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Cedar Park Far Northwest Austin Edition VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 JUNE 14 JULY 15, 2025
2025 Health Care Edition
North Austin hospitals advance robotic care
Robotic surgery technology, such as the da Vinci system used by Baylor Scott & White, is growing in use. (Courtesy Baylor Scott & White)
technologies that have made their way into health care facilities in Central Texas. Major hospital systems, including Baylor Scott & White, Ascension Seton and St. David’s, are increasing their invest- ments in robotic procedures.
pediatric surgeons to perform safer, more accurate spinal surgeries for children with scoliosis and other advanced spinal conditions, said Dr. Brian Kaufman, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at Dell Children’s. The VELYS robot is one of many new robotic
BY CHLOE YOUNG
Dell Children’s Medical Center North Campus became the rst pediatric hospital in the world in May to receive a new robotic spinal surgery technology, according to Ascension Seton informa- tion. The VELYS Robotic-Assisted System will allow
CONTINUED ON 26
Also in this issue Impacts: Check out new business developments in Cedar Park (Page 6)
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News: Read the latest census data on Central Texas growth (Page 31)
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About Community Impact
Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.
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CEDAR PARK FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION
Impacts
Cedar Park & Leander
Leander
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3 Martinizing Cleaners The locally-run shop offers dry cleaning and laundry services including pickup and delivery, on-site alterations, wash and fold and more. • Opened April 26
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4 Preferred Laser The laser-based medical spa offers a wide array of treatments, including laser hair removal and microneedling. They also offer the specialty Clear + Brilliant treatment, which utilizes fractional lasers to target skin afflictions like acne and scarring. • Opened May 20 • 1841 S. Lakeline Blvd., Ste. 105, Cedar Park • www.preferredlaser.com 5 Restart CBD + THC The business is still running its Austin location at 2521 Rutland Drive, but has expanded to offer products in Cedar Park as well. The local, family-run business offers hemp-derived CBD, THC and CBG products in the form of edibles, beverages and more. • Opened May 12 • 12800 Anderson Mill Road, Cedar Park • www.restartcbd.com 6 Sami Sumeli The locally-owned restaurant offers online ordering as well as dine in service, and it can accommodate reservations, catering requests, romantic dinners and big parties. Menu offerings include Phali Mix, a traditional Georgian vegetable spread with herbs and walnuts, caviar served with mini-crepes and a fish platter. • Opened April 4 • 401 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park • www.samisumeli.com 7 New Life Heal The business provides a range of services, including: weight loss programs, hormone replacement therapy, lab testing, prescription skincare, hair-loss treatment, thyroid care and annual physicals. • Opened May 28 • 921 W. New Hope Drive, Ste. 703, Cedar Park • www.newlifeheal.com
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2 Cedar Park Physician Associates The primary care clinic provides a range of medical services, including wellness checks, same-day sick visits, immunizations, treatment of acute and chronic illnesses and sports physicals. • Opened May 12 • 600 N. Bell Blvd., Ste. 100, Cedar Park • www.cedarparkphysicianassociates.com
Now open
1 Boba CuCue The tea shop offers milk tea, hand-smashed fruit tea, slushies, frappes, dumplings, bao buns, waffle pops and ice cream. • Opened May 3 • 15609 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Bldg. B, Ste. 200, Leander • www.bobacucue.com
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
What’s next
Now open
Relocation
8 New Hope Massage Center The new business is slated to start construction in mid-June and will be completed in late September, as stated on a permit listing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. • 700 W. New Hope Drive, Ste. 104, Cedar Park • No website or phone number available 9 Patel Brothers Grocery Store The business began construction in late May, according to a TDLR filing, and is projected to be completed by October 2025. • 11066 Pecan Park Boulevard, Unit 101 • www.patelbros.com 10 Port of Subs According to a permit listed with the TDLR, the sandwich shop is expected to begin construction on July 1 and will be completed by November. The business’ menu includes classic subs, specialty subs, wraps, salads, sides and breakfast options. • 180 E. Whitestone Blvd., Ste. 164, Cedar Park • www.portofsubs.com 11 Taco Bell Cedar Park will be welcoming a new Taco Bell with construction expected to begin in March 2026 and finish in May 2026. The fast-food chain offers tacos, burritos, quesadillas and more. • 3500 E. Whitestone Blvd., Cedar Park • www.tacobell.com
13 Eggs Up Grill Signature menu items include corned beef hash, omelets, blueberry muffins and croissant-style donuts. The grill’s lunch menu features burgers, salads and melts. The new Cedar Park restaurant is the first of four locations franchisees Michael and Rana Boselah plan to open in the North Austin area. • Opened May 6 • 202 Walton Way, Ste. 142, Cedar Park • www.eggsupgrill.com
The Fancy Marshmallow Co. The business is moving out of its space at 115 S. Lakeline Blvd., Ste. 300, Cedar Park and is actively looking for a new location to move its operations. Owner Tina Ciotti said the last day the business will be open to the public is May 31, however summer camps will continue to run in June and online orders and special orders will continue to be fulfilled throughout the transition. • Closing May 31 • New address not yet available • www.thefancymarshmallowco.com
more than 50 toppings. • Opened May 22 • 14241 Hwy. 29, Ste. 303, Liberty Hill • www.yogurtexperience.com
Worth the trip
Coldstone Creamery Cold Stone Creamery opened at the new Southbrook Station dining and retail strip in Leander in April. The ice cream parlor serves a variety of ice cream flavors, ice cream cakes, shakes and smoothies. • Opened in April • 144 S Brook Drive, Ste. 160, Leander • www.coldstonecreamery.com The Yogurt Experience The Yogurt Experience, a self-serve frozen yogurt shop, opened to customers in Liberty Hill in late May. The shop serves a range of frozen yogurt flavors alongside
Closings
In the news
14 Champion Taekwondo Champion Taekwondo, which opened in 2021, has closed its location in Cedar Park. The martial arts studio taught taekwondo and self defense. • Closed April 30 • 115 S. Lakeline Blvd., Ste. 240, Cedar Park • Facebook: Champion Tae-kwon-do Martial Art
12 Myopia Center of Texas Spanish Oaks Eyecare has decided to transition to a myopia management center with a focus on slowing the progression of nearsightedness in children and teens. • Transition will be complete by July 1 • 13625 Ronald Reagan Blvd., Bldg. 8, Ste. 200, Cedar Park • www.myopiacenteroftx.com
We help visitors discover hidden gems and local favorites that make Cedar Park special. From events to eats, we’ve got them covered .
Scan the QR code and personalize your adventure for free!
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CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION
Impacts
Far Northwest Austin
4 ATX Braces and Smile Aligners The clinic offers a variety of orthodontic treatments such as Invisalign, braces and its own brand of teeth aligners called ATX Smile Aligners. The business has another location in Pflugerville. • Opened May 23 • 10513 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 2100, Austin • www.atxbraces.com 5 D1 Training The athletic training facility offers strength and conditioning training for athletes of all ages through one-on-one training, group or family classes. • Opened in June • 11521 N. FM 620, Ste. 800, Austin • www.d1training.com
Now open
AVERY RANCH BLVD.
1 Halal On Fire The eatery serves Mediterranean and Turkish cuisine such as shawarma, skewers and falafel plates and wraps, as well as salads, hot and cold appetizers, soup and dessert options. • Opened March 29 • 13201 Pond Springs Road, Ste. 103, Austin • www.halalonfire.square.site 2 Alloy Personal Training The franchised gym, which is currently pre-selling memberships ahead of its official grand opening, offers personal training sessions personalized for clients to address individual needs, and progress is monitored monthly. • Opened early May • 10900 Lakeline Mall Drive, Ste. 600, Austin • www.alloyatx.com 3 Whipped Bakery & Cafe The bakery opened a second location in far Northwest Austin, offering custom cakes, cupcakes, stuffed macarons, cake rolls and other pastry items. • Opened May 15 • 10700 Anderson Mill Road, Ste. 109, Austin • www.whippedatx.com
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6 Wicked Snow The South Korean-style dessert shop will specialize in bingsu, a dessert made of shaved ice topped with fruit, red beans, syrup and condensed milk. • Opens in June • 11301 Lakeline Blvd., Ste. 113A, Austin • Instagram: @wickedsnowatx
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BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & DACIA GARCIA
7 VROC The Veterinary Regional Orthopedic Center will feature four operating rooms, a rehabilitation and pain management center, and space dedicated for educational programs. • Opens in July • 13805 N. FM 620, Austin • www.vroc.vet 8 Planet Fitness The franchised gym is slated to open a location in the former Northern Tools + Equipment building. The gym offers cardio and strength equipment, free fitness trainings, and memberships which provide access to massage chairs and tanning beds. • Opening late 2025 • 13729 N. Hwy 183, Ste. 1200, Austin • www.planetfitness.com
• 13306 N. FM 620, Austin • Phone number or website not yet available
Whats next
In the news
10 Juicy Claws The seafood restaurant, which opened in June 2023, announced it will be sold to new owners who may or may not continue the restaurant concept.
• Changing ownership in late 2025 • 13729 US 183, Ste. 800, Austin • www.juicyclawsrestaurant.com
Closings
12 16 Handles The frozen yogurt chain is slated to open a location in Four Points, per a TDLR filing. Each shop features a menu with 16 rotating frozen yogurt flavors—including gluten-free, vegan and sugar- free options—and a variety of toppings and sauces. • Opening TBD • 8300 N. FM 620, Ste. L-500, Austin • www.16handles.com
11 Illuminate Coffee Bar The cafe served coffee and non-coffee drinks. The location is set to be taken over this fall by Cafe Java. • Closed March 1
What’s next
• 12129 FM 620, Ste. 102, Austin • www.illuminatecoffeebar.com
9 Smart Stop The convenience store is slated to open a new location in far Northwest Austin, per a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing. The store offers snacks, drinks, ice, alcohol, a coffee and hot food bar, and gas pumps. • Opening TBD
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CEDAR PARK - FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION
Government
BY HALEY MCLEOD AND SAM SCHAFFER
Travis County launches wild re warning system Beginning June 1, the Travis County Fire Mar- shal’s O ce will move local burn ban noti cations to a new system, enabling residents to opt-in by texting TCBURNBAN to 888777. The details The new system will transition from the coun- ty’s internal alert platform to Warn Central Texas, a free, opt-in service that will provide noti cations when burn bans are issued and lifted or when Red Flag Warnings have been declared due to high re danger conditions. What else? The change will shift the county’s manual burn ban phone list—previously managed through the Fire Marshal’s website—to the centralized Warn Central Texas platform.
Cedar Park Fire Chief appointed to state re commission Cedar Park Fire Chief James Mallinger is set to help shape statewide re protection standards after Gov. Greg Abbott appointed him to the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. Mallinger’s term will expire Feb. 1, 2029, according to a May 8 news release from Cedar Park. What you need to know The commission aims to protect the lives and property of Texas citizens by developing professional standards and educating re departments, according to its website. Mallinger will develop policies while o ering guidance to re departments statewide.
Travis County emergency services implemented a new re noti cation system through Warn Central Texas.
Terms to know: Burn Ban:
Issued by the National Weather Service to alert the public that conditions are ideal for wild res to spread rapidly. Outdoor burning is prohibited, including: open res, trash burning and camp res in non-designated areas
Red Flag Warning:
Why it matters Over the past ve years, the Austin Fire Depart- ment has responded to 7,521 wild re calls within its service area, according to AFD data.
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Government
BY BEN THOMPSON
Q&A: Austin police Chief Lisa Davis on first 100 days, public safety Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis has completed an action plan for the Austin Police Department’s staffing, public safety and innovation efforts informed by her first months on the job. Davis spoke with Community Impact about her approach and next steps. Residents scored Austin’s safety at 6 out of 10. How do you see the perception versus reality of public safety here? I look at it as 4 people out of 10 do not feel safe in this city. And so to me, that’s unacceptable. And how do we get better at that? Not only just com- municating what our crime really is, I think that’s important—where our hotspot locations are, what we’re doing about it, how we’re addressing crime.
Looking at the data, would you say Austin remains relatively safe among major cities? Yes, absolutely. And I know Austin likes to think of itself as a small town and a small city, but you’re not. Austin’s a big city. And so to have 1 million people and a crime rate that we do—not that I’m happy with that; I’ll never be happy with that, any time there’s lives lost and there’s shootings those are things we will deal with—but I think overall, yes, Austin is a very safe city. How will you build collaboration in the community? When we look at the way we’re going to change some staffing here, getting some more district rep- resentatives out into the sectors, those community liaison workers there, that’s important stuff. And so when you can look at that whole list of who we need to partner with, I will certainly be meeting with a lot of them—I already have, a lot of them—but how do we partner with them on a sector level? Does the sector commander meet with them? And all of that stuff’s important. This is a job, as far as reducing crime, the community engagement part, it is every officer’s role to do that.
BEN THOMPSON/COMMUNITY IMPACT
This interview has been edited for length and clarity. For a longer version, visit communityimpact.com .
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Education
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
Leander ISD approves 2025-26 adjusted compensation plan
The Leander ISD board of trustees adopted its FY 2025-26 compensation plan May 8, which includes targeted pay adjustments for some employees to
board includes an authorization for Superintendent Bruce Gearing to approve a one-time retention payment of $1,000 per full-time employee or $500 per part-time employee. Gearing will also be able to amend the compensa- tion and benefits plan after the start of the 2025-26 fiscal year based on the outcome of the current legislative session. TASB would normally say it’s “risky to wait” to make compensation decisions before the end of the legislative session, as neighboring districts are likely to make decisions and LISD would not want to fall behind, Campbell said. On June 2, the Texas Legislature passed several bills, including Senate Bill 2, which pushes a vouch- er-style program, and House Bill 2, a school finance package that infuses $8.5 billion into public school funding, that may alter public school funding and compensation over the coming years.
Budget breakdown The $3.5 million impact to the budget would include: $1.3M for 400 professional support employees
address pay gaps. How we got here
The board first received the Texas Association of School Board’s compensation plan recommenda- tions during its Feb. 27 budget workshop meeting. According to Amy Campbell, TASB’s director of HR services, the organization collected salary data from 12 neighboring school districts and information from a survey sent to over 100 LISD administrators last fall. Per the survey results, respondents almost universally felt that pay is not comparable to the local cost of living, contributing to low staff morale and issues with recruitment and retention. The action taken Two of TASB’s recommendations approved by the
$1.04M for 698 operations support employees
$351,900 for 62 administrative leadership employees
$232,800 for 260 instructional support employees
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Education
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
As the district plans its budget for the 2025-26 financial year, Round Rock ISD’s chief human resource officer, Eddie Curran, has put a new spin on self-funded health care in a proposition to the district: open an in-house clinic. Curran floated the idea to RRISD trustees in February, and the district has since sought a request for proposals for it. The results of the RFP process have not yet been shared publicly. The potential on-site clinic would provide many of the services employees receive from their primary care doctors and urgent care. He said district preference would likely be to host it in a district facility, but other options RRISD explores in-house clinic for employees
What’s next?
Round Rock ISD health finances
The process to create and open the clinic could take about two years, Curran said. The proposal could return to the board in a more official capacity, should trustees seek a request for proposal for what the true cost of opening such a facility would be.
per-year spent on each employee $5,592
in planned expenditures for FY 2024-25 $30M shortfall in FY 2024-25 health plan budget $477,187 increase in district health care costs since 2021 15%
“More than a third of Americans don’t have a primary care provider. They go to the doctor when they need to but they don’t actually have somebody that ... is able to treat them on a proactive basis.” EDDIE CURRAN, CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCE OFFICER
SOURCE: ROUND ROCK ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
include contracting with a provider in a leased space or a third party to own and operate a clinic. The latter would cost more, he said. For many years, the district has offered a $0 premium high-deductible health plan for employees through Blue Cross Blue Shield.
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Health care
BY ELISABETH JIMENEZ
Health Care Edition
2025
Readers, welcome to your annual CI Health Care Edition! Life can be so hectic and the priorities are endless, but our health should be at the top of the list. Here in the Cedar Park/Far Northwest Austin area, we’re lucky to have access to top-notch care, from hospitals and clinics to testing sites and holistic services. Dive into our Annual Health Care Edition to explore your local options, and thank you to our sponsors and advertisers for enabling Community Impact to keep our residents informed.
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Texas Children's Pediatrics texaschildrenspediatrics.org
Texas Children’s Pediatrics connects you with pediatricians backed by the largest women’s and children’s hospital in the nation.
What's inside
Catch up on news from local health care providers (Page 17)
Read tips for nding the best personalized care (Page 19)
Learn about new developments from Central Health (Page 25)
For relevant news and daily updates, subscribe to our free email newsletter!
As Texas enters its peak season for heat and humidity, people with diabetes can struggle to cool down, facing a greater chance of experiencing heat-related illnesses, experts have found. For a person without medical problems, the body adapts to heat through sweat production and blood vessels, said Dr. Natalie Williams, family medicine doctor at Austin Regional Clinic. Sweat, which contains salt and water from the body, comes up to the skin, gets evaporated and helps the body cool down. Blood vessels can expand or shrink to disperse heat Diabetic people face health risks with Texas heat
Handling heat
"Heat stroke is very dangerous, and so the hope is to not ever get
to heat exhaustion if we can, because heat stroke is the next step." DR. NATALIE WILLIAMS, AUSTIN REGIONAL CLINIC
Williams said that diabetic patients should be mindful of how heat can a ect medicine and equipment. She said some medicines such as insulin are heat-sensitive and can lose e ectiveness when exposed to heat. Equipment such as pumps, monitors and glucose test strips can be damaged by heat. Glucose test strips can also go bad in the sunlight. Williams recommends talking with a doctor to understand individual heat-related risks. “Have conversations with your doctor about how to take care of yourself in the heat because every condition has something else that you may need to keep an eye on,” she said.
throughout the body, such as bringing the heat up to the skin instead of keeping the heat internally. However, because people with diabetes have excess sugar in their blood, that can disrupt the body’s natural cool-down mechanisms, Williams said. People with diabetes are more likely to get dehydrated because of the excess sugar, creating a lack of water in the body.
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CEDAR PARK FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION
Back-to-school means a visit to Texas Children’s Pediatrics. With 15 locations throughout the Greater Austin area, we have a location in your neighborhood. From wellness exams, sports physicals, asthma consultations and immunizations, we go beyond the routine to provide personalized care that helps your child be their best self. Schedule your child’s back-to-school checkup today. Ace their back-to-school checkups at Texas Children’s
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Health care
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON, GRANT CRAWFORD & CHLOE YOUNG
5 health care updates from Cedar Park area hospitals
1 Cedar Park Regional Medical Center Ascension Seton officials announced in an April 15 news release that the hospital system will take over full ownership of the Cedar Park Regional Medical Center. Ascension is expected to fully take over ownership this summer once the transaction is closed and will focus on expanding advanced medical services and improving efficiencies within the hospital, per the news release, “With full ownership, we can accelerate growth, streamline operations and introduce new services that meet the evolving needs of the community,” Ascension President Eduardo Conrado said in the release. CPRMC currently features 126 beds, has two 24/7 emergency rooms and provides a variety of medical services. “We are confident that this transition will ensure the continued growth and success of Cedar Park Regional Medical Center. When the transaction is complete, we look forward to working together as part of Ascension Seton, with a focus on expanding health care resources and access to care in Cedar Park and our larger region.” SEAN TINNEY, CPRMC CEO
2 St. David’s North Austin Medical Center Following a $121 million near doubling to it’s NICU, St. David’s HealthCare is planning for future growth. Amid facing parking challenges, the hospital will open a $52 million parking garage expansion, as well as an ER expansion.
4 St. David’s Round Rock A new wound care clinic opened at St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center in March. The clinic is for those experiencing acute or chronic wounds. Conditions treated at the center include burns, diabetic ulcers, traumatic wounds, soft tissue necrosis, gangrene, crush injuries and many more.
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3 Dell Children’s Medical Center North In April, the hospital became an advanced trauma center, making it one of only three Level 3 pediatric trauma centers in Texas, per a news release. To receive the status, Dell Children’s staff performed case reviews and underwent other training and tests.
5 St. David’s Leander St. David’s HealthCare is working on a Leander hospital next to its freestanding St. David’s Emergency Center, after leadership delayed plans to increase the size of the project. The site is currently in the design phase and expected to open in around three years, St. David’s CEO David Huffstutler said.
AVERY RANCH BLVD.
COTTONWOOD CREEK TRL.
183A TOLL
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9010 N Lake Creek Pkwy, Austin www.healthcare.ascension.org
601 St. David's Loop, Leander www.stdavids.com
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Health care
BY HALEY MCLEOD
Medical experts clarify care options
Who’s providing the care?
No matter the facility, patients might be seen by either a medical doctor or a nurse practitioner—so what’s the difference? • MD (medical doctor): physicians who complete medical school and residency, can perform surgery, and prescribe medication • NP (nurse practitioner): registered nurses with advanced degrees who can diagnose, treat and prescribe More NP programs are becoming doctoral- level, meaning they involve more advanced education, said Amy Papermaster, a nurse practitioner at Women’s Health. In Texas, NPs must also collaborate with a physician. Papermaster said patients won’t notice much difference between seeing a nurse practitioner and a physician. Nurse practitioners can diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, prescribe medications, and manage a wide range of conditions.
A sore throat on a Saturday night may leave one wondering, “Should I wait for my doctor, visit urgent care or head to the emergency room?” Amid seasonal illnesses, local experts share tips for choosing the right level of care. “Knowing where to turn during a medical emergency is extremely important for the community, because it [leads] to the best possible outcome and also ensures that they receive the best value for the care provided,” said Laura Hochwalt, vice president of emergency services at St. David’s HealthCare. Hochwalt said doctors are present not only at primary care offices but also at urgent care centers and in emergency room departments.
Knowing where to go
Patients should see a primary care provider for nonurgent health concerns and routine medical care. Primary care office Urgent care is for after-hours care meant for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. Urgent care center Emergency rooms are for life-threatening situations, such as traumatic injuries, fractures, burns and stroke-like symptoms. Emergency room
SOURCES: ST. DAVID’S HEALTHCARE, BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
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Health care
BY BRITTANY ANDERSON
Physician burnout, fewer medical residency slots and demand outpacing provider availability are leading to longer doctor appointment wait times in Central Texas, according to Austin-based Harbor Health Drs. Clay Johnston and Luci Leykum. Austin’s rapid growth has made the local health care system unable to keep up with demand, Johnston said, and fewer primary care physicians and specialists have led to longer wait times across the city. “The bottom line is that the finances that Burnout, high demand behind long wait times
Diving in deeper
Health care wait times
A 2022 study surveying over 1,000 offices across 15 major metropolitan areas including Dallas and Houston found that average wait times were:
Part of physician burnout is driven economi- cally, Johnston said, as some systems attempt to keep revenue high by increasing the number of patients physicians see in a day. More physicians in the U.S. are also being employed by larger health care organizations instead of independent practices, Leykum said, which could give them less autonomy over their schedule. “You put that on top of a situation where people were maybe less likely to make a choice to pursue primary care to begin with, and it sort of has a synergistic effect,” Leykum said. According to Leykum and Johnston, patients can help combat longer wait times by: • Finding a clinic that has a team-based care model • Utilizing telehealth when able • Asking clinics what its average wait times are for routine or urgent needs
• 16.9 days for an orthopedic surgeon appointment • 20.6 days for a family medicine physician appointment
• 26.6 days for a cardiologist appointment • 31.4 days for an OB-GYN appointment
SOURCE: AMN HEALTHCARE/COMMUNITY IMPACT
support those specialties just aren’t as strong,” Johnston said. Patients also often visit urgent cares to avoid longer wait times, but these clinics don’t offer holistic care, Leykum said. “They’re very focused on, ‘How do we address this to stabilize it?’ not, ‘How do we really get at the root of the problem?’” Leykum said.
Supply vs. demand
Major takeaways
A state report projects that five specialties will be deficient in graduate medical education residents by 2032.
the supply of graduate medical education residents will not be keeping up with demand. Of five specialties projected, pediatric physicians would have the largest gap with only 71% of demand met. General internal medicine physicians would need the most residency slots added each year, with 70 slots needed.
The rate of medical school graduates is ultimately greater than the state’s ability to train them, Johnston said. This can lead to fewer physicians staying to practice in Texas. Graduates must complete a residency program upon graduating, but there are limited slots in Texas available each year. A 2022 Texas Department of State Health Services report projected that by 2032,
2032 demand
2032 supply
9,004
Family medicine General internal medicine
11,499
7,759
10,366
3,783
OB-GYN
4,210
4,675
Pediatrics
6,588
2,852
Psychiatry
3,895
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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Health care
BY SARAH HERNANDEZ
Out-of-state health care workers could practice in Texas
Some health care officials in Texas are advocat- ing to allow certain professionals to practice in other states without another license. According to advocates, these interstate agree- ments, or compacts, could reduce administrative burdens and improve access to health care. One of the compacts, the PA Licensure Compact, was recently passed by the Texas House of Repre- sentatives to help address a shortage of primary care physicians projected by the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis. Zooming in Under the Interstate Compact Coalition’s plan, Texas would join compacts for nine professions: audiology and speech pathology, cosmetology, occupational therapy, counseling, dentistry, dietetics, respiratory care, social work, and physician assistants. Texas workers could provide care out of the state, and out-of-state workers could practice here. Texas is currently a member of 38 agreements, including the Interstate Medical Licensure Com- pact and Nurse Licensure Compact. As of May 5, the PA Licensure Compact, House Bill 1731, has been referred to the Texas Senate’s Business and Commerce Committee. Leticia Bland, director at large for the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants, said the compact could reduce barriers for PAs when it comes to getting a new license. For PAs who have to travel or relocate, like military families, Bland said the process of being able to start a new job can be time-consuming. Bland said the compact’s ultimate outcome would be increasing quality health care access and
Supply and demand of primary care physicians in Central Texas
According to Texas DSHS, the increase in demand is due to the state’s aging and growing population.
FTEs*
Demand
Supply
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
2022
2024
2026
2028
2030
2032
2034
2036
*FTE STANDS FOR FULL TIME EQUIVALENT AND EQUALS THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES WHOSE WORK HOURS TOTAL 40.
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT
maintaining a “continuity of care” for patients, especially primary care patients in rural areas or with language barriers. The compact will not expand the “scope of practice” of a physician-led team or change the supervision requirements for Texas PAs, she said. By the numbers The Texas Department of State Health Services projects a shortage of physicians to worsen through 2036. Specifically, the demand for pri- mary care physicians in Central Texas will exceed its supply. According to Texas DSHS, the increase in demand is due to the state’s aging and growing
population. Demand is the number of workers required to provide a certain level of service to the patient. Despite the shortage of providers, the PA work- force is expected to grow 67% by 2036 from 2022. According to the Bureau of Health Workforce, PAs may help ease some of the hardships felt by the primary care physician shortage. Bland said the PA Licensure Compact can help strengthen the physician-PA teams that work together to ensure patients have access to the quality care they need, wherever they are. “Our primary focus is the people. It’s the community,” Bland said.
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Health care
BY CHLOE YOUNG
Baylor Scott & White expands access to postpartum care
Baylor Scott & White Health is seeking to provide more accessible, timely care to a growing number of Texas mothers through its virtual postpartum care program. The virtual platform allows new mothers to speak directly with nurse care advocates, receive support for their physical and mental health, and schedule appointments with doctors or lactation consultants. The program is intended to help close gaps in postpartum care experienced by women between giving birth and their first six-week check up, BS&W OB-GYN Dr. Wright Bates said. “It is truly a demanding time and a dramatic change,” Bates said. “What better time to impact a new family and support a new mom with the latest technology, which is an app that really is personal- ized to improve their quality of life.” How it works The virtual postpartum program is available free to mothers up to six months after delivering their baby at a BS&W hospital. Through an online portal, mothers can discuss their questions or needs with a nurse care advocate via messaging and phone or video calls. Women often need support for their physical healing after delivery or receiving a cesarean section, as well as coping with postpartum depres- sion, BS&W Nurse Care Advocate Kristen Sapp said. Nurse care advocates may refer mothers to a specialist, such as a lactation consultant or mental health provider. Leander resident Rayann Quinones has received weekly health check-ins and breastfeeding support through the program after delivering her baby
By the numbers
Patient demographics
Here is a breakdown of the ages of mothers using the app:
More than 2,000 women have enrolled in the postpartum care program.
26-30 yrs: 30%
10% of users come from the Austin region, according to BS&W information.
18-25 yrs: 16%
31-35 yrs: 36%
36-40 yrs: 15%
40+ yrs: 3%
68% increase in mothers using the program from October to March.
First time vs. experienced mothers:
1 in 8 women with a recent live birth had symptoms of postpartum depression
First time moms: 52%
Experienced mothers: 48%
SOURCES: BAYLOR SCOTT & WHITE, CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
at BS&W Medical Center in Round Rock. Within two days of giving birth, the application began asking Quinones to check in on her emotional and physical health with questions about specific symptoms. “It forced me to think about myself,” Quinones said about the virtual postpartum program. “If I’m not at 100% or not feeling well, then I can’t really be there for my baby.” Going forward BS&W is planning to expand its virtual support for women before and during their pregnancy journey. The hospital system expects to launch a virtual program for prenatal care services in the next year and eventually offer preconceptual counseling, Bates said. “This is really a first step in the journey and
reflects our health system’s commitment to opti- mizing health care and our greater commitment to women’s health,” Bates said. “The women and families of Texas are a priority for us.” The impact One in eight women with a recent live birth had symptoms of postpartum depression, according to a 2020 study by the Centers for Disease Con- trol and Prevention. Mothers with postpartum depression may feel overwhelmed or experience sadness, fatigue, anxiety and anhedonia, or the loss of pleasure, Bates said. The virtual nature of BS&W’s postpartum program helps reduce the stigma around receiving mental health support, Bates said. “Making patients feel heard and supported is really what we’re here for,” Sapp said.
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