Waco Family Medicine

Waco Family Medicine: Community Primary Care in the Heart of Texas

Waco Family Medicine is a community health center based in Waco, Texas, established in 1969 by the McLennan County Medical Society to address three specific problems: a shortage of doctors, lack of access to primary care among low-income residents, and the city's economic development needs. The project emerged from a coalition of business, political, and medical leaders.

The entity defines itself as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), a designation that allows it to serve underserved populations, apply income-based fees, provide comprehensive care, and receive enhanced Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. Its stated mission is to improve the health and well-being of underserved residents of the Heart of Texas through effective access to high-quality comprehensive primary care and an exemplary training environment for future family physicians and other health care professionals.

Medical Services and Care Team

The center has more than 120 direct caregivers, including family physicians, resident physicians, pediatricians, internists, and OB-GYNs. Medical services include primary and preventive care—annual checkups, chronic disease management, and wellness monitoring at every stage of life—pediatrics from birth through adolescence, women's health with gynecology, prenatal care, and postpartum support, behavioral health, and laboratory and radiology.

Pediatric care ranges from checkups and dental cleanings to counseling and emotional support. The behavioral health service works in an integrated way with primary care providers, patients, and families to address mental health issues, substance misuse, health-related behaviors, and physical symptoms associated with stress.

Dentistry and Pharmacy

Dentistry is the center's second most utilized service. On certain days of the year, free dental screenings and discounts are offered for children, and a mobile dental unit brings these free services to local schools to expand access.

The in-house pharmacy complements medical care and often dispenses prescriptions to patients at a fraction of traditional costs. The pharmacy operates in three locations and offers medication pickup or delivery, as well as prescription management, transfer of prescriptions, home delivery, and a prescription center to refill orders.

Community Programs and Financial Support

Community programs include the mobile and street team, school programs, and affordable prescriptions. The center also provides support for applying for Medicaid, CHIP, and other public programs: one-on-one help with applications, guidance on documents and deadlines, and explanation of the differences between programs. The stated goal is for patients to be able to focus on their health and their family.

The newest location is presented as a model community health center that combines medical services with cooking classes, exercise programs, and other activities offered by local partners.

Network of Clinics and Access

The network of clinics and services is distributed across two areas. Within Waco, the identified locations are Bellmead, Central, Elm Avenue, Extended Hours Clinic, Imperial Drive, MacArthur, Martin Luther King Jr., Tom Oliver, S. 18th, West Waco, and Women's Health Center. Outside Waco, there are Hillsboro, McGregor, Temple, and Downtown. Some of these locations have an on-site pharmacy.

The center offers same-day appointments and after-hours care, Spanish-speaking staff, and assistance with Medicaid and CHIP. MyChart provides 24/7 access to patient care. Each visit begins with a phone call in which the team helps choose the most appropriate location, collects documentation, and checks which programs or support the patient may qualify for.

Resident Training and Governance

Waco Family Medicine trains family physicians and dentists to provide full-spectrum, comprehensive care. The organization has a medical residency program and the Waco Family Medicine Foundation, as well as a connection with Texas AHEC East. It defines itself as a Federal Tort Claims Act Deemed Facility.

The board of directors includes Kristen Padilla (chair, director of the Baylor Univ Ctr for Disabilities), George Johnson (first vice president, pastor and former assistant city manager of the City of Waco), Sherry Williams (second vice president, former director of the public health district), Mark Hobbs (finance chair, attorney and foundation director), Tashita Bibles (local artist), and Chet Edwards (retired congressman).