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A NEW CHAPTER FOR COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE: COASTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS NAMES LANE BAKER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

10/12/2026

🏥💙 A NEW CHAPTER FOR COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE: COASTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS NAMES LANE BAKER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

With more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, Baker takes the helm as the Galveston County health center prepares for greater independence, expanded services and long-term growth.

By Bay Area Entertainer Staff | October 12, 2026

TEXAS CITY, TEXAS —

A familiar face is stepping into a major leadership role at one of Galveston County's important community healthcare organizations.

The Coastal Health & Wellness Governing Board has appointed Lane Baker, MHA, as the new Executive Director of Coastal Health & Wellness, effective October 1, 2026.

Baker, who previously served as the organization's Chief Operating Officer, assumes leadership at a pivotal time as Coastal Health & Wellness (CHW) prepares for greater operational independence, expanded healthcare access and long-term organizational stability.

For thousands of Galveston County residents who depend on affordable, accessible medical and dental services, the appointment represents both continuity and a new direction for the organization.

🩺 MORE THAN TWO DECADES OF HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP

Baker brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership across the public and private sectors.
His professional background includes extensive work in federally qualified health center operations, organizational strategy, financial management, revenue-cycle improvement, grant-funded programs and community partnerships.
In 2010, Baker earned his Master of Health Administration from the Texas A&M University Health Science Center's School of Rural Public Health in College Station.
He joined Coastal Health & Wellness in early 2025 as Chief Operating Officer and quickly became involved in initiatives designed to strengthen the organization's operations and financial future.
Among those efforts were improving insurance claim processing, reducing denied claims, strengthening collections and identifying additional revenue opportunities.
While much of that work happens behind the scenes, it can have a significant impact on a community health center's ability to continue serving patients.

💙 STRENGTHENING HEALTHCARE FOR GALVESTON COUNTY FAMILIES

Coastal Health & Wellness provides comprehensive healthcare services to thousands of Galveston County residents each year.
For many patients, the organization serves as an essential connection to primary medical care, dental services, prenatal care and behavioral healthcare.
CHW serves individuals and families who may be uninsured, underinsured or experiencing financial and other barriers to receiving medical treatment.
Its mission is particularly important in communities where access to affordable healthcare can make the difference between receiving timely treatment and delaying care.
Baker's appointment comes as the organization continues working to strengthen its ability to meet those needs.

💊 EXPANDING SERVICES AND FINDING NEW OPPORTUNITIES

During his time as Chief Operating Officer, Baker helped advance several initiatives intended to improve CHW's financial position while expanding services.
His work has included strengthening the organization's 340B Drug Pricing Program, which helps eligible healthcare organizations obtain certain outpatient medications at reduced prices.
He has also pursued opportunities involving value-based reimbursement, an approach that connects healthcare payments more closely to quality and patient outcomes.
According to CHW, Baker helped advance initiatives involving new federal funding to expand healthcare access and substance use disorder treatment services.
These efforts are part of the organization's broader goal of maintaining quality care while developing a sustainable financial future.

🤝 BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS THE TEXAS GULF COAST

Another important part of Baker's work has involved strengthening relationships with healthcare providers and community organizations.
Those partnerships include:

UTMB Health
The Gulf Coast Center
Local colleges and universities
Emergency medical services
Municipal partners
Other community organizations

The goal is to improve coordination of care, connect patients with additional resources and strengthen the healthcare network serving Galveston County.
For residents who may need multiple types of healthcare or social support, strong partnerships can help reduce gaps between services.

🏥 GOVERNING BOARD EXPRESSES CONFIDENCE IN BAKER'S LEADERSHIP

Elizabeth Williams, Chair of the Coastal Health & Wellness Governing Board, praised Baker's understanding of the organization and the challenges facing community health centers.
“Lane has demonstrated an exceptional understanding of both the mission of Coastal Health & Wellness and the increasingly complex environment in which community health centers operate,” Williams said.
She pointed to his work strengthening operations, developing revenue opportunities and building partnerships that benefit patients and the community.
Williams also emphasized Baker's understanding of the people CHW serves and his commitment to the organization's future.
“The Board has great confidence in his leadership, and we believe he is the right person to guide Coastal Health & Wellness into its next chapter,” she said.

🌟 BAKER: THE MISSION AND THE PEOPLE COME FIRST

For Baker, the appointment is an opportunity to build upon the work already underway while supporting the employees and healthcare professionals who serve patients every day.
“Coastal Health & Wellness has an incredible mission, and I am honored that the Governing Board has placed its trust in me to lead this organization,” Baker said.
He credited the organization's leadership team, healthcare providers and employees for their dedication to patients and the communities they serve.
“My focus will be on supporting that team, ensuring our patients continue to receive the care they need and building an even stronger Coastal Health & Wellness for the future. I am excited about what we can accomplish together.”

🏗️ PREPARING FOR GREATER INDEPENDENCE

One of the most significant responsibilities awaiting Baker is guiding Coastal Health & Wellness toward a more independent and sustainable operating structure.
As Executive Director, he will oversee the organization's medical, dental, behavioral health and substance use disorder services, along with financial strategy, federal grants, regulatory compliance, workforce operations and community partnerships.
The transition will require balancing financial stability with the organization's longstanding commitment to serving residents regardless of their ability to pay.
Baker's previous role as Chief Operating Officer gives him direct experience with CHW's employees, operational systems, patient needs and organizational priorities.
That familiarity is expected to provide continuity during the transition.

📍 WHAT RESIDENTS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT COASTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

Coastal Health & Wellness operates clinics in Texas City and Galveston, providing healthcare services for individuals and families throughout Galveston County.
Services include primary medical care, dental care, prenatal services and behavioral healthcare.
The organization accepts Medicaid, Medicare and private insurance, while also offering services to patients without health insurance.
Its commitment to serving residents regardless of their ability to pay remains central to its mission.
For patients who may otherwise struggle to access healthcare, community health centers like CHW provide an important local resource.

💙 A NEW LEADER, A CONTINUING MISSION

Leadership changes often bring new priorities and new challenges.
But for Coastal Health & Wellness, Baker's appointment also provides an opportunity to build upon existing relationships, strengthen financial stability and continue expanding access to care.
The organization's future will depend on many factors, including funding, staffing, partnerships and the changing needs of the communities it serves.
For now, the Governing Board has placed its confidence in a leader who already knows the organization from the inside.
And for the thousands of Galveston County residents who depend on Coastal Health & Wellness, the most important measure of success will remain the same:
Access to dependable, compassionate, high-quality healthcare close to home.

🏥 COASTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS — SERVING GALVESTON COUNTY

Residents seeking information about medical, dental, prenatal or behavioral health services can visit the organization's official website:

🌐 www.coastalhw.org

The Bay Area Entertainer congratulates Lane Baker on his appointment and recognizes the healthcare professionals who continue serving families throughout Galveston County.

Source: Coastal Health & Wellness leadership appointment announcement provided for publication.

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