he transitioned seas—steady, visible, into community and vital. The work health as CEO ahead will demand Meeting with staff at Legacy San Jacinto in Baytown. of Family Health both discipline and Centers of Southwest heart. With Robert’s Florida for nearly seven years. That blend of financial discipline, leadership, grounded in four clear pillars and Legacy’s mission, the operational knowledge, and a passion for community impact informs his organization is positioned not only to navigate uncertainty but to emerge leadership today. stronger – ensuring every patient who needs care can find it at Legacy today and for generations to come.
Legacy’s Central Fill Pharmacy: Innovation at the Heart of Care
Walk through the door of Legacy’s Central Fill pharmacy, and you’ll encounter a noisy, high-tech operation with rows of conveyor belts and computers, and two medication-filled automated pods hard at work. Inside, robot arms gently grasp empty pill bottles, then whirl around to the correct bin for pill dispensing. The pods cap the containers before sending them out for pharmacist verification and shipment preparation. Opened in 2022, Central Fill has transformed the way Legacy provides pharmacy services. With advanced technology and a dedicated team of professionals, this hub fills more than 2,000 prescriptions each day. Orders are delivered to Legacy clinics for pick-up or directly to patients – free of charge. Even refrigerated medications are handled with care and precision.
Terrie Kirk, manager of the facility. “We’ve grown from a 400-squarefoot closet pharmacy in 2007 to filling hundreds of prescriptions a day across three pharmacies. And with the robots we have in place, we could easily double our daily volume. We have room to expand and we’re ready for it.” That growth has already been extraordinary. In 2024 alone, Legacy filled more than half a million prescriptions, with Central Fill dispensing 67% of that number. You don’t have to be a Legacy patient to use our pharmacies at the Montrose, Southwest, and Lyons clinics; our underconstruction Pasadena and Acres Homes locations will also offer the service. What’s more, customers can also choose delivery by couriers, who pick up prescriptions three times a day and deliver them right to patients’ doors. When Legacy first began offering pharmacy services eight years ago, the goal was to improve medication adherence for people living with HIV. “Fewer than 20% of our patients were consistently taking their medications, and we knew they wouldn’t get better”, recalled Jamie Kim, Vice President of Pharmacy Services. “So, we built our own pharmacy. Today, adherence for HIV patients is at 90%.”
“Central Fill allows us to serve patients efficiently and at scale,” explained
Legacy Community Health Operating Board
Legacy Community Health Endowment Board
Ryan Martin Chairperson
Mike Holloman Chairperson
Ronnie Kurtin Vice-Chairperson
George Hawkins Vice-Chairperson
Cathy Easter Treasurer
Gerry Heard Treasurer
Taryn Hargrove Gore Secretary
Sharon Land Secretary
Allison Floyd Wells, M.D. At-Large / Executive Committee
Linda Cantu
Gary Hammett George Hawkins Bryan Hlavinka Neftali Partida Cindy Scharringhausen
Cyndy Garza Roberts James Hazen Rosi Hernandez Bryan Hlavinka Ronnie Kurtin Steve Pate
Board Members Emeriti Melanie Gray Melissa Mithoff James A. Reeder, Jr.
Monsour Taghdisi Claire Cormier Thielke
In recent years, Legacy received national URAC accreditation the gold standard in health care accreditation - and broadened its specialty pharmacy services. The addition of GLP-1 medications for weight loss and diabetes has brought more patients into care while strengthening sustainability. As the largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Texas, Legacy also participates in the Federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, which allows pharmacies to purchase outpatient medications at discounted rates. We then reinvest those savings into services for our uninsured and underinsured patients. “If you send us two insured prescriptions, we can treat five uninsured patients,” said Kim. “That’s the power of 340B. It allows us to live out our vision to connect our communities to health.” From a closet-sized drugstore to a cutting-edge hub of care for all Texans, the innovation of Legacy’s Central Fill and Pharmacy services is driving healthy change in our communities.
PLANNED GIVING
Your Story, Your Legacy, Your Family’s Future
As the crisp air of fall arrives, many of us pause to reflect on the roots of our families and the legacies we hope to leave behind. October is National Family History Month—a perfect reminder that your story is part of something bigger, and the choices you make today can nurture your loved ones far into the future. By creating an estate plan, you can ensure your wishes are honored and your family is cared for. This thoughtful act allows you to: • Decide who will receive your assets, from homes and cars to heirlooms and photo albums
• Designate guardians for your children and pets—the most precious branches of your family tree • Appoint someone to make health care decisions if you cannot, and • Even grow a legacy gift that supports Legacy’s mission to connect our communities to health every day, in every way.
For more information contact Tim Martinez at (713) 203-7221, tjmartinez@legacycommunityhealth.org or visit legacy.community/plannedgiving.
update your will—and other important documents—in just 20 minutes, at no cost. Scan the QR code below or visit freewill.com/legacy.
To make this essential step simple, Legacy has partnered with FreeWill. Their free, online platform allows you to make or
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Legacy in the Community Healthy and Ready to Learn Legacy’s annual Back to School campaign equipped families across Greater Houston and Beaumont with resources to start the school year strong. More than 3,600 backpacks were distributed through our pediatric clinics and community events, while volunteers supported 15 back-to-school gatherings— many offering free health checks from our pharmacy team. The campaign also served as a bridge, connecting families to Legacy’s full range of health care services. This effort was made possible thanks to the generosity of top sponsors ExxonMobil, Quest, and the many volunteers and community partners who gave their time and support.
Mayor’s Back to School Celebration in Houston
Houston Police Department’s Back-to-School in Gulfton
ExxonMobil
Pharmacy Team
A Sip, A Bite, and A Conversation On May 21, community members joined Legacy for “A Sip, A Bite, and a Conversation,” a gathering to share how Legacy is driving healthy change. The event highlighted Legacy’s impact, mission, and commitment to connecting communities to health care. Mollie Gordon, Shelley Karni, Yair Ilouz, and Dana Karni volunteering for Little Readers at Baker-Ripley.
Isabelle Longoria, Renita Cooksey, and Linda Cantu
Back to School in Alief
Chree Boydstun, Shannon Hall, and Deb Rockman
Pharmacy Innovation Recognized Angie and Martin Serda
Wanna Hadnott and Shari Heyen
Pharmacy Clinic Operations Director Kevin Aloysius was honored with the Excellence in Innovation Award at the 2025 Texas Pharmacy Association Annual Conference. The award recognizes pharmacists who advance the profession through innovative practices that improve patient care.
Central Texas Flood Relief Legacy Community Health delivered a truckload of supplies to La Esperanza Clinic in San Angelo, Texas, in response to devastating floods. The effort included hygiene kits and essential items, provided with support from International Medical Corps and Direct Relief. Facilities Management Senior Director Eric Howard and Marketing Manager Ivan Bocanegra made the six-hour drive to deliver supplies. “Our fellow community health centers always rise to the cause,” said CEO Dean Munn. “We appreciate our friends at Legacy for stepping in to help.”
Ivan Bocanegra, Irma Rojas, Dean Munn, and Kevin Howard
Kevin Aloysius - Pharmacy Clinic Operations Director
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