PAN collaboration in Dallas unites over 30 community leaders to bridge gaps in healthcare access
Since launching our community-based work in Dallas last year, the PAN Foundation has focused on building strong, sustainable partnerships to increase healthcare access for everyone.
In May, we reached a key milestone: more than 30 community leaders gathered in person to share ideas, build relationships, and align on local priorities for increasing awareness and health literacy—ultimately, helping people to make informed decisions about their health.
A day of connection, collaboration, and planning
This event brought together a mix of grassroots organizations, educational institutions, city leaders, and healthcare stakeholders with a shared purpose: to close health access gaps and better serve communities across Dallas. From regional hospital systems and senior services to public health advocates and local nonprofits, the depth and breadth of participation reflected a collective energy that’s continuing to grow.
Throughout the day, attendees engaged in interactive sessions on strategic planning, partnership building, and shared impact. They also reflected on what makes collaboration meaningful and how we can work together most effectively to advance local health equity.
What we heard from the community
The group’s discussions surfaced several key priorities that will help guide the next phase of our work in Dallas:
Uplifting community voices
A recurring theme was the need to elevate the perspectives of smaller, grassroots organizations and include underrepresented voices. These groups are deeply embedded in the communities they serve and are essential to building trust and reaching those often overlooked by traditional systems.
Integrating education into care workflows
Several participants emphasized the importance of embedding health education into hospital discharge processes, where care teams can provide trusted resources to patients during critical transition points. Partners suggested leveraging existing systems like FindHelp and building resource lists that reflect both institutional providers and trusted, smaller organizations.
Creating new pathways for workforce development
There was shared interest in partnering with institutions like UT Southwestern and United Way to explore practicum and internship opportunities for public health students. These partnerships could support local capacity-building while providing students with hands-on experience in advancing health equity where they live and learn.
Join our Dallas network
If you’re working to improve healthcare access in Dallas and want to join our network, we’d love to connect. Complete this short form and our community impact team will reach out.
Why we chose Dallas
In 2024, the PAN Foundation identified Dallas as a key city for expanding its community-based health equity initiatives. Although Dallas is home to one of the most diverse populations in the country, it continues to face deep disparities in healthcare access, chronic disease outcomes, and affordability. Many residents, particularly those in historically underserved neighborhoods, struggle to navigate complex healthcare systems and afford the care they need.
Texas leads the nation in both the number and percentage of individuals without health insurance. According to the 2022 Dallas County Community Health Needs Assessment, 17 percent of Texans are uninsured, while the uninsured rate in Dallas County is even higher at 21 percent.
Through conversations with community members, local leaders, and healthcare organizations, we heard a clear need for stronger collaboration, more inclusive education tools, and greater support for trusted, grassroots groups already doing critical work. These insights informed our approach and inspired the formation of our local network of partners, which aims to create lasting infrastructure to support better health for all Dallas residents.
Looking ahead: sustaining momentum and action
We left the gathering energized by the possibilities ahead and committed to action. Attendees completed individual pledge cards outlining their commitments, ranging from new referrals to community events.
As we move forward, we’ll continue to convene across Dallas, meet regularly, and welcome new partners to the table. Together, we are shaping a more inclusive, community-driven model for accelerating healthcare access—one that centers the people and organizations doing the work every day.
We’re grateful to every participant who contributed their time, insight, and enthusiasm. Together, we’re building something powerful in Dallas—and we’re just getting started.
Join our network
If you’re working to improve health access in Dallas and want to join our network, we’d love to connect. Complete this short form and our community impact team will reach out.