Healthcare isn’t just about treating illness; it’s about making care accessible when and where it’s needed most. The difference between early intervention and an emergency room visit or hospitalization often depends on the proximity of a clinic or health center.
For Harris Health, closing those gaps starts with understanding where access falls short. Its 2021–2025 strategic plan map turns that insight into action.
“The strategic plan map uses data to show gaps in access to ambulatory care services,” CEO of Ambulatory Services Jennifer Small said. “This gives us a blueprint for expanding clinics and outpatient services so patients get care before an emergency.”
A data-driven blueprint for access
Harris Health developed the strategic plan map to visualize where patients live, services already exist and unmet primary care needs remain. Leaders analyzed patient patterns, community income, clinic locations and emergency room and hospitalization trends to identify neighborhoods lacking access to routine care.
The goal was straightforward: determine where new access points would make the greatest difference.
The analysis showed that about 27% of the population—344,000 people—has unmet primary care needs, concentrated in lower-income areas. In those communities, patients relied on emergency departments due to limited or distant preventive and primary care options.
By mapping these patterns, Harris Health established a working blueprint for growth, which informed expansion priorities in the system’s latest strategic plan.
Why primary and ambulatory services?
Expanding primary and outpatient care is central to Harris Health’s long-term strategy for improving outcomes and strengthening community wellness.
“We’d rather see patients a few times a year for checkups than wait until they’re in the emergency room, because early care leads to better outcomes and healthier lives,” Director of Ambulatory Operations Krystal Carter said.
Primary and ambulatory care are critical because they catch health issues early, prevent complications and help patients manage chronic conditions before they become emergencies. By providing accessible, proactive care close to home, Harris Health reduces preventable emergency visits, improves long-term health outcomes and strengthens continuity of care.
Health centers across the system function as comprehensive hubs with most offering on-site lab services, pharmacy, imaging, mammography, nutrition support, medication management, care and social work to support patients’ overall wellness.
A $500 million investment in community health
To turn the strategic plan map’s blueprint into reality, Harris County residents approved a $2.5 billion bond in 2023, which directs $500 million to expand and modernize the system’s ambulatory care services.
The bond money will fund three new health centers in North, Northwest and Southwest Houston—areas which Harris Health’s strategic plan identified as having high unmet primary care needs. Existing clinics and health centers will be renovated to improve workflow, increase specialty offerings and enhance patient experience.
A significant part of the investment supports the transition of same-day walk-in clinics into urgent care centers on health center campuses. This integration ensures patients have immediate access to on-site laboratory, imaging, pharmacy and other services, reducing the need for follow-up trips or emergency room visits for treatable conditions.
By strategically deploying these resources, Harris Health is improving continuity of care, reducing preventable hospitalizations and giving patients the support to stay healthy.
“We’re grateful to Harris County residents for supporting the bond package,” Small said. “This investment is vital; it allows us to expand access, bring care closer to our patients, and ensure our community stays healthier today and for years to come.”
Expanding community access points
Harris Health now operates 37 care access points, with 35 in ambulatory services. These include 16 health centers, hospital-based specialty clinics and mobile or shelter-based programs for patients experiencing homelessness. Services range from primary and specialty care to dental care, HIV treatment, dialysis, mammography and mobile vaccination programs.
“Our goal is to meet patients where they are—both geographically and in terms of the care they need and deserve,” Carter said.
To learn about Harris Health, click here.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel with Community Impact’s Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their “sponsored content” purchase through our advertising team.
