Our Story

The Foundation for Teen Health was formed in 1990 as a 5013 organization to support the work of the Baylor College of Medicine Teen Health Clinics and other like minded organizations. The goal of the foundation is to raise funds and awareness of the programs provided to young men and women at the Teen Health Clinics as well as Harris County Precinct 1 Street Olympics, Girls Inc, Tejano Center for Community Concerns, and Texas Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.  The Foundation for Teen Health and its Board of Directors are actively involved in many Teen Clinic programs, particularly Ascend, Career building without limits. Ascend is a career preparation program that connects youth to job training in a health care field. Employment is a social determinant to health. The clinics believe it is vital to treat the whole person and the Foundation for Teen Health ensures this can be a reality.

The Baylor College of Medicine Teen Health Clinics began in 1968 at Jeff Davis Hospital as a one-day a week maternity clinic funded through a Rockefeller Grant. In 1972 the clinic director died unexpectedly and the clinic lost its funding. Dr. Peggy Smith was brought in to close the clinic but once she saw the need, Dr. Smith had a different idea. She has been the director and the driving force to expand locations and services since that time. Presently there is a network of nine clinics located in areas with an at risk population; Ben Taub Hospital, LBJ Hospital, Tejano Center for Community Concerns, Cavalcade Clinic, Cullen Clinic, Lawn Clinic, Wisdom High School, Worthing High School and Milby High School. The clinics have more than 26,000 visits a year.

The Foundation is a small piece in funding the clinics.  The clinics are part of the state of Texas Healthy Woman Fund and the Family Planning Fund among others. The clinic’s patients are the future of our community and we believe providing health and social services at no cost to the patient is not only the right thing to do but makes economic sense. Teens and young adults are an often-eclipsed segment of our population and it is important for the overall health of our community to give them the tools to be mentally and physically prepared to make the right choices in life.

a teen and an adult meeting in an office

Who We Are

Teen in an exam room meeting a doctor

  • Our mission is to assist the Baylor College of Medicine Teen Health Clinics and other like minded organizations which provide services to indigent teens and young adults in Harris County, Texas

  • The Foundation for Teen Health wants to prevent risky behavior that results in health and social issues for teens, such as pregnancy, substance abuse, HIV and STI, which often lead to withdrawal from school and restricts ability to find employment. The Foundation for Teen Health supports those who provide access to comprehensive health care, social services and education with gives age appropriate tools for these young people to make healthy choices to keep them in school and contributing members of our community.

  • President: Dr. Peggy Smith    
    Treasurer: Peter Licata     

    Beth Bryant
    Ingrid Carrasco
    Janice Finder
    Doe Florsheim
    Beth Madison
    Iris McWilliams  
    Lee Mitchell
    June Waggoner
    Phyllis Williams
    Danielle White  
    Dr. Geri Woods
    Clarease Yates   
    Brittany Zucker