Fort Worth’s historically underserved Las Vegas Trail neighborhood now boasts a thriving health hub that has already served more than 20,000 patients in its inaugural year. The 40,000‑square‑foot facility, a joint effort by Cook Children’s Health Care System and JPS Health Network, offers pediatric and adult primary care, obstetrics, behavioral health, a food pantry, workforce‑training programs and a demonstration kitchen—all under one roof.
Community Impact in Numbers
From July 21, 2025, through July 31, 2026, Cook Children’s recorded 11,324 visits while JPS logged 10,139, with more than half of those appointments for primary care. One‑in‑four visits were for obstetrics and gynecology, and nearly a quarter addressed behavioral health needs. The combined total of 21,463 clinic visits demonstrates a clear shift from the area’s former “medical desert” status.
Beyond medical care, the WestAid food pantry distributed over $1.7 million in goods, providing 24,158 shopping trips and lunches for homeless residents. Executive director Yuseff Howard called the co‑location “a godsend,” noting that the pantry’s proximity to health services improves nutrition and overall health outcomes for families.
Whole‑Family Care and Continuity
Veronica Tolley, vice president of primary care and specialty services for Cook Children’s, highlighted the benefit of having both health systems share a lobby. She recounted a mother who brought her newborn for a well‑child visit and was seamlessly referred to JPS for postpartum depression treatment—illustrating the center’s ability to care for both parent and child in a single location.
JPS President and CEO Dr. Karen Duncan praised the more than 10,000 visits as evidence that “bringing care closer to the community” fulfills the promise of high‑quality health services for residents who have long been overlooked.
Job Training and Economic Hope
Partnering with Tarrant County College and Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County, the center offers career‑training pathways for roles such as call‑center representative, medical receptionist and claims associate. To date, 25 participants have completed the program, and five have secured positions with Cook Children’s or JPS, creating a pipeline that strengthens both the local economy and family stability.
Education, Culture and Community Building
The center’s demonstration kitchen hosted 42 cooking classes attended by 437 community members, teaching nutrition skills that support healthy family meals. It also served as a venue for 929 events, including a May gallery night that showcased local student artwork focused on mental‑health themes, fostering pride and dignity among residents.
“We are not just coming and leaving; we are listening and learning from what the community truly needs,” said Tolley, emphasizing the center’s commitment to ongoing partnership with families, faith groups and local volunteers.
Looking Ahead
WestAid hopes to expand pantry hours to better serve workers on non‑traditional schedules, while Cook Children’s plans to add another pediatric physician when space permits. Both organizations stress that the collaborative model—combining health, nutrition, education and employment—offers a blueprint for other neighborhoods seeking to revitalize through faith‑centered, family‑first solutions.
The Las Vegas Trail Health Center stands as a testament to what can be achieved when community leaders, health providers and faith‑based volunteers unite around the shared goal of healthier, more prosperous families.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
