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Jun 10, 2019

El Buen Samaritano and Lone Star Circle of Care Collaborate to Improve Access to Health

Austin, TEXAS (June 6, 2019) -El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission (El Buen) and Lone Star Circle of Care (LSCC) are collaborating to create new opportunities that improve access to affordable, high-quality healthcare in Austin, Texas. Effective July 1, 2019, LSCC will operate the health clinic located on the El Buen campus and will name the clinic Lone Star Circle of Care at El Buen Samaritano.

LSCC is on the front lines of health care delivery for the uninsured and medically underserved - increasingly reaching beyond the walls of its clinics into communities. Lone Star Circle of Care at El Buen Samaritano joins a network of 21 LSCC clinic locations serving six counties.

Its patients will have access to a wide range of services including: primary adult, pediatric and senior care; psychiatry and behavioral health services; comprehensive obstetrics and gynecological services; general dentistry; vision; and pharmacy services.  

Over the last 30 years, El Buen has built healthy, resilient and vibrant communities by offering high-quality and affordable education, food assistance and spiritual supports to families and individuals who live in poverty. El Buen's unique approach empowers clients to improve their wellbeing and resilience by addressing basic needs and offering opportunities that develop applicable life and work skills.

The collaboration between El Buen and LSCC allows both organizations to focus on their strengths, providing unparalleled services for the community- all in one location.

"This collaboration takes what is best from the respective organizational histories of El Buen Samaritano and Lone Star Circle of Care and synergizes these competencies into a new future," said Rhonda Mundhenk, CEO of Lone Star Circle of Care. "Together, El Buen Samaritano and Lone Star Circle of Care envision a model that seeks to transform the way healthcare is delivered, experienced, and reimbursed. As a Federally Qualified Health Center, it is not, nor has it ever been enough to restrict our efforts to the four walls of a clinic. The making or the unmaking of health largely happens in the world outside of those walls, and we intend to be a player for health in the communities we serve."

El Buen and LSCC intend to develop creative solutions to address the root causes impacting overall health while improving health outcomes. Interim CEO Robert Steele said,"We are excited about our long-term partnership with LSCC and the new opportunities it will provide to our clients. It presents many possibilities to create new and innovative programming by integrating healthcare and social services."

New and existing patients may call 1-877-800-5722 to schedule an appointment at LSCC at El Buen Samaritano. Most insurances and public programs are accepted. For patients with no insurance, a sliding fee scale based on household income and size is available. For those who qualify, LSCC can assist with enrollment in Medicaid, CHIP, Marketplace, SNAP and other programs.

About El Buen Samaritano

El Buen Samaritano was established as an outreach ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas in 1987 and is committed to helping Latino and other families in Central Texas lead healthy, productive and secure lives. El Buen provides a wide range of services for families including education classes for adults and children, food assistance, spiritual supports and community outreach. Located on an 11-acre campus in a South Austin neighborhood, El Buen now serves more than 12,500 individuals who live in poverty. For more information, visitelbuen.org.

About Lone Star Circle of Care

Founded in 2001 in Georgetown, Texas, LSCC is a Federally Qualified Health Center providing exceptional and accessible patient centered healthcare for its Texas neighbors. LSCC currently serves more than 85,000 patients, providing adults, seniors, and children with primary care, women's health and OB/GYN, psychiatry and behavioral health, general dentistry, optometry and pharmacy services. LSCC is a registered 501(c)3 Texas nonprofit corporation. For more information visit www.lonestarcares.org.