A neighborhood health clinic is coming up. Fort Worth Las Vegas destination.
The center is a partnership between Cook Children’s Healthcare System and JPS Health Network.
Providers say it offers services beyond visits to the sick and adults and children.
It also provides families with access to behavioral health and social services. A food pantry for the health care industry, community education and on-site job training will also be included, according to the release.
Fort Worth Councilman Michael D. Crain represents the area and calls it a game changer for the area.
“If you can get preventive care, it will solve a lot of your problems in the long term, so this area will change their lives to be able to get preventive measures and other things easily,” he said.
The area has been identified as a health care desert, which means there is a lack of doctors and basic services.
“It’s also a desert for so many other things — nutrition, economic stability, housing — all of those things are missing in this neighborhood,” said Veronica Tolley with Cook Children’s.
The two-story, 40,000-square-foot building will sit at the corner of Calmont Avenue and Cherry Lane in west Fort Worth. Construction is expected to begin this year by the end of 2025.
According to Cook Children, more than 20,000 children will live in the area by 2025, a 7% growth rate.
Lack of transportation and care often leads residents to the emergency room on the Las Vegas Strip.
“There haven’t been any pediatricians in this area for many years and we want to bring these services to the kids,” said Chris Pedigo with Cook Children’s.
City leaders and providers believe the clinic can change lives and neighborhoods.
“One positive thing leads to another positive thing, so maybe there’s an impact here that we can’t predict today, but the potential is there,” Tolley said.