Texas Southern University and Legacy Community Health Partner to Expand Access and Opportunity in Acres Homes

Texas Southern University has launched a promising new partnership with Legacy Community Health aimed at improving health care access in Houston’s historically underserved Acres Homes neighborhood, while also expanding educational and career pathways for its students. The collaboration was formally acknowledged during the university’s Board of Regents meeting on June 12, 2025.

Dr. Carl Goodman, who presented the initiative at the meeting, emphasized the strong alignment of values between the two institutions, particularly around equity and community service. He and other university leaders recently attended the groundbreaking ceremony for Legacy’s new Acres Homes clinic, set to open in July 2026. “We’ve been actively engaging… to explore meaningful opportunities and collaborations,” Goodman noted, highlighting Legacy’s interest in developing career pipelines for Texas Southern students and alumni.

The partnership will offer students access to internships across Legacy’s clinics, guest lectures from medical professionals, and exposure to real-world healthcare settings. Legacy has also provided feedback on some of Texas Southern’s academic programs to help ensure they are aligned with current industry needs, especially in the life and health sciences. Additionally, the collaboration will complement the university’s community engagement efforts, including its mobile health unit and upcoming clinical trials, which aim to increase minority participation in medical research.

Legacy’s Interim CEO, Robert Palussek, also addressed the board and expressed enthusiasm for what lies ahead. “Together we can improve not only the lives of our patients but also of your students,” he said. “This is just the beginning. There are many more opportunities, but we’re really, really excited to start it.”

The partnership is grounded in the shared goal of addressing deeply rooted health inequities. The new clinic in Acres Homes, funded in part by a $51.5 million gift from Houston Methodist, will offer a full range of services, including primary care, OB/GYN, dental, overall health, and pharmacy access.

Members of the university’s Board of Regents voiced strong support for the initiative. One regent remarked that this effort fits squarely within Texas Southern’s mission to prepare students for high-demand, high-paying careers. “We’re not shy about saying that we want our students to graduate and get good jobs and make money,” he said.

With construction underway and programming already being developed, the Texas Southern–Legacy partnership signals an exciting step forward in linking education, health, and community empowerment.