Morgan's MAC (Multi-Assistance Center)
by Bailey Mitchell, MS, CGC and Dina El Achi, MS, CGC
For nearly two decades, Gordon and Maggie Hartman have been an impactful pillar of the San Antonio disability community, providing resources and services for any and all who need it. In 2005, motivated by their own family’s needs, the Hartmans created a foundation inspired by the experiences of their daughter, Morgan, who was born with a rare genetic condition. Watching her be excluded from mainstream activities solely for having special needs, the family founded what would later be known as Morgan’s, a nonprofit organization overseeing five Ultra-Accessible™ entities with the purpose of promoting inclusion and accessibility for all, regardless of physical or cognitive abilities. After opening Morgan’s Wonderland theme park in 2010, the organization has expanded to include a splash park (Morgan’s Inspiration Island), adventure camp (Morgan’s Camp), and sports center (Morgan’s Sports) – all expertly and intentionally designed to be Ultra-Accessible™ for everyone, regardless of age or ability. All initiatives are firmly rooted in the belief that people of various ability levels can engage in play and interact with the goal of gaining a more well-rounded understanding of one another.
More recently, the Hartman family has continued to expand their mission of inclusion and accessibility by facilitating healthcare access for individuals of all ages with special needs, opening the Morgan's MAC (Multi-Assistance Center) in San Antonio in 2022. Morgan’s MAC was created to provide comprehensive and coordinated navigation services for individuals with special needs and disabilities, understanding that the healthcare system is often especially fragmented and difficult to navigate. Morgan’s MAC members can also access non-medical services including Morgan’s Salon, Practice Without Pressure, and the Workforce Inclusion Network.
Since the opening of Morgan’s MAC in October 2022, CHRISTUS Children’s has been privileged to have multiple pediatric specialist providers at the location. This includes a weekly genetics clinic staffed by Dr. Elizabeth Roeder and genetic counselors from CHRISTUS Children’s and Baylor College of Medicine. As individuals with genetic conditions frequently require multidisciplinary care for management of their complex health concerns, the location and organization of this genetics clinic has facilitated improved coordination of care for many and has allowed the CHRISTUS Children’s Genetics team to expand their geographic reach in Southwest Texas, an area in dire need of pediatric genetics services.
Incredible work is being done every day through Morgan’s initiatives, so there is no better place to shed light on the needs of the community that genetic counselors serve, both in San Antonio and in the greater Texas area. With that in mind, the TSGC Board of Directors and AEC Co-Chairs are beyond excited to announce that the 2025 TSGC AEC will be held at Morgan’s Wonderland Event Center on Friday February 28th, 2025!
Stay tuned for details to come!