2015 Austin Health Leader-Individual

 Celia Neavel, MD, FSAHM

 "I value receiving the TMAF Health Leader Award. Our clinic already benefits from the Foundation each time we give out a bicycle helmet during our well child check-ups. I also appreciate the opportunity to focus on the importance of community collaboration as a fundamental and wonderfully enriching part of medicine."
Celia Neavel, MD, FSAHM

 

Dr. Neavel has worked with vulnerable and disenfranchised populations since her days at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston where she earned her medical degree. Her dedication led her to completing residency in Family Medicine and a combined fellowship in Adolescent Medicine and Developmental Disabilities in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1994 Dr. Neavel helped start, and continues to direct, the Center for Adolescent Health (CAH) at People's Community Clinic (PCC) here in Austin. The CAH provides affordable, specialized, interdisciplinary healthcare for more than 1,100 low-income and underserved teens and young adults. Through CAH, Dr. Neavel supervises three off-site clinics embedded within non-medical, youth-serving agencies.

 Dr. Neavel also initiated and directs GOALS (Generating Outcomes And Liaisons for Students), a developmental/behavioral/primary care program for youth aged 4 to19. GOALS evaluates and provides treatment for diagnoses such as ADHD, Autism, and learning differences. An ever-increasing GOALS community advisory council meets quarterly to review best practices and resources for youth with school problems.

Both CAH and GOALS utilize social workers, nurses, psychologists, psychiatrists, medical assistants, health educators, pediatric residents, nurse practitioners and others to diagnose, treat, and support often complex patients and their families within a medical home. While specifically serving Central Texas, patients themselves often require a global health perspective as some have immigrated from the Middle and Far East, Africa, Central America, and Mexico.

Dr. Neavel is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice. She was faculty with the Austin Pediatric Residency Program for almost 19 years, contributing to curriculum development, supervision, and giving lectures. She continues to teach residents, psychology pre-doctoral students, and other trainees. She has mentored many of her own team members to pursue further professional education. Dr. Neavel was honored by Manor Independent School District in 2001, listed Texas Super Doctor in 2004, received the St. Luke's Episcopal Health Charities Ambassador Award in 2007 and the New Milestones Foundation Champion Award in 2010, is a Fellow of the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine, was recognized in 2012 for being a top Adolescent Medicine Specialist by U.S News & World Report, was named a Top Doctor in 2013 in Austin Monthly magazine, and was a finalist in the Austin Business Journal's Women of Influence and Power in 2014. Currently, she serves on the Texas Health Steps Advisory Panel and the Women's Health Community Care Collaborative.

Dr. Neavel and members of her team have presented to local, state, and national organizations and media on topics such as adolescent well visits, reproductive health, and integrating behavioral health into primary care. Advocacy is an integral part of both CAH and GOALS. In 2012 as a Travis County Medical Society Delegate, Dr. Neavel originated a Texas Medical Association resolution that resulted in Texas legislation allowing teen parents to sign for their own vaccines in order to protect themselves and their babies. Dr. Neavel is married to another physician and has 3 young adult children.


 


 

Last Updated On

March 23, 2015

Originally Published On

March 18, 2015