In The News
PLEASANTON EXPRESS: Grand Opening at Atascosa Health Center held Saturday
Pleasanton, Texas,
November 11, 2015
LISA LUNA STAFF WRITER Many were on hand for the grand opening ceremony and balloon release at Atascosa Health Center in Pleasanton. LISA LUNA | PLEASANTON EXPRESSThe Grand Opening of the Atascosa Health Center on Saturday, Nov. 7, was a morning of reflecting on the past, but also looking forward to the future with a sense of excitement. There was a great turnout for the event, which featured a history of the center by Atascosa Health Center CEO Monty Small, the sharing of memories by both staff and board members past and present and a balloon release afterwards. “Let us celebrate the brand new home of the Atascosa Health Center,” began Maria Garcia, AHC CFO. She spoke about the importance of community health centers throughout the country. The brand new Atascosa Health Center facility will enhance patients’ experience and serve as an asset to their health and wellness. Garcia then introduced Pastor Mike Martinez of New Beginnings Baptist Church, who gave the invocation and blessing. Dawn Cardwell Murray handmade quilts which are displayed in some of the children’s exam rooms. LISA LUNA | PLEASANTON EXPRESSWhen Garcia introduced Small she said, “All successful partnerships begin with tremendous vision, leadership and support.” Small then introduced a representative of Congressman Henry Cuellar’s office and she presented a plaque of recognition, thanking AHC for its service in South Texas. Small invited others in the audience to share a few words about the center. Some of those who spoke included Patty Martinez, Mr. Galloway of Camino Real, Jesse Ramirez, Sandra Holland, Veronica Sanchez, Gloria Gallegos, McMullen County Judge James Teal, Henry Salas, Atascosa County Judge Bob Hurley and others. Also speaking was Tammy Favor, who has served on the board for 23 years. “I am here for the people who fall through the cracks, who don’t have health insurance,” said Favor. Atascosa Health Center CEO Monty Small looks on, as CFO Maria Garcia reads the plaque presented by Congressman Henry Cuellar’s office. LISA LUNA | PLEASANTON EXPRESSShe shared the joy of having a CEO that listened to her when she asked why they did not have dental. “Finally, I had a CEO that listened to me. We have dental and I was their very first patient. It is an honor to be serving here on the board,” said Favor. Judge Teal spoke about the work involved in starting a clinic forMcMullen County. He met Small and the two took a trip toNorth Dakota in 2012. “It has been a labor of love for Monty and me and the citizens of McMullen County,” said Teal. He added he has been proud to see the hard work it has taken to bring this to fruition and thanked them for believing in McMullen County as well. Clinics will be opening soon in both Lytle and Tilden. Gloria Gallegos, Clinical NS, shares how thankful she is to work at the Atascosa Health Center and the joy she has helping others. LISA LUNA | PLEASANTON EXPRESSGloria Gallegos, Clinical NS, described AHC as a second family. “I love all the people I work with. I think I am becoming one of those ancient souls. I used to be in the building that we started off with. Some of you knew Dr. Faggard and Dr. Austin and the Pleasanton Hospital and Clinic,” said Gallegos. She expressed her thanks to the many medical providers who have gone through the building and the joy she experiences helping those who really need it. AHC first started in 1955. It went from a little over 10,000 square feet when it was the Pleasanton Hospital, to a 34,000 square foot facility. Small explained there are now six centers. In 2007, they opened clinics in Floresville and Karnes City. AHC received a Capital Improvement Project Grant in 2009, to build administration offices to make room for more clinic services. In 2012, AHC received a $5 million Capital Development Grant from HRSA to build a much needed state-of-the-art facility. In 2013, groundbreaking ceremonies were held.
Atascosa Health Center provides quality dental, medical, behavioral health and WIC services.AHC is now a fully functioning, state-of-theart facility which offers medical services, dental, behavioral health and Women’s, Infants and Children services. In 2015, they will open centers in Lytle andMcMullen County. They have grown from serving 4,000 patients to over 13,000. Small has set a goal of seeing 20,000 patients in the next two years. “It is not one person, it takes a team and we have a great team,” said Small. He also recognized the artists, photographers and quilters who donated some |