For the sixth year, UT Physicians and UTHealth Houston participated as the platinum sponsors for the 2023 Jensen Jubilee Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Shady Lane Park, an annual gathering bringing together service organizations, community stakeholders, and residents for a day of entertainment, education, and empowerment.
An annual event since 2014, the event serves as a valuable opportunity for the university to be a part of community partnership and revitalization.
“Having an institution like UT Physicians in the neighborhood is huge. Despite being marginalized for decades, the Eastex/Jensen community has found the spirit and drive to come together and create a signature event that residents would be proud of,” said Xochitl Olguin, project manager at UTHealth Houston Healthcare Transformation Initiatives. “Through the decision of UT Physicians to make an investment in the Jensen Jubilee, other businesses, and local entities have come on board to combine their resources.”
Activities that took place at the park included arts and crafts activities for youth, music and dance performances, food vendors, and an information pavilion of resource tables from Houston area organizations providing materials and giveaways.
Staff from UT Physicians Multispecialty – Jensen were present to engage neighborhood residents and festival attendees about the clinic’s services. Over 150 prepared giveaway bags were distributed, and referral information was collected from individuals and families to connect the public with providers from the clinic.
“The UTHealth Houston and UT Physicians presence at the Jensen Jubilee is another way of our demonstrating a standing commitment to the community as a trusted health care provider,” said Marlon J. Stewart, practice manager of the UT Physicians Multispecialty – Jensen clinic. “Our annual participation brings the reward of strengthening access to quality care and positively impacting social determinants of health.”
Stewart added that students from the UTHealth Houston School of Public Health and TexasCARES were present to provide COVID-19 antibody testing on-site and health education materials to festival attendees. The effort was coordinated by Jessica Ross, Project Manager at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health.
Jason L. Chavers, executive director of community-based clinics with UT Physicians, attended the fall festival and took part in the presentation of scholarship awards to local area high school students. Chavers was appreciative of the efforts of the clinic staff and the opportunity for the university to once again be sponsors of the festival.
“Seeing the staff and leadership from the Jensen multispecialty clinic working together and networking with neighborhood residents, businesses, and leaders was refreshing,” Chavers said. “State and local leadership publicly shared accolades for the involvement of UTHealth Houston and UT Physicians with the Jensen Jubilee. To be recognized further solidified the impact we aspire to make in this resilient community.”
To schedule an appointment or learn more about the UT Physicians Multispecialty – Jensen clinic, visit their page.
Browse our Flickr album below to view the festivities. Photos are by Logan Ball of UT Physicians.
