March 26, 2025
AUSTIN, Texas–The Community Advancement Network (CAN) recognized Central Health and Sendero Health Plans with the 2025 Transformational Impact Award at a ceremony on Wednesday, March 26. The award recognized their work in expanding health care access through the Medical Access Program (MAP), MAP Basic, and the Central Health Premium Assistance Program (CHAP).
Central Health VP of Operations Kit Abney-Spelce, Sendero Director of Business Development Rudy Ybarra, and Sendero CEO Sharon Alvis accepted the award in recognition of the impact these programs have on the health and well-being of Travis County residents with low income.
Central Health and Sendero were one of five awardees recognized for their leadership in advancing equity and removing barriers to essential services.
“On behalf of Central Health and Sendero, we are grateful to CAN for all the work it does and for honoring us with this award. The MAP and CHAP programs both serve a huge population, really the sickest of the sick, and through our cooperation we are able take care of them and allow them to be healthy and well,” Alvis said. “We really do appreciate this honor and the community’s support, because it is the Travis County community and the Travis County taxpayers that support what Central Health and Sendero do.”
Transformational Impact in Action
The CAN Transformational Impact Award is given to projects that:
- Address a critical community need
- Benefit a diverse cross-section of residents
- Support individuals facing systemic barriers to care and essential resources
Through MAP, MAP Basic, and CHAP, Central Health and Sendero have ensured that thousands of uninsured and low-income residents received vital healthcare services. In 2023 alone:
- 52,046 uninsured residents received comprehensive coverage through MAP.
- 76,327 individuals accessed essential primary care and prescription services through MAP Basic.
- 2,595 individuals, including local musicians and MAP members, received premium assistance through CHAP.
These programs are not just about healthcare coverage—they are about life-changing access to care. When she accepted the award, Alvis shared a story about a member of the CHAP expansion program who was recently able to receive a life-saving kidney transplant, a procedure that would have been impossible without the medical coverage and support provided by Central Health and Sendero.
“We talked to them last week and they said they were doing great. They’re really improving, and they are so grateful that they don’t have to face dialysis three times a week for the rest of their lives. That’s the kind of work we do,” Alvis said.
This is just one of many stories that illustrate how these programs improve and save lives.
“The MAP program started in the 1970s under (former Austin Mayor) Carole Keeton Strayhorn. Central Health’s first CEO, Trish Young Brown, helped establish the Premium Assistance Program, and now we have Sharon leading Sendero. So, lots of wonderful, powerful, smart women that we I want to make sure we’re celebrating here at the end of Women’s History Month,” Abney-Spelce added.
About the Community Advancement Network (CAN)
CAN is a partnership of government, nonprofit, private, and faith-based organizations working together to improve social, health, educational, and economic opportunities in Austin. The CAN Butler Awards celebrate initiatives that create meaningful, lasting change in the community.
In addition to Central Health and Sendero, other 2025 Transformational Impact Award recipients include:
- Project Connect (Capital Metro & Austin Transit Partnership)
- Integral Care’s Helpline (512) 472-HELP & 988 Support Services
- Affordable Child Care Now Initiative
- Austin Community College’s Free Tuition Initiative
About Sendero Health Plans
Formed in 2011, Sendero Health Plans, Inc. is a community-supported nonprofit Health Maintenance Organization affiliated with the Travis County Health District, known as Central Health. Sendero is the first and only area Affordable Care Act health plan to receive a 4-Star Quality rating from the federal government.
Sendero is dedicated to improving the health of the community by providing affordable, quality healthcare coverage, especially for Travis County residents with low income.
Sendero offers its IdealCare plans on the Federal Health Insurance Marketplace and is available in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Burnet, Fayette, Lee, and Caldwell counties.