Harris County Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones and the Baylor College of Medicine hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony in celebration of the new, free Teen Health Clinic at Bayland Community Center, located in the southwest region of Precinct 4. This collaboration will expand access to world-class Texas Medical Center-quality preventative care for underserved youth ages 13 to 24. 

Approximately 116,253 residents live within a two-mile radius of the Bayland Community Center, mainly in the neighborhoods of Sharpstown and Gulfton. This diverse community comprises 40,686 households, of which 54% are identified as low-income, and 29% are under 18 years old. In addition to these residents in the immediate area, all youth ages 13 to 24 will be able to receive care at the Clinic. 

“Access to quality healthcare is critical for our community to thrive,” said Commissioner Briones. “Opening this free clinic in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine is a significant step forward in providing access. We will be providing world-class, comprehensive, preventative health care services to our youth, ensuring they have the resources they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.” 

The free clinic will bring essential healthcare services closer to home for many young residents. The Clinic will have bilingual staff, ensuring language is not a barrier to care. 

The Clinic provides a range of essential services, including: 

• Comprehensive Physicals and Immunizations: Routine check-ups and vaccinations to promote overall well-being. 

• Behavioral and Mental Health Services: Support for mental health needs, including counseling. 

• Sick Visits: Immediate care for non-emergency illnesses. 

• Social Services: Connection to resources for additional support within the community. 

• Family Planning Services: Comprehensive pregnancy testing and prevention, and contraception counseling. 

• STI/HIV Prevention and Screening: Access to vital prevention resources and testing. 

“We at the Baylor College of Medicine Teen Health Clinics are honored to become part of the Bayland community and serve the young communities who call this area home,” said Dr. Peggy Smith, CEO of the Baylor Teen Health Clinic and professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine. “It is imperative that the patients we serve understand and appreciate that they have control over their health. Our clinic will provide free state of the art primary, preventative, mental and reproductive health care by Baylor faculty and staff. We believe this expansion will significantly impact the community and its surrounding areas. We are grateful for the leadership of Commissioner Briones and her staff to serve her community.” 

This Clinic is part of a growing range of health and wellness services at Bayland Community Center, which includes Harris County Public Health’s Diabetes Prevention Program and Mobile Dental Clinic, Common Market’s food distribution program, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Walk & Talk Series, and onsite social workers offering free case management and resource navigation. The Fonteno Senior Education Center, also located in Bayland Park, hosts Harris Health’s telemedicine center for virtual physician visits and Harris County Public Health’s ACCESS Harris County program, which provides wraparound support for community members facing health, financial, housing, substance abuse, and social challenges. 

For more information about the Teen Health Clinic and its services, please visit https://cp4.harriscountytx.gov/Assistance/Health-Hub or call 713-274-4353.