March 15 — Baptist Health System announced today that it has purchased a 56 acre parcel of land on the northeast corner of Interstate 35 and Loop 306 in New Braunfels and plans to build a new, full service hospital on the site near the new Town Center at Creekside mixed-use development project.
“The tremendous growth in Comal, Guadalupe and Hays counties has meant an increase in demand for medical services,” said Graham Reeve, President and Chief Executive Officer for Baptist Health System. “With its location near two major roadways, the new hospital will provide greater access for area residents to a full range of medical services, specialist physicians and top-flight programs like the Baptist Brain & Stroke Network.”
Comal County alone is expected to almost triple in size by the year 2040. Recent estimates suggest that as much as half the demand for local medical services leaks outside Comal County.
“We’ve been working with Baptist leadership for some time to realize this important addition to our community,” said Mark Hickman, M.D. and General Surgeon. “As a physician, resident, and board member of the New Braunfels Economic Development Foundation, I know that it’s important for our growing community to have choice and access to care where we need it most. The site of the new hospital, along with the full range of services offered there, will be a boon to the health of residents in our area.”
The new Baptist Hospital promises to enhance the overall economic vitality of Comal and surrounding counties, while adding to and complementing the health care services already available.
“Proximity to high-quality hospital services is often a top site-selection factor for expanding and relocating businesses,” said Michael Meek, President of the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. “Our community has identified additional medical services as a major goal and this decision will bring additional economic impact to the area and services nearer to our residents.”
The hospital will provide comprehensive acute care medical and emergency care, as well as cardiovascular services and neonatology. Design and planning is underway to determine bed size and exact scope of services. The hospital is expected to open in 2012.
