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\u201cWe worked really hard to let people know that we take a back seat to no one in terms of quality,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
A successful program instituted by the nonprofit is Living Your Best Life. The program is currently in its fifth year and helps patients manage their blood pressure and diabetes.<\/p>\n
Living Your Best Life stands out from other blood pressure and diabetes programs because of its immediate and comprehensive approach, said Dr. Patricia Rodriguez, chief medical officer for the North Texas Area Community Health Centers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The nonprofit has rolled out remote patient monitoring through wireless blood pressure monitors, allowing medical staff to swiftly respond when certain treatments aren\u2019t working.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not waiting every three months to make changes,\u201d Rodriguez said. \u201cWe\u2019re doing it a lot more rapidly so that we can improve those health outcomes in a much more nimble and fast way.\u201d<\/p>\n
NTACHC<\/a> has more than 350 people on remote patient monitoring. Over 1,170 patients have benefited from the program since its inception. Patients are not charged for the Bluetooth monitors, Rodriguez said, with private foundations and donors funding the service.<\/p>\n This method of treatment has garnered accolades. Living Your Best Life has received accreditation from the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists. The National Hypertension Control Program, which was launched earlier this year by the CDC Foundation, is using the community health nonprofit\u2019s model to show how best to implement remote patient monitoring.<\/p>\n Another successful venture has been Joyful Beginnings, which began in January 2024. The program provides pregnancy and postpartum education for expectant and new mothers, closing the knowledge gap<\/a> that has led to poor maternal health<\/a> in Tarrant County, said Ashley Hatten, a nurse educator at the nonprofit.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to give the power to the patients to be able to advocate for themselves when they are coming to the doctor here and when they\u2019re going to the hospital to deliver,\u201d Hatten said.<\/p>\n Why community health centers matter<\/p>\n Along with the services expansion comes an elevated expectation of patient treatment success. The nonprofit has three of the four federally qualified health centers in Tarrant County, which means the organization is expected to prove their work has \u201cmoved the needle\u201d in terms of patient prognoses, Whitaker said.<\/p>\n North Texas Area Community Health Centers differs from private practices because of the broad care offered. On top of seeing a primary physician, a patient can enroll in one of the health education programs, visit the nonprofit\u2019s eye care center and fill prescriptions at the pharmacy.<\/p>\n And the holistic style of care isn\u2019t exclusive to the physical services.<\/p>\n \u201cNot just treating the patients, but supporting them through diagnosis, seeing them through the whole referral process, calling them up after they\u2019ve been referred to the ER,\u201d Rodriguez said. \u201cI challenge you to find any of that in a regular private practice. We go above and beyond for the patients in such a unique way.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the nonprofit\u2019s recent growth, Whitaker still feels like NTACHC is the county\u2019s best kept secret.<\/p>\n Alongside plans of adding two new facilities in the area within the next four years, North Texas Area Community Health Centers is continuing to spread its mission of being patient centered, Whitaker said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAccess to care is more than a building,\u201d she said. \u201cAccess to care is to come into a place that you trust. And so what we strive to provide is real access to care.\u201d<\/p>\n Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/DSC00095-2.jpg\")
Gerrie Whitaker, president and CEO of North Texas Area Community Health Centers, speaks to guests during the grand opening of the Arlington Community Health Center at its new location on Oct. 7, 2024. (David Moreno | Fort Worth Report) <\/p>\n
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