When Angel Muñoz initially founded WeeKare Pediatrics more than 20 years ago, he said he was filling a specific need in the Houston area.
“There were no physicians that wanted to see Medicaid patients, so there was a need for us to take care of all those patients in this area,” Muñoz said.
Muñoz said the business quickly took off, outgrowing its initial location in less than a year. Due to the increased business, Muñoz relocated WeeKare to Humble about a year later before opening a second location in Houston seven years ago.
A closer look
In January, WeeKare Pediatrics opened its newest location in New Caney with the same mission of serving patients who might otherwise be overlooked.
Muñoz, who previously served as director of neonatology at Memorial Hermann Northeast Hospital in Humble, said WeeKare Pediatrics offers a variety of services, including pediatric care, sports physicals, urinalysis, developmental screenings, vision and hearing screenings, immunizations and more.
“We treat all the diseases that are chronic, like immunological diseases or kids with attention deficit disorder,” Muñoz said. “We take up all of them.”
Muñoz noted his background in pediatric care has led to good working relationships with area hospitals.
"All the hospitals from The Woodlands, from downtown, from Kingwood that have had babies in the neonatal intensive care unit need to have a doctor that’s going to follow up,” Muñoz said. “We get them. Some are very complicated, so the other pediatricians don't want to see them because they have a lot of issues.”
Edith Mendez, assistant office manager of WeeKare Pediatrics’ New Caney location, said the business provides an answering service for parents who may be unsure of whether their child needs immediate medical attention.
“Our coordinators are amazing at assisting the parents,” Mendez said. “They find all the information for them, and follow up, because they often come in with this uncertainty. Then, we’re there to provide for the needs that they have.”
Mendez noted the business has a provider on call seven days a week, including after regular business hours. She also noted the clinic is open on Saturdays to help parents with busy work schedules.
Also of note
Additionally, WeeKare Pediatrics Chief Operating Officer Melisa Hernandez said the business works with New Caney, Humble and Huffman ISDs to offer a medical assistant program to area students. Hernandez noted the program has led to students being offered a job upon completion.
“[Students] will shadow for a certain amount of hours,” Hernandez said. “They do their externship here, and if it's good mutual fit, then that's when we'll decide on hiring.”
Moving forward, Hernandez said the clinic is planning to eventually open a fourth location, but she noted there weren’t additional details at this point.
Why it matters
For Muñoz, the business has always been about providing patients with excellent care.
“Sometimes patients come in, and they are so sick,” Muñoz said. “They're wheezing and coughing, and you treat them. Then, you send them home with the medicine, and they come back a totally different child. That's very rewarding.”
