Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry Wallace Sr..
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
After completing high school, I attended Career Academy in Milwaukee and graduated with a Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology. I did not permit financial constraints to hinder my dreams and worked multiple part-time jobs while balancing my academic responsibilities and the need to fund my education. I worked nights cleaning offices and took temporary jobs to help me realize my goals.
After graduating from Career Academy, I was inducted into the US Army, and my initial Military Occupation Service designation was Combat Medic. Upon completion of the Combat Medic program, I was selected for advanced training at the U.S. Academy of Health Sciences and graduated from the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist Course. Upon graduation I was assigned as an ENT Specialist at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio until receiving an honorable discharge I began my hospital health care career at Parkland Hospital in Dallas in the position of Assistant Business Office Manager. Following my tenure at Parkland Hospital, I was employed at JPS Health Network in Fort Worth, Texas.
I accepted a position at JPS Health Network in Ft. Worth, Texas in the position of Director, Business Services. Other positions I held at JPS where Administrative Resident, Director, of Business Services, Chief Administrative Director, and Family Practice Residency Program Operations Director. A pivotal turning point in my career came when I selected from my peers by hospital leadership to enroll in the prestigious Administrative Resident Program. Upon completion of the residency program, I was promoted to Vice President, Community Health Services with the goal of unbundling hospital-based services to create access to health care within communities.
Under my leadership, multiple ambulatory care centers, urgent care clinics, dental service facilities, and school-based health programs were established. These centers were strategically placed in underserved neighborhoods, ensuring proximity and convenience for residents. Each facility was designed not merely as a medical clinic, but as a hub of comprehensive care, offering services ranging from preventive screenings and immunizations to mental health counselling and chronic disease management.
I introduced school-based programs in Fort Worth which were particularly impactful. Partnering with local school districts, I established health clinics within schools, offering students and their family’s immediate access to medical care. These initiatives reduced absenteeism, improved academic performance, and promoted the early detection of health issues, thereby fostering healthier communities from the ground up.
Following my tenure at Parkland Hospital, I was employed at JPS Health Network in Fort Worth, Texas and served as Vice President of Community Health Services. I provided leadership in the development of 18 community based comprehensive health and wellness centers: including multiple primary care, pharmacy and dental care service lines to increase access to health services throughout Tarrant County. Other positions I held at JPS where Administrative Resident, Director, of Business Services, Chief Administrative Director, and Family Practice Residency Program Operations Director.
In 2005, I was recruited to Austin Texas to assist with establishing the newly formed Travis County Hospital District. I served as Enterprise Chief Administrative Officer for TCHD dba Central Health, the public entity in Travis County whose mission is to improve the health of the community by ensuring access to those who need it most. I also served as Chief Executive for the Community Care Collaborative, a public/private partnership between Central Health and Seton Healthcare Family which was charged with developing an innovative and cost-effective integrated delivery system for low-income and uninsured patient care in collaboration with UT-Austin’s Dell Medical School. I also served on the Downtown Austin Alliance Board of Directors, which is devoted to shaping the future of downtown Austin while preserving and enhancing its value and vitality. I was a member of the executive team credited for the launch of Sendero Health Plans, an eight-county non-profit health plan to improve access for those covered by publicly funded health insurance programs. I also provided leadership for the development of the Eastern Travis County Health & Wellness Collaboration, bringing together leaders from the City of Austin, Travis County, Capital Metro, Huston-Tillotson University, and local safety net health care providers to improve access to health services in Eastern Travis County.
Following my retirement from Central Health, I launched my long-standing vision to establish a health and wellness clinic to serve men of color residing in underserved communities. The BMHC serves as my greatest accomplishment and is my latest effort to change the narrative and contribute to the wellbeing of men without a voice and who are routinely invisible in society and to typical healthcare systems. My wife Sabrina provided immeasurable support and encouragement and stood by my side during the early challenging stages of developing the clinic. My son Dr. Larry Wallace Jr. later joined the clinic as Co-Founder and Senior Director of Operations and is very instrumental in the clinic’s growth and success. The Black Men’s Health Clinic has received multiple awards and commendations and is recognized as a national model for addressing health disparities and providing healing, restoration and hope for men of color.
I earned a bachelor’s in business administration degree from Dallas Baptist University and a (MBA) master’s in business administration from Amberton University. I was awarded the prestigious Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy and Health Care Administration from International American University in Los Angeles, California. The Honorary Doctorate is awarded to distinguished individuals demonstrating academic excellence and who have made remarkable contributions in various fields such as business, education, health, science, arts and social impact. The award is granted to visionaries who demonstrated exceptional achievements and positively influenced their industries and continued meaningfully to society.
My affiliations included membership with the American College of Health Care Executives, National Forum Black Public Administrators, National Association of Health Services Executives, the Medical Group Management Association. I also serviced as a UT- Austin Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs graduate-level mentor for the Executive Master’s in Public Leadership Program, I currently serve as Budget Committee Chair for St. James Missionary Baptist Church, and a Public Health Workgroup Member with the Black Leaders Collective.
I received several prestigious awards including the 2019 Kirk P. Watson Service Award and the 2019 EQUITYSPACE Equity Warrior Award.
I was the 2025 Recipient of the Richard E. Hopkins “Torch Award” in the Community Leader Category at the 25th Central Texas African American Family Support Conference. (CTAAFSC)
I was chosen by the National Association of Social Workers ASW-TX to receive the Public Citizen of the year award. Each year the Capital Area Branch recognizes people who are working towards advancing social work values and ethics and working towards social justice in a variety of areas
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The creation of the Black Men’s Health Clinic is my greatest personal and career accomplishment. It serves as the manifestation of my long-standing vision to provide a safe space for men of color to receive critical healthcare services. The devastating events of COV19 and the murder of Georg Floyd made it clear the time was right to take a stand and make a difference for the community. These events highlighted the struggles experienced by men of color. National issues of social justice and the underlying need for greater culturally appropriate access to health care. Men of color in our community are faced with significant barriers to healthcare to include institutional racism, lack of financial resources, transportation, lack of trust in the system and convenient appointment times for those working long hours. The most significant finding was the general lack of trust men have of the current health care system. I shared my vision for the clinic with a few trusted allies and received affirmation that because of the increased level of trauma experienced by black men in our community, they overwhelmingly endorsed my idea.
The journey began and preliminary strategies were adopted to provide guidance and structure for the project. It was important to glean the multiple studies and research conducted by academic institutions, public health associations and area hospitals that identified health disparities plaguing minority communities. These reports also detailed utilization rates by black men.
The planning process for the project was extensive and inclusive. To accomplish the goals set forth in the preliminary strategic design concept, it was necessary to include others who shared the passion to bring resources to the community that impact lives and reset the trajectory of generations of unmet healthcare. Understanding that the breadth and depth of this challenge could not be logistically addressed by a single agency. In June 2021, a steering committee consisting of representatives from 20 local healthcare and related agencies was formed and met monthly. Planning partners represented a cross section of services and programs including African American Youth Harvest Foundation, Austin Public Heath, City of Austin, Central Health, Ascension Seton, Austin Travis County Integral Care and University of Texas. Community advocates also participated and provided lived experiences to further educate the committee members. If you want to know something, ask those qualified to give an answer. In healthcare, this practice is invaluable.
Over a year’s planning went into this initiative to make it a reality. The steering committee diligently met for over nine months, reviewing data and trends to gain additional perspective regarding the health status of the community. It was important to invest the time necessary to solicit feedback from men in the community to identify key root causes for their poor healthcare utilization rates. 700 men were surveyed, and the results were used to develop the initial BMHC scope of service. A comprehensive business plan funded by the St. Davids Foundation was developed and in scanning the local healthcare landscape, multiple services provided by local publicly funded institutions were identified. These included Central Health, Austin Public Health and Austin Travis County Integral Care, CommUnityCare and others. Despite the availability of services in the community; black and brown men are hesitant to access these services. Data provided by public health agencies records extremely low utilization of services by black men. It was imperative to rethink how healthcare is provided to marginalized individuals and to develop a new kind of clinic. In many instances traditional models of care fall short in meeting the needs of men of color.
BMHC leased space for the clinic at 6633 Highway 290 East. The BMHC model of care is holistic and provides Mental Health, Primary Care and Social Determinants of Care. CommUnityCare, a local Federally Qualified Health Center Network, entered into an agreement with BMHC to provide clinical services at our location. Black and Brown community based mental health providers joined our efforts. A major challenge was acquiring funding for a new clinic focusing on men of color. Some felt there wasn’t a need for another clinic in Austin. It became apparent that to launch this project, I would have to provide funding from my personal resources until our non-profit 501c3 status was approved and grants could be secured. In July 2022, clinic operations at Black Men’s Health Clinic were launched.
The Black Men’s Health Clinic serves as a beacon of light to all men of color and their families. Following a decorated career that produced several awards and personal recognition, the Black Men’s Health Clinic serves as my single most meaningful project and is the highlight of my journey.
Thanks to the countless individuals and organizations who believed in me and supported my vision.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Throughout my career, my commitment to expanding healthcare access has transformed the lives of countless individuals and families. I helped establish community health centers, fostered collaborative partnerships, and championed equitable care for everyone. By removing barriers and addressing healthcare disparities, my efforts empowered entire communities to thrive.
My leadership has never been defined by titles or accolades, but by the lives I touched. Each decision I made was guided by a singular mission: to serve those in need. I believe that every challenge is an opportunity to serve, and every setback is a lesson. My unwavering dedication to improving healthcare systems serves as a beacon of hope for future leaders, encouraging them to lead with integrity and compassion.
A driving force behind my success has been the ability to forge strong partnerships and foster an environment of inclusivity. I worked tirelessly to bridge gaps between healthcare institutions, government agencies, and local communities. By uniting stakeholders under a common mission, we broke down bureaucratic barriers and created comprehensive care networks that prioritize prevention, early intervention, and holistic treatment. My leadership style is characterized by humility, empathy, and an unrelenting dedication to service. I celebrate the success of others, believed in the power of collective effort, and continuously sought opportunities to uplift those around me. My ability to listen, understand, and act with integrity earned me the trust and respect of colleagues, partners, and the communities I served
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I was born into a family where hard work and love was a way of life. Our home, though small, was filled with love and warmth. I remember the smell of home-cooked meals by my grandmother and the playful interaction with my siblings. Music was imbedded into the home atmosphere by the gentle hum of the radio, which played gospel songs of resilience and hope. Financial struggles were a constant reality, especially after my father’s life-threatening accident, but our family faced them with a shared resolve. My mother worked full time and meals were often simple, yet they were seasoned with love and gratitude.
My eldest brother Bernard emerged as the head of the family and a steadfast role model. He was the first in the family to pursue higher education, a path that demanded relentless determination as a student athlete. His success became a beacon of hope for me proving that dreams could be realized through hard work.
My brother Butch, an Army Veteran, was also a source of inspiration and had a great influence on my early development. Having two older brothers to look up to had benefits, however, there were also times when being last in line wasn’t much fun. My sisters were also supportive, especially with my mother working a full-time job.
My parents were working class people, and I drew inspiration from my father’s job at J&L Steel Mill and my mother’s tireless service working at the Aliquippa Hospital laundry. Our neighborhood streets were lined with modest homes weathered by years of exposure to soot and dust from the mill. Within these humble surroundings, a resilient spirit thrived and embodied my family. The foundation for my family was grounded in biblical principles and values. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior as a young teenager and my primary social relationships were centered in activities at church and within the local Christian community.
My elementary school was a modest brick building, its walls adorned with faded posters of historical figures and motivational quotes. Though resources were scarce, the dedication of my teachers made the classroom a place of possibility. They recognized my potential, encouraging me to excel despite the odds. Art was my favorite subject and became my sanctuary, each picture igniting my imagination and expanding my understanding of the world beyond the confines of my neighborhood.
Adolescence brought its own set of trials. I was shy and quiet and peer pressure, financial limitations, and self-doubt often loomed large, especially with unwelcomed attention I received because of the birthmark on my forehead. But with every challenge growing up, I drew strength and resilience from my family and those who provided spiritual guidance and unwavering support.
My life story is a testimony to God’s grace.
