ट्राभिस काउन्टी स्वास्थ्य सेवाका लागि नयाँ घर

As the building began to emerge over the ensuing months, brick by brick, its image began to take shape. The plan for the nearly 200,000-square foot facility is for it to become the Central Health system’s new clinical and administrative HQ.

What that means for patients is rapidly reduced wait times for medical appointments, along with improved access lines to significant needs like transportation (the 345 and 322 bus stops are feet away) and food insecurity (an H-E-B is right next door).

On a system level, Central Health will unify its system by housing administrative offices for Central Health, CommUnityCare Health Centers, and Sendero Health Plans.

Stakeholders from around Travis County have taken notice.

“This is a game changer,” said Rick Astray-Caneda, the president of the non-profit Friends of the David Powell Clinic, and a long-time advocate for HIV and AIDS care in Travis County. “That convenience, it helps you get health care along with all the things you are doing in your life besides health care. That’s critical.”

Preparing for the Future

In 2021, the future of Central Health Hancock was made possible when the Central Health Board of Managers approved the issuance of $150 million of debt to purchase and renovate the building where the former Sears stood in Austin for over five decades.

“We’ll invest in health care for people with low income by controlling long-term administrative costs,” former Central Health President and CEO Mike Geeslin said at the time. “Over time, it’s less expensive to own than to rent, and stewardship of public dollars is part of our responsibility to taxpayers.”

That landmark decision by the Central Health Board prepared the Central Health system to move forward as one unifying organization.

Together, Central Health and CommUnityCare form what is known as a public health center. It’s a system that provides comprehensive care to vulnerable populations, though each entity has its place.

CommUnityCare, a federally qualified health center (FQHC), has practice agreements to provide primary and dental care and other services, while Central Health, a planner, payor, and provider of health care, delivers more than 20 specialty and diagnostic services to patients in Travis County. Sendero Health Plans, a community-based health plan provider, completes the system.

The creation of the new headquarters, which eventually will house primary care, dental care and specialty care in one integrated, community-focused model, is expected to consolidate services and save health care delivery costs over the next 30 years.

“At Vivent Health (formerly AIDS Services of Austin), we’ve seen firsthand the effectiveness delivering HIV care in an inclusive and integrated environment and applaud Central Health and CommUnityCare for prioritizing the David Powell Clinic as the first clinic to open in this new space,” said Brandon Wollerson, senior director of philanthropy and community engagement at Vivent Health.

To taxpayers and community leaders, that promise is critical.

The next phase of the system’s transformation is Central Health Hancock.

“Over the long term, this campus has the potential to anchor a more coordinated, community-centered health system in Travis County,” Austin City Council Member Zohaib Qadri said. “By bringing together clinical services, public health programs and support resources in one place, it can help improve continuity of care and health outcomes, particularly for residents who have historically faced the greatest challenges accessing care.”

Astray-Caneda says another element will be important, too. When administrative offices open, they will be in the same building as the clinics themselves.

“Having Central Health’s offices right there along with people being served,” he said, “…that matters.

“A patient might see (Central Health leaders) walk inside the same doors they take. It’s a sign that Central Health is making health care a part of its daily routine. Community clinics aren’t out of the way. They’re in a central location.”

Predicting Long-Term Success

The long-term impact of Central Health Hancock will start on the ground level.

On April 24 patients will begin by receiving care at the David Powell Health Center, an HIV prevention and treatment clinic that has been serving Travis County residents and beyond for over 35 years. Patients who were previously treated at the former clinic at 4614 North Interstate 35 Frontage Road will move over to its new location.

The David Powell Health Center began with a central mission to care for those who lacked access to it. It was inspired by the late David Powell, a former City of Austin social worker who died in 1989 from AIDS-related complications before his vision was ever realized.

All this time later, the clinic’s mission still remains.

“For people living with HIV who use the public health care system, making a trip to the doctor comes at a cost,” Astray-Caneda said. “You might have to wait. You might have to travel out of the area to get care. You may not get the meds you need. But at the new Central Health Hancock facility, you can get all of that done in one beautiful and friendly place, a place where people want to be. That’s the way to get it done.”

What To Know:

Central Health Hancock continues to prepare for its expansion of services across 2026.

Austin leaders say they couldn’t be more ready for it.

“As Austin continues to grow, our health care infrastructure has to grow with it in a way that is both accessible and equitable,” Council Member Qadri said. “Central Health Hancock represents an important step in that direction.”