JARRELL MEDICAL CLINIC

COVER STORY Meet Jarrell’s Newest Family Doctor

FROM 1996 TO 2018, PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN RAMIRO A. PEÑA WAS AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN AS SALADO’S FAMILY DOCTOR.

HIS PRACTICE GETS BETTER EVERY DAY BUT, FORTUNATELY FOR US, JARRELL IS HIS NEW HOMETOWN.

Dr. Peña has been the primary care physician at Jarrell Medical Clinic since early 2019, but his friendly demeanor still echoes in Salado, and many patients still travel from Salado, Belton, and even Temple see him.

Dr. Peña has always been known for his medical professionalism, but what truly sets him apart from “big box” healthcare providers is his personal attention and gentle empathy. He explains that the source of his inimitable bedside manner stems from his own life goals; “I started out in the ministry; my wife and I wanted to be missionaries”.

SERVING IN MANY WAYS

Long before he became a beloved and respected family doctor, Dr. Peña was ordained as a Baptist minister and served as pastor for several churches, with the intent to be a medical missionary. To facilitate this career choice, he sought training in surgery. After graduating Baylor University and the UT medical branch in Galveston, he interned at Memorial Medical Center in Corpus Christi.

His training included general and thoracic surgery at Baylor Scott & White, and he practiced there and at King’s Daughter in Temple. That training led to him providing essential service in Vietnam. “I was drafted into the Air Force as a trauma surgeon,” he recalls. “That changed the trajectory of my life. When I came back, I went into teaching and surgical practice at King’s Daughters”. He continued there, performing general and thoracic surgery until his retirement in 1996.

Dr. Peña did not care much for retirement, so he created a solo primary care practice. His practice was later incorporated into the Littler River Healthcare group, which later declared bankruptcy, effectively closing Dr. Peña’s Salado practice in September 2018.

A NEW CHAPTER

Then, Dr. Peña met Christian Munoz, founder and CEO of Texas Medical Group and Physician Management Consultants in Austin, TX. Christian had assembled a group of diverse and experienced physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and other medically trained office personnel who do more than just see patients. “It’s about dignity, concern, kindness, and a respect for the diversity of the community,” he says.

Drawing on his extensive experience in Emergency Medical Services and Medical Practice Management, Christian has revolutionized the way medical services are provided in rural areas, group homes, and nursing homes across central Texas. The unique approach has become very popular in growing communities like Jarrell that need additional healthcare options. Christian and its talented group of providers have developed a way to make a variety of healthcare services accessible and affordable.

Christian invited Dr. Peña to continue his practice under the umbrella of his medical group. Shortly thereafter, new Jarrell patients began arriving thanks to positive word of mouth about Dr. Peña’s history and stellar reputation serving the Salado community.

Originally in Cougar Plaza, Jarrell Medical Clinic is now seeing patients in a new office in the Town Center shopping center (next to Brookshire Brothers supermarket). “With this latest move, we have been busier and blessed to have the ability to make a difference in people’s lives,” Munoz says.

Christian attributes much of that success to Dr. Peña, who is now a member of Physician Management Consultants team. “We practice general family medicine,” Dr. Peña says, “the whole range; a lot of pathology, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, weight loss, and minor office procedures”. He is also frequently consulted for a second surgical opinion, due to his extensive training and experience.

Jarrell Medical Clinic is also a training site for healthcare students from many well-known universities and colleges across central Texas. “We understand the challenges students have and have opted for being more than just a medical practice; we want to be a resource for our community and future healthcare professionals. We believe Dr Peña’s knowledge and bedside manner needs to be shared with the world. Better healthcare providers; better patient care.” Munoz added.

Jarrell Medical Clinic exhibits their daily commitment to those worthwhile goals. For example, discounts and payment plans to cash and self-pay patients, walk-ins, telemedicine, on-site lab and same day rapid testing, and phone-in prescription refill service. “We accept most insurance,” Munoz adds, “and our staff is available by phone 24/7. We can provide you and your family with medical guidance even if the office is closed”.

Christian says their goal for 2021 is “to be the Healthcare Provider of choice for Jarrell, Florence, Harker Heights, Bartlett, Holland, Salado, Belton and Temple. We want to serve all residents, regardless of the patient’s financial situation. At the same time, we want to help with COVID-19 vaccination efforts in our community this year so we can all go back to our normal lives”.

JARRELL MEDICAL CLINIC 180 TOWN CENTER BLVD, SUITE 400 512-588-1501 JARRELLMEDICALCLINIC.COM

All about MUDs

Welcome to a Q&A that is all about municipal details and information that, over time, will add to our knowledge base and help readers understand the differences between living in the city limits of Jarrell, the Municipal Utility District, and other associated neighborhood groups.

While everyone in this zip code has a Jarrell address, we will address things readers may like to know about the variables within. As a new, or long-time resident, you may have questions like “Why do I have a Jarrell address if I live in Sonterra?” or “Why can I vote for school board but not Mayor?”and other similar topics.

WHAT IS A MUD?

MUD stands for Municipal Utility District. A MUD is a political subdivision that is either created by the Texas Legislature or the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) through an application process.

WHY DO WE NEED MUDs?

MUDs were put in place to provide water, sewage, and drainage utilities to areas that cities did not connect to and would otherwise remain undeveloped.

HOW IS A MUD CREATED?

A developer purchases land then adds a waste water treatment plant, piping, digs wells, brings in water, etc. Residents with homes within the MUD pay a MUD tax that can decrease over time.

DO HOMEOWNERS HAVE A CHOICE ABOUT BEING IN THE MUD?

No. When a homeowner purchases the property, he or she signs an acknowledgment that the property and the residence are in a MUD.

76537 LIFE

HOW IS A MUD GOVERNED?

A MUD has an elected board made up of five residents who help make the decisions for the level of upkeep they want the subdivision to have, similar to a city council.

They, along with community input, get to decide what they want in their neighborhood. A MUD also helps protect property values because they see to it that the neighborhood doesn’t get run down, that everything is maintained and well taken care of.

WHERE ARE THE MUDs LOCATED?

Currently there are three MUDs in 76537, all located on the east side of IH-35. The largest is the Sonterra MUD, although some parts of Sonterra are in different MUDs. While not all developments / homes on the east side are in a MUD, all the homes in Sonterra are part of a MUD, as well as the homes in Hilltop Estates and a few individual properties.

WHAT DOES MY MONTHLY $24 PARK AND REC FEE GO TOWARDS?

Homeowner fees are paid monthly for park and pool upkeep and maintenance. Other costs include paying down the pool debt, mowing, and maintaining all of the common areas throughout the subdivision.

Send your questions on municipal topics to: info@myjarrell.com

We will try to incorporate your questions in future columns as appropriate.