Legacy Health Taps New COO to Steer Major Texas Expansion

HOUSTON, TX – February 23, 2026 – Legacy Community Health, the largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Texas, has appointed veteran healthcare executive Aaron Stewart as its new Chief Operating Officer. The move comes at a pivotal moment for the organization as it undertakes its most significant expansion in years, reinforcing its mission to deliver comprehensive healthcare to underserved populations across the Texas Gulf Coast.

Stewart’s appointment is a strategic effort to fortify operational leadership as Legacy extends its reach. The organization recently solidified its position as the largest provider of school-based healthcare in Texas and is set to open two major new community clinics this year in Acres Homes and Pasadena, funded by a historic philanthropic gift.

“Aaron brings a proven ability to strengthen operations and support teams, along with a deep commitment to community-based care,” said Robert Palussek, Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Community Health. “We are confident he will help guide Legacy through its next chapter.”

Stewart, whose career spans more than two decades, steps into the role with a clear mandate: to ensure Legacy’s operational framework can effectively support its rapid growth while maintaining a high standard of patient care. His leadership will be crucial in integrating the new facilities and services into Legacy’s sprawling network of 63 locations.

“I am honored to join Legacy Community Health at such an important moment in its history,” said Stewart. “Legacy’s mission resonates deeply with me — ensuring that every individual has access to compassionate, high-quality care, without judgment or exception.”

A Strategic Leader for a Period of Growth

Aaron Stewart’s professional background is uniquely suited to the challenges of scaling a large, mission-driven healthcare system. Before joining Legacy, he served as a Regional Administrator at Houston Methodist, where he managed a multi-million dollar regional portfolio and several key service lines. His tenure there provided him with deep insights into the complexities of a major metropolitan health system.

Prior to that, as Market Chief Operating Officer at VillageMD, Stewart was responsible for multi-site operations, where he honed his skills in improving clinical access, enhancing provider performance, and ensuring the financial sustainability of a growing network. His expertise in translating high-level strategy into disciplined execution is seen as a critical asset for Legacy. His early career in renal care also helped shape a leadership style grounded in operational excellence and team development.

Stewart’s approach is rooted in a philosophy of servant leadership, accountability, and a personal connection to the mission of community health. Having been raised in underserved communities and as a beneficiary of community-based healthcare himself, he brings an authentic understanding of the populations Legacy serves. This blend of professional expertise and personal commitment is what Legacy’s leadership believes will be instrumental in navigating the operational complexities of its expansion while keeping the patient experience at the forefront.

Deepening Roots in High-Need Communities

Legacy's expansion is not merely about growth, but about targeted impact. The new clinics are strategically located in areas with significant, documented health disparities. The new Pasadena Southmore Clinic, a 37,000-square-foot facility now open at 1951 Southmore Ave., is a direct response to a community where nearly one in three residents is uninsured and the rate of uninsured children is more than double the national average. Expected to handle approximately 80,000 appointments annually, the clinic offers integrated services including adult and pediatric primary care, OB/GYN services, behavioral health, and X-ray imaging, with dental and pharmacy services to follow later in 2026.

Perhaps even more ambitious is the forthcoming Legacy Acres Homes Clinic. Set to open in the summer of 2026, the 26,200-square-foot, two-story facility will be a beacon of hope in a historically underserved neighborhood. Data reveals a stark reality for Acres Homes residents: 45.1% of adults are obese, 17.6% have diabetes, and 35.7% lack health insurance—all figures significantly higher than Harris County averages. The clinic will bring a comprehensive suite of services, including adult and pediatric medicine, OB/GYN, and behavioral health. Critically, it will also feature four infusion bays, introducing desperately needed oncology care directly into the community. Both the Pasadena and Acres Homes clinics are being funded by a landmark $51.5 million gift from Houston Methodist, the largest single donation in Legacy’s 40-year history.

Beyond these new flagship centers, Legacy continues to innovate through its school-based care model. By adding two new locations, the organization now operates 39 clinics on school campuses across Greater Houston, making it the largest provider of such services in Texas. These clinics remove formidable barriers to care, such as transportation and work-schedule conflicts for parents, by offering well-child exams, immunizations, asthma care, and behavioral health support right where students are. In the 2024-2025 school year alone, this program facilitated over 72,000 appointments for nearly 14,000 students, demonstrating its profound impact on community well-being and educational success.

The FQHC Blueprint for Sustainable Health Equity

Legacy Community Health’s ability to undertake such a significant expansion is rooted in its identity as a Federally Qualified Health Center. FQHCs are the backbone of the nation's healthcare safety net, created to provide comprehensive primary care in medically underserved areas. As the largest of 72 FQHCs in Texas, Legacy embodies the model’s core tenets: a sliding fee scale based on income, a mandate to serve all regardless of ability to pay, and a governing board comprised of at least 51% community members and patients.

This structure is supported by a diversified and sustainable funding model. Legacy receives federal operating grants from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which provide a stable revenue base. It also benefits from enhanced, cost-based reimbursement rates for Medicaid and Medicare patients, which better reflect the true cost of providing comprehensive care. Furthermore, as a participant in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, Legacy can purchase prescription medications at a significant discount, with the savings reinvested directly into patient services and programs.

This financial framework, combined with crucial philanthropic support like the gift from Houston Methodist and a commitment to helping patients enroll in available insurance plans, allows Legacy to not only sustain its operations but also to grow strategically. It is this combination of mission-driven service, community governance, and a resilient financial model that positions Legacy as a blueprint for how to achieve health equity on a large scale. With a fortified leadership team and a clear strategic path, Legacy is poised to redefine the scale and impact of community-based healthcare for the Texas Gulf Coast.