March 8, 2019
CommUnityCare William Cannon converting to a primary care clinic
(Austin) – To make health care more convenient for patients who can’t wait for a scheduled appointment, Central Health-funded CommUnityCare Health Centers is opening a new walk-in-clinic starting Monday at the Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center.
At the same time, CommUnityCare is converting its William Cannon walk-in clinic in South Austin into a primary care clinic. Both clinic changes are designed to make seeing a doctor easier for residents who are uninsured and historically underserved living in South/Southeast Austin, and Eastern Travis County, specifically the 78741 and 78744 ZIP codes.
“We are addressing two unmet needs, “said Matt Balthazar, CommUnityCare VP of Health Center Advancement. “People living near the William Cannon Clinic/Dove Springs area need a true a medical home, where they can establish a relationship with a primary care doctor. At the same time, we’ve seen a greater need for walk-in at our busiest site in Southern Travis County, the Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center.”
Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center Walk-in Clinic
Beginning Monday, March 11, patients can walk-in with no appointment to Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center for things such as colds, cases of flu, or cuts, bumps and sprains, etc. A $730,000 grant from Health Resource & Services Administration helped pay to transform an existing meeting space into six exam rooms for walk-in care. Radiology and expanded lab services will also be available. Located at 2901 Montopolis Drive, the walk-in clinic will be open from 7:15 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
CommUnityCare William Cannon Clinic
Also beginning Monday, March 11, CommUnityCare at William Cannon will change from a walk-in-clinic to a family practice health center. Dr. Melendez, formerly at Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center, and Audrey Straus, a Family Nurse Practitioner formerly at CommUnityCare South Austin will relocate their practices to CommUnityCare at William Cannon, located at 6901 S. IH 35, 1-E, in Austin. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
To inform residents about the changes, CommUnityCare sent letters to all patients seen within the last 2 years at William Cannon, and patients seen by Dr. Melendez and Audrey Straus. Additionally, CommUnityCare staff has distributed flyers inside clinic waiting rooms, in the community, and through partner organizations.
“We’re looking at the entire health care system and making changes to bring care to where people live and work,” said Mike Geeslin, Central Health president and CEO. “We want to give everyone in Travis County access to the best possible health care, regardless of where they live, how busy they are, or how much they make. A bigger walk-in clinic with convenient hours and a relationship with a care team are two ways we can do that.”
While no appointment is necessary at the new walk-in clinic at Central Health Southeast Health & Wellness Center, patients should call 512-978-9015 to schedule an appointment at CommUnityCare William Cannon.