The University of Texas Medical Branch has opened a new Care Coordination and Referral Center at the UTMB Health Primary Care Pavilion on Harborside Drive in Galveston, further expanding access to care for patients across the island.
The in-person center is designed to help patients navigate the health system, get connected with appropriate clinical care providers, and schedule appointments—ensuring that they receive the care they need, when and where they need it.
This new center is a direct response to the growing need for faster, more personalized access to health care services in Galveston. By offering walk-in support, the Care Coordination and Referral Center will make it easier for individuals to take the next step in their care journey—whether they’re new to UTMB or seeking follow-up care after an ER or specialty visit.
The Care Coordination and Referral Center operates in addition to the UTMB Access Center, which remains available to patients 24/7 by phone at (409) 772-2222 for appointment scheduling, information, and general support.
“This is about meeting people where they are,” said Dr. Jochen Reiser, President of UTMB and CEO of the UTMB Health System. “Our goal is to remove barriers and improve access to care for our patients. The Care Coordination and Referral Center is another important step in that direction—an on-the-ground, walk-in resource for our island community that helps ensure everyone can see a provider as quickly as possible.”
Located in the UTMB Health Primary Care Pavilion (400 Harborside Drive, Entrance B, Suite 126), the new center — open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday — is staffed with care navigators who work directly with patients to help them find available providers, coordinate follow-up visits, and connect with services like imaging, labs, and specialty care.
This new initiative reinforces UTMB’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care to the communities it serves—and reflects a larger institutional focus on improving health outcomes through access, coordination, and innovation.