By Kevin Nix
Legacy Community Health has announced the groundbreaking ceremony for its new clinic in the Gulfton/southwest area of Houston. The 33,500 sq. ft. campus replaces the health center’s existing location that specializes in OB/GYN and pediatrics.
“The demand for quality, affordable health care in southwest Houston is very high,” said Katy Caldwell, CEO of Legacy Community Health. “The new building will enable us to better meet the growing health care needs of a large underserved population and to do so in a welcoming space that reflects the diversity of the Gulfton community. We’ve renovated our current location in the neighborhood five times, so it’s time for an expansion.”
The groundbreaking ceremony is on Friday, December 14 at 12:00pm located at 6441 High Star Dr., Houston, TX 77074.
Southwest Houston is undergoing a health care crisis. The area has higher rates of chronic diseases like diabetes, obesity, health disease and high blood pressure than the rest of Houston. More than 30 percent of residents in the area live below the poverty level. Residents hail from more than 80 countries with approximately 20 different languages spoken in the community.
In 2010, Legacy opened a clinic in the neighborhood, which quickly became the organization’s busiest location, seeing 400 pregnant women a day. The new campus is the culmination of a $10 million capital campaign.
“We are blown away by the generosity of foundations, private donors, and our employees,” said Chree Boydstun, Legacy’s chief development officer. “Their generous investment will yield better health outcomes for a large underserved population, including many children. We’re especially grateful to those who stepped up after that very difficult period following Hurricane Harvey.”
In addition to health care, the clinic is scheduled to offer GED, English as a second language, computer literacy, and “becoming a mom” classes.
Global architecture firm Perkins + Will has designed the new space, currently slated to open in early 2020.