Opening Doors to Health: Legacy’s Expanding School-Based Health Care Program

By Robert Palussek, CEO

When I reflect on Legacy Community Health’s journey in school-based health care, I’m reminded that true progress isn’t measured by ribbon cuttings or grand openings. It’s measured in the lives we’ve touched, the barriers we’ve removed, and the communities we’ve strengthened over decades of dedicated service.

As we open our 38th and 39th school-based health clinic at YES Prep Hobby Secondary and YES Prep Elementary, I would like to share the remarkable story of how Legacy has become the largest school-based health care program in Texas and a national leader in bringing comprehensive care directly to where students learn and grow.

From Vision to National Leadership

Our school-based health care program represents more than four decades of innovation in community health. What began as a simple recognition that students learn better when they’re healthy has evolved into a comprehensive network that serves as a model for the nation.

This transformation didn’t happen overnight. Over the past decade, we’ve strategically expanded our reach through key partnerships that have defined our current network. In 2012, we established our foundational partnership with KIPP Academy, beginning with behavioral health services and primary care across their 8 campuses around Harris County.

Three years later, in 2015, we extended our model to YES Prep schools, bringing the same comprehensive approach to their student communities. Then in 2020, we formalized our partnership with Galena Park ISD, expanding our reach to traditional public school students throughout the district.

Each partnership has built upon the last, allowing us to refine our approach, deepen our community relationships, and demonstrate the effectiveness of embedded school-based care. Today’s network of 39 clinics represents not just numerical growth, but the evolution of a care model that has proven its worth across diverse educational environments, from charter schools to traditional public districts.

The numbers tell a powerful story. Last year, Legacy served 14,874 students through our school-based program, completing 76,306 appointments. This model helps reduce missed class time and health disparities while supporting student success. By working closely with school staff, Legacy ensures that care is coordinated, accessible, and focused on keeping students healthy and in the classroom.

This success reflects not just our scale, but our operational excellence. Under the leadership of Stephanie Ramirez, Vice President of School-Based Health Clinics, our school-based health program has undergone a significant transformation over the past two years. More importantly, we’ve created an environment where our clinic teams can focus entirely on patient care without compromising quality, consistently meeting and exceeding productivity expectations.

Beyond these impressive statistics lies an even more significant achievement: Legacy has earned recognition as the #1 Federally Qualified Health Center in Texas by patient count, the #7 largest FQHC nationally, and the #1 provider in the nation for prenatal care. These distinctions reflect not just our scale, but our unwavering commitment to quality, accessible care for all.

Breaking Down Barriers, Building Up Communities

At the heart of our school-based health care program is a simple but profound principle: health care should never be a barrier to education. Through our clinics across the Greater Houston and Galena Park area, we’ve eliminated the transportation challenges, scheduling conflicts, and financial barriers that too often prevent families from accessing essential care.

This success is driven by exceptional leadership. Stephanie has been instrumental in building relationships with school and community leaders across Galena Park ISD, KIPP, and YES Prep charters. Her bilingual abilities and deep understanding of our communities have helped ensure that students receive high-quality care while clinic staff are supported in their efforts.

Our comprehensive services (including primary care, behavioral health, dental exams, and vaccines) are offered regardless of ability to pay. This commitment ensures that every student, whether they attend KIPP Academy, YES Prep, or Galena Park ISD, has access to the care they need to thrive both academically and personally.

The impact extends far beyond individual appointments. When students can receive a wellness check, get their vaccinations, or speak with a therapist without leaving school, their parents don’t have to miss work, and their education continues uninterrupted. It’s a model that recognizes the interconnected nature of health, education, and community well-being.

Meeting Students Where They Are

Perhaps most importantly, our school-based clinics meet students exactly where they are, not just geographically, but developmentally and culturally. Our bilingual staff understands that for many Latino families, accessing health care can be challenging due to language barriers, cultural differences, or past experiences with the health care system.

Our care coordinators, acquired through our partnership with the National School-Based Health Alliance, exemplify this commitment. Take Kelilah Aolani-Jones, who joined our team in December after relocating from the West Coast. At KIPP Sharpstown, she built relationships with an 11-year-old student facing hygiene challenges, bed bugs, soiled clothes, and shoes that were literally falling apart. Working patiently to gain trust from both the student and his parents, who spoke languages other than English and lacked reliable transportation, Kelilah identified resources that could deliver assistance to the family.

By embedding our services within trusted community institutions like schools, we’ve created safe spaces where students and families feel comfortable seeking care. Legacy works closely with parents to support their children’s health. We obtain written and verbal consent, along with release of information, from parents for pediatric and behavioral services. Parents and guardians are also informed of the outcome of each patient visit and the treatment plan. Whether a student is dealing with asthma, anxiety, or simply needs a sports physical, they know they can walk down the hall to receive compassionate, professional care from providers who understand their community and their needs.

Our behavioral health services have become particularly vital as we’ve witnessed rising levels of anxiety, depression, and trauma among students. Through our school-based counselors and therapists, we’re not just treating symptoms. We’re building resilience and providing students with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges successfully.

A Legacy of Growth and Impact

As we add our 38th and 39th clinic to this remarkable network, I’m struck by how far we’ve come while remaining true to our founding mission of connecting communities to quality medical care. Each new clinic represents not just expansion, but deepening roots in the communities we serve.

Our school-based health care program exemplifies Legacy’s broader commitment to health equity and community empowerment. By ensuring that ZIP code doesn’t determine health outcomes, we’re creating opportunities for students to reach their full potential, regardless of their family’s economic circumstances or insurance status.

The opening of our clinic at YES Prep Hobby Secondary and Elementary is more than a milestone; it’s a promise. A promise that we will continue to innovate, to grow, and to meet our communities where they are. A promise that when students walk through their school doors each morning, they’re entering not just a place of learning, but a place where their health and well-being are prioritized.

Looking Forward

As we celebrate this achievement, we’re already looking toward the future. The demand for accessible, school-based health services continues to grow, and Legacy is committed to meeting that demand. We’re exploring new partnerships, expanding our services, and continuously improving our model of care.

But at its core, our mission remains unchanged: to ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn well by being well, because when we invest in student physical and mental health, we’re investing in the future of our communities.

Our 39 school-based health clinics represent more than four decades of progress, innovation, and unwavering commitment to our communities At Legacy Community School Based Health, we are connecting with our community one student at a time, knowing that when we invest in student physical and mental health, we’re investing in the future of our communities – creating stronger, healthier, more resilient neighborhoods where every child can thrive.

To learn more about Legacy Community Health’s school-based health care program or to find a clinic near you, visit legacycommunityhealth.org/SBHC or call 281-628-2050.