In what is probably the first partnership of its kind, San Antonio’s Metropolitan Health District (Metro Health) approached Goodwill Industries to link preventive care and health education to existing Goodwill Services.

Their first joint clinic opened in March 2007 at a Goodwill location in an underserved neighborhood on the edge of San Antonio’s inner city, offering immunizations and preventive services. Metro Health also provided blood pressure checks, glucose and cholesterol screening, mammograms, immunizations, and health education at wellness clinics located at seven other Goodwill locations.

The goal was to serve 4,000 people annually. In the first year of operation, nearly 5,800 individuals received free or low-cost preventive services.

Parents going school shopping can have their child receive the necessary immunizations for school at the same time. When they visit for health care, individuals and families can link to other city and county resources as well. In addition, Metro Health trains Goodwill Workforce Development participants in health care data entry to assist with record keeping.

Two new Goodwill facilities offer basic primary medical care. Developed under Metro Health’s leadership, the services are offered at no cost to the public health department, taxpayers, or the city.