Quick Facts:


  • Project proposes to serve 200 uninsured, low-income patients with a diagnosis of diabetes and obesity.
  • Clinic providers will write a prescription for healthy eating and provide culturally appropriate recipes during clinic visit. The prescription will be accompanied by a $50 voucher for purchase of fruits and vegetables.
  • Patients will be scheduled for three clinic visits through the end of the year: initial assessment, follow-up visit, and post intervention evaluation.
  • Additional barriers of transportation and clinical fees are addressed in this program to provide as much access to care as possible for each participant.
Su Cilnica Clinic

The Project


Dr. Elena Marin, CEO of Su ClinicaSu Clinica’s mission is to promote a healthier community by providing access to high value, comprehensive and holistic healthcare services. The Collaborative Innovations for Community Health (CICH) grant provided by It’s Time Texas and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas supports Su Clinica in addressing deep-rooted inequities in the heavily Hispanic, low-income Rio Grande Valley (RGV) region through a patient centered medical home. The project is proposing to serve 200 uninsured, low-income patients with a diagnosis of diabetes and obesity that will enhance the clinic’s existing patient education and nutrition programs. The purpose of the project is to demonstrate that the elimination of relevant social determinants with regards to nutrition can lead to changed eating habits and healthier lives. Su Clinica will be the catalyst for removing social determinants of health barriers to accomplish this goal.

Building upon similar pediatric programs to encourage reading, clinic providers will write a prescription for healthy eating and provide culturally appropriate recipes during the clinic visit. In cooperation with local food stores, the prescription will be accompanied by a $50 voucher for the purchase of fruits and vegetables. Patients will be scheduled for three clinic visits during the grant period: Initial Assessment, Follow-Up Visit, and Post Intervention Evaluation.

To address other economic barriers, a $10 transportation voucher will be provided for pre- and post-intervention surveys, as well as the reimbursement for the usual $30 nominal fee charged to uninsured patients.

The Major Impact


Su Clinica’s staff is well versed in identifying patient’s social determinants of health and endorse a pathway to health equity. By eliminating barriers, patients have an opportunity to have good health outcomes, through preventable health care utilization. By reaching the project goals, Su Clinica will be able to help patients foster a healthier lifestyle and improve the well-being of the RGV most vulnerable population. The impact of the goals will evolve in the lives of those in the community and create healthier eating habits. We will make a change for the better.

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The Heart


Every person should have comprehensive healthcare with a health system that respects diverse cultures and addresses health equity. We believe in treating the whole person no matter of their age, ethnicity, where they live, nor income level. By focusing in a practice that serves all, we as a community will grow stronger and healthier.

An interview with the project leads:

  • Priscilla Bernal, LMSW Clinic Manager: Organizing and implementing the grant.
  • April Melgoza: Care Coach of 200 patients.
  • Dr. Reddy MD: Mentor and review operations of the grant.

What does success of this project look like to you?
Our vision and hope at the end of this project is to help patients better understand the value of consuming fruits and vegetables.

Why Is community important to you?
As an employee at a community health center (CHC), we work with each of our patients to help them live and be well through a patient centered approach in which we strive for excellence and wellness. This value seeps throughout our community as well. We are providing health to ALL! We connect with our community because each person matters. Working in a cohesive practice will only bring us together and provide better opportunities.

“Changing eating habits involves different stages, however, fruits and vegetables can be a true wealth in our health. We are ecstatic in helping our patients adopting new, healthier habits that may reduce chronic conditions by the simple change of incorporating more fruits and vegetables into their daily diets. Thank you It’s Time Texas and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas for granting us this amazing opportunity.”

– Dr. Elena Marin, CEO of Su Clinica
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