February 5, 2014

2414woodlandscakekids550

Texas Children’s is going North. Or more specifically, we’re headed to The Woodlands. In fall 2017, Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands will begin providing specialized care to children and families in a world-class, 548,000-square-foot facility.

“We stand at the forefront of an exciting new time in pediatric health care as we continue to grow, save more lives and create better futures for children everywhere,” said Texas Children’s President and CEO Mark A. Wallace at Friday’s groundbreaking ceremonies for the new hospital. “Our next 60 years start today – here in The Woodlands – with a Texas Children’s community hospital built right on this spot.”

More than 700 Texas Children’s supporters, including many residents, leaders and donors from The Woodlands area, joined Friday’s groundbreaking events to help celebrate both the new hospital and Texas Children’s 60th birthday. Along with the ceremonial turning of the first shovels of dirt, the festivities included presentation of a birthday cake: local children, all former patients of the hospital, helped Wallace sing happy birthday and blow out the candles.

A video commemorating Texas Children’s 60 years of history was shown, and guests heard remarks from Wallace, long-time hospital supporter and Woodlands resident, Carol Garner, and from Carol Ann Demaret, mother of David Vetter, known widely as the “Bubble Boy.”

A peek inside
Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands will offer specialty pediatric care in cancer, cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, diabetes and endocrinology, urology, sports medicine, gastroenterology and nutrition, plastic surgery, otolaryngology, allergy and immunology, dermatology, adolescent medicine and physician rehabilitation.

Hospital facilities will include 24 emergency center rooms, 74 outpatient rooms, five radiology rooms, four operating rooms and 30 acute care beds at opening with plans of up to 200 beds. Ample free parking will be available with 1,000 spaces planned. Along with serving families throughout The Woodlands area, Texas Children’s anticipates serving families in counties throughout Greater North Houston including Montgomery, Walker, Grimes, Liberty, Harris, Polk, San Jacinto and Hardin.

Partnering with Nordstrom, The Woodlands
On the heels of the birthday and groundbreaking was another big announcement of Texas Children’s newest partnership. Wallace announced that national retailer Nordstrom has chosen the new pediatric hospital in The Woodlands as the beneficiary for the opening gala of its much-anticipated new Woodlands store.

“Houston has been a great home for us and we can’t wait to open our second full-line store at The Woodlands,” said Nora Cummings, vice president and regional manager for Nordstrom. “We’re honored to partner with Texas Children’s Hospital and through our opening gala support their new Pediatric Hospital in The Woodlands.”

All proceeds from the pre-opening event, slated for Wednesday, September 3, 2014, will go toward the new hospital. The new Nordstrom at The Woodlands opens Friday, September 5, 2014. Ticket information will be shared on Connect closer to the event.

 

 

 

 

 

February 4, 2014

“For this hospital shall live and abide within the resolution that any child in the State of Texas in need of medical care and attention – regardless of race, color, creed, or capacity to pay – shall find in Texas Children’s Hospital a refuge from the ravages of disease and illness and the hope for health and happiness.”

Leopold L. Meyer, Founder
Texas Children’s Hospital groundbreaking ceremony
May 23, 1951

Many things have changed at Texas Children’s since the unveiling of the hospital’s cornerstone, but these words still capture the essence of our vision. That vision has guided Texas Children’s through 60 amazing years and hundreds of breakthrough discoveries in pediatric medicine.

“At 60, we’re the youngest of the nation’s top 10 children’s hospitals, yet we are leading advancements in medicine for children and women all over the world,” said Texas Children’s President and CEO Mark A. Wallace. “Our expertise is respected and renowned, and the care we provide is unparalleled. We’ve done more in 60 years than most can imagine in twice the time.”

This is an exciting time at Texas Children’s Hospital as we celebrate several major milestones in our history. Last week, we introduced a brand new mission statement that defines who we are and what we want to achieve. Today, we are breaking ground on our newest community hospital, Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, which helps us fulfill our promise to deliver the right care at the right time in the right place. And tomorrow, Texas Children’s Hospital will celebrate its 60th birthday.

Click here for a video about Texas Children’s first 60 years.

On February 1, 1954, Texas Children’s opened with one building and 106 beds. We treated 4,558 patients that first year. Today, with 592 beds and nearly 6 million square feet of space, we see about 8,500 patients per day and have more than 3 million patient encounters per year.

Today, Texas Children’s Hospital is known in Houston, across the nation and around the world. Families know they can rely on us for pioneering discoveries in childhood diseases. They know our staff and employees are some of the best in the world.

“We are intensely devoted to providing the best possible care, and still we strive to be more, give more and do more for our patients,” Wallace said. “It’s that unrelenting passion that’s driven us to dream and innovate and achieve seemingly impossible things. What we have done together has changed lives, inspired hope and made birthdays happier for families all over the world.”

Celebrate with us on Facebook!

During the entire month of February, we will be celebrating our 60th birthday on Facebook. Every week, we will feature a new #TBT (Throwback Thursday) photograph from Texas Children’s archives, and we will ask our thousands of supporters, employees and past/present patients and families to share their memories and favorite things about the hospital.

Check back on Tuesday for a Connect feature story with all the highlights from today’s groundbreaking of Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands.