The Centene Charitable Foundation and its Texas health plan, Superior HealthPlan (Superior), have committed $7.9 million in a brand-new, cutting-edge multipurpose community facility in Uvalde, Texas, according to a statement from Centene Corporation. The community center will work in collaboration with Community Health Development, Inc. (CHDI), a federally designated health center, to provide the whole Uvalde community and its surrounding area with access to full health resources. On December 2, officials from Centene, Superior, and CHDI held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site.
“This project exemplifies what Centene and Superior believe is critical when it comes to healthcare – that local relationships enable meaningful and effective healthcare,” said Mark Sanders, CEO of Superior HealthPlan.
Once finished, the new community center will include areas for primary medical care, behavioral health services, youth development resources, training for students to prepare for college and the workforce, retail space for neighborhood businesses, and a tranquility garden to remember the victims of the May 24, 2022, tragedy.
“We are honored to partner together and continue serving the Uvalde community for years to come,” said Mayela Castañon, CEO of CHDI. “Together, with Centene and Superior, we’ve expanded access to telehealth services, offered behavioral health training for providers, and supported the thousands of Superior members we serve in this area.”
Actor Matthew McConaughey, State Representative Tracy King, Dr. Monica Gutierrez of Sul Ross University, Tomás León of Equality Health Foundation, and Mary Beth Fisk of the Uvalde Together Resiliency Center are all members of the executive committee overseeing the project, along with Mark Sanders of Superior HealthPlan, Mayela Castaon of CHDI, Lela Ballesteros of CHDI, Honorable Bill Mitchell of Uvalde, Dr. Hal Harrell of UCISD, and
The Uvalde Community Center is scheduled to be finished by the end of 2024.
