Cook Children’s Renaissance Neighborhood Health Center Celebrates 10 Years of Care in the Community

By Reilly Ternan

On September 30, 2014, the Cook Children's Renaissance Neighborhood Health Center opened its doors, marking the beginning of a decade of providing professional, compassionate care to the community. Over the past 10 years, patients have found a dedicated staff ready to meet their health care needs.

“The formation of this clinic was a very special project for several reasons, but mainly because the Cook Children’s Physician Network (CCPN) had the vision to involve the front-line caregivers in the design and development of this special clinic,” says Pediatrician Irma Betty, M.D. "By incorporating the recommendations of the Renaissance team who would be delivering the patient care, the design architects and engineers were able to create an effective clinic layout that supports the team to efficiently deliver care to our patients. The final product is the amazing clinic we have now.”

Like all health centers at Cook Children’s, the Renaissance Health Center on East Berry Street treats children as early as newborns, and up to 18 years old. This office is also specialized and knowledgeable in treating children with underlying medical conditions or special health care needs. Another value that this clinic prides itself on is part of the Cook Children's culture platform: collaboration. The team is constantly in communication with other health care providers at Cook Children’s to collaborate and provide the best care for patient families.

What makes the Renaissance Neighborhood Health Center unique is that it’s the only clinic that offers dentistry services in addition to general pediatric care. 

“Our dental clinic has strived to serve this community over the past 10 years with the belief and dedication that all children deserve access to the best dental care possible,” says Dentist Sheela Patel, D.D.S.  “With our incredible and talented staff, we have proven to do just that and more. Working here over the past decade and watching it grow has been more than just a job – it has been a truly meaningful and rewarding experience. We have helped numerous families to access dental care and provide necessary education on the importance of oral health. It is this dedication to providing personalized dental care to this community and to children with special health care needs that has made this clinic a special place for me. What sets us apart is that our focus extends beyond just dental treatment. We are committed to the overall well-being, care and compassion to the families we serve.”

Leaders and long-time members of Cook Children’s are thrilled to honor such a special clinic and the work that all Neighborhood Health Centers contribute to the community. 

“I am excited to celebrate Renaissance’s 10-year anniversary because it is a testament to our organizational values and our commitment to community,” says Veronica Tolley, MHA, Vice President of Primary Care & Specialty Services. “NHCs have existed for over 25 years, providing a medical home to children in underserved neighborhoods. Over that time, our models have evolved from a mobile unit to school-based clinics to free-standing practices that we know today.”

But Renaissance was the first of its kind and blazed the trail in many ways, including:

• The first Cook Children’s Physician Network dental practice.
• The only integrated medical-dental home in our healthcare system.
• The first health care provider at Renaissance Heights.
• The first 3P-designed clinic with direct input from staff and providers on concepts still used in new clinic designs today. 

Renaissance has attracted the attention of local and federal officials like, former Fort Worth mayor Betsy Price and Ben Carson, M.D., former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, not to mention countless visits from various community philanthropists. Renaissance has also fulfilled CCPN-wide needs such as the first COVID vaccination clinics for children of all Cook employees and the location of CCPN new hire clinical staff orientation.

The Renaissance Neighborhood Health Center team gathered on Oct. 1, 2024, to celebrate an incredible 10 years with laughter, games, décor and more. Veronica shared a full-circle story about a patient and thanked the team for all they have given to the community over the years.

Tables were filled with “OG team members” who have been there for all 10 years, and team members who just joined weeks ago. Kelly Rand, Practice Administrator for the Neighborhood Health Centers, created a bingo game for colleagues to get to know each other better and win prizes.

Vida Amin, M.D., Medical Director for Neighborhood Health Centers, told the team: “People across the nation look to us at how we do our work."

We are grateful for the past 10 years of the Renaissance Neighborhood Health Center and look forward to many more! 

This team recently celebrated their 10 year anniversary with a get-together at the clinic. 

See photos and more praise from the team below: