City of Weslaco Fire / EMS Department and Knapp Medical Center, with support from the Knapp Community Care Foundation, launch innovative program featuring home visits, phone calls to assist patients discharged from the hospital
WESLACO, August 2026 – When Gilbert Munoz of Weslaco was discharged from the hospital recently, he needed a little extra help at home. He found the assistance he needed through a new “Community Healthcare Program” which has been launched by the City of Weslaco Fire / EMS Department and Knapp Medical Center, with funding from the Knapp Community Care Foundation.
The new program includes home visits and follow-up phone calls to check on participating patients in Weslaco and Progreso. A medic from Weslaco Fire / EMS visits participating patients in their home, checking their blood pressure and blood sugar. On days when the medic can’t visit, patients receive a phone call from a Knapp discharge planner, who checks up on them and reminds them of the importance of following up with their primary care physician.
The new initiative is ground-breaking in that it is the first community para-medicine program to be implemented in the Weslaco / Mid-Valley area.
“It was very, very helpful to have someone come check up on me,” said Mr. Munoz, a diabetes patient who has been recovering from surgery.
Mr. Munoz said the Weslaco Fire / EMS medic also helped clarify changes in his list of medications that had been ordered by his doctor.
In addition, blood sugar checks performed by the medic helped Mr. Munoz in his efforts to better control his diabetes – with better management of blood sugar also being essential to the healing of diabetic wounds.
“All of that helped out because it helped keep me in line, to make everything was running smoothly,” Mr. Munoz added.
Meanwhile, a discharge planner with Knapp Medical Center, Maritza Ovalle, assisted in answering questions and in relaying messages and information to Mr. Munoz’ physician.
The Community Healthcare Program utilizes a secure healthcare communications platform called Leading Reach, which helps enhance communication between physicians, the hospital, and paramedics and emergency medical technicians with Weslaco EMS.
“That was very, very beneficial as well,” Mr. Munoz said. “Maritza would call and check up on me to see how the EMS visits were going, and if I had any questions. She tries to help in any way possible.”
After 30 days as a participant in the program, Mr. Munoz “graduated” from the Community Healthcare Program. He agrees that the extra support can help prevent repeat trips to the hospital — by keeping patients better connected with their doctors’ office and local healthcare resources.
“To me, it was very, very helpful to know there was someone there trying to help,” Mr. Munoz added. “I felt supported … just talking and knowing someone wanted to help boost my morale … and that alone was very, very helpful.”
The Community Healthcare Program provides short-term, in-home support for patients recently discharged from the hospital. The program is designed to help patients recover safely at home, improve care coordination, and reduce avoidable re-admissions to the hospital.
The free program serves patients who meet certain medical criteria, including certain patients with congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or end-stage renal disease (ESRD); diabetes patients needing wound care or recovering from a diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) crisis; patients recovering from stroke or sepsis; patients at risk for falling, etc. The program is especially designed for patients who are discharged from the hospital and who live alone or have no additional care support at home.
The program also refers patients to additional resources in the community, which can help address barriers which can hinder patients’ access to optimal care, such as lack of access to medication, lack of transportation to medical appointments, challenges related to understanding healthcare terms and discharge instructions, home safety issues (such as a need to replace batteries in smoke detectors), etc.
Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez said that he was very excited about the new program and he thanked Knapp Medical Center for “being such a great partner” to the City of Weslaco. The mayor also noted that the program will address the needs of elderly residents, veterans, and others — including patients who may be lonely and “need someone to talk to.”
“The City of Weslaco is proud to support this new initiative focused on improving access to care and connecting residents with the resources they need most,” Mayor Gonzalez added. “Together, we’re building a healthier, more connected Weslaco.”
Pablo Loredo, RN, Chief Nursing Officer for Knapp Medical Center (KMC), noted that the Community Healthcare Program highlights how KMC and other healthcare organizations are partnering together to better serve the Mid-Valley community, “thanks to the generous assistance of the Knapp Community Care Foundation.”
“By strengthening coordination, reducing unnecessary hospital visits, and connecting patients to available services — including free or low-cost resources — this program is designed to improve health outcomes and enhance quality of life across our community,” added Fire Chief Antonio Lopez, ACM of the Weslaco Fire / EMS Department and Licensed Paramedic.
For more information on the Community Healthcare Program, please contact the City of Weslaco Fire / EMS Department at (956) 447-3415 or e-mail Captain David Cuellar at DCuellar@weslacotx.gov … or contact Knapp Medical Center at 956-973-3506 or at KMC-Community-Healthcare-Program@PrimeHealthCare.com.