HOUSTON, Texas — Texas Children’s Hospital recently kicked off its 60th birthday by looking to the future as hospital leaders and donors gathered for the official groundbreaking ceremony of its new pediatric community hospital in The Woodlands. 
Slated to open in 2017, the 548,000-square-foot facility designed especially to serve children and families, will offer inpatient and outpatient specialty pediatric care.
Along with the ceremonial turning of the first shovels of dirt, the festivities featured a birthday cake presentation with local children, all former patients of the hospital, who assisted Texas Children’s President and CEO Mark A. Wallace in blowing out the candles.
“Today, on Texas Children’s 60th birthday, we stand at the forefront of an exciting new time in pediatric healthcare as we continue to grow, save more lives and create better futures for children everywhere,” said Wallace. “Our next 60 years start today—here in The Woodlands—with a Texas Children’s community hospital built right on this spot.”
A video commemorating Texas Children’s 60 years of history was shown and guests heard remarks from Wallace, from long-time hospital supporter and Woodlands resident, Carol Garner and from Carol Ann Demaret, mother of David Vetter, the famous Texas Children’s patient from the 1970s who was known as the “Bubble Boy.”
Inviting the community to support the new hospital’s capital campaign, Texas Children’s Hospital announced that national retailer Nordstrom has chosen the new pediatric hospital in The Woodlands as the beneficiary for the opening gala of its new Woodlands store. All proceeds from the pre-opening event, slated for Wednesday, Sept. 3, will go toward the new hospital. Ticket information will be forthcoming. The new Nordstrom at The Woodlands opens Friday, Sept. 5.
Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands will offer specialty pediatric care in areas that include 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.
Individuals and businesses interested in making a gift to support the new Texas Children’s Hospital in The Woodlands can get more information at www.texaschildrens.org/thewoodlands.
Source: Texas Children’s Hospital
