Legacy Community Health’s Stephanie Ramirez Named a 2026 Breakthrough Woman

NEWS RELEASE

Media Contact:

Sandra Fernandez

sfernandez2@legacycommunityhealth.org

(713) 568-5604

 

Leader of Texas’ largest school-based health care network recognized for expanding access to care

 

HOUSTON, TX (April 3, 2026) – As school‑based health care becomes a lifeline for thousands of Houston students, the leader driving the system’s rapid expansion has been named a 2026 Breakthrough Woman by the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Legacy Community Health’s Stephanie Ramirez directs 39 school‑based clinics located on campuses across Galena Park ISD, KIPP Texas Public Schools and YES Prep Public Schools, bringing primary and behavioral health care directly to students where they learn.

Ramirez, vice president of School-Based Health Clinics, oversees Texas’ largest school‑based health care network, which provides care to students who often face transportation, cost and access barriers to traditional health care. Under her leadership, Legacy has expanded its footprint, strengthening access in underserved neighborhoods and helping students stay healthy and in class.

During the 2024-25 school year, Legacy’s School-Based Health Care clinics completed more than 72,000 medical and behavioral health appointments and served nearly 14,000 students across the region. The Chamber’s Breakthrough Woman recognition highlights Ramirez’s impact on improving health opportunities and the critical role school‑based clinics play in supporting student well‑being, academic readiness and family stability. The Chamber’s Breakthrough Woman recognition highlights Ramirez’s impact on improving health opportunities and the critical role school‑based clinics play in supporting student well‑being, academic readiness and family stability.

“Stephanie’s leadership reflects the heart of who we are as an organization,” said Rebekah Le, Chief Strategy & Financial Officer at Legacy Community Health. “She leads with lived experience, compassion, and a deep commitment to eliminating barriers to care. Because of her work, thousands of students and families now have access to high-quality, culturally responsive care that will shape their futures.”

Stephanie will be honored at the International Conference for Women on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the George R. Brown Convention Center. The event supports programs that uplift women and girls, including the Women on Board Institute, the SBA Women’s Business Center, and STEAM Town USA.

Ramirez joined Legacy in 2022. She grew up in underserved communities and is fluent in Spanish, allowing her to build rapport with students and families and ensure care is culturally responsive. She holds a graduate degree in health care administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and previously served as the youngest councilwoman in South Houston at age 23.

Her work extends nationally through her role as a featured presenter for the HRSA-supported “School‑Based Health Centers: Proven Success Strategies” series, where she helps health systems and community partners strengthen school‑based care models and replicate Legacy’s outcomes.

“I grew up in the very communities I now serve, and that experience guides me every day,” Stephanie said. “When students and families walk through our doors, I see people who deserve to be understood, respected, and supported. Receiving this award is truly an honor, and it motivates me to continue building systems that remove barriers so every community member has the opportunity to thrive.”

Stephanie Ramirez is a visionary leader whose dedication and innovation are reshaping student health in Houston. Her work advances community-led solutions, strengthens families, and helps create healthier futures for the region’s children.

 

Supporting SBHC

The Frank Billingsley Annual Golf Classic recently raised $500,000 to benefit Legacy’s School-Based Health Care clinics. Ramirez helps guide how the program uses the funding, helping translate community investment into expanded access and measurable improvements in student health. The support helps sustain clinics that serve campuses where many families face transportation, cost and access barriers to traditional health care, making school‑based services a critical part of the region’s health infrastructure. The Frank Billingsley Annual Golf Classic is scheduled for Monday, October 12, 2026, at Sweetwater Country Club in Sugar Land, TX.

 

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About Legacy Community Health

Legacy Community Health is a full-service health care system comprised of more than 60 locations in the Texas Gulf Coast region offering primary and specialty care, as well as pharmacy services. For over 40 years, Legacy has been innovating the ways we provide comprehensive, quality health care services to individuals, families, and communities in need. As the largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Texas and a United Way-affiliated agency since 1990, Legacy ensures its services and programs are open to all, regardless of the ability to pay—without judgment or exception. To learn more, visit www.legacycommunityhealth.org.