About El Centro de Corazón

Serving Houston’s East End community since 1994, El Centro de Corazón (El Centro) is an accomplished Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) with three health centers and offers a comprehensive range of pediatric and adult health care services for the medically underserved and uninsured, which includes primary care, women’s health, dental care, and behavioral health services.  El Centro also provides ancillary services, such as case management and eligibility assistance, to help patients and their families overcome obstacles to accessing health care services.

Vision

To be the cornerstone of a healthier community.

Mission

To be the leader in improving the well-being of the communities we serve through the provision of quality health care and the delivery of collaborative community programs.

Core Values

  • Community Centered
  • Innovative
  • Quality Driven
  • Honest
  • Respectful

Health disparities

El Centro is at the heart of making the East End a healthy community, through quality care that reaches the entire family, treating the whole person through prenatal, adult and pediatric primary care, dental, and mental health services.

El Centro provides

  • All services in Spanish
  • Adult and pediatric primary care, women’s health services, adult and pediatric dental care, and adult and children’s behavioral health services

History

1994 – El Centro was founded and operated out a house in the community, offering early childhood intervention and mental health services
2003 – El Centro merged with Eastwood Health Clinic and deemed a Federally Qualified Health Center
2005 – El Centro expanded pediatric and primary care to City of Houston Magnolia Multi-Service Center
2007 – El Centro expanded prenatal care to City of Houston Magnolia Multi-Service Center
2010 – El Centro expanded pediatric care to the new John S. Dunn Clinic and expanded prenatal & accompanying behavioral health services to City of Houston Sunnyside Multi-Service Center
2015 – El Centro expanded primary care services in The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD’s Southeast outpatient facility
2016 -El Centro’s John S. Dunn Health Center was recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient-Centered Medical Home – Level 1
2017 -New to El Centro: 1) Children’s Wellness Program to address childhood obesity; 2) Primary Care Behavioral Health model of care to address the co-occurring medical and behavioral health needs of pediatric patients; 3) Wellness Prevention Program to prevent diabetes in children and adults; 4) CenteringPregnancy® group model of care to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. and 5) CenteringParenting® group model of care to improve family health outcomes.

2018 – New to El Centro: 1) Implemented Commit to Be Fit, the new physical activity component to its Wellness Program, so that exercise and fitness activities with a trainer are available for patients and area residents. 2) Implemented the Fresh Rx Program as part of the City of Houston’s Get Moving Houston Farmer’s Markets program, increasing access to fresh, nutritious foods for Children’s Wellness Program participants and their family members. 3) Revitalized the Magnolia Multi-Service Center’s garden through a community engagement initiative to promote healthier lifestyles, build a sense of community, and increase access to healthy foods.

 

2019 – New to El Centro: 1) Reopened its newly renovated John S. Dunn Health Center, access to care will greatly improve through the addition of adult medical and dental services. 2) Initiated the Growing Roots East End Network (GREEN) with local schools and organizations to revitalize community gardens, increase access to fresh foods, and improve community cohesion. 3) Increased access to physical activity by implementing the Commit to Be Fit program, which offers free weekly exercise classes for patients and area residents at three locations in the East End and one in Galena Park.

History

1994 – El Centro was founded and operated out a house in the community, offering early childhood intervention and mental health services

2003 – El Centro merged with Eastwood Health Clinic and deemed a Federally Qualified Health Center

2005 – El Centro expanded pediatric and primary care to City of Houston Magnolia Multi-Service Center

2007 – El Centro expanded prenatal care to City of Houston Magnolia Multi-Service Center

2010 – El Centro expanded pediatric care to the new John S. Dunn Clinic and expanded prenatal & accompanying behavioral health services to City of Houston Sunnyside Multi-Service Center

2015 – El Centro expanded primary care services in The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD’s Southeast outpatient facility

2016 -El Centro’s John S. Dunn Health Center was recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) as a Patient-Centered Medical Home – Level 1

2017 -New to El Centro: 1) Children’s Wellness Program to address childhood obesity; 2) Primary Care Behavioral Health model of care to address the co-occurring medical and behavioral health needs of pediatric patients; 3) Wellness Prevention Program to prevent diabetes in children and adults; 4) CenteringPregnancy® group model of care to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. and 5) CenteringParenting® group model of care to improve family health outcomes.

2018 – New to El Centro: 1) Implemented Commit to Be Fit, the new physical activity component to its Wellness Program, so that exercise and fitness activities with a trainer are available for patients and area residents. 2) Implemented the Fresh Rx Program as part of the City of Houston’s Get Moving Houston Farmer’s Markets program, increasing access to fresh, nutritious foods for Children’s Wellness Program participants and their family members. 3) Revitalized the Magnolia Multi-Service Center’s garden through a community engagement initiative to promote healthier lifestyles, build a sense of community, and increase access to healthy foods.

2019 – New to El Centro: 1) Reopened its newly renovated John S. Dunn Health Center, access to care will greatly improve through the addition of adult medical and dental services. 2) Initiated the Growing Roots East End Network (GREEN) with local schools and organizations to revitalize community gardens, increase access to fresh foods, and improve community cohesion. 3) Increased access to physical activity by implementing the Commit to Be Fit program, which offers free weekly exercise classes for patients and area residents at three locations in the East End and one in Galena Park.