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Karnes Community Health Center Celebrates Open House Event
On Friday July 16, 2021, Karnes Community Health Center was finally able to present it's new building to the community. The original Grand Opening event had previously been scheduled for November of 2020, but due to COVID-19 it was canceled. Staff at Karnes enjoyed giving tours of the beautiful new building as well as raffling off some prizes from local restaurants. Albert Martinez, aide to Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, Daniel Diaz, Director of Operations for TACHC, and other local community members were in attendance and participated in the opening remarks and ribbon cutting ceremony. AHC is thankful to all who helped make this event possible including our Rockstar maintenance crew for helping set up and tear down the event, the Karnes City Council and Commissioner's Court, the staff of KCHC, 181 Nutrition, Gloria's Restaurant, Maggie's Place, and our wonderful Board of Directors.
Congressman Gonzalez Presents US Flags to Karnes Community Health Center and Live Oak Community Health Center
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Congressman Vicente Gonzales stopped by the Karnes Community Health Center and Live Oak Community Health Center this month to present both locations with a flag that was flown over the capitol in recognition of Nurse's Week. The flag's were flown specifically to honor each location for their hard work and dedication throughout the COVID pandemic.
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AHC Receives $4 Million from American Rescue Plan
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Congressman Henry Cuellar presented Atascosa Health Center with a check for $4,099,500 last Thursday.
The Atascosa Health Center Board meets Thursday to determine exactly how those funds will be spent. One of the top priorities discussed was the building of an Atascosa Health Care site specifically for the community of Poteet.
“It’s such a great honor to be here,” said Atascosa Health Center, CEO, Monty Small. “Over the last 16 years, since I started here, we had one site, and with the direction of the board today we are in five counties with six sites, soon to be seven sites if we do go into Poteet with the approval of the board.”
Small said that he has worked all sides of health care private and nonprofit. “I started in community health centers back in the 80s, not wanting to date oneself, but that’s been a few years ago. Without the funding of Congressman Cuellar and his peers that has been given to us to do what we do, we would not be here. It’s as simple as that. It is this funding that when that patient walks through our door, our practitioners don’t have to worry about anything but one thing, taking care of that patient. We don’t care if you have the best insurance or no insurance, we’re here. And this funding, in 30 plus years I’ve been doing this, it’s the first time ever, Congressman, that I’ve ever seen something like this really benefit the movement of community health centers nationwide.”
Atascosa Health Center CEO Monty Small, AHC CFO Maria Garcia, Congressman Cuellar, Pleasanton Mayor Travis and Atascosa County Judge Robert Hurley thanked the AHC board members and the AHC health care practitioners who have worked tirelessly through COVID-19 to keep the clinic going.
“I can certainly tell you that today is a fivestar kind of day since the Congressman is here with us,” said Pleasanton Mayor Travis Hall. “It’s a pleasure to be here today and congratulations to the Atascosa Health Center on the funding that you are receiving.”
“Who would have thought a couple of years ago that we would have been facing a global pandemic?” asked Hall. “Some of us have lost friends. Some of us have lost family members. I will tell you through all this, Monty, the Atascosa Health Center has done an outstanding job serving the city and serving the people of South Texas. Thanks to Congressman Cuellar who has continuously supported the city, and to Monty, the Atascosa Health Center staff and all the health care professionals and employees. I have said this many, many times before and I will say it again. You are truly an asset to this community, and we are glad to have you in our city.”
Wilkerson Holmes, N. (2021, May 12). Atascosa Health Center receives $4 million to build new sites. Pleasanton Express.
The Atascosa Health Center Board meets Thursday to determine exactly how those funds will be spent. One of the top priorities discussed was the building of an Atascosa Health Care site specifically for the community of Poteet.
“It’s such a great honor to be here,” said Atascosa Health Center, CEO, Monty Small. “Over the last 16 years, since I started here, we had one site, and with the direction of the board today we are in five counties with six sites, soon to be seven sites if we do go into Poteet with the approval of the board.”
Small said that he has worked all sides of health care private and nonprofit. “I started in community health centers back in the 80s, not wanting to date oneself, but that’s been a few years ago. Without the funding of Congressman Cuellar and his peers that has been given to us to do what we do, we would not be here. It’s as simple as that. It is this funding that when that patient walks through our door, our practitioners don’t have to worry about anything but one thing, taking care of that patient. We don’t care if you have the best insurance or no insurance, we’re here. And this funding, in 30 plus years I’ve been doing this, it’s the first time ever, Congressman, that I’ve ever seen something like this really benefit the movement of community health centers nationwide.”
Atascosa Health Center CEO Monty Small, AHC CFO Maria Garcia, Congressman Cuellar, Pleasanton Mayor Travis and Atascosa County Judge Robert Hurley thanked the AHC board members and the AHC health care practitioners who have worked tirelessly through COVID-19 to keep the clinic going.
“I can certainly tell you that today is a fivestar kind of day since the Congressman is here with us,” said Pleasanton Mayor Travis Hall. “It’s a pleasure to be here today and congratulations to the Atascosa Health Center on the funding that you are receiving.”
“Who would have thought a couple of years ago that we would have been facing a global pandemic?” asked Hall. “Some of us have lost friends. Some of us have lost family members. I will tell you through all this, Monty, the Atascosa Health Center has done an outstanding job serving the city and serving the people of South Texas. Thanks to Congressman Cuellar who has continuously supported the city, and to Monty, the Atascosa Health Center staff and all the health care professionals and employees. I have said this many, many times before and I will say it again. You are truly an asset to this community, and we are glad to have you in our city.”
Wilkerson Holmes, N. (2021, May 12). Atascosa Health Center receives $4 million to build new sites. Pleasanton Express.
Rep. Cuellar Announces $250,893 in Federal Funding to Atascosa Health Center
Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) announced $250,893 in federal funding to Atascosa Health Center. These funds, awarded through Health Resources and Services Administration’ Health Center Cluster program and Quality Improvement Awards, will help Atascosa provide critical health care services to communities in Atascosa, McMullen, and Wilson counties
“Atascosa Health Center is the backbone to our health system, especially as we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congressman Cuellar. “These federal funds will work to improve efficiency in care delivery and quality of care, leading to better overall health and well-being in the region.
“As a senior Appropriator, I will continue to ensure that health centers receive the necessary long-term funding to deliver the critical health care services that our community needs and deserves. I would like to thank Monty Small, CEO of Atascosa Health Center, and the rest of his staff for their constant commitment in continued care for patients during these unprecedented times.”
“We’re grateful to Congressman Cuellar and his support for these two grants,” said Monty Small, CEO of Atascosa Health Center, Inc. “These funds will allow AHC to continue growing our Behavioral Health Department by hiring another licensed professional counselor or licensed clinical social worker and continue to improve our information and technology systems.”
Quality Improvement Program
Specifically, Atascosa Health Center was awarded $83,893 through HRSA’s Quality Improvement Awards. HRSA distributes these awards to help health centers further strengthen quality improvement activities and expand quality primary health care service delivery.
The Quality Improvement Awards are also given out to recognize the highest performing health centers nationwide, as well as those health centers that have made significant quality improvements from the previous year. Health centers are recognized for achievements in various areas, including improving cost-efficient care delivery while also increasing quality of care, reducing health disparities, increasing both the number of patients served and patients’ ability to access comprehensive services, advancing the use of health information technology, and delivering patient-centered care.
Atascosa was awarded under the following categories:
Atascosa Health Center also received $167,000 through the Health Center Cluster Program. This program works to improve access to health care by building healthy communities, strengthening the health care workforce, and achieving health equity in rural and underserved areas. More than 27 million people– 1 in 12 nationwide – rely on a HRSA-funded health center for affordable, accessible primary health care
Through this grant, Atascosa Health Center will ensure that underserved rural communities receive critical behavioral services. This funding will go to support AHC’s Behavioral Health Department which served 315 behavioral health patients. These patients were provided with both mental health and Substance Use Disorder services. By providing these services, Atascosa Health Center ensures that Texans in the region have access to resources to improve their mental health.
Wilkerson-Holmes, N. (2020, September 4). Rep. Cuellar Announces $250,893 in Federal Funding to Atascosa Health Center. Pleasanton Express.
“Atascosa Health Center is the backbone to our health system, especially as we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Congressman Cuellar. “These federal funds will work to improve efficiency in care delivery and quality of care, leading to better overall health and well-being in the region.
“As a senior Appropriator, I will continue to ensure that health centers receive the necessary long-term funding to deliver the critical health care services that our community needs and deserves. I would like to thank Monty Small, CEO of Atascosa Health Center, and the rest of his staff for their constant commitment in continued care for patients during these unprecedented times.”
“We’re grateful to Congressman Cuellar and his support for these two grants,” said Monty Small, CEO of Atascosa Health Center, Inc. “These funds will allow AHC to continue growing our Behavioral Health Department by hiring another licensed professional counselor or licensed clinical social worker and continue to improve our information and technology systems.”
Quality Improvement Program
Specifically, Atascosa Health Center was awarded $83,893 through HRSA’s Quality Improvement Awards. HRSA distributes these awards to help health centers further strengthen quality improvement activities and expand quality primary health care service delivery.
The Quality Improvement Awards are also given out to recognize the highest performing health centers nationwide, as well as those health centers that have made significant quality improvements from the previous year. Health centers are recognized for achievements in various areas, including improving cost-efficient care delivery while also increasing quality of care, reducing health disparities, increasing both the number of patients served and patients’ ability to access comprehensive services, advancing the use of health information technology, and delivering patient-centered care.
Atascosa was awarded under the following categories:
- Clinical Quality Improvers: $20,643
- Advancing Health Information Technology (HIT) for Quality: $8,250
- Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition: $55,000
Atascosa Health Center also received $167,000 through the Health Center Cluster Program. This program works to improve access to health care by building healthy communities, strengthening the health care workforce, and achieving health equity in rural and underserved areas. More than 27 million people– 1 in 12 nationwide – rely on a HRSA-funded health center for affordable, accessible primary health care
Through this grant, Atascosa Health Center will ensure that underserved rural communities receive critical behavioral services. This funding will go to support AHC’s Behavioral Health Department which served 315 behavioral health patients. These patients were provided with both mental health and Substance Use Disorder services. By providing these services, Atascosa Health Center ensures that Texans in the region have access to resources to improve their mental health.
Wilkerson-Holmes, N. (2020, September 4). Rep. Cuellar Announces $250,893 in Federal Funding to Atascosa Health Center. Pleasanton Express.
Governor Abbott proclaims August 9-15, 2020
Community Health Center Week
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American Cancer Society Partners with Atascosa Health Center, Inc. to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screenings
The Atascosa Health Center, Inc. (AHC) has been awarded again a second year $50,000 grant from the American Cancer Society Change Program. Walgreens provides funding to the American Cancer Society for the purpose of providing breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings, education and outreach in high-need communities. AHC has implemented a colorectal cancer screening protocol that will provide more specific education about colorectal cancer and provide free FIT testing. All patients, male and female, age of 51-75 will receive a reminder letter and education when he/she arrives for their annual physical. When the patient returns a completed FIT test, a $10 gift card will be given to the patient. The grant also supports the ability of AHC to make referrals for positive tests.
Note: Any age person can be tested for colorectal cancer free of charge.
Note: Any age person can be tested for colorectal cancer free of charge.
