In Conroe, healthcare can often feel out of reach for families struggling with costs or limited access. Lone Star Family Health Center stands as a lifeline, delivering comprehensive care with a mission rooted in community.
A Path to Purpose
For CEO Karen Harwell, the road to healthcare leadership began far from medicine. With a background in finance and auditing, even a stint with the Houston Texans, she pivoted toward nonprofit healthcare after starting a family. “I wanted meaningful work closer to home,” she explained, noting that Lone Star’s mission-driven model offered the purpose she sought.
Conroe’s Federally Qualified Health Center
Lone Star is the only federally qualified health center headquartered in Conroe. The flagship facility spans nearly 95,000 square feet, housing multiple specialties under one roof. The clinic provides primary care to all, with an emphasis on underserved patients who are uninsured or underinsured. Nearly half of the patients across Lone Star’s five sites come from just three Conroe zip codes, reflecting its deep local reach and impact.
A Residency Program Rooted in Community
Established in 1979, Lone Star’s residency program predates the clinic itself. Each year, twelve residents train under the Conroe Medical Education Foundation, HCA Conroe, and Lone Star’s outpatient clinics. Program Director Dr. Lata Joshi calls it “a unique community-based consortium” where residents deliver babies, perform procedures, and practice full-spectrum medicine. Many graduates remain in Conroe to serve their neighbors, making it a true pipeline of care.
Stories of Care and Gratitude
Fernando Sanchez, a Willis supermarket worker, credits Dr. Pamela Ferry with saving his life after a colonoscopy revealed cancerous polyps. Now in remission, he urges others to seek regular care: “Cancer is curable if they detect it early. I thank God for compassionate doctors in my life.”
New mother Stephane Horridge received postpartum care and a baby supply bag that eased her transition. “Warren is very happy with his crinkle book and dino swaddle,” she said. “I’m thankful for the team and their generous gift.”
At 81, Alene Provost has leaned on Lone Star since 2017 under the care of Dr. Daniel Porter. When unsafe housing threatened her health, community workers helped her relocate and arranged Meals on Wheels. “It is the first medical place that has made me feel respected and cared for,” she said.
Accessible and Sustainable Care
Financial assistance programs support working families just above the poverty line, and the in-house pharmacy provides subsidized medicines. With urgent care open extended hours and on Saturdays, Lone Star reduces strain on emergency rooms while keeping healthcare accessible and local.
At Lone Star Family Healthcare Health Center, gratitude flows both ways—patients thankful for healing, doctors thankful for the chance to serve. Together they create a legacy of compassion where every life touched becomes a reminder that healthcare, at its heart, is a gift worth cherishing.
Lone Star Fast Facts
-
Founded residency program: 1979
-
Conroe headquarters: 95,000 sq. ft.
-
5 sites, 40–50% of patients from Conroe zip codes
-
On-site dental, behavioral health, urgent care
-
340B pharmacy offers discounted medicines for qualifying patients