ALAMO, RGV – South Texas Health System hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction of its newest location in Alamo.
Named STHS ER Alamo, the 10,000-square-foot facility will provide 24-hour emergency care service to residents in the area. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of the year.
Conrad Brown, STHS Director for Ambulatory Services, said the $10 million freestanding building will have 13 state-of-the-art and fully-equipped treatment areas that can serve an estimated 60-70 patients a day. Coming off the heels of groundbreakings for STHS ER McColl in Edinburg and STHS ER Ware Road in McAllen, STHS ER Alamo hopes to fill the gap in emergency care between Weslaco and McAllen, where the population is currently underserved.
“Alamo was chosen because … we wanted to be able to partner here with the community where they do not have access and have to travel far for services that we can render,” said Brown. “… So, you come here and you get served quicker, you’re put through much quicker, so your experience should be that much more positive.”
Alamo Fire Chief Roy Contreras agreed, saying the need has been there “for a long time,” and he is happy that it will finally be addressed.
“We can bring our patients from accidents and medical calls a lot closer than going all the way to McAllen or Edinburg,” said Contreras.
Alamo Mayor Diana Martinez thanked the community for their support and recognized the partners involved in bringing the project to fruition. Through the efforts of STHS, the City of Alamo and the Alamo Economic Development Corporation, many people along the expressway will benefit, the mayor said.
“We’ve been working for two years,” said Martinez. “… This is good for our city and good for our neighboring cities.”
Alamo City Commissioner Robert De La Garza said the emergency room will not only provide a point of access for patients, it will spur economic growth for the city.
“I’m glad they chose Alamo,” said De La Garza. “Being a small community, we are working with them, and we will facilitate anything we can to keep them here. And, I know that once we have this, it will provide jobs for the community … We are hoping that this will be the anchor of what’s to come.”
STHS ER Alamo will be located at 140 E. Frontage Road in Alamo, on the northeast side of Expressway 83.
