Legacy Community Health provides healthcare services to more than 200,000 across Southeast Texas each year. With almost 1,500 employees, it is the largest federally qualified health center (FQHC) in the state of Texas. Legacy provides adult primary care, pediatrics, dental care, vision services, behavioral health services, OB/GYN and maternity, vaccinations, and immunizations. Other services include health promotion, community outreach, wellness and nutrition, and comprehensive HIV/AIDS care.

ACH Communications, Marketing & Membership Manager Rita Rey recently visited Legacy Community Health’s Fifth Ward location. There, she had the opportunity to catch up with Vice President of Government Relations & Public Affairs Lindsay Lanagan.

What does working at Legacy Community Health mean to you?

It means everything! I’ve had several jobs in my 16 years as a professional in Government Relations. I’ve finally found my home and my mission. I can say working at Legacy means there is always a pivot, a strategy, and a mission to serve those in need. It’s an absolute privilege I get to do this.

What one thing makes you most proud?

I think my proudest moment was working with a coalition of stakeholders to break through the barriers of telemedicine. We had to modernize some of our state laws, and achieving that was definitely a pop champagne moment. And this was all before COVID-19!

What keeps you up at night?

The attack on the 340B program. This program is so massively important to our patients, and without it we cannot deliver the low-cost medications and wrap-around services necessary to stretch the scarce federal resources we receive.

If you had a magic wand, what would you wish for?

Improved access to insurance coverage for the uninsured population. If there is one thing that would help our community, it would be access to coverage. I live in a state with the highest uninsured rate in the country. So many people go without preventative care because of their lack of coverage, but Legacy will be here for those regardless of coverage.

You can learn more about Legacy Community Health and their impactful work at www.legacycommunityhealth.org.