OurLegacyToday Fall 2016
Legacy Community Health Board of Directors Beth Bruce Chairperson
Amanda Goodie Vice-Chairperson
Lauren Soliz
School-Based Clinics Offer Accessible Health Care for Students and their Families
Secretary
Glenn Bauguss Treasurer
Glenna Pierpont
At-Large / Executive Committee
Sehba Ali Beryl Basham Tony Bravo George Burch Dr. Abigail Caudle Victor Cordova, Jr. Cyndy Garza Roberts Bryan Hlavinka Alex Jessett Bethsheba Johnson Alton LaDay Johnson Olatunji Marissa Taler
Legacy Community Health Endowment Board of Directors Claire Cormier Thielke Chairperson
Tripp Carter
Vice-Chairperson
When students at KIPP and YES Prep schools get sick, they no longer have to leave campus for a doctor’s appointment. Quality care is just a short walk away at Legacy Community Health’s schoolbased clinics at 11 KIPP schools and seven YES Prep campuses, where students can see Legacy providers for primary care and behavioral health services. Families who want to participate must register their children prior to the first day of school. Then, when children fall ill, the school clinic coordinator can call parents to approve an appointment. The best part? Parents don’t have to miss valuable time away from work. “At KIPP, we believe that healthy children are better able to focus on their own learning growth,” says KIPP Houston Public Schools’ Superintendent and Legacy board member Sehba Ali. “We are grateful our families have access to convenient and high-quality health care directly in our schools.” Students are treated for high fevers, ear aches, or sore throats, and our nurse practitioners prescribe medications and monitor chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, or obesity. But the services aren’t limited to students; parents can also schedule appointments like well-child visits for students and their siblings. Last year, Legacy providers saw more than 4,200 patients through 13,000 patient visits. “It’s not just urgent care. We’ve become their primary care providers, and in turn the medical homes for their families,” says Mykal O’Shea, Legacy’s Director of SchoolBased Clinics. “Because of the access that comes with being right there on campus, we can provide comprehensive care.”
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Ashley Pineda visits with student Sadie Calvillo at Legacy’s KIPP Sharp campus clinic. Clinic providers who observe behavioral issues, family conflicts, or learning difficulties can also refer students to Legacy’s school-based behavioral health services. Students and their families can make an appointment at any campus for depression, anxiety, grief, and family issues. “Social, emotional, and behavioral issues have an unprecedented effect on academics,” says Teandra Gordon, Director of Therapy Services for School Based Clinics. “The more the families interact with our providers, the more the stigma about mental health is minimized.” Seeing the children more frequently improves the continuum of care, which results in better health outcomes. Nurse Practitioner Ashley Pineda says this also builds trusting relationships between Legacy providers and families. “I see them in the halls, and I’m there at their talent shows and special events,” she says. “We even get invitations to birthday parties! We’re part of both the KIPP family and the families that we serve.” Future plans include student ambassador councils at YES Prep locations to encourage adolescent students to become more involved with their health care. The growth of the school clinic program is just one more way Legacy is connecting communities to health every day, in every way!
James A. Reeder, Jr. Secretary
Mike Holloman Treasurer Michael Alexander
Your donations helped fill backpacks with Thank You For Supporting school supplies to ensure our youngsters were Legacy’s Back To School Drive equipped to learn!
Joshua L. Espinedo Bryan Hlavinka Brent N. Whiteley
Melanie Gray
Board Member Emeritus
Melissa Mithoff
Board Member Emeritus
Monsour Taghdisi
Board Member Emeritus
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Volunteer Finds His Second Chance at Legacy Jon Oxley is a rookie in the billing department at Legacy Community Health, but what he lacks in experience he more than makes up for with six decades of hard-earned life lessons. Three years ago, Jon was homeless and living out of his car. A successful career in dispatching and logistics had stalled with the economy, and years of addiction had finally caught up with him. Jon ended up in the hospital with severe gastrointestinal issues and a foot condition that required a partial amputation. “The first time I used drugs I was 11 years old, so in the back of my mind I knew I was always going to have a problem,” Jon says. “I would have stretches of sobriety, but I would always pick up where I left off. All of my talents, smarts, and confidence were given away to my addiction.” The hospital stay led to time at Open Door Mission’s Convalescent Care program, where Jon found faith and the strength to finally kick his chemical dependence. As he regained his health Jon also found a calling to serve, and he began volunteering at Legacy. Volunteer Coordinator Debbie Costello says he jumped right in. “He finish one job, and then wanted more. He was always willing to do anything,“ Debbie says. “When he was ready to take the next step, I wanted to help.” Debbie knew Legacy’s Billing Department had an opening, and was sure Jon would be a perfect fit for the job. His supervisor Michelle Robinson agrees. “He came in and said he was ready to learn and absorb like a sponge. He’s a model employee. He’s very cheerful, says hello to everybody, and is very personable.” While Jon had to learn new software and new job responsibilities, he also became a teacher, leading by example for his younger coworkers in the soft skills of punctuality and professionalism at work.
Michelle Robinson and Jon Oxley at work in Legacy’s Billing Department
His full-time job means Jon doesn’t have as much free time as he used to, but he still makes time to volunteer at Legacy. He also serves on the board of Harris Health System’s Healthcare for the Homeless, and mentors other men who are struggling with addiction. “I tell other young guys please don’t be like me. Get ahead of this thing now and you’ll have 30 or 40 more good years in front of you,” he says. This October will mark a year and 10 months of sobriety for Jon. With faith and friends, he knows he’s finally on the right path.
Texas Children’s Hospital Health Educator Elizabeth Pena shows Safe at Home moms how to assemble the portable crib
Safe at Home Classes Teach Moms About Infant Safety About 3,500 infants die in the U.S. suddenly and unexpectedly each year from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS is the leading cause of death for infants one to 12 months old. Legacy and Texas Children’s Hospital have partnered to teach expecting mothers about home safety and infant safe sleep practices. Participants learn not to share the bed with babies or expose them to cigarette smoke. Infants should sleep on their backs in a crib with no bumpers or extra pillows. Mothers who complete the program receive a portable crib, donated through Kohl’s Safe at Home program. More than 700 mothers have participated since the program began in 2011.
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Body Positive Wellness Center Director Felicia Sexton is all smiles thanks to this generous $8,000 donation from the Montrose Softball League Association presented by MSLA Assistant Commissioner David Wong.
Legacy was a beneficiary of the inaugural Gay 10K run in downtown Houston. Pictured are Timmy Martinez, David Wong, Lynne Tyer, Scott Sawyer, Stan McDonald, Tony Bravo, and Jeffery Martin.
Legacy’s Maria Cantu-Ondarza received the Comcast Hispanic Hero Award for her commitment to making a difference in the community. Also pictured are Comcast Regional Senior VP Ralph Martinez and VP of External Affairs Ray Purser.
14th Annual Legacy Luncheon
Kirk and Beth Bruce
Houston City Council Member and Mayor Pro-Tem Ellen Cohen and Cyndy Garza Roberts
Danielle Ellis and Mary Ann McKeithan
Claire Cormier Thielke and Ginni Mithoff
Vince Pryor and Top Notch sponsor Alan Dettlaff, Dean of the UH Graduate College of Social Work
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Mario Elie, Gina Gaston, Kelli Cohen Fein, MD, and Martin Fein
Todd Fiscus, Dominique Sachse, and Ceron
Premier sponsor Ryan Chuston applauds the performers
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Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Houston, TX Permit No. 1886
P.O. Box 66308 Houston, TX 77266-6308
Beginning of November Season of Giving
December 1 World AIDS Day
Make a difference in the lives of Legacy’s clients with a monetary contribution for family Thanksgiving meals or a toy donation for our pediatric patients.
Join us at Legacy Montrose as we unite in the fight against HIV.
giving@legacycommunityhealth.org • (832) 730-4433 Volunteers are also needed for our patient holiday parties! Debbie Costello, dcostello@legacycommunityhealth.org (832)548-5239
Tim Martinez, tjmartinez@ legacycommunityhealth.org (832) 548-5123
Spring 2017 The 2017 Frank Billingsley Golf Classic Hit the links with us at the Golf Club of Houston for the 7th annual tournament with KPRC Chief Meteorologist Frank Billingsley Tim Martinez, tjmartinez@legacycommunityhealth.org (832) 548-5123
Stay up to date on the latest Legacy events and volunteer opportunities. www.facebook.com/OurLegacyToday @OurLegacyToday
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December 7 2016 Holiday Schmooze Eat, drink, and be merry at Legacy’s annual winter soiree. Join us for this year’s Holiday Schmooze at Life HTX hosted by Henry Richardson and Monsour Taghdisi, Greggory and Pat Burke, Steve Summers and Glen Gonzales, and Becca and John Thrash. events@legacycommunityhealth.org (832)200-7150
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