Boosting health care access for families
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The new Las Vegas Trail Health Center caters to kids and adults. Photo: Courtesy of Cook Children's Health Care System
A public-private partnership between several Fort Worth institutions provides medical care for families, from babies to grandparents, under one roof.
Why it matters: This is the first time two of Fort Worth's oldest hospital systems are sharing a building to help families meet all of their primary care needs in one trip.
- The effort could be a model in other areas of North Texas.
The big picture: The city of Fort Worth, Cook Children's, JPS, the WestAid food pantry and the nonprofit LVTRise worked together to establish the center, which has medical offices and shared spaces for the community.
- The partners hope to build more centers like it in the future.
State of play: The Las Vegas Trail Health Center will boost health care access in the 1.7-square-mile Fort Worth neighborhood home to about 14,000 people.
- Residents have had to travel to other parts of Fort Worth for appointments — often split between multiple facilities based on their ages and needs.
- About 30% of residents don't have reliable transportation, per LVTRise.
How it works: The Cook Children's side of Las Vegas Trail Health Center offers immunizations, sick care and on-site labs. The JPS side serves adolescents and adults, with doctors trained in everything from women's health to elder care and behavioral health.
- There's also a food pantry, satellite police office, demonstration kitchen, playground and spaces for community classes, including workforce development and sessions led by a dietitian.
Fun fact: Over 40 languages are spoken in the neighborhood, advocates say.
- The new clinic will offer video translation devices.
What they're saying: Before the neighborhood center opened, Las Vegas Trail resident Alexabely Lamper often had to take time off work and drive to downtown Fort Worth for appointments.
- "As a mother of two small children and as a patient myself — being hypertensive — having a place close here is very significant," Lamper told reporters on Tuesday.
What's next: The center is already open but will host a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, offering guided tours and other events throughout the month.