Legacy Community Health FY2021 Annual Report

YEAR IN R EVIEW FISCAL YEAR 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

Letter from Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia

5

Letter from the Chief Executive Officer

6

Legacy by the Numbers

7

Letter from the Chief Medical Officer

8

Feature, Katy Caldwell’s Legacy

12–13

Feature, The COVID-19 Pandemic—What a Difference a Year Makes

16

The Challenge: Conditions Affecting our Communities and the Nation

17

The Solution: Our Community Impact

18

New Special Programs This Year

20–21 24

Feature, Forty Years: Taking Pride in a Legacy of Service to the HIV Community Legacy in the News

26–27

Development Program: Episcopal Health Foundation

28–29

Donor Stories

2021 Year in Review

MISSION

Driving healthy change in our communities.

VISION

Connecting our communities to health every day, in every way.

VALUES

HEALTH CARE IS A RIGHT, NOT A PRIVILEGE We believe that comprehensive health care is a human right. Legacy’s services and programs are open to all who need us, regardless of the ability to pay, without judgment or exception.

DEVOTION TO OUR COMMUNITIES We continue to build our legacy on a solid foundation by learning from our communities, embracing the people in them and serving their unique needs. Especially when no one else will.

LEADING THE CHARGE We address issues others shy away from. Not because it’s easy or popular, but because it’s the right thing to do. The Legacy team possesses unwavering courage and serves as a visionary catalyst for sustainably healthy communities.

ACTIVE STEWARDSHIP OF RESOURCES We carefully manage our available resources in order to deliver on our promise of driving healthy change. We remain grounded in responsible decision-making for sustainable operations, putting every asset where it can do the most good for the community.

LETTER FROM CONGRESSWOMAN SYLVIA R. GARCIA Legacy’s response to COVID-19 has been unparalleled. As one of the first health care providers to open its doors as a public testing site, Legacy sent a clear signal that it would lead the way through this pandemic just as it had during the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s. I have been proud to work with Legacy hand-in-hand throughout the last year, delivering thousands of masks to Legacy’s clinic staff in Houston’s East End, Northside and Southwest communities, and working with many of the agency’s departments to provide vaccine events inside some of Houston’s most underserved communities.

I am grateful to Legacy for embracing our community with open arms in our greatest time of need, and for continuing to provide quality, affordable health care to the most underserved populations across Southeast Texas. I wish Legacy and all its team members well in the year to come and thank you for your dedication to community.

Sincerely, Sylvia R. Garcia U.S. House of Representatives, 29th Congressional District 4

40 Years of Care and Innovation

KATY CALDWELL Letter from the Chief Executive Officer

Dear Friends, As I write my last letter for our annual report, I am nostalgic and in awe of how far this organization has come.

Our story began as a small STD clinic for gay men in 1978 called Montrose Clinic. When the clinic was incorporated in 1981, the HIV pandemic had just started. Young men were dying before their time. Our community and I personally lost many family members and friends. The pandemic shined a light on the great need for access to affordable, non-judgmental health care in our community. While I began as a volunteer in the late 1980s, my tenure leading Legacy started in 1996 when I became Montrose Clinic’s Executive Director.

The clinic grew and evolved over the next couple of decades into Legacy Community Health. Now we are the largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Texas. When I began my tenure as Executive Director, we served a few thousand patients a year. We now serve more than 200,000 patients a year. This growth and success happened by focusing on how to best serve the needs of our patients.

Forty years later, I’m amazed at how much we’ve learned from caring for our community from the HIV pandemic to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is through passion, courage and innovation that we lead the fight against viruses that attack our families and friends. While we continue the fight to end HIV, Legacy also has been battling COVID-19. We were among the first to provide COVID-19 testing and vaccines within underserved communities. Our resolve to help our communities continues to make a huge impact in our region’s fight against both pandemics, and I am so proud of how our teams came together to make it possible.

Legacy’s mission to drive healthy change did not stop because of COVID-19. One of the biggest accomplishments during this pandemic was opening new clinics to provide access to care in neighborhoods most in need. In October, we opened Wellness Bar, a boutique-like walk-in clinic that offers rapid HIV testing, same-day PrEP, and health screenings. In May, we opened a small but vital clinic in the Law Harrington Senior Living Center, Houston’s first LGBTQ+ affirming, affordable senior apartment complex.

After reflecting on such a long, successful road, there are so many people to thank. From Legacy’s Board of Directors which has helped steer us in the right direction, to every employee, patient, community partner, donor and volunteer, you will always have my utmost appreciation.

I know Legacy will continue to grow and evolve under its new leadership, breaking through barriers to help those most in need. It’s been a privilege leading Legacy for 25 years, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Katy Caldwell Chief Executive Officer

Legacy Community Health Services 2021 Board of Directors

Legacy Community Health Endowment 2021 Board of Directors

Alex Jessett Chairperson Naveen Pinglay Vice-Chairperson Ryan Martin Treasurer Gary Hammett Secretary Abigail Caudle, M.D. At-Large Member / Executive Committee

Tripp Carter Chairperson Mike Holloman Vice-Chairperson Pending Treasurer Bryan Hlavinka Secretary

George Burch Taryn Hargrove Gore Bryan Hlavinka Ronnie Kurtin Mariana Chavez Mac Gregor, M.D. Amanda Goodie-Roberts Johnson Olatunji Neftali Partida Marissa Taler Devin Vasquez Allison Floyd Wells, M.D.

Linda Cantu George Hawkins Sharon Land Mark McMasters, M.D. Ray Purser

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Board Member Emeritus Melanie Gray Melissa Mithoff James A. Reeder, Jr. Monsour Taghdisi Claire Cormier Thielke

2021 Year in Review

LEGACY BY THE NUMBERS WHOM WE SERVE

43*

locations across Baytown, Beaumont, Deer Park and Houston

1,378

By Race / Ethnicity

employees

545,193

Latinx

African American

Caucasian

Asian

Other

60%

23%

13%

2%

2%

50

completed appointments

29

By Age

175,528

0

community members served annually

42%

of our patients live at or below the federal poverty level

39%

%

15%

14%

12 & Under

By Gender Identity

13 – 19

20 – 44

61%

45 – 64

39%

3% 65 & Over

<1%

OUR FINANCIALS Fee-for-Service Breakdown

Total Revenue

3%

$262,706,387

Medicaid

15%

Total Expenses

$251,297,370

Total Uncompensated Care

Self-Pay/Sliding Scale/Grants

49% 33%

Private Medicare

$20,082,079 *Information is based on Fiscal Year 2021 (July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021) 6

40 Years of Care and Innovation

VIAN NGUYEN, M.D. Letter from the Chief Medical Officer

Those who are familiar with Legacy know that when there is an unmet need or gap in care in the communities we serve, we don’t shy away. We jump in to help. And that is what others came to know over the past year—whether they needed a COVID-19 test or vaccine or access to high quality, affordable and safe care in the midst of a global pandemic, Legacy was there to help.

As I look forward to what the future holds for Legacy, I feel confident that our team of professionals will continue to work tirelessly to improve the lives of the patients we serve. That is because in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and in addition to the ongoing fight against HIV, Legacy has remained steadfast in its mission of driving healthy change. There are so many achievements to be proud of, including: • Reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission through: ◦ Ongoing monitoring of the COVID-19 pandemic and rapid implementation of safety protocols; ◦ Providing a steady stream of information and education to our staff, patients and community members; ◦ Developing protocols to allow for drive-up visits and lab testing; and ◦ Expanding the use of telemedicine to ensure access to care from the safety of people’s homes.

• Being the first in many communities to offer COVID-19 testing in 2020, then swiftly transitioning to also offer COVID-19 vaccines.

• Continuing to open clinics to provide access to health care in underserved neighborhoods including Legacy Third Ward/ Law-Harrington Senior Living Center, School-Based Health Care clinics in Galena Park Independent School District and YES Prep Charter Schools, and Wellness Bar by Legacy.

In looking to the year ahead, we will grow to over 50 locations through which we will continue to deliver our comprehensive health and wellness services, while expanding our focus to include: • Executing our Senior Care strategy with the opening of a new senior care clinic in Stafford in early 2022, and another one in Missouri City later in the year.

• Opening a Legacy clinic in the new Avenue CDC location in Near Northside. The clinic will bring much needed primary care and behavioral health services to this underserved area of Houston.

• Expanding telehealth services by launching a new initiative with teledentistry. This will help to increase public awareness about the importance of dental care, as well as provide remote dental care and treatments via technology information gathering.

• Development of electronic screening tools for Legacy patients to self-report if they are in need of social work and behavioral health services.

Legacy continues to forge a path to continuous improvement and innovation in community health care, and health care in general. I’m honored to be part of such a phenomenal organization, and I know the best is yet to come—pandemic or not.

Vian Nguyen, M.D. Chief Medical Officer

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Katy Caldwell’s Legacy

2021 Year in Review

KATY CALDWELL’S LEGACY According to her grandmother, Katy Caldwell attended more funerals than her during the 1980s and 1990s. The AIDS crisis hit close to home for the LGBTQ+ community ally and Montrose Clinic board member.

Caldwell’s involvement in the AIDS crisis began when she became a part of Colt 45, a group that would panhandle for money in gay bars to pay the rent and utilities of those living with HIV/AIDS. These efforts helped keep people afloat and make them comfortable through palliative care during their last days of life.

After Caldwell’s term as Harris County Treasurer in the 1990s, Montrose Clinic approached her to step in as its Executive Director.

The board knew her financial, business and government experience would be an ideal fit for the organization—especially at a time when the clinic was struggling financially. Caldwell agreed to accept this position in 1996, thinking she would do the job for a few years and run for office again.

With Caldwell at the helm, Montrose Clinic became one of seven LGBTQ+ clinics across the country that collaborated and shared best practices for serving their respective communities. They euphemistically referred to themselves as the “Seven Sisters.” It was through this group that Caldwell learned about Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC).

It was during one pivotal meeting that Caldwell decided to bring up a new idea to Montrose Clinic’s Board of Directors. At the time, there was a dire need to consider various options for the organization’s survival. She proposed changing the clinic’s business model to transform it from a facility that provided only HIV services to one that provided comprehensive health services to the entire community.

To take this step, Montrose Clinic would become an FQHC. Trusting Caldwell’s leadership, the board of directors voted in favor of the transition. This watershed moment set Montrose Clinic on a new path, allowing the clinic to immediately expand and improve services to LGBTQ+ Houstonians and patients living with HIV, to where we are today, providing comprehensive care to communities across Southeast Texas Following the 2005 merger between Montrose Clinic and The Assistance Fund, a Houston-based nonprofit that helped to pay for insurance premiums and medications for those living with HIV or AIDS, Legacy Community Health was born, providing quality care regardless of income. Becoming an FQHC meant Legacy would have access to new and increased sources of funding. Services expanded 8

40 Years of Care and Innovation

FROM A SMALL VOLUNTEER CLINIC IN MONTROSE TO THE LARGEST FQHC IN TEXAS... again to include adult and pediatric primary care, behavioral health care, dental and vision.

“We believed that serving the whole person, our method of care developed during the early years of the HIV pandemic, would work across any community,” Caldwell said. “We developed a system of care that supported what we now call the social determinants of health. This is a system that takes into account the needs of the person or family beyond just physical health or mental health and includes assistance with and access to housing, food and transportation. All of these play an important part in keeping a family healthy.”

Since then, Legacy has continued to expand locations across southeast Texas. One expansion Caldwell is particularly proud of is Legacy’s School-Based Health Care (SBHC) clinics. Legacy’s SBHC began as a partnership with KIPP Houston public schools and has expanded to YES Prep public charter schools and Galena Park Independent School District (GPISD), tallying a current total of 33 schools across all grade levels. A nurse practitioner and behavioral health specialist are available to provide assessments and treatments for a variety of health and wellness issues that may arise during regular school hours, eliminating the need to take time away from class, which in turn also takes pressure off working parents.

Under Caldwell’s leadership, Legacy Community Health has grown from a small volunteer clinic in Montrose to the largest FQHC in Texas, with locations across southeast Texas serving nearly 200,000 patients annually. In 25 years, Caldwell has catapulted Legacy into a prosperous and multifaceted health care system serving a diversity of patients from all income levels and beyond.

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Patient Story

2021 Year in Review

ORALIA & GABRIEL LUNA Peripartum Pediatric Navigation Program An annual physical at Legacy Community Health was on Oralia Luna’s to-do-list when she first noticed she was not feeling well.

That planned visit was replaced by an actual visit to Legacy’s Fifth Ward Clinic for a free pregnancy test. It was there that Luna learned she was expecting.

The good news came with some concerns. It had been almost 20 years since Luna gave birth to her son and she felt like she was starting all over again. In addition, during that time she suffered two miscarriages—making her a high-risk pregnancy patient.

That patient designation led her to Legacy’s Peripartum Pediatric Navigation (PPN) Program and her Patient Navigator Alejandra Zuniga. The program focuses on helping high-risk women have healthy pregnancies. Zuniga created the program with the goal of improving access to resources while targeting the physical, emotional and social support needs of high-risk patients. As part of the program, Legacy PPN navigators follow patients through their postpartum appointment as well as the newborn’s two-month pediatric visit.

“The patient navigators serve as a point of contact for the high-risk patients,” said Zuniga, who is also a Manager of Public Health at Legacy. “We are here to answer any questions and concerns that come up during the pregnancy, including helping to address any language or financial barriers.”

Zuniga was also able to connect Luna with resources like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to receive supplemental foods and nutrition education. With Legacy’s support, Luna completed all her prenatal and postpartum appointments as well as pediatric visits for her son Gabriel. Now Luna and her family are all Legacy patients and have health care coverage on a sliding scale.

“My son Gabriel is a happy and smart child. I am extremely grateful that Alejandra was there to guide me through my pregnancy and delivery. I will forever be thankful to Legacy’s Public Health team for this program,” said Luna.

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40 Years of Care and Innovation

ARTURO ORTIZ Same-Day PrEP Patient

False positives in HIV testing are rare, but they can happen. This is what Arturo Ortiz experienced one day when he was 19. “I just shut down,” said Ortiz, recalling the day that he believed, briefly, that he had contracted HIV. It would be several years before Ortiz would find out that preexposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, existed. “I found out about PrEP pretty late. I was about 24 or 25,” said Ortiz. “I heard about PrEP once on TV, but it was like it was a movie or something. I didn’t know it was real.

No doctor or anyone ever told me about it. So, when I found out that PrEP existed for real, and you could get it at no charge or low cost if you’re low-income, I felt cheated. And then I felt like I needed to let others know about PrEP,” Ortiz said, acknowledging that many people in his community have also been unaware of the medication. PrEP, a once-daily medication regimen, prevents HIV transmission by up to 99% when taken as prescribed.

Living in Galveston County at the time, Ortiz began volunteering at a local health clinic where PrEP was available. He not only acquired his own prescription for PrEP, but assisted others in getting theirs, too. After Hurricane Harvey, Ortiz relocated from Galveston County to Harris County. A chance encounter with Kenny, an off-the-clock Legacy employee, led Ortiz to Legacy’s MSociety, a group dedicated to building a safe, affirming, and healthy community that empowers young gay men of color. Ortiz began funneling acquaintances to MSociety for the support and community building—and for PrEP. At around the same time, the clinic in Galveston through which he had been receiving PrEP, let him know they were no longer a PrEP resource.

Ortiz contacted Kenny, who directed Ortiz to Wellness Bar by Legacy.

“The staff was so efficient. I explained my situation and they said, ‘We can take care of that now.’ And they did, like, the same day.” Ortiz’s treatment at Wellness Bar isn’t unique, though—Same-Day PrEP is available to all community members in a comfortable and welcoming environment. “The staff is always friendly and don’t judge. I can ask anything—and I do. I disclose it all, and I never get the feeling of being judged,” said Ortiz. Calling the experience “life-changing,” Ortiz decided to spread the word to others in the community and he continues to do so one year later.

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Patient Story

Resilience & Results

2021 Year in Review

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC What a Difference a Year Makes

Fiscal Year 2021 began in the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and also included the introduction of the first COVID-19 vaccine. Meanwhile, the Houston area was hit with two hurricanes and an unprecedented arctic freeze. In response to the combined challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and disastrous weather events, Legacy’s agility and flexibility enabled us to innovatively provide essential care to the communities we serve.

Transition to Virtual Care Within a few weeks of the arrival of COVID-19 in the Greater Houston Area, Legacy began offering virtual care via telemedicine, reducing patients’ potential exposure to the virus and allowing them to access much needed care from the safety of their homes. Legacy’s Behavioral Health services, a high-volume service line that was previously entirely in-person, was among the first to swiftly transition its services online.

From July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, 94% or 137,901* patient visits were completed virtually, a 73% increase over the previous fiscal year. In addition to allowing patients to safely access care during the pandemic, virtual care also helps eliminate other barriers to care like lack of transportation and allows patients to see the first available provider regardless of their proximity to the clinic. With this in mind, we have continued to refine and improve telemedicine services by implementing the Tablets in Clinic program, which provides tablets at each location for use by patients who do not have the necessary technology to otherwise participate, as well as the generation of virtual intake packets and other required forms so patients can complete their paperwork virtually.

COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out In late 2020, as experts worked to bring COVID-19 vaccines to market for emergency use, teams across Legacy were working to prepare for rapid and seamless deployment of the life-saving vaccines to frontline staff and the most vulnerable in our communities. Fatigued after months of striving to provide care during a global pandemic, teams dug even deeper to make sure systems were in place to receive, store and administer vaccines—and that equally as important, we were supporting our staff, communities and patients with clear communications.

On December 26, 2020, 113 Legacy employees received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. From that date through the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2021, Legacy administered close to 37,000 vaccines. Vaccine events focused on reaching underserved

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40 Years of Care and Innovation communities were held at our clinics as well as bars, churches, community centers and schools.

Government Outreach As the pandemic stretched on, Legacy’s Government Relations team focused its efforts on advocating for federal funds to assist Legacy in meeting the needs of the community. For example, Legacy was awarded multiple allocations in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (also called the COVID-19 Stimulus Package) to further Legacy’s vaccine efforts and help with the costs of additional staff for vaccine distribution. Given many uncertainties during the pandemic, our engagement and effectiveness in achieving the allocation of funds led to increased financial stability and helped ensure that Legacy could continue providing care to underserved communities.

Communication and Education Efforts In times of crisis, people have an increased need for real-time and easily accessible information. Legacy’s Leadership, Marketing and Public Affairs teams worked seamlessly—and sometimes around the clock—to ensure staff, patients and communities were wellinformed and connected. As the COVID-19 vaccine became available, there was an urgent need to educate staff and community members on the safety of the vaccine and importance of getting vaccinated. There was also extensive planning and communicating to do around administration of the vaccine. Staff trainings were implemented and a steady stream of updates was provided via text, email, intranet (staff website), virtual town halls and team check-ins. The existing COVID-19 page was updated to include information and videos (in English and Spanish) about the vaccine, which was also featured across social media channels. Videos featuring our providers discussing the safety and importance of the vaccine overall, and for children and expectant parents, were among the top-viewed videos. From the beginning of the pandemic through the introduction of the vaccine, Legacy’s team was a trusted source of COVID-19 information for the media and community organizations.

Our patients and communities know that Legacy will always show unwavering courage and commitment to providing access to affordable quality health care for all who need it. * Includes: Behavioral Health psychiatry and therapy visits, Social Work therapy visits, and Integrated Behavioral Health assessments and follow-up visits.

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Patient Story

2021 Year in Review

HARRY KINNEY

Law Harrington Senior Living Center Patient Houston native Harry Kinney moved out to the East Coast to make a life for himself. He spent years as an esteemed professor at Columbia and Cornell Universities, but as his golden years approached, a cancer diagnosis could only mean one thing: Kinney had to return to Houston to receive world-class oncology care at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Now cancer-free, he is living it up at the newly-minted Law Harrington Senior Living Facility where he says the ground floor Legacy clinic is a game changer for senior citizens.

“I had been to the Legacy clinic in Montrose for immunizations and check-ups, but my primary care provider was through MD Anderson,” said Kinney. But when MD Anderson sent him a letter informing him that they would no longer offer primary care services, he was once again on the hunt for a physician he could trust.

Kinney was a resident at the brand-new Law Harrington Senior Living Facility when he learned of the Legacy clinic coming soon to the first floor of his own building. He was the first patient seen at that Legacy location when it opened. “I had a very detail-oriented career,” Kinney said of his time as a professor, grading essays and leading discussions. “I had the mind for it.

But as you age, the brain doesn’t function the same way it used to. Having the clinic remind you about your appointments is so helpful. Ten days or a week ahead of time is great, but we also need it a few days before. How Legacy treats their patients [at Law Harrington] is so helpful; it’s interesting what an effect this has for a mind over 60.”

Strolling the halls and hanging out with neighbors at community events, he often hears the apprehension of other residents who are reluctant to transition their care from their current primary care physician to a Legacy physician. To them he says, “You have to go make an appointment with Legacy and meet them. You might have better care right here than where you are with your current provider.”

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2021 Year in Review

DR. ETTA F. WALKER COVID-19 Vaccine Recipient

Dr. Etta F. Walker celebrated her birthday this year with the gift she wanted most of all, a COVID-19 vaccine. The retired Texas Southern University professor had been looking to be vaccinated for some time. She was thrilled when she was able to easily schedule an appointment at Legacy’s Southwest Clinic.

“This was my first time visiting a Legacy clinic and I couldn’t ask for a better experience. I was greeted by staff who escorted me through the process for my first dose,” said Walker. “In just slightly over 30 minutes my paperwork was completed, the injection was administered and the 15-minute observation period completed.”

Walker repeatedly heard friends share stories about their disappointing COVID-19 vaccine experiences at other Houston area medical facilities. She says the fact that she received a verification card after her first injection, with a second vaccine automatically scheduled, is just another example of Legacy’s attention to patient care and understanding how to remove barriers within the health care experience. In addition, when her scooter’s battery died during her visit for her second vaccine, Legacy staff sprang into action and quickly got her into a wheelchair so she could continue the vaccination process.

Walker was gratified to learn that Legacy offers vaccine clinics across locations embedded in communities and neighborhoods that might otherwise face significant barriers to receiving a vaccine. “Legacy made getting vaccinated against COVID-19 so easy. I have referred many other friends and colleagues to get their COVID-19 vaccines at Legacy. Organizations like Legacy are important in the community because they are meeting the health care needs of the people they serve,” said Walker. “Legacy is a good choice not just for COVID-19 vaccines but for a wide range of medical services.”

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Patient Story

2021 Year in Review

THE CHALLENGE:

CONDITIONS AFFECTING OUR COMMUNITIES & THE NATION CHRONIC CONDITIONS

HEALTH DISPARITIES

An estimated 26.9 million people, or 8.2 % of the US population, have been diagnosed with diabetes. An additional 13% of US adults live without knowing they are diabetic. For patients with diabetes, high blood sugar levels can cause kidney and nerve damage, and eye and skin problems. When left untreated, diabetes can also cause other serious complications like heart disease or a stroke.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the health disparities present in certain underserved communities. Data shows underserved groups experienced more illness and death caused by COVID-19 due to higher rates of underlying health conditions and increased barriers to testing, treatment, and vaccines.

HEALTH CHRONIC DISPARITIES CONDITIONS (Kaiser Family Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

(American Diabetes Association)

HIV PANDEMIC

INFANT MORTALITY

Forty years after the identification of HIV, it continues to be a public health crisis. About 1.2 million people in the US live with HIV, and an estimated 13% of them are unaware they are infected. Harris County has been identified as a geographic hotspot, an area in the US where infections are highly concentrated. In addition, African Americans and Latinx continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV. In 2019, African Americans represented 13% of the US population, but accounted for 44% of new HIV diagnoses, and Latinx represented 18% of the US population, but accounted for 30% of new HIV diagnoses.

As of the first nine months of 2020, Texas reported an infant mortality rate of 5.49 per 1,000 live births, higher than the national average of 5.43. While not all causes of infant mortality are preventable, receiving early and regular prenatal care, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking or drinking during pregnancy can help reduce the risks of premature birth, pregnancy complications, or low infant birthweight.

INFANT MORTALITY

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

(HIV.gov)

MENTAL HEALTH The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of Americans has been far-reaching. Between August 2020 and February 2021, the percentage of adults who reported symptoms of anxiety or depression jumped from 36.4% to 41.5%. People with serious mental illness also have an increased risk for chronic diseases, like diabetes or cancer, adding further stress and burden to the patient.

HIV PANDEMIC

COVID-19 Over the last year, the US has made progress in the fight against COVID-19. As of the close of our fiscal year (June 30, 2021), 54.6% of the US had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. However, work still needs to be done, as COVID-19 cases have increased in some areas. Vaccine rates remain low for people aged 18-29, with 800,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19.

There is also the emergence of variants which, when combined with a significant part of the population that is unvaccinated, leaves many people at risk of infection.

MENTAL HEALTH

(Mental Health America, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Health)

COVID-19

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

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40 Years of Care and Innovation

THE SOLUTION:

OUR COMMUNITY IMPACT MANAGING CHRONIC CONDITIONS

SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH

In fiscal year 2021, Legacy’s Clinical, Pharmacy and Public Health teams worked together to improve outcomes for patients with diabetes and hypertension through the continuation of chronic disease management programs.

The programs include patient counseling and education with pharmacists and registered dietitians, the distribution of free glucometers and blood pressure cuffs, and expanded prescription delivery. Dietitians counseled over 3,000 patients, and 78 blood pressure cuffs and 197 glucometers were provided to patients to help them better manage their conditions.

In fiscal year 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a jump in demand for the services provided by Legacy’s Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) program. Health Advocate Student Interns worked to identify patients who are likely to have lower quality-of-life outcomes due to conditions in the environment they are born into and live in. The team managed a caseload of 3,392 patients, more than double that of the previous year, who were referred for assistance with needs such as food insecurity and lack of reliable transportation. Programs were implemented such as Food RX, a collaboration with the Houston Food Bank, to provide patients and neighborhood residents with boxes of fresh produce and bottled water.

CHRONIC CONDITIONS

SDOH

PRENATAL & POSTPARTUM SUPPORT Data shows that during the COVID-19 pandemic, prenatal care visits decreased, which was troubling since receiving early and regular prenatal care is critical for a healthy pregnancy, delivery and newborn (Source: Reproductivehealth-journal.biomedcentral.com). In order to ensure the best possible outcomes for pregnancies, Legacy’s Obstetrics & Gynecology (OB/GYN) team implemented extra safety measures to protect our staff and patients from contracting COVID-19; made the COVID-19 vaccine available for expectant patients who met the criteria; offered telemedicine for certain OB/GYN visits to allow patients to receive care from their homes; and continued to offer our OB2Pedi program to provide expectant parents with guidance, resources and education from pregnancy and delivery to postpartum and parenthood.

WORKING TO END HIV Legacy continued its commitment to ending HIV in fiscal year 2021 by expanding accessibility to HIV testing, prevention and treatment across the communities we serve. The number of sites that provide HIV testing and Same-day PrEP (the once daily pill to prevent HIV), was increased from two to ten over the last fiscal year. We also implemented rapid-start HIV treatment, which allows patients to begin life-saving HIV treatment on the same day they complete their first visit for care, a process which in the past could have taken several weeks. Over the fiscal year, 4,916 HIV tests were administered, 1,261 new patients were started on PrEP and 209 patients participated in rapid-start HIV treatment.

INFANT MORTALITY

HIV

ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH CARE

PROTECTING COMMUNITIES FROM COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic stretched into 2021, Legacy’s Behavioral Health team, which had been very quick to pivot from 100% in-person care to over 90% telemedicine at the onset of the pandemic, continued to not only offer telemedicine, but to expand it. The team provided close to 140,000 (94% of all visits) Psychiatry and Therapy appointments virtually, and implemented a novel “Tablets In Clinic” program which provided tablets at each clinic for patients to use if they did not have access to the necessary technology from home. With telemedicine, patients are not tied to a specific location, giving them the flexibility to schedule an appointment with the first-available provider.

These efforts led to a 4% drop in missed appointment rate.

Legacy began administering COVID-19 vaccines in January 2021, and from that time through the end of June 2021, we administered a total of 36,850 vaccines. Legacy offered vaccine clinics across locations embedded in communities and neighborhoods that might have faced significant barriers to receiving a vaccine. Events took place in our clinics, but also in community centers, places of worship, schools and even a few bars.

COVID-19

MENTAL HEALTH 17

2021 Year in Review

NEW SPECIAL PROGRAMS THIS YEAR TeenWell™ TeenWell easily transitions young patients from pediatric to adult care by engaging, educating and empowering them in their health during a time in which they are more likely to fall out of care. Launched in all Legacy Pediatric clinics, TeenWell promotes positive patient outcomes by encouraging regular exams and recommended vaccines, while listening to their health questions and concerns in a judgment-free environment. The program also includes a teen-friendly website and Teen Health Ambassador program to engage teens in ways they are most likely to respond.

Wellness Bar by Legacy Wellness Bar by Legacy opened in the heart of Montrose to offer immediate access to health and wellness services within a space that is convenient, welcoming and comfortable. The facility offers preventative care services in a spa-like setting, including rapid HIV and STI testing services, same-day PrEP (the once daily pill to prevent HIV) and immediate connection to care. Like Legacy, the Wellness Bar’s services are affordable and available to all who walk through the door.

School-Based Health Care Expansion Legacy formed its first collaboration with a non-charter public school during the 2020-2021 school year when it expanded its School-Based Health Care (SBHC) program into the Galena Park Independent School District (GPISD). The expansion included the opening of clinics in Green Valley Elementary School and North Shore High School. Four new clinics were also opened through our existing relationship with YES Prep Charter Schools. With the expansion of these six campuses, Legacy’s SBHC team is able to provide ease of access to quality and affordable health care services to families at 27 campuses across GPISD, KIPP Public Schools and YES Prep Charter Schools.

Legacy Senior Care Clinic in Houston’s Third Ward Legacy expanded its footprint to Houston’s historic Third Ward neighborhood, bringing personalized health care for adults over 65 years old. Patients at Legacy Third Ward have access to longer visits to allow geriatricians (physicians specially trained to treat older adults) more time to address their health concerns and help manage their chronic conditions. Legacy Third Ward opened in the Law Harrington Senior Living Center, developed by the Montrose Center, the first LGBTQ+affirming senior-living facility in Texas. Legacy Third Ward is open to everyone over 65 years old, including building and neighborhood residents, and established Legacy patients.

Permanent Telehealth Services Legacy secured permanent telehealth services for patients when the state published the Texas Medicaid Provider Procedures Manual in December 2020, following extensive legislative efforts by the Public Affairs team that began long before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The state’s designation allows for telehealth to be an option in all service lines.

As the COVID-19 pandemic impacted everyday life in early 2020, Legacy quickly mobilized and offered telehealth services to patients, while the Public Affairs team secured permission from the State of Texas on a month-by-month basis. The initiative led to a drop in Legacy’s missed appointment rate by 4%, indicating that fewer patients have felt the need to make last-minute changes to their appointments.

Pharmacy MAAT & Expanded Medication Delivery Legacy expanded its Pharmacy services by introducing the Medication Adherence and Access Team (MAAT), a group of Pharmacy staff dedicated to improving response times to patients’ refill requests, medication adherence and continuity of care. Additionally, Legacy Pharmacy grew its capabilities and resources to meet the demand of medication home deliveries due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team who coordinates home deliveries grew fivefold to meet the demand which increased from an average of 50 to 60 daily deliveries prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, to an average of 500 and 600 daily deliveries in the 2021 Fiscal Year.

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40 Years of Care and Innovation

TONY ARLISS SMITH Gender Care Patient

Tony Arliss Smith grew up in Kirbyville, Texas, just a stone’s throw from the Louisiana border and an hour’s drive to Beaumont—the nearest “big” town. Smith was assigned female at birth, but he knew from an early age that this was incorrect. Someone, somewhere had made a mistake. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t dress in “boy clothes” or why he had to wear a bathing suit instead of swimming trunks. Some adults may have called him a “tomboy,” but Smith knew it reached far beyond that.

The struggle began early. He couldn’t understand why the adults in his life not only kept him from the traditionally masculine things he enjoyed, but shamed him for enjoying them. This was the first step down a difficult road for Smith, who believed the words of his elders.

“I believed what the adults told me: that my very being was a sin, that who I was, was shameful and needed to be corrected,” Smith said. “With few coping skills and no understanding for the way I felt, I desperately searched for ways to escape. By age eleven I began having suicidal thoughts, which I tried to numb with substances.”

Over his teen years, Smith attempted to fit in with girls his age through sports leagues, therapy, religion and relationships. These attempts only reinforced what he knew to be true and further alienated him from his community. With no outside support and no way to properly vocalize what he was experiencing, he fell deeper into his depression.

That is, until he discovered Legacy Community Health. As a young adult in East Texas, he began seeking health care at Legacy Beaumont, a support system he calls lifesaving. “I built a life for myself filled with people who truly supported me,” Smith said. “I was even able to attend college and obtain a degree. But there was always something not quite right, something I just couldn’t identify.”

Smith was 35 when he began accessing gender care at Legacy Beaumont. “It was exactly the right time, exactly the right place, and most importantly, exactly the right people. My story is about what can happen when a person gets the support they need and deserve.”

Smith has since become a social worker himself, helping thousands of individuals, families and caregivers. He sees it as a way to give back to the community that saved him while becoming part of the change for others.

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Patient Story

Resilience & Results

2021 Year in Review

FORTY YEARS:

Taking Pride in a Legacy of Service to the HIV Community This year marks 40 years of Legacy Community Health, which began as the Montrose Clinic. We looked very different in 1981. The “little clinic that could” has since grown to become the largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Texas.

In the summer of 1977, the Texas Bar Association hosted its annual conference at the downtown Hyatt Regency in Houston.

The headlining entertainer for the conference was Anita Bryant, an infamous anti-gay vocalist. It was Bryant’s appearance that bolstered and organized the LGBTQ+ community in Houston, leading to one of the most effective movements toward equality in Texas.

Houston became the epicenter of advocacy, drawing over 10,000 LGBTQ+ and allied marchers during protests around the city. It was this organized response to Anita Bryant that led activists to assemble a town meeting at the Astro Arena which brought together 6,000 LGBTQ+ activists from around the region, according to the Houston Chronicle. One item on the agenda was the founding of Montrose Clinic, a volunteer-run clinic by and for the community where people could go for inexpensive judgment-free care.

A few years later when AIDS became a crisis in Houston, the Montrose Clinic became one of the dedicated first responders. At this time, HIV was a terminal illness, as medications were not as advanced, and the clinic staff provided much needed and dignified palliative care to patients.

Treating and caring for individuals living with HIV and AIDS was a courageous effort in the 1980s. Concerned about the social stigma, some patients didn’t want to be seen waiting in line to get into the clinic. Medical supply companies didn’t want to do business with Montrose Clinic. The clinic was a bare-bones volunteer operation whose volunteers stepped forward to embrace individuals living with HIV when larger and more established institutions failed to do so. It was a fearful, volatile period not only in Houston but across the United States.

In addition to providing testing and care, Montrose Clinic became the local pioneer in AIDS research, education and treatment. It became the first community-based HIV antibody testing site in the state and the second nationally. To attract clinical research to Houston, the clinic partnered with the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) to launch the Houston Clinical Research Network (HCRN), which conducted drug trials. This was an early example of innovation, as drug trials typically take place at research institutions; however, offering them through a community-based organization made them more accessible to the patients who needed them most.

“The only reason that I’m here today is that I had people at Montrose Clinic that could help me and get me from point A to point B,” said Carmon Keever, a long-time Legacy volunteer and patient.

It was during this period that locally and nationally high-profile women—Carolyn Farb, Mathilde Krim, Dominique de Menil, Maxine Mesinger and First Ladies Barbara Bush, Rosalynn Carter and Lady Bird Johnson—were raising money to provide needed services to people living with HIV/AIDS. They used their influence to change minds and raise funds to help

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40 Years of Care and Innovation

the community.

Farb, considered Houston’s “First Lady of Philanthropy,” has spent a lifetime raising millions for charities across the city.

She remembered that in 1986, “Nearly 40 percent of the people I could usually count on didn’t even return my calls or messages.” Nevertheless, Farb organized a gala she called “An Evening of Hope” and ultimately raised $100,000 in a single evening for an AIDS benefit. “They made it socially acceptable to give money to AIDS causes,” said Frank Campisi, lifelong Houstonian and Legacy volunteer.

Despite these awareness and fundraising efforts, Montrose Clinic struggled financially. “Administrators had to rob the clinic’s Coca-Cola vending machine to make payroll,” said Legacy Supporter and Former Board Member Tim Martinez.

By the mid-1990s, the situation was dire, but board members like Katy Caldwell knew it wasn’t the end of the road for the clinic. Caldwell took over the role as Executive Director in 1996, shepherding the clinic in a new direction that would not only save it financially, but ensure that while services expanded to more than HIV care, assistance would continue to be available to the population they had always served.

In 2005, Montrose Clinic merged with The Assistance Fund to form Legacy Community Health, an FQHC that shortly thereafter began offering adult and pediatric primary care, OB/GYN and behavioral health services not just in the Montrose neighborhood, but across southeast Texas.

After 40 years of care and innovation, Legacy continues to be committed to ending the HIV pandemic. Legacy’s HIV services have benefited over 5,000 individuals with HIV, making Legacy one of the largest Ryan White HIV facilities in the nation. When Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a medicine taken to prevent getting HIV, was introduced, Legacy led efforts to build awareness about the medicine and ensure that it was available to all individuals, regardless of their ability to pay.

In Fiscal Year 2021, Legacy helped nearly 1,300 patients start PrEP. It’s this commitment to the HIV community that drives Legacy’s mission of achieving healthy change in all the communities we serve.

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Patient Story

2021 Year in Review

GRACIE PEREZ

Behavioral Health Telemedicine Patient When it comes to health care, Legacy Community Health is Gracie Perez’s choice for herself and her son. When the COVID-19 pandemic began shutting things down across the city and state, she was relieved to find out that she’d be able to continue her care through virtual appointments from the comfort and safety of her home. It turned out to be an easy transition, especially when it came to her behavioral health care visits with Legacy Therapist Betsy Vasquez, who she began seeing three years ago.

“I was referred to Betsy because I had been dealing with anxiety that was related to some personal issues at the time,” said Perez. “I soon discovered it was a great fit, because I really liked her approach to care. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it was comforting to know I would be able to continue my visits with her. I wasn’t sure what to expect on that first virtual behavioral health visit, but I actually found it to be a very peaceful process,” said Perez. “Gone were the issues with traffic or parking. I just turned on my computer, clicked onto the link and talked to my provider one-on-one.”

Perez still uses telehealth visits for her behavioral health care needs and hopes to continue to do so in the future. “I see Legacy’s telehealth program as an extension of the excellent care they provide to their patients. I tell everyone about Legacy and the help they have provided to me and my son,” said Perez. “If you need someone to talk to or are having insurance issues, Legacy can help. Doesn’t matter who you are, they treat everyone equally.”

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40 Years of Care and Innovation

KARLA FERNANDEZ Social Determinants of Health Client

When Karla Fernandez learned she was pregnant, she set her focus on having both a healthy pregnancy and a healthy child.

The mother of a five-year-old son still gets emotional talking about the baby she lost at birth in 2017.

“When I found out I was expecting I became very worried about this pregnancy because of the earlier loss,” said Fernandez. “I didn’t want that to happen again.”

That is why she turned to Legacy Community Health for prenatal care. It was during her initial obstetrics visit at the Mapleridge clinic that Fernandez met Legacy Health Advocate Student Intern Dawn Graustein. She screened Fernandez for social determinants of health and discovered the young mother was positive for transportation insecurities.

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the conditions in which people are born into, grow and live every day that affect their overall health and well-being. Legacy screens for and helps provide assistance with insecurities in food, transportation, housing and utilities.

To help Fernandez get to her OB/GYN visits, Graustein connected her with Roundtrip, a digital rideshare program that helps health care professionals connect patients with transportation to their medical appointments.

“Many Legacy patients face barriers that prevent them from getting to doctor appointments,” said Graustein. “Roundtrip has reduced no-show appointments for patients, which results in better care. By providing access to transportation, Legacy supports our most vulnerable patients with getting their overall health care needs met.”

Fernandez says she is very thankful for the rides, which have made it easier for her to make her monthly appointments. She has moved her OB/GYN visits to a Legacy clinic closer to home, for even more convenience of care.

“I am thankful for Dawn and Legacy’s health advocate program during this time,” said Fernandez. “They helped me and they can help you.”

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Patient Story

2021 Year in Review

LEGACY IN THE NEWS Media Relations, Appointments and Awards

Total News Mentions:

700+ Articles

Potential Readers Reached:

2.2B

Total Ad Spend Equivalency:

$4.3M

Houston Business Journal Most Admired CEO, Nonprofit

Houston Business Journal Women Who Mean Business

University of Houston Cougar 100 Fastest-Growing Cougar-Led Businesses

Katy Caldwell

Felicia Latson

#28 – Legacy Community Health

Houstonia Magazine Top Doctors of 2020

Human Rights Campaign Health Equality Index, LGBTQ Health Care Quality Top Performer Legacy Community Health

Urban Land Institute: Development of Distinction Award, Not-for-Profit Legacy Southwest

Drs. Pedro Bustamante, IV and Chad Lemaire

OutSmart Magazine’s Gayest & Greatest Readers’ Choice Awards Best Female Physical Trainer, Felicia Lee-Sexton Best Female Psychiatrist, Melanie Melville, MD

Best Gym/Place to Work Out, Body Positive at Legacy Montrose Best Pharmacy, Legacy Pharmacy – Montrose

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40 Years of Care and Innovation

JEAN-PAUL “JP” DURAND TeenWell™ Patient & Teen Health Ambassador You could describe 16-year-old Jean-Paul “JP” Durand as a typical teen. As a long-distance runner at his high school, he is active in cross-country and track. He likes anime films and hanging out with his friends. Like most teens, there are just some things he does not like talking about with his parents—or anyone else for that matter.

Young patients like Durand are just one reason why Legacy launched its TeenWell program in 2021. Legacy’s Pediatric team examined a group of patients over time and found that while most 12-year-old children had an annual well-child visit, only 41% of 13-year-olds had a visit, and by the age of 18, only 2% of teens had attended all their visits. This major decline in preventative health is reflected in data across the US. The decline was the reason behind TeenWell, a program developed

by Legacy to engage teens and young adults in their health in a way that is comfortable and nonjudgmental. The program promotes preventative health measures like annual exams, health screenings and vaccinations, along with access to education and resources, all of which are designed for how teens want to engage and receive information. Just as important, it provides teens and their parents with a place to feel heard and supported.

“It feels like it’s truly a judgment-free zone. I can talk about anything that is on my mind and I know my doctor is there to listen and help, without judgment and with practical advice,” said Durand. “Which has helped a lot as I work on becoming more independent before going away to college.”

Legacy is among a handful of health care organizations in Southeast Texas that offer comprehensive services specifically for adolescents, approximately 12 to 21 years of age. Legacy has one of the largest Adolescent Medicine teams in Texas, with five specially-trained physicians, and additional staff including behavioral health therapists, nurses and physician assistants with expertise in adolescent medicine.

In addition to his busy school schedule, Durand has agreed to serve as a Legacy Teen Health Ambassador. The role gives him the opportunity to help guide other teens in understanding the importance of their health. So far, he’s been part of advising Legacy on the development of their TeenWell website, helped promote COVID-19 vaccines by being filmed getting his vaccine with a popular hip-hop radio DJ, and was interviewed by the Houston Chronicle about teen health.

“When I talk to other teens I tell them that they should be looking to partner with their health care providers in their health. Building a trusting relationship with my doctor has helped me discover who I am as a person, and it has also helped me find the physical and mental strength to better my overall well-being,” said Durand.

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Patient Story

Development Program

2021 Year in Review

EPISCOPAL HEALTH FOUNDATION A Legacy of Support

Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF) has been supporting Legacy Community Health since before there was a Legacy Community Health. And, it turns out, before there was even an EHF. “The Episcopal Diocese of Texas awarded us a $10,000 grant to support education and outreach in 2003, which was especially noteworthy at the time because we were nowhere near as financially stable then as we are now,” said Legacy CEO Katy Caldwell. “This was a few years before Legacy existed, back when we were still the Montrose Clinic, and keeping the doors open was an ongoing concern.”

EHF was established 10 years later, in 2013, when Bishop Andy Doyle used funds from the transfer of St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System to establish a foundation with the belief that all Texans deserve to live healthy lives, especially those with the least resources.

“From the beginning, we’ve been committed to supporting solutions that addressed the underlying causes of poor health,” said Elena Marks, president and CEO of EHF. “While access to affordable care is extremely important, it’s only one piece of the puzzle. We wanted to help organizations go beyond the exam room to tackle the non-medical factors that cause so many people to get sick.”

Most recently, EHF has supported Legacy’s Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) program, which addresses social conditions affecting a patient’s health. “Our goal is to identify patients who experience food insecurity or are in need of transportation, financial or housing assistance, and connect them with the resources they need to not only survive, but to improve their overall health outcomes,” said Felicia Latson, Senior Director – Programs, Social Determinants of Health.

“Thanks to EHF, we were able to expand this program to another clinic in Legacy’s system, and reach more people in need.”

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40 Years of Care and Innovation

EHF’s support has been invaluable in meeting the needs of patients of Legacy’s SDOH patients. “We knew that the need was great, but even we were surprised by how quickly we were able to meet that need thanks to funding from EHF,” said Latson. “For example, when launching our transportation support program we initially aimed to provide transportation to uninsured patients needing to attend clinic visits. However, because of EHF’s flexibility and support, we were able to expand the target population to all patients regardless of insurance type.”

In addition, Legacy was able to provide rides to food access sites including food pantries, grocery stores and WIC offices.

This benefitted SDOH patients with food insecurity who would otherwise be unable to access the Houston Food Bank’s Mobile Market at Legacy Santa Clara.

“EHF is a true charitable leader in Houston, and not just because they make significant, impactful grants. They take the time to truly get to know their grantees, listen to feedback, and provide important flexibility so local non-profits can get the most out of each and every philanthropic dollar,” said Legacy Chief Development Officer Chree Boydstun. “COVID-19 kept people from coming to our clinics for a large portion of 2020, which hindered our ability to spend down grant monies; EHF was one of the first funders to reach out and ask if we needed an extension. They sincerely care about improving community health, and it shows in how they work with non-profits all over the city.”

“Legacy is an important partner, both as a part of the health system and the community,” Marks said. “Community-based clinics are important change agents needed to improve health, not just health care, for those most in need.”

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Donor Story

2021 Year in Review

CHRIS LAAKSO A Donor’s Story

To hear him tell it, it was only a matter of time before Chris Laakso graduated from Golf Tournament participant to Golf Tournament Presenting Sponsor. “I’ve played in each and every Frank Billingsley Golf Classic, going back 11 years now,” said Laakso. “I knew about the great work Legacy did even before that thanks to my business partner’s relationship with the organization.”

That partner, George Hawkins, introduced Laakso to Legacy during the capital campaign to build Legacy’s flagship Montrose Clinic, and from there the connection grew into something more.

“I live near that clinic, so every day I see the impact Legacy has on my community. Seeing what Legacy is able to accomplish on a daily basis, seeing the amount of lives they are able to touch, gives a real sense of purpose to my charitable giving,” Laakso said. “When Chree (Boydstun, Legacy’s Chief Development Officer) asked me to lead the first ever Golf Tournament Committee, I just knew I had to do it.”

“We were approaching the 10th anniversary of the golf tournament,” said Boydstun, “and we knew that we needed to do something extra special, and we needed someone passionate about both golf and Legacy to help us get there. Chris was the obvious choice for quite a few reasons.”

One of those reasons was Laakso’s history with philanthropy, which he traces back to his grandfather’s teachings. “My grandfather was a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy,” said Laakso, “and he took an interest in me early in my life. We were able to spend a lot of time together. I got to see how he gave back to his communities, and that inspired me to do the same.”

Through his grandfather, Laakso got to see firsthand the kind of long-term impact philanthropy can have. “He died in 1993, and I still get updates from his estate about a scholarship created at the University of Oregon upon his passing,” said Laakso. “He’s still helping young people get an education, 28 years after his death.”

Laakso has seen what organizations can do when they’re given the resources they need to make a difference, so it was another easy ‘yes’ when Boydstun asked both he and Hawkins to be the Golf Tournament’s Presenting Sponsor. In 2020 and 2021, Hawkins Laakso Wealth Management and Equitable have been the largest donors to this signature event, which benefits Legacy’s School-Based Health Care program.

“Our partners at Equitable saw how involved we were with Legacy, and they saw how Legacy’s values mirrored Equitable’s in that both organizations help people live their best lives,” said Laakso.

In the end, Laakso’s involvement with Legacy comes down to the children. “This tournament is about supporting the health and education of children,” said Laakso. “Especially those kids who don’t have regular access to medical care. It’s about removing the monetary barrier to care, or removing the transportation barrier for parents so they don’t have to leave work and drive across town to take their children to the doctor.”

While Laakso admits he enjoys playing in the golf tournament, it’s being a part of bringing healthy change to Legacy patients that is most important to him. “I’m part of the Legacy family because they improve the lives of everyone who walks through their doors. I’m proud to play a small role in supporting the doctors, nurses and frontline staff who serve the community day in and day out,” said Laakso. “I know there are big things on the horizon for this organization.”

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2021 Year in Review

Donor Story

KEN COUNCIL Journey from Patient to Donor

Ken Council wasn’t there when the Montrose Clinic was first incorporated in 1981, but it didn’t take him long to find us. His first visit to the health center that would become Legacy Community Health came in 1987. “I got the dubious designation of B5952, which was my patient number back then. I worked for a large oil company, and the Montrose Clinic was a safe place for gay men like me to come for HIV testing and treatment,” said Council.

Attitudes toward HIV were much different back then. “We needed a place to get tested that wouldn’t show up on our insurance, or any other paperwork, that might get us fired,” said Council. “The Montrose Clinic was a tiny house on Westheimer that offered afterhours care, so it was the perfect place for me and my friends.”

“I found out I was living with HIV in 1987, and that should’ve been a scary time,” said Council. “Instead the people at the Montrose Clinic made it almost fun! The staff was caring and personable, and there were so many guys there like me that we would all ended up chatting for hours every time we came in for blood work.”

Council appreciated the services and camaraderie so much that he followed the clinic every time it changed locations. He remembers going to “what looked like a double-wide trailer on Richmond Avenue” and then the move to 215 Westheimer, and finally to the Montrose campus where the clinic thrives today. That was when Council says he was inspired to become a donor.

“I knew some people were worried that the organization would forget its roots during the transition from the Montrose Clinic to Legacy Community Health and leave the gay community behind, but I never saw it that way. I saw that Legacy was maintaining all of the services that people had relied on for so long, while at the same time growing so they could treat underserved communities.” Once Council saw that the new facility was in the heart of Montrose, he knew he had to get involved. “I made a donation to the capital campaign so that I could help build something that I used,” said Council. “I think that’s pretty cool!”

Council has donated to Legacy in a number of ways, often supporting events like Mint Julep and the Holiday Schmooze that he attends to learn about new developments at the agency and reconnect with old friends. He feels Legacy events provide opportunities to meet and talk to the people involved with keeping our communities healthy.

“Sure, I get to see members of the LGBTQ+ community I may have lost touch with, but I also get to learn about programs like Legacy’s Little Readers which is helping impoverished children improve their learning potential through the power of literacy,” said Council.

What keeps Council involved with Legacy is his belief in Legacy’s mission, and his desire to leave the world a better place than he found it. “What Legacy does, taking care of their neighbors, is a real act of love,” said Council. “What they’ve accomplished, going from a small house to a whole system of clinics, has strengthened the base of an organization that started right here in our community. Like they did in the beginning, Legacy is helping those who need it the most.”

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LEGACY THROUGH THE YEARS

SERVICES OFFERED

BY LEGACY

With Legacy’s vision of health care for all, we’re committed to providing a wide range of services: Adolescent Care Adult Medicine Behavioral Health Dental Eligibility & Enrollment Endocrinology Family Medicine Gender Health & Wellness Geriatrics/Senior Care Health Promotion & Education HIV/STI Screening, Prevention & Treatment

LGBTQ+ Services Obstetrics & Gynecology Patient Navigation & Linkage to Care Pediatrics Pharmacy School-Based Health Care Social Services Sports Medicine Transgender Specialty Care Vaccinations & Immunizations Vision

LEGACYCOMMUNITYHEALTH.ORG