News & Updates | Parkland Health

Parkland’s neighborhood health centers help improve access to care across Dallas County

During National Health Center Week (Aug. 2-8), Parkland Health is recognizing the important role its community health centers play in providing accessible, high-quality healthcare to thousands of Dallas County residents each year.

From annual wellness exams and preventive screenings to management of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, Parkland’s community health centers serve as the front door to healthcare for patients of all ages. By providing care close to where people live and work, the centers help patients receive treatment earlier, stay healthier and avoid more serious medical conditions.

“Primary care is the foundation of a healthier community,” said Fred Cerise, MD, MPH, President & CEO of Parkland Health. “For decades, Parkland has invested in bringing high-quality healthcare closer to where people live and work. As Dallas County continues to grow, we remain committed to expanding access to care so patients can receive preventive services, manage chronic conditions, and build lasting relationships with a trusted healthcare team.”

Parkland’s commitment to community-based care dates to the late 1980s with the introduction of its Community Oriented Primary Care (COPC) model, which brings primary and preventive healthcare into neighborhoods across Dallas County. That commitment continues today as Parkland expands access to care through new facilities, including the future Mike A. Myers Health Center on the Dallas College Richland Campus. Parkland is also in the early planning stages of a new health center in the Inland Port area of Wilmer to help meet the healthcare needs of one of the county’s fastest-growing regions.

Parkland’s community health centers offer a broad range of services, including:

• Adult and pediatric primary care
• Women’s health services
• Prenatal care
• Immunizations
• Preventive screenings
• Management of chronic diseases
• Behavioral health services
• Health education
• Care coordination and referrals to specialty care when needed

Parkland’s primary care model focuses on improving the health of entire communities by addressing not only medical needs, but also many of the social factors that influence health. This approach helps ensure patients receive coordinated, comprehensive care designed to improve long-term health outcomes.

Today, Parkland operates 16 community health centers throughout Dallas County, providing primary and preventive care close to where patients live and work. In addition, Parkland provides specialized services through its geriatric clinic, senior outreach services, Homeless Outreach Medical Services (HOMES) program and correctional health services for the Dallas County adult and juvenile jail system.

In addition to providing patient care, Parkland’s community health centers play an important role in educating the next generation of healthcare professionals. As clinical training sites for physicians, nurses and other healthcare disciplines, the centers provide hands-on experience in primary and preventive care while helping strengthen the workforce pipeline for the future. Through these training opportunities, Parkland is preparing tomorrow’s healthcare providers while continuing to meet the healthcare needs of Dallas County today.

National Health Center Week, sponsored by the National Association of Community Health Centers, recognizes the nation’s community health centers and the dedicated physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals who provide care to millions of Americans each year.

For a list of health center locations, visit www.parklandhealth.org/locations. For information about services available at Parkland, visit www.parklandhealth.org.

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