By Jack Hintze | Star Local Media
Published April 22, 2025
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Representatives from Addison, Carrollton, Coppell
and Farmers Branch came together to break ground
on the new North Texas Emergency Communications
Center (NTECC).
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Nearly six months after purchasing the land for the
project, construction has begun in pursuit of
decreasing emergency response times across the
four cities. NTECC Executive Director Terry Goswick
said the facility will save approximately $25 million
over the next 30 years compared to current leasing
arrangements.
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The project was developed with the help of the
Metrocrest Hospital Authority, who owned the plot
of land the new center will sit on. CEO John Mahalik
said the organization has owned the plot of land for
years and was waiting for a project “that felt just
right for this location.”
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Once constructed, the NTECC center will be open 24 hours every day of the year, providing the four cities with police, fire and medical assistance through large databases of information and high-tech response software.
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Farmers Branch city documents state the new emergency communications center will be built on land that is a prime location for the public safety radio network connectivity.
The project cost approximately $20 million in total. Addison’s share of the project is $3,361,400. Coppell’s share of the project is $2,390,480. Carrollton’s share of the project is $9,756,380. Farmers Branch will pay $4,491,740 for the project. According to Coppell City Council documents, the fiscal impact of this project is provided for in the assigned fund balance of the Crime Control Prevention Fund.
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At the groundbreaking, city officials, NTECC personnel and guests across the four cities met with the team that brought the new facility to life. Carrollton Mayor Steve Babick said the construction of the new communications center represents a goal across the four cities of increasing accessibility to emergency services promptly.
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“We’re so very proud that our NTECC center will be located right here for all to see, much like a fire station or a police station, this NTECC center represents the best that all four cities have to offer to ensure public safety is first and foremost in what we do,” Babick said. “The facility really is front and center in the prime spot of Carrollton’s commercial and residential districts.”
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Coppell Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Nevels said the groundbreaking of the NTECC center “marks a major milestone in our commitment to collaboration in public safety.”
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“This new state-of-the-art facility will enhance our ability to deliver fast reliable emergency response services, it’s a reflection of our shared priority to keep our residents and community safe,” Nevels said. “Working alongside Carrollton, Addison and Farmers Branch, we’ve built something truly unique; an organization that puts innovation and excellence in emergency communications at the forefront.”
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After the groundbreaking ceremony concluded, guests enjoyed lunch and explored fire trucks, police vehicles and spoke with city leaders and first responders from all four cities.
A construction timeline has not yet been established for the new NTECC center. Construction will be coordinated between Parkhill, Smith & Cooper and BYRNE Construction Services.
By Tasha Young | Branch Herald
Published March 22, 2025
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As the Metrocrest Hospital Authority (MHA) celebrates its 50th anniversary, the organization has transformed from a simple hospital management entity into a powerful community health and support network that is redefining local philanthropy.
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Founded in 1975 by the City of Farmers Branch, the authority began as a mechanism to manage local hospital facilities. Today, it operates as a unique quasi-governmental agency that does more than manage medical real estate — it strategically reinvests millions of dollars back into the community's health and social infrastructure.
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"We're not like other authorities that rely on taxpayer dollars," said John Mahalik, CEO of the Metrocrest Hospital Authority. "Our only revenue comes from hospital operations and medical office building tenants."
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Currently, the authority owns several medical buildings in the Metrocrest area including the Carrollton hospital complex, which includes a 250-bed acute care facility, three medical office buildings, and surrounding properties. However, MHA's impact comes not from healthcare delivery, but from its robust community grant program.
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Each year, the organization distributes between $3 to $3.5 million to local nonprofits, focusing on five critical healthcare priority areas: behavioral health, prevention and screening, access and navigation, dental and vision care, and nutritional health and diabetes management.
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Krista Farber Weinstein, MHA chief operating officer, who developed the formal giving program in 2016, emphasized the strategic approach to community support. "We're not just writing checks," Farber Weinstein said. "We're forming partnerships and actively working to address community health needs."
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One such partnership has been transformative for Woven Health Clinic, a local healthcare provider. "Their [MHA] funding has been crucial in developing our Empower Health program,” said Woven Health Clinic Executive Director Jackie Rawkowski. “The program goes beyond disease prevention to truly empowering patients to take an active role in their healthcare journey." The Metrocrest Hospital Authority has been investing in the Empower Health program for seven years, providing a total of about $2 million to support the clinic's innovative approach to community healthcare.
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The authority's impact is particularly visible in the Farmers Branch, Carrollton and Addison communities. Recent initiatives include funding groundbreaking programs like a partnership with Texas A&M College of Dentistry to provide dental screenings and sealants for elementary school children and supporting a behavioral health program that eventually became a statewide model for student mental health services.
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Other notable partnerships include supporting organizations like Metrocrest Services and local fire departments including the Farmers Branch Fire Department, which recently received funding for specialized equipment to help rescue residents during emergencies.
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The MHA community commitment goes beyond traditional grant-making. In 2022, leaders unveiled a comprehensive Community Health Needs Assessment, a voluntary effort to understand and address local health challenges systematically.
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"It's not just about the organization producing the assessment," Farber Weinstein explained. "It's about the entire community coming together to identify needs and determine how each sector can contribute."
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The authority's current focus areas emerged from this assessment, which highlighted critical needs in maternal health, behavioral health and dental care. The organization is now working with partners like Hope Cottage and the American Heart Association to develop targeted interventions.
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MHA's approach to community support is particularly innovative. Rather than simply providing funding and walking away, Farber Weinstein regularly engages with these organizations, asking critical questions about program effectiveness and potential improvements.
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This collaborative approach has led to significant breakthroughs. A prime example is the behavioral health program that eventually evolved into Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine (T-CHATT), a statewide initiative providing free mental health counseling sessions for public school students across Texas.
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As healthcare challenges become increasingly complex, Farber Weinstein believes the Metrocrest Hospital Authority represents an innovative model of community support. She hopes by reinvesting hospital-generated revenue into local health initiatives, the organization demonstrates how strategic, partnership-driven philanthropy can create meaningful change.
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"We're always looking at how we can leverage our dollars and create partnerships that amplify our impact," Farber Weinstein said. "It's about more than funding — it's about creating sustainable solutions for our community."
By Jack Hintze | Star Local Media
Published March 4, 2025
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Coppell ISD received grant funding that will boost health throughout the district.
Metrocrest Hospital Authority (MHA) recently granted Coppell ISD $128,000 in funding for the 2024-2025 school year to enhance student health and safety.
According to CISD documents, the grant funded:
One itinerant/flex nurse position for the 2024-25 school year.
CPR supplies for campus nurses to train staff and for the student athletic trainer program.
Two vision screeners – shared by nurses to screen students unable to be screened by traditional chart methods (pre-K and students with disabilities.)
11 audiometers for hearing screening to replace aging and obsolete equipment.
MHA Chief Executive Officer John Mahalik said the organization was more than willing to help the district ensure the safety and health of students, staff and teachers. He hopes the grant funding will benefit the overall health of Coppell ISD through updated equipment and more medical staff.
“This was an ideal situation when they reached out and asked for assistance … it was definitely a positive for us to give back to Coppell ISD and give back to the community, because that’s what our mission is,” Mahalik said. “It’s very important, you’re helping the health needs of the community, it’s important to give back when you’re able to for the folks who need these kinds of programs.”
MHA Chief Operating Officer Krista Weinstein emphasized the importance of funding CISD’s flex nurse position. She said MHA has given grants to CFBISD and other neighboring school districts after the organization was made aware of various budget shortfalls and problems across multiple districts.
“This is something that was needed in the district that was going to be cut if we did not fund this, and it’s just a great way to help every school nurse and kid in the district,” Weinstein said. “Around covid, we discovered there were just some gaps around funding … if we can partner with a school district to improve healthcare needs by directly funding equipment or positions, that’s what we want to do.
Superintendent Brad Hunt said the funding came at the perfect time, as the district faces budget challenges. The grants were pioneered by CISD Health Services Coordinator Joyce Alcorn, who first reached out to the Metrocrest Hospital Authority.
“On behalf of the district and the board (of trustees), I just want to publicly thank the Metrocrest Hospital Authority for this very generous grant,” Hunt said. “This money is very beneficial to us, as you know, we’re dealing with some pretty significant challenges, so these grant opportunities come to us at just the right time.”
Hunt said the itinerant/flex nurse has been visiting different campuses in times of increased need. According to the district website, CISD plans to apply for the grant again for the 2025-26 school year.
Metrocrest Hospital Authority Partners with Local Organizations to Create Awareness of Affordable Health Care Services Available in the Community
July 25, 2023 (Dallas, TX) -- Metrocrest Hospital Authority (MHA) has
partnered with PediPlace, Woven Health Clinic and the Carrollton Fire
Rescue to disseminate flyers providing information on low-cost health care
services available in Carrollton and surrounding areas. The flyers are being
distributed by the Carrollton Fire Department to residents without a medical
home for routine primary healthcare.
“Many of the calls for emergency medical care can be avoided if the patient
has routine medical care from a primary care physician or pediatrician,”
said Krista Weinstein, chief operating officer for Metrocrest Hospital
Authority. “Our goal is to educate the community on the affordable
services available to them through organizations like PediPlace and Woven
Health Clinics.”
“The fliers allow our paramedics to provide critical health care information
in written form in both English and Spanish to residents,” said Caleb Rosier,City of Carrollton Fire Rescue. “These partners help us better serve the community’s health care needs.”
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The flyers began circulating in July with information about services provided by PediPlace and Woven Health Clinics. PediPlace offers quality, safe, equitable, compassionate, family-centered primary care to children ages new-born to 18 looking for accessible and exceptional health providers. Woven Health Clinics, located in both Farmers Branch and Carrollton, provides free and low-cost health care services to adults who live in Dallas, Carrollton, Coppell, Addison, and Farmers Branch to those who cannot afford it. The community clinics cover both the uninsured and under-insured, as well as some free healthcare services.
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"Our mission is to make healthcare a reality for every kid,” said Larry Robins, president & ceo of PediPlace. “Too often we find that families assume they cannot access quality care if they are uninsured or use Medicaid or CHIP benefits. But they can! We are reaching parents who would otherwise go without care or resort to the ER or costly urgent care facilities. We want families to know they have a medical home with us – a place they can turn to for primary care and answers to their most pressing medical questions.”
“Our clinics are designed to focus on wellness and disease prevention – all of which is accessible and affordable,” said Lisa Rigby, executive director of Woven Health Clinic. “Our patients are our priority. Everyone who comes through our doors is treated with compassion and respect.”
Both PediPlace and Woven Health Clinic offer bilingual services. For more information about Metrocrest Hospital Authority, visit www.mhatx.org.
About MHA
Since its creation in 1975, Metrocrest Hospital Authority has strived to create a quality healthcare environment its service area.
Almost 50 years later, MHA continues to be a catalyst for access to quality healthcare through partnerships that improve the health of the community. MHA believes that health encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or illness. By managing resources wisely, MHA is able to collaborate and support organizations that provide access to healthcare, prevention, early detection, and treatment programs with evidence-based models and
measurable results.
METROCREST HOSPITAL AUTHORITY SEEKS LOCAL PROJECTS TO FUND
2023 Community Health Needs Assessment revealed areas of healthcare to focus
Carrollton, Texas (February 21, 2023) – Metrocrest Hospital Authority (MHA) is seeking to fund local projects in areas of maternal health, dental prevention and education, or healthcare for individuals with special needs. Project programming must fall within the Metrocrest service area of Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Coppell, and Addison.
“Last year’s Community Health Needs Assessment revealed maternal health, dental prevention and education, and other areas of need in our community,” said Metrocrest Hospital Authority CEO John Mahalik. “We learned a lot from conducting the CHNA and we’re using that data collected to focus funding projects that fill these needs.”
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Projects must fall into one of the following priority issue areas:
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Healthcare access to primary care including supply, financial resources, capacity, care, and resource navigation
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Diabetes and Nutritional Health
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Health Screenings and Prevention that are tied to primary care
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Behavioral Health
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Dental and Vision Health
To be considered, organizations must fill out a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) on The Dallas Foundation’s online portal by Monday, March 27, 2023.
For more information visit the funding page on our website.
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About MHA
Since its creation in 1975, Metrocrest Hospital Authority has strived to create a quality healthcare environment for both providers and users in its service area.
Almost 50 years later, MHA continues to be a catalyst for access to quality healthcare through partnerships that improve the health of the community. MHA believes that health encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or illness. By managing resources wisely, MHA is able to collaborate and support organizations that provide access to healthcare, prevention, early detection, and treatment programs with evidence-based models and measurable results.
METROCREST HOSPITAL AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES 2022 CHARITABLE DONATIONS
More than $2.8 million donated to support charities in DFW
Carrollton, Texas (June 21, 2022) – Metrocrest Hospital Authority (MHA) has announced charitable contributions for 2022. “MHA places a high value on developing partnerships with nonprofit organizations in the community to enhance the quality of life for residents of the Metrocrest service area, particularly Carrollton and Farmers Branch,” said John Mahalik, MHA CEO. “We’re pleased to be able to support these organizations that provide important resources and services to our community.”
This year, the Authority has distributed $2,881,484 in funding to support the following organizations:
The American Heart Association’s CPR Anytime and Hypertension Treatment Algorithm programs (Target BP). CPR Anytime is a training kit that allows participants to learn basic lifesaving skills from the comfort and privacy of their home or workplace. Target BP is a national initiative that helps health care organizations and care teams, at no cost, improve BP control rates through an evidence-based quality improvement program and recognizes organizations committed to improving BP control. MHA will also fund AHA’s Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™, which allows patients the opportunity to better control their cholesterol.
Bridge Breast Network’s programs provide comprehensive breast health education, patient navigation and access to mammography and treatment services.
Carrollton Fire Rescue’s Sudden Cardiac Survival initiatives provide emergency medical training and lifesaving skills.
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD’s counseling services including Chemical Dependency, Crisis, Counseling Connection Center and Communities In School support. Funding will also support the Biomed Academy which currently serves more than 200 students.
Children's Advocacy Center for North Texas’ Forensic Medical and Mental Health Services for Abused Children. These services assist more than 10,000 abused children through coordinating investigations of child abuse and providing therapy and medical services, family assistance and prevention education.
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Children's Medical Center Foundation’s School-Based Telehealth for Primary Care and Behavioral Health in CFBISD.
Communities In Schools of the Dallas Region provides direct student intervention and individualized services for at-risk students in CFBISD campuses, with focus on mental health assessment and evaluation.
The Concilio’s Healthy Kids, Healthy Families educates families at an increased risk for obesity and diabetes by encouraging the adoption of healthy behaviors such as improved nutrition and physical activity.
Essilor Vision Foundation’s Kids Vision for Life program provides vision exams and prescription eyeglasses to low-income CFBISD students at no cost.
Metrocrest Services provides operating support for programs for low-income individuals, families and seniors to access healthcare and nutrition.
PediPlace provides access to quality pediatric healthcare for children living in the MHA service area.
Woven Health Clinic’s PREVENT Disease NOW! program implements evidence-based disease prevention best practices for cancer and chronic diseases, including diabetes, depression, anxiety, obesity, and others.
About MHA
Since its creation in 1975, Metrocrest Hospital Authority has strived to create a quality healthcare environment for both providers and users in its service area. Almost 50 years later, MHA continues to be a catalyst for access to quality healthcare through partnerships that improve the health of the community. MHA believes that health encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or illness. By managing resources wisely, MHA is able to collaborate and support organizations that provide access to healthcare, prevention, early detection, and treatment programs with evidence-based models and measurable results.
Media Contact:
David Margulies
(214) 914-1275
Metrocrest Hospital Authority Conducts Community Health Needs Assessment
Dallas, TX – March 25, 2022 -- Metrocrest Hospital Authority commissioned the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) to identify healthcare needs in the dynamic and fast-changing communities it serves (Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Addison, Coppell, and surrounding areas). A presentation of the report will be held Friday, March 25 at 8:30 am at the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Multipurpose Center in Irving, TX.
“The CHNA gives the community comprehensive information about the current health status, needs, and issues faced today,” said John Mahalik, Metrocrest Hospital Authority CEO. “We’re excited to present this information and see it used to close gaps on the unmet health needs in our community.”
Metrocrest Hospital Authority’s current investments in community health have been rooted in supporting services that reach underserved community members. The CHNA also identified additional opportunities for community investment including:
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Respond to socioeconomic needs increased through COVID
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Increase access to health care
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Increase community competence for behavioral health
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Increase percentage of mothers that receive prenatal care in the first trimester
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Educate policy makers on the impact of social determinants of health
MHA’s CHNA data and information was compiled using a systematic process and involved the community at each step along the way helping to identify and analyze community health needs. For more information about Metrocrest Hospital Authority visit, www.mhatx.org. To read the full Community Health Needs Assessment visit, https://www.mhatx.org/chna.
About MHA
Since its creation in 1975, Metrocrest Hospital Authority has strived to create a quality healthcare environment for both providers and users in its service area.
Almost 50 years later, MHA continues to be a catalyst for access to quality healthcare through partnerships that improve the health of the community. MHA believes that health encompasses physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or illness. By managing resources wisely, MHA is able to collaborate and support organizations that provide access to healthcare, prevention, early detection, and treatment programs with evidence-based models and
measurable results.