August 7, 2024
In a historic move, Central Health has opened its first permanent specialty clinic at the iconic Rosewood-Zaragosa center in East Austin, marking a significant milestone in the organization’s 20-year journey to bridge healthcare gaps in Travis County. This new clinic is a cornerstone of Central Health’s unprecedented expansion, which includes launching around 20 specialty care, diagnostic, and support service lines at three clinical sites—East Austin, Capital Plaza, and the newly renovated Rosewood-Zaragosa Specialty Clinic—by the end of September 2024.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 31, Central Health representatives, including staff and board members, spoke about the significance of opening a clinic in a neighborhood that has long faced a shortage of specialty healthcare options. For many years, many East Austin residents had to wait several months—sometimes even more than a year—or had to travel to other cities to seek the care they needed.
In addition to exam rooms, the space also features MAP eligibility, collaboration spaces, and more.
The Central Health facilities team commemorates the grand opening.
The Central Health staff commemorates the grand opening.
Central Health’s Dr. Michelle Owens, Director of Specialty Care, guides community leaders through the renovated clinic.
In addition to exam rooms, the space also features MAP eligibility, collaboration spaces, and more.
The clinic features comprehensive services, including diagnostic capabilities and an onsite pharmacy to meet diverse patient needs.
Central Health and partners, including Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Travis County Precinct 2 Commissioner Brigid Shea, celebrate the Rosewood-Zaragosa Specialty Clinic opening, advancing Travis County's comprehensive safety-net healthcare system.
Central Health’s Dr. Michelle Owens, Director of Specialty Care, guides community leaders through the renovated clinic.
Central Health President and CEO Patrick Lee at the grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony: “In a little more than a year and a half, we have gone from offering no specialty care services to 19.”Now, with the Rosewood-Zaragosa Specialty Clinic, Medical Access Program (MAP) and MAP Basic members will be able to get appointments, often within weeks, right in their own community.
The opening of this clinic is part of Central Health’s broader vision to accelerate the implementation of its Healthcare Equity Plan, which identified significant gaps in the healthcare system for residents with low incomes. The Rosewood-Zaragosa clinic, originally one of 14 health clinics whose operations were transferred from the City of Austin and Travis County to Central Health two decades ago, now stands as a symbol of the organization’s enduring commitment to bridging healthcare gaps in Travis County.
The clinic is expected to handle between 25,000 and 40,000 visits each year with a range of specialty care services, including:
- Behavioral Health Counseling
- Cardiology
- Supportive & Palliative Care
- Nephrology
- Pulmonology/Sleep Medicine
- Pre-Operative Assessment/Medical Optimization
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Registered Dietitian services
Following the ribbon cutting, local officials, stakeholders, and Central Health staff got a sneak peek of the state-of-the-art facility. During tours, visitors went inside a variety of exam rooms, learned about medical devices for each specialty care line, and saw the staff-only areas like the conference room, breakroom, storage area, and collaboration space.
As Central Health continues its mission to expand access to care, the Rosewood-Zaragosa Specialty Clinic stands as a testament to the organization’s dedication to treating every Travis County resident with dignity and respect.