Mercy Ministries of Laredo

Mercy Ministries of Laredo provides integrated primary healthcare and behavioral health services to low-income and uninsured families in webb county, Texas. Services are delivered at Mercy clinic, located 2500 zacatecas street. The organization's primary programs include primary healthcare, behavioral health services, outreach and education, an adult dental clinic, and a medication assistance program. During fiscal year 2025, Mercy Ministries of Laredo served a total of 1,673 unduplicated patients. The primary and behavioral health programs are staffed by family nurse practitioners, women's health nurse practitioners, and licensed professional counselors. During fiscal year 2025, practitioners provided 7,506 medical encounters. Behavioral health counseling and screening are fully integrated into the primary healthcare program to support patients in managing anxiety, depression, and behavior modification. There were 1,576 behavioral health counseling encounters during the year. All patients are screened annually for anxiety and depression during their wellness exams. The primary healthcare program emphasizes prevention and patient education and includes annual physical and wellness exams with screenings for diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. The program also provides screenings for breast, cervical, colon, and prostate cancers. A total of 1,283 cancer screening tests were performed in fiscal year 2025. All patients with cancer diagnoses are referred for treatment and closely followed by Mercy clinic case managers and social workers. Mercy clinic collaborates with local oncologists and diagnostic providers to assist patients with treatment-related expenses. Mid-level practitioners refer patients to physicians and specialty providers as medically necessary. Case managers coordinate all referrals and guide patients through the healthcare system. During fiscal year 2025, 1,371 patients were referred to medical specialists. Case managers and social workers recorded 7,766 patient encounters, playing a critical role in care coordination and follow-up. Diabetic and pre-diabetic patients are closely monitored through ongoing clinical management. Education, counseling, nutrition and exercise classes are offered to support patients in improving health outcomes and managing chronic conditions. Additional programs include a medication assistance program and an adult dental clinic. The medication assistance program helps patients obtain free or low-cost prescription medications through pharmaceutical company programs. During fiscal year 2025, pharmaceutical companies provided medications valued at $1,420,756 for Mercy clinic patients. Mercy Ministries also collaborates with local pharmacies to assist patients in obtaining antibiotics and other necessary medications. The adult dental clinic provides services to adult patients, prioritizing individuals with cancer and diabetes. During fiscal year 2025, the dental clinic assisted 313 unduplicated patients. A total 2,143 dental procedures, valued at $170,749, were performed. The dental clinic served 251 unduplicated patients, accounting for 754 dental visits during the year. The clinic also serves as a clinical training site for the university of Texas health science center at san antonio school of dentistry.

The Laredo promotores coalition provided outreach, education, and advocacy services to residents of communities identified through the city of Laredo health care needs assessment. The coalition is staffed by an executive director, certified community health workers, a social worker, and community-based volunteers. Volunteers have an equal voice in organizational decision-making and participate in coalition governance. Program services included assistance with identifying and accessing social and medical services, with follow-up support provided by a case manager. Certified community health workers delivered educational classes within the community on diabetes, pre-diabetes, nutrition, and mental health. The coalition also provided transportation assistance to medical appointments and other social service visits, including ambulance transportation for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the coalition offered education and training to volunteers to enhance their capacity for self-advocacy and community leadership, including training in leadership development, governance, and financial literacy.