Vecino Health Centers receives $2.6 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott
Houston — Dec. 11, 2023 — Vecino Health Centers, a private, nonprofit health care provider, today announced the receipt of a $2.6 million gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott through Yield Giving. The substantial one-time grant comes with no restrictions on its use, providing a significant boost to community-based health care in Houston.
“We appreciate this extraordinary and unrestricted support,” said Daniel Montez, CEO of Vecino Health Centers. “These funds will expedite our advancements in delivering high-quality community-based health care in the most cost-effective ways possible.”
Unrestricted funds are crucial to Vecino Health Centers’ and other nonprofit organizations’ financial stability and operational flexibility. These funds are not earmarked for specific programs or purposes and can be used at the discretion of the organization’s leadership. Vecino Health Centers plans to use this gift to implement initiatives for financial self-sustainability and future growth.
“This donation will fortify the organization and enhance its long-term sustainability,” said David Webster, board chair of Vecino Health Centers and executive vice president of Bank of Houston. “It signifies a vote of confidence to the entire staff, and we are immensely grateful.”
A Federally Qualified Health Center, Vecino Health Centers operates under the principle that everyone deserves access to quality health care services. The organization provides health care services to nearly 12,000 patients from working families in northeast Houston through its two centers: Denver Harbor Family Health Center and Airline Children & Women’s Health Center. It extends its impact through behavioral health outreach initiatives conducted in association with local schools.
About Vecino Health Centers
Established in 1999, Vecino Health Centers is a private, nonprofit health care provider committed to delivering quality health services to Houston families. With a focus on efficiency and excellence, Vecino Health Centers is at the forefront of health services in northeast Houston, providing primary care, behavioral health and community health outreach programs. For more information, please visit vecinohealthcenters.org.
Sadly, gun violence is more often in the news than we would like. With the recent events, it can be a scary time for both adults and children.
Counting on the support of relatives, family, and community helpers can make difficult times more manageable.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you are in distress or if you feel overwhelmed. The counseling staff is available to you through telehealth or on-site at both Airline and Denver Harbor Locations.
Call for a counseling appointment
Counselors are available for telehealth and in-person visits.
Denver Harbor Family Health Center
713-674-3326
Airline Children and Women’s Health Center
713-695-4013
Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
Here are links to download some helpful tips for parents for teachers from the National Association of School Psychologists.
By changing “Clinic” to “Health Center” in these facility names, we highlight our commitment to our patients’ health. We believe that all families should have access to health services, not just to treat illness or injury, but also to receive services that promote their overall well-being, including preventing costly and debilitating conditions.
Comprehensive pediatric and maternity services at Airline Children and Women’s Health Center
The new name for the Airline site brings attention to our expanding women’s health services. Following an expansion due to be complete in 2023, the facility will offer a full range of health services for women of all ages.
Currently, Vecino’s center at Airline specializes in pediatric services for infants, toddlers, children, and teens from birth through age 17, as well as in maternity care, including family planning, prenatal, postnatal, and postdelivery services.
Comprehensive family health services for chronic disease management and prevention at Denver Harbor Family Health Center
Vecino’s Denver Harbor Family Health Center will continue to provide a full range of health services for children, adults, and seniors, including medical, dental, counseling, and health education, as well as prenatal and postnatal care. Special services and programming are available on-site for patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension.
Health services from a recognized health center leader
Did you know that Vecino Health Centers is recognized in the top 10% of more than 1,440 health centers nationwide for quality? By updating our facility names, we are highlighting what we have been since 1999: a community-based health system committed to improving the health of our patients with comprehensive, patient-centered, affordable, and cost-effective services where they are needed most.
Why did an 8-year-old from New Jersey decide to donate his pocket money to a community health center in Houston?
The answer is found in the unlikely bond between a young boy named Jordan and his friend Dr. Susan Miller. Theirs is a story that teaches us all the importance of role models and the power we have to inspire action through our words and deeds.
A boy who wants to change the world
One weekend in February, 8-year-old Jordan watched a YouTube video about the devastation caused by Houston’s unprecedented winter storm. It might not be easy to connect a YouTube video about a storm to a donation at Vecino Health Centers. But for Jordan, the connection came surprisingly easily.
“Since he was little, Jordan has always wanted to help,” says his mother, Stacy. “He’s the type of person who, when he sees someone upset, he wants to help them. He’s been that way for as long as I can remember.”
Jordan knew Houston had seen more than its fair share of disasters over the past few years. His heart went out to the community and he knew immediately he wanted to help however he could.
“Mommy,” he said. “I want to give my money.”
Everyone should be able to get taken care of by doctors
The idea of giving back isn’t new to Jordan. His parents have always told their two boys that they have a responsibility to help others. He witnesses these values daily in his mother’s work as the founder of a nonprofit. And he learns them at his Jewish day school, where his teacher reinforces the importance of tenets like charity (tzedakah), good deeds (mitzvot),and healing the world (tikkun olam).
Another place he witnesses these values is through the work of Dr. Susan Miller, a longtime family friend. Dr. Miller is a family physician at Houston Methodist Hospital and also a board member at Vecino Health Centers. Jordan finds in her a kindred spirit.
Jordan finds a kindred spirit and role model in Dr. Susan Miller
“I can’t think of a better role model for him than [Dr. Miller],” says Stacy. “When everybody else is fleeing Houston because there’s a flood or there’s a storm, she’s going in. And that is Jordan. He is that person too.”
When Jordan asked his mother how he could help in Houston, she reached out to Dr. Miller to learn more about the needs of the community.
“When Jordan heard that there are people in Texas who struggle because they need health care, and they can’t get it because they don’t have money and they don’t have health insurance — that was very upsetting to him.”
Inspiring others with his story
During Purim, a Jewish holiday at the end of February, Jordan practices tzedakah, the act of putting money aside for charity. He decided to give the money he saved to Vecino Health Centers.
But he didn’t stop there.
Jordan knew that to do even more good, he should share his story to inspire others. So he told his third grade classmates about Dr. Miller and her work with Vecino. The class had just finished collecting money in a tzedakah box. After hearing from Jordan, they elected to give half of it to Vecino.
His older brother, Ethan, was also inspired to contribute.
That, says Stacy, is Jordan. “If he sees an individual person hurting, he wants to help. But, also, whatever he can do to change the world, he wants to change the world.”
Jordan inspired his older brother, Ethan, to contribute
Generation to generation
There is another concept in Judaism, ledor vador, that means “from generation to generation.” As Stacyputs it, “It is our responsibility to pay it forward … to empower the next generation and amplify their voices so they can carry on that torch.”
In many ways, this is an equally important part of Jordan’s story, one that goes far beyond his recent donation.
Stacy points out that Jordan trusts and loves Dr. Miller. He knows if she puts her energy toward helping the patients at Vecino Health Centers, then it is a worthwhile cause. Through his relationship with Dr. Miller, he made a personal connection to Vecino. He didn’t just ask his parents to click a button and donate money. He got involved, and he became an active agent of social change.
“I tell him he has a special light in his heart that shines out energy. He’s already doing good with it, but I know he’s only going to do more good.” At 8 years old, he’s just getting started.
Join Jordan in giving to Vecino
If you, too, are inspired by Jordan’s story, give today to Vecino Health Centers. You can include a message to Jordan in the “Gift message” field. We’ll be sure that he gets it.
Two Vecino physicians step into newly expanded leadership roles in family medicine
Nationwide, family medicine continues to experience a shortage of physicians. Now, more than ever, cultivating and retaining the talents of the next generation of doctors is a priority for clinics and hospitals.
Drs. Enjoli Benitez and Sharon Anderson are two rising stars in this new generation of doctors. Vecino is pleased to announce that each steps into a newly expanded leadership position following the recent departure of longtime medical director and residency program director Dr. Donald Briscoe. Both doctors are already established and experienced within Vecino Health Centers.
“Vecino has a talented body of physicians and staff, and we are fortunate to be able to cultivate that talent,” says Vecino CEO Daniel Montez. “Both Dr. Anderson and Dr. Benitez know our patients and staff well. They will transition naturally into their new roles.”
For the past twelve years, Dr. Briscoe expertly served a dual role as both medical director of Vecino Health Centers and program director for Houston Methodist Family Medicine Residency Program, housed at Vecino’s Denver Harbor Family Clinic. With Dr. Briscoe’s departure, the shoes of a well-respected teacher, mentor and physician who shepherded the organization through more than a decade of significant expansion needed filling.
Residency program cultivates and retains leaders in the field
Family medicine residency programs, like the Houston Methodist program housed at Vecino’s Denver Harbor Clinic, are one of the best ways to build a pipeline of talented doctors. This pipeline helps Vecino remain strong and cultivate talented leaders despite the nationwide shortage of physicians. As a testament to this, both Dr. Anderson and Dr. Benitez come directly from positions within Vecino Health Centers and the Houston Methodist Residency Program.
Replacing the position of Medical Director, Dr. Enjoli Benitezassumes the role of Chief Medical Officer. For the past six years, Dr. Benitez served as an attending physician at Denver Harbor Family Clinic and a Faculty Physician at The Methodist Hospital Family Medicine Residency Program. In her new role, she is responsible for the quality of medical care within the entire Vecino organization.
Dr. Sharon Andersonassumes the role of Associate Director for the Houston Methodist Family Medicine Residency program. For the past three years, Dr. Anderson serveded a faculty physician for the program.
Vecino Health Center’s CEO, Daniel Montez, spoke on a health care panel at Intersections 2016, a cross-disciplinary conference on quality of life, health, equity, development and environmental issues facing the growing Houston area.
The session brought together experts to discuss how to inoculate entire neighborhoods for health. Solutions on how to do so in a just and equitable way when not all places and people have equal access to health-supporting social and physical conditions were explored. The event was hosted by Houston Tomorrow.
Daniel provided the health care provider perspective on the panel, emphasizing the need for preventative care for low-income working families. He highlighted that, as a Federally Qualified Health Center, Vecino offers medical, dental and mental health services regardless of insurance or ability to pay. The community-driven, approach–providing care based on the needs of residents in neighborhoods around clinics–was also discussed. The session revealed that critical speciality services can become available to residents when like-minded institutions collaborate in Houston.
Vecino Health Center’s CEO, Daniel Montez, spoke on a health care panel at