EDINBURG, Texas – South Texas Health System officials say they are “beaming with pride” after the topping off of a new $100 million, five-story patient tower.
A special ceremony was held to mark the completion of the building’s structure, as South Texas Health System Edinburg and STHS Children’s CEO Lance Ames directing the construction crew to place the final steel beam atop the structure.
Ames said the steel beam was adorned with a palm tree as a Valley twist on a Scandinavian tradition. He said it symbolizes positivity for the building’s future occupants, continued growth, and a job well done.
Ames said none of this would have been possible without the incredible local workers who helped us along the way. He thanked everyone who came out to celebrate what STHS said was a momentous occasion.
“Throughout the years, we’ve continued to see the Rio Grande Valley grow and flourish, and with that boom comes an increased demand for quality, compassionate healthcare,” Ames said.
“We’re honored to have had the community’s trust for decades, as we’ve worked tirelessly to meet their healthcare needs, and we look forward to expanded services with his new patient tower. Not only will it serve the important purpose of saving lives and improving the health of the people in our community, but it will stand tall as a landmark of our commitment to excellence while helping create career opportunities.”
In addition to hospital staff and local doctors, the event attracted Edinburg city leaders and Hidalgo County Commissioner Ellie Torres.
Ames said the five-story $100 million patient tower will add 59 new beds, a new Emergency Department, expanded radiology services and will increase the capacity of the existing facility’s Intensive Care Unit and Inpatient Rehabilitation.
Ames said the project, now at the halfway mark, remains on schedule to open in the fall of 2022.
“Staying busy in an effort to see this project’s success and completion has been a good way to keep my mind off what’s going on with the world in terms of the pandemic,” said Thomas Stanton, an apprentice plumber with CTO Plumbing. “Living in McAllen and being part of this construction team and doing my part to help the structure go up has been a real blessing.
“It has been mind-blowing to see the structural changes that occur on this job site week after week. I have never really experienced or worked on a project like this before. So knowing there’s a purpose and a plan for this building, and knowing it will help the community heal, is an incredible feeling.”
To date, the construction crew has logged more than 150,000 hours on the project. With the final beam now placed atop the tower, work is now underway on the exterior walls and interior spaces.
About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan, and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level II Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first and only freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart, and six freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
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