Dr. Eric Bansal, Cardiology Fellow is joined by Dr. Miguel Quiñones, former Chair of the Houston Methodist Department of Cardiology and Daniel Montez, CEO of Vecino Health Centers (left to right) at Vecino’s Denver Harbor Family Clinic
Access to specialty care is a significant hurdle facing many patients of Vecino Health Centers, particularly those who are uninsured. A sheer lack of options means patients have difficulty getting timely appointments with specialists, and when they do, they find themselves stuck navigating a complex medical system. Add to this the difficulty of negotiating transportation and time off work to attend appointments at multiple locations, and the hurdles begin to seem insurmountable.
Thanks to the Houston Methodist Community Scholars Program, accessing specialty cardiac care just got easier for Vecino patients in the Denver Harbor community.
The new cardiac specialty care program, housed at Denver Harbor Family Clinic, gives patients access to care from world-renowned cardiology experts at an affordable cost, right in their own medical home.
Launched in late 2016, the program is overseen by Dr. Miguel A. Quiñones, former Chair of the Houston Methodist Department of Cardiology, Editor-in-Chief, Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal and a member of the advisory board for Vecino Health Centers. It is staffed by fellows from the Houston Methodist Scholar’s Program, which is funded in part by Occidental Petroleum.
Vicki Hollub, President and CEO of Occidental Petroleum, Dr. Miguel Quiñones, former Chair of the Houston Methodist Department of Cardiology and Glenn Vangolen, Senior Vice President of Business Support, Occidental Petroleum (left to right), meeting with others to review the cardiac speciality care program at Vecino’s Denver Harbor Family Clinic
The new program is already making a tremendous impact—improving, and in some cases saving, the lives of Vecino’s most vulnerable patients. Six patients now receive regular care from a cardiology fellow of Houston Methodist, who spends one day per month at Denver Harbor Family Clinic. Without this program, low-income and uninsured patients often have no other viable options for cardiac care.
This in-house approach to care not only gives patients greater access to life-saving cardiac services, but it also increases collaboration among the patients’ medical team, providing patients with the highest quality of care through an accessible, streamlined process.
Dr. Eric Bansal is the cardiac specialist and Oxy Scholar currently on rotation for the program. In addition to bringing quality cardiac care to the Denver Harbor community, the program allows fellows like Dr. Bansal the chance to work with traditionally underserved populations.
Executives from Occidental Petroleum, along with representatives from Houston Methodist Foundation, recently toured the clinic to see firsthand the initial impact of their funding.
“We are pleased to be part of the Scholars program,” says Vecino CEO Daniel Montez. “It is making a unique contribution that means more patients will receive the care they need and Houston will be that much healthier for it.”
Dr. Enjoli Benitez, a staff physician at Vecino Health Centers, was recently honored with a 2017 New Faculty Scholar award from the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine (STFM). She is one of ten academic family practitioners nationwide to receive the award .
This honor is a catalyst for developing future leaders in academic family medicine. In addition to presenting during a session at STFM’s spring conference, honorees gain valuable mentorship and opportunities to further their leadership in the field.
“It’s about trying to govern your own pathway as an academic and discovering what impact you could potentially have on the larger field of academic medicine,” Dr. Benitez says of the award.
The country is facing a shortage of primary care physicians, particularly in southern states, which makes empowering new leaders in the field, through initiatives like the New Faculty Scholar award, even more important.
“Texas needs more doctors and teachers like Dr. Benitez,” said Daniel Montez, CEO of Vecino Health Centers. “Her work with patients and residents is helping address a critical shortage of family practice physicians — one of most important positions in healthcare.”
Dr. Benitez is a staff physician at Vecino’s Denver Harbor Family Clinic and faculty member for Houston Methodist Family Medicine Residency Program. Of her choice to enter family medicine, she says: “I always wanted to be in a field that had a little of everything and could reach all types of people. It doesn’t limit what you can learn and what you can do to help someone.”
Left: Blood pressure screenings in East Aldine by Vecino staff. Right: Educational workshop for community in East Aldine by Vecino physician
East Aldine Management District
awarded Vecino Health Centers the 2016 Strategic Partner in Public Health Award at its 5th annual banquet on December 13, 2016. The award recognizes the contributions Vecino is making to improve health and quality of life for residents in the district.
Vecino is engaged in a number of outreach projects in the East Aldine district, including blood pressure screenings and educational sessions from physicians on topics of interest to residents, such as shingles and heart health.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to work in partnership with the Management District and honored by the recognition,” said Marisa Ponti, marketing director for Vecino Health Centers, who accepted the award on behalf of Vecino. “We look forward to continuing to work with our partners and the community to improve health for all in East Aldine.”
“A lot of great work is being done by Vecino Health Centers,” said Michael Bybee in wrapping up his recent interview with Founder and CEO Daniel Montez for the Comcast Newsmakers series.
Vecino’s effectiveness at removing barriers to health care — lack of insurance, limited transportation and language — to serve Houston’s working class families are highlighted. Watch it to hear the story about how the community’s call for help with mental health issues in children and adolescents has led to partnerships with local schools for onsite mental health services.
This 5-minute video provides a great overview or introduction to Vecino Health Centers. Please share freely!
Comcast Newsmakers is a vibrant digital platform where leaders and innovators exchange ideas and tackle the issues facing communities across America. Published on January 4, 2017.
Dental services become available first at Denver Harbor Clinic and later at Airline Children’s Clinic.
