Texas A&M and Cy-Fair Helping Hands Launch StreetHealth Clinic to Bridge Houston Healthcare Gap
For many individuals experiencing homelessness or financial instability in Northwest Houston, a persistent cough or a minor injury can quickly escalate from a nuisance to a life-altering crisis. In a region where approximately 1 in 5 Harris County residents lack health insurance—a rate more than double the national average—the doors to traditional healthcare often remain closed.
However, a new community-focused initiative is set to change that narrative by bringing compassionate, professional medical care directly to those who need it most. Cy-Fair Helping Hands (CFHH) has announced a landmark partnership with the Texas A&M School of Medicine to launch StreetHealth, a student-led and physician-supervised medical clinic.
Set to begin operations on February 7, 2026, the clinic serves as a critical expansion of the safety net for Houston’s underserved populations. This initiative is particularly timely for Harris County, where recent reports show that an individual experiencing homelessness loses their life every 36 hours on average, often due to preventable or treatable conditions.
A Mission Rooted in Grassroots Compassion
Cy-Fair Helping Hands has been a pillar of the Northwest Houston community since its inception in 2010. The organization had humble beginnings: it started with a single woman and a large pot of soup served from the back of a pickup truck. Today, it has grown into a premier non-profit providing a community food pantry, emergency shelter, and a Homeless Day Center offering respite, showers, and laundry services.
By launching StreetHealth at their 9204 Emmott Road facility, CFHH is adding a vital medical component to its mission of bringing hope to the homeless and hungry.
Training the Next Generation of Aggie Doctors
Founded in 1977 to help address physician shortages among veterans and underserved communities, the Texas A&M School of Medicine brings its “Texas is Our Campus” approach to the partnership, training future physicians through a community-based education model rooted in real-world clinical experience and compassionate care.
The StreetHealth initiative is spearheaded by a dedicated group of fourth-year medical students, led by Iris Vallavanatt and Faith Nguyen. By moving medical education beyond the sterile walls of a traditional hospital, the program allows these future physicians to engage deeply with the community’s most pressing social and physical health needs.
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Janet Ryan, Executive Director of Cy-Fair Helping Hands, emphasizes the gravity of this new resource for the local community.
"We are very excited about this partnership and the clinic," said Janet Ryan, Executive Director of Cy-Fair Helping Hands. "Lack of medical care can result in disability, chronic disease progression, and even death."
Accessible Care for Acute Needs
The clinic functions similarly to an urgent care facility, providing non-emergent acute care. Licensed physicians will oversee the medical students as they treat conditions that frequently go untreated in Houston's uninsured population.
Services offered include:
- Acute Illnesses: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, allergies, coughs, and colds.
- Minor Injuries: Wounds, sprains, and minor cuts, including those requiring stitches.
- General Health Concerns: Fevers (without a rash), infections, and health maintenance.
- Support and Education: Guidance on ongoing health concerns and access to over-the-counter (OTC) healthcare items.
Funding and Sustainability
The launch of StreetHealth was made possible through initial funding and essential supply support provided by the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Houston-Galveston (ASFHG). This program is more than just a financial benefactor; it serves as a prestigious, mentored leadership incubator that empowers graduate students to create permanent, sustainable improvements in the health of underserved populations.
Rooted in the humanitarian legacy of famed physician Albert Schweitzer, the fellowship was established in the Houston-Galveston region in 2008. It currently functions under a unique community-based education model housed within the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, training approximately 15–20 fellows annually across various health disciplines. Fellows, like those from the Texas A&M School of Medicine, are selected for their commitment to service and must complete over 200 hours of direct community impact during their fellowship year.
By providing these foundational services at no cost to the patient, StreetHealth acts as a critical intervention. It not only improves individual health outcomes but also reduces the immense strain on local Houston emergency departments, where many uninsured residents are often forced to seek care for non-emergent needs.
"Not only will these future healthcare professionals learn more about caring for others’ health needs, but they can literally change the trajectory of lives by helping return individuals to good health," Ryan stated.
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How to Access Services
The clinic is designed to be accessible. While appointments are prioritized, walk-ins are welcome.
- Date: First Saturday of every month (Starting Feb 7, 2026)
- Time: 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
- Location: 9204 Emmott Road, Houston, TX 77040 (MAP)
- Appointments: Schedule at bit.ly/ClinicAppts
As StreetHealth begins its operations, it stands as a testament to what is possible when medical expertise meets grassroots community support. For the neighbors served by Cy-Fair Helping Hands, this clinic is a path toward dignity and a healthier future.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
