Healthcare for Jail Inmates Goes to Shannon, Community Wants In

Dr. Mendoza, the doctor that provided medical services to the inmates of Tom Green County Jail, retired in December leaving a vacuum of medical professionals for the inmates.

“We found Susan Schultz, she is a nurse practitioner,” said Todd Allen, Jail Administrator of Tom Green County Jail. “She’s agreed to take on those services.”

"Dr. Mendoza, under a verbal agreement, has been providing service for all these years,” Judge Steve Floyd said. “They decided they needed to contract that for the future.”

The contract ensures that the medical services provided are considered professional services, with competency and qualified individuals filling the role.

Tom Green County, Sheriff Jones and Shannon Clinic were all a part of the contract process.

“All we did is legally contract it for Shannon clinic to provide that oversight for our jail nurse to operate under,” Floyd explained Tuesday. “It was primarily through the jail and the Sheriff’s Office and ratified by the Commissioners Court today.”

Eric Becker, CEO of Community Medical Center, got up to speak before the Commissioners Court in regards to the issue.

“The first time I heard about this it was when it appeared on the agenda. I didn’t know this was a service that was needed for the community or for the county,” Becker said. “I’m not going to make a big deal about this item, but if there is an opportunity to bid on this item I would take an opportunity to do that.”

He explained that even if they had to move on and get the issue solved quickly he understood, but asked that Community be in the running for any future county healthcare needs.

“Until you get a bid, you never know what the best deal for the county is,” stated Becker.

Becker got his way when the motion specifically mentioned giving Community a shot at future contracts.

“Community just asked to be considered for future services that need to be provided, which has merit to it and resonated well with the Commissioners Court,” Floyd said.

For now the contract for the healthcare of inmates at Tom Green County Jail belongs to Shannon Clinic and Susan Schultz.