Central Health's New Flagship Facility Set to Open in Travis County

Central Health is set to unveil its newly established flagship location at the former Sears site in Hancock Center. Starting Friday, the facility will begin its initial stage of patient services. This development offers centralized clinical and administrative spaces for Central Health, the hospital district serving low-income individuals in Travis County. Additionally, the location will accommodate Sendero Health Plans, Central Health’s insurance branch, and its healthcare collaborator, CommUnityCare.

Travis County Commissioner Brigid Shea highlighted the facility’s innovative model as a comprehensive care hub during the opening event. The repurposed retail space now meets varied healthcare needs under one roof, reflecting its original department store concept. Central Health's President and CEO, Dr. Pat Lee, emphasized the center’s role in offering seamless care coordination, aiming to eliminate the complexities and barriers caused by disjointed healthcare services. Lee stated, “We are building one integrated, connected system of care, where different parts of the health system are designed to work together and not separately.”

Originally a Sears location from 1963 to 2019, the building has undergone a $150 million renovation. Its redesigned 90,000-square-foot first floor features a prominent atrium with clinical areas, including the relocated David Powell Clinic. This clinic, longstanding in HIV care through CommUnityCare, is being moved due to infrastructural changes in the area. Guy Swenson, part of the CommUnityCare board, expressed optimism about continuity in patient care at the new center, citing it as a place of respect and attentive service.

Upon opening, the facility will offer services such as those from the David Powell Clinic, along with Quest Diagnostics lab facilities and a pharmacy. Future expansions anticipated in 2027 will incorporate additional services, including dental, primary, and specialized care. These efforts align with Central Health’s strategic initiatives to bridge local healthcare gaps and enhance service availability for underserved populations. Over the past year, Central Health has reported launching over 30 specialty services and facilitating more than 669,000 primary care visits.