As medical costs continue to rise, Vecino Health Centers is at the forefront of a countywide move toward a more streamlined, collaborative approach to patient care.
Working through the Harris Health System (HHS), implementation of the Epic electronic medical records system began at Vecino’s clinics in the fall of 2015. With this move, Vecino become one of the first Federally Qualified Community Health Centers (FQHC) in Houston to transition to the state-of-the-art system. The change is proving so successful that another Houston-area FQHC is set to follow Vecino’s lead and implement Epic in early 2018.
Investing in the future of Houston healthcare
When Vecino leadership approached HHS about implementing Epic, we understood the significant investment in time and resources. Vecino Health Centers invested a total of $225,000 in the new system. The process took several years of planning, pilot projects and efforts to modify Epic to meet the needs of an FQHC. But despite these challenges, we knew the importance of making this change.
“It was a risk, especially back in 2015 when very few healthcare providers had made the move,” says Vecino CEO Daniel Montez. “But we knew it would eventually become a necessary part of medical care, and we are committed to providing our patients with the best possible health outcomes.”
Shared medical records streamline care for patients in Houston’s healthcare system
By moving to the Epic system, Vecino medical staff can now access shared patient records from all nearly all area hospitals, as well as Harris Health System’s network of specialists. When medical providers communicate effectively, and have access to a patient’s comprehensive record, costs decline and care improves. Now, when a Vecino patient visits an HHS emergency room, his or her primary care provider is notified in Epic and can follow up to provide wraparound care. Likewise, if a patient needs to visit an HHS specialist, the referral process is simplified.
“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.
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 Centers is pleased to announce that Charles McCullough Rosson is joining its board of directors.
Rosson is a senior associate at Vinson & Elkins, one of the largest law firms in Houston, and one of the oldest. His practice includes international arbitration, transnational law, antitrust, breach of contract and admiralty matters. He is a trial lawyer who has litigated a wide range of commercial disputes for both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court.
“We are fortunate to add this remarkable individual to our board,” said Daniel Montez, Chief Executive Officer of Vecino Health Centers.”I have no doubt that Charles’ passion for ensuring all Houstonians have access to quality health care, coupled with his knowledge and experience in law, finance and government, as well as proficiency in Spanish will help to strengthen the organization.”
Rosson received his Juris Doctor from Georgetown Law School, where he was the executive editor and board member of the Georgetown Journal of International Law. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Government from University of Texas at Austin. His background includes service as a Volunteer Prosecutor for the City of Houston in 2014.
Houston health nonprofit aims to expand, looks to double patient count
–Houston-based Vecino Health Centers plans to double the size of its pediatric care clinic and add at least two school campus clinics all in an effort to double its patient capacity over the next 5 years.
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