How Galena Park ISD provides students with convenient, high-quality health care

GALENA PARK, Texas – Access to high-quality health care is becoming easier for Galena Park ISD students thanks to the district’s partnership with Legacy Community Health.

Legacy has four health clinics in Galena Park ISD, three of which are located directly on campus.

That’s where Legacy Community Health stepped in and played a critical role in the health and well-being of students. So did 12-year-old Donovan, a seventh-grader at Cunningham High School in Galena Park ISD. He is shy, but his mother knew it was more than that.

“He wouldn’t make eye contact with anyone,” said Michelle Fout, Donovan’s mother. “He just kept his distance and I could tell from his body language that he was uncomfortable. So I asked him, you know, ‘How would you feel about talking to a therapist,’ and he was open to it.”

Legacy offers pediatric, behavioral and even dental care.

GPISD is the only public school district offering such convenient and high-quality health care.

“This is quite an underachievement in terms of access for students and families to quality health care,” said Stephanie Ramirez, vice president of operations at Legacy Community Health.

If a child is sick, with the parent’s permission, the school nurse may take the child directly to Legacy for treatment and return to classes.

“We can’t even begin to express how amazing this partnership is in terms of protecting our students’ health and care, as well as being able to keep them in the classroom, which definitely helps us support the curriculum and learning of our students,” said Dr. Mechelle Epps, GPISD , assistant superintendent for student support services. “In many communities like ours where our parents may be working hourly, the fact that they can allow their child to go to a clinic and see a real medical professional, regardless of the type of service, ensures that parents can continue to work and the children could continue their education at school.”

Since 2020, they have provided care to 35,707 students, their siblings and staff, including 13,767 pediatric visits and 22,000 behavioral health visits.

“We will see wellness visits every day. This is typically our most requested type of visit,” said Lorena Mottu, school health director and nurse practitioner at Legacy Community Health. “At this time of year, we often see upper respiratory infections and colds. So not only do we test for strep, flu and Covid-19, but we also help them manage their asthma.”

Behavioral health was one of their main interests. They offer support, therapy and psychological tests.

“(We) provide a safe space for them to process what they’re going through, their emotions, and also learn healthy coping skills,” said Eva Briones Fairley, director of behavioral health and therapist at Legacy Community Health.

These are the things that made a difference for Donovan and his family.

“I think if a kid isn’t in top shape, they won’t be able to do their best, so it’s great that they have these services for us,” Mout said.

“She taught me how to turn positive or negative thoughts into positive thoughts,” Donovan said. “It helped me socialize more, talk to people and be less shy, and it helped me get through difficulties in school, in the future and at work.”

Dr. Epps and Galena Park ISD are currently building new schools for Legacy Clinics and are looking to expand to all 26 of their campuses in the future.