Many members of Erika Lira’s family have diabetes, therefore Erika was concerned that she might also be diabetic. So, she reached out to Lone Star Family Health Center (LSFHC). There, Erika was diagnosed with diabetes, and she also got real help. At the advice of her physician, she began attending educational classes at the health center, where she learned to check her blood sugar, read food labels, make better food choices, and exercise.
Erika is not alone. LSFHC served approximately 30,000 patients in 2025; more than 11 percent of those patients had a diagnosis of diabetes. Fortunately, like many others, Erika was able to make positive lifestyle changes that will help her manage her diabetes throughout her life. She also learned the importance of taking those steps. According to the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), long-term high blood sugar levels can damage vital organs and blood vessels; diabetes is a leading cause of heart disease, kidney failure, lower-limb amputations and even blindness. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in America. More than 40 million Americans—roughly 12 percent of the country’s population—have diabetes.
Erika is grateful the professionals at LSFHC are so responsive to the needs of their diabetic patients, and she now knows how important it is to see her doctor regularly. She has high praise for the educational classes she attended, as well as for her physician, Dr. Hurr Murtaza. “Dr. Murtaza treated me like family and would listen,” Erika says. “I also am grateful LSFHC helps so many low-income patients with affordable healthcare, like the Sliding Fee Discount Program.”
For many families, healthcare can be difficult to access, and the cost can make an adverse economic impact. Fortunately, LSFHC can help. “We are very specifically for the underserved in the community,” says Heidi Bunyan, LSFHC chief operations officer. “That’s a huge benefit to the community.” As a “safety net provider,” LSFHC is able to help the uninsured, the underinsured and people who have gaps in their coverage. Many patients take advantage of the LSFHC Sliding Fee Discount Program (eligibility is based on household size and income).
Although a majority of LSFHC’s patients are covered by Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), many uninsured patients also receive care. In addition, some patients with private insurance or Medicare utilize LSFHC’s services. Because it is a federally qualified health center (FQHC), the federal government reimburses LSFHC for patients who have Medicaid and Medicare.
LSFHC is available to everyone, including people who live outside Montgomery County. “Our mission is to provide compassionate, affordable healthcare for all,” says Courtney Galle, marketing and communications manager. “We want people to thrive.” The Conroe location was the first and is the largest center in the LSFHC system; there are also locations in Grangerland, Huntsville, Magnolia, Spring, and Willis.
In 2025, LSFHC logged more than 87,000 patient visits. About three-fourths of those were family medicine visits, but patients were also seen for women’s health, behavioral health, substance use disorder, nutrition, and even dental treatments. “When you are on a budget, things get cut,” Courtney says, noting that dental visits are often sacrificed. The good news is dental treatments at LSFHC can be discounted for qualifying families.
All six LSFHC locations have lab and X-ray equipment on site; in addition, the Conroe location has an in-house pharmacy, where LSFHC patients can conveniently have prescriptions filled at discounted prices.
Families with children are a common sight at LSFHC, Courtney says, and many have been asking about this year’s Don’t Miss the Bus Vaccinations and Well-Child Visits program. Now in its ninth year, this program provides free vaccines and well child visits for uninsured patients. Every participating child also receives a backpack that contains basic school supplies. Don’t Miss the Bus will be held July 27 through August 14.
For some time, LSFHC has realized the need for vision services. Every child needs a vision screening, Heidi says; furthermore, vision care is important for adults, especially those who are diabetic. Diabetes can cause damage to eyes that, if untreated, can lead to vision loss and even blindness.
Few FQHCs in Texas offer vision services, Heidi says, but thanks to generous grants from the Episcopal Health Foundation and Conroe Noon Lions Club, LSFHC’s new vision clinic should be operational by fall. There, qualifying patients will be able to get discounted vision screenings and low-cost glasses and contact lenses. One full-time optometrist will be on staff; during ramp-up, there may be an additional part-time optometrist. With optometrists on staff, Heidi believes it will be easier to find participating providers for patients who need to see eye specialists, such as eye surgeons.
LSFHC’s story is intertwined with the history of the Conroe Family Medicine Residency Program (CFMR), which was founded in 1979. In 2002, responding to the need for an associated healthcare clinic, LSFHC, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was created. In 2012, the center moved to its current location near HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe Hospital. A 25,000 square foot addition was completed in 2025, bringing the total square footage of the center to an impressive 93,844.
Since 1979, 42 classes of physicians have graduated from CFMR, including Dr. Daniel Porter, the medical director of LSFHC. Residents follow one of three family medicine tracks, with concentrations in hospitalist practice, obstetrics, and medicine for the underserved. The program, which admits 12 recent medical school graduates each year to its three-year program, has a 100 percent pass rate on the Board Certification Examination offered by the American Board of Family Medicine.
CFMR providers have a heart for the underserved, uninsured, and underprivileged, Heidi says, and many of the physicians have been at LSFHC for years. For many, working with the underserved is their first choice, and they have developed a rapport with their patients. “Our physicians are really dedicated to the care of the community,” Heidi says.
“If you don’t have insurance, you don’t have many choices,” she says, noting that when healthcare is unaffordable, people are tempted to postpone healthcare visits. Sadly, this can often lead to complex medical issues difficult to treat. The good news for underserved patients in the area, however, is LSFHC provides a clean, spacious facility with friendly, compassionate providers. The cost of services is reasonable, which, for many patients, means healthcare issues can be addressed promptly, before they get out of control.
Unfortunately, many LSFHC patients lack reliable transportation to and from the health center. “Transportation is our number one barrier,” Heidi says. The staff of LSFHC is grateful the City of Conroe’s bus system, Conroe Connection, has a bus stop at the Conroe location; however, Heidi hopes bus service will be expanded in the future.
Although LSFHC earns favorable reviews for its affordable prices and its modern, inviting facility, it is the friendly, caring faculty and staff that seem to make the biggest impression on patients. “Everyone was friendly and professional,” says one patient. “I was very impressed with the staff here and how I was treated,” says another. “I have referred everyone I know because of how wonderful the entire staff is here!”
Lone Star Family Health Center
lonestarfamily.org
605 S Conroe Medical Dr
Conroe, TX 77304
(936) 539-4004
