March 13, 2025
Through its Medical Access Program, one patient found total care through the Supportive and Palliative Care team at Central Health
You want to know how strong Steve is?
Amid what should have been the scariest moment of his life— undergoing chemotherapy treatments for the lymphoma inside his body—he had the wherewithal to understand that his health journey was unfinished.
That’s the only way to explain how he knew to seek an extra layer of support to help him get back on his feet. That the 52-year-old rose out of bed one day, put his boots on, and found his way to Central Health—despite not owning a car.
Steve didn’t know he was the very first patient of the Supportive and Palliative Care Team.
But they sure did.
The Central Health gastroenterology team had referred him first. Then Steve met with Dr. Michelle Owens, director of specialty care, and Maria Mendoza-Rodriguez, a registered nurse—two important figures of a wide-ranging wrap-around care team. Both guided Steve through a multi-level health care program which met all of his medical needs. Steve had already dealt with so much by himself, without family. On top of the cancer inside of his body, he also had stage four kidney disease.
He endured the rising demands, the nonstop shuttling of appointments.
He could have kept doing these things on his own.
But he was also wise enough to know that others were willing to help. The Palliative Care team even helped him transition from the Central Health Medical Access Program (MAP) to insurance coverage with Sendero Health Plans, a move that ensured he would be cleared for enhanced coverage down the road.
“I would hate to think where I would be without the care that I’m getting from Dr. Owens and her staff and the Palliative Care team,” he said.
Steve’s story is just one example of the many residents with low income who receive care at the 250 clinics, hospitals and urgent care locations across Travis County made accessible through MAP and Sendero Health Plans.
“Steve had many touch points,” Mendoza-Rodriguez said. “With nurse navigation, it involves a care coordination team, so (Steve) also communicated with our Central Health community health worker, who helped with resources and provided him, connected him with a disability coordinator so he was able to get benefits through his social security.”
Steve’s cancer was still a threat to his health when he first began seeing the Palliative Care team in early February of 2024. But an eternal optimist, he set a few goals on his road back to health.
One of them was returning to work as a stage rigging technician, a job which saw him set up stages and rafters for large concerts. He knew working it would make a part of him feel whole again.
The next was getting back on the water where he had used to float on his off days, cruising with a gentle pace and a slight breeze across his face.
Time ultimately did give Steve hope.
He heard the words “cancer remission” by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the Palliative Care team provided a crucial backstop, removing barriers of care —factors such as financial costs, transportation and food security —as Steve was able to focus on improvement.
They even bought him a card and wrote notes to him on his one-year anniversary.
“I can’t praise them enough,” he said. “They’ve done an outstanding job. I know they’ve helped other people, too. I know they’re getting things done and they’re getting people healthy.”
Steve’s journey to complete health may still be ongoing, but his smile and optimism remain.
He just might be the strongest guy you’ve never met.
MAP provides access to health care services for more than 50,000 Travis County residents. If you live in Travis County and are uninsured you might be eligible. Visit https://www.centralhealth.net/map/ or call 512-978-8130 to apply.
Watch full journey