Meet Dr. Larry Herrera!
At the Family Health Center at Elgin, we believe that every child deserves a medical home where they are known, respected, and expertly cared for throughout their life. Leading that mission is Dr. Larry Herrera, a pediatrician whose journey into medicine is as impressive as his approach to patient care is.
Dr. Herrera grew up on a farm half an hour south from San Antonio, in Jourdanton Texas. He knew his path was in medicine before he even finished elementary school.
“I actually knew that I wanted to be a doctor probably when I was in the fifth grade,” he recalls. “I told my family and other friends, and of course, they didn’t believe me, and I continued to reiterate it until it finally happened.”
Dr. Herrera’s academic path is a testament to his dedication:
- Undergraduate School: UTSA in San Antonio.
- Medical School: Texas A&M College of Medicine in College Station.
- Residency: Baylor Scott & White in Temple,Texas.
- Oncology Fellowship: A prestigious fellowship at UT Southwestern, where he spent three years in clinical work and three years conducting research.
Dr. Herrera’s expertise took him across the country. He moved to Philadelphia to set up a research laboratory at Temple University and later served as a Program Director for two major hospital systems in New Jersey and Arizona. It was in New Jersey where he had his first introduction to working within a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) — the same type of community health center as CHCSCT.
“I worked with many migrant families who came to the East Coast on a seasonal basis,” Dr. Herrera explains. “I saw a number of Spanish-speaking families there, and it was my first experience working with a population that needed that extra level of support and care.”
With his parents still in Texas, he decided to bring his vast experience back home to serve rural communities.
Life Outside the Clinic
When he’s not caring for families, Dr. Herrera enjoys farming on his land near Taylor, Texas. His love for the land started during his childhood on the farm, where his father worked as a rancher and farmer. While his father originally hoped he would follow in his footsteps and work the farm, Dr. Herrera chose medicine — though he never lost his connection to his roots.
Today, he spends his weekends tending to fruit trees and enjoying the outdoors. He is also a lifelong learner who spends his free time in self-study. “I learned a long time ago that as a physician, there’s always an opportunity to do better at what I’m doing,” he says. “I will never know enough.”
A Doctor’s Trust Begins at the Door
For Dr. Herrera, a successful pediatric visit starts with respect. Before he even begins an exam, he focuses on making the child feel safe and in control of their environment.
“When I open the door, I ask the child if I can come in. I want to give them the permission to allow me into their space. I always start the conversation with a smile.. and also greet both the parent and the child with a warm handshake.”
This approach helps him build a bond not just with the child, but with the entire family.
“It’s the relationship between the child and the parent that really attracted me to this field,” says Dr. Herrera. “I enjoy interacting with young parents and their kids, recognizing that their child has a long path ahead of them. My job is to help them along that pathway.”
A Peek Inside The Doctor’s Pocket
Dr. Herrera prefers to be ready for anything. While most exam rooms have standard tools, he carries his own specialized equipment right with him to make sure he has everything he needs to stay focused on the patient.
“I’m a bit unique because I carry most of my equipment as a backup so I’m always prepared,” says Dr. Herrera. “I keep my stethoscope, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, flashlight, and even a pocket eye chart right on me!”
To make visits more interactive, he often uses a small digital scope that shows a live view of the ear or mouth on a screen. Kids enjoy getting involved in the process, often holding the screen themselves while Dr. Herrera points out what he’s looking at during the exam.
Why the Annual “Well-Child” Exam Matters
Dr. Herrera views the annual “well-child” visit as a complete health check-up for the whole child, rather than just a quick measurement. In fact, these visits often reveal much more than what’s on the surface.
“I am finding that a majority of our ‘well-child’ checks are not well at all,” says Dr. Herrera. “These kiddos have not only acute issues at times, but they have chronic issues. I delve into it by asking them how they feel, how they’re doing at home, how they’re sleeping at night, about anxieties that they may face, or difficulties that the family is facing.”
Dr. Herrera finds that many of these deeper health needs only surface when a provider takes the time to ask the right questions. He sees it as his role to start those important conversations, helping families open up about everything from sleep habits to school stress so he can provide the right support. This thorough approach is built into every visit. Here is what you can typically expect during your child’s annual exam:
- Growth and Development: Measuring height, weight, and head circumference to track physical progress.
- Full Physical Exam: Checking the body’s systems to make sure everything is working as it should.
- Prevention: Staying current with vaccinations and screenings for vision and hearing.
- Open Conversation: Talking about overall health, behavior, and how the child is doing at home and school.
Learn more about annual exams here!
Everything Your Family Needs in One Location
Dr. Herrera values that the Family Health Center at Elgin is a “one-stop” location for families. This community-centered approach allows him to look after a child’s health from every angle without sending parents all over town.
“We focus on being as complete as we can for every child,” says Dr. Herrera. “Most parents really want the best for their children, and it’s our job to spend the time discussing the important issues with them.”
Because everything is in one building, Dr. Herrera can easily connect his patients with other experts on-site, including:
- Dental Care: Many families appreciate being able to visit the dentist in the same place they see their pediatrician.
- Behavioral Health: For children or teenagers facing stress or anxiety, Dr. Herrera works closely with on-site counselors to provide support quickly.
- Hormonal Health: He also works with our Women’s Health team to help teenage girls manage hormonal health or discuss specialized care as they grow.
Expert Pediatric Care in Elgin
Every child at Elgin Family Health Center is a priority for our providers. Dr. Herrera appreciates that CHCSCT brings quality healthcare to rural communities, and he’s proud to provide the kind of caring, expert pediatrics that makes a real difference for Elgin parents and their children.
Here’s a look at the full pediatric services we provide:
- Well-child checkups and physicals to monitor growth and development
- Vaccinations to protect against serious diseases
- Vision and hearing screenings
- Care for illnesses and sick visits
- Ongoing management of chronic conditions
- Health education on nutrition, safety, and wellness habits
- Referrals to specialists when needed
Call 512-229-3334 to book an appointment with Dr. Herrera or visit the Elgin Family Health Center at 711 W 10th St. Elgin, TX 78621!
