Baylor Teen Health Clinic Opens at Bayland Community Center

Baylor Teen Health Clinic Opens at Bayland Community Center
Image credit: Aileen Aviles

When Lesley Briones's students came to her with health problems, she often could not refer them to doctor's visits because their families could not afford it, she said in her October 16 speech. As a teacher, she set a goal to overcome this obstacle. Now, as Harris County Precinct 4 commissioner, she has partnered with the Baylor College of Medicine to open a health clinic for youth ages 13-24, right in Sharpstown's Bayland Community Center.

On October 16, Briones joined Senator Molly Cook and Baylor CEO Dr. Paul Klotman for the grand opening of the clinic, which sits in a remodeled wing of the main building. They thanked partner organizations who participated in making the clinic as well as incoming organizations who will carry out programs there. Funding for the remodel came from organizations like the Harris County Hospital District Foundation, which donated ~$100,000, HCP4, which accumulated ~$400,000 for the build, and Baylor.

“There are programs for children, for adults, but teens are often forgotten and left out,” said Klotman. That's why this clinic focuses on ages 13-24, a group considered underrepresented in the patient population.

Senator Cook commended the groups who made the clinic possible for “prioritizing public health and prioritizing the health of the most vulnerable people that we both get to serve.”

The wing, once “vacant, locked, and full of spiders,” according to Briones, has been transformed into a clinic with its own pharmacy, stocked laboratory, and multiple exam rooms. Primary services include the following:

  • Immunizations
  • Sports medicine
  • Primary healthcare
  • Mental health care
  • STI testing & treatment
  • Family planning, birth control, & gynecology

The clinic—now open for appointments—also boasts "Spanish-speaking healthcare providers and translation services," according to Baylor's press release.

It also participates in Ascend, Baylor's career preparation program for young adults. Ascend provides workshops, job training in healthcare professions, and access to free medical care, including mental health care.

The clinic will offer other programs through partner organizations. One, Harris County Public Health, is leading a diabetes prevention program and a mobile dental clinic. And Common Market, a Texas-based "distributor of sustainable, local farm foods," is set to partner with the clinic for food security awareness. The clinic will also include a walk-in wellness program, social workers, and telemedicine.

The clinic is the first step toward bringing ”transformational change for a community that needs it, and more importantly, a community that deserves it,” said Briones. The clinic is part of HCP4's initiative to improve local parks through the Bayland Park Master Plan and Burnett Bayland Park Master Plan.

Baylor Teen Health Clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm.


Authors

Aileen Aviles

Aileen Aviles, reporter & translator
Aileen Aviles is a sophomore studying Legal Studies and Spanish at Houston Christian University. She enjoys volunteering, learning history, and traveling. She grew up near the Sharpstown area and is glad to be able to share her love for the area with The Sharpener’s audience.

Tyess Korsmo

Tyess Korsmo, editor-in-chief
A North Dakota farm boy, Tyess moved to Sharpstown in 2019 to earn his Master of Liberal Arts at Houston Christian University (formerly Houston Baptist), where he taught English and history. He now teaches English for the Heart of Texas Foundation College of Ministry, located in a maximum-security prison. He