A National Treasure for Pediatric Care
Texas Children’s Hospital, located in Houston, Texas, is a nationally ranked, freestanding 973-bed hospital specializing in acute care for women and children.
As the primary pediatric teaching hospital affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, it is essential to the Texas Medical Center.
Texas Children’s Hospital has earned its reputation by providing comprehensive pediatric specialty and subspecialty care to teens, children, infants, and young adults aged 0-21 throughout Texas and beyond.
With a rich history dating back to 1954, Texas Children’s Hospital has seen numerous milestones and breakthroughs in pediatric care.
From its humble beginnings as a 106-bed facility to becoming the largest children’s hospital in the United States, this institution has consistently demonstrated its dedication to children’s health.
Satellite Campuses and Global Reach
Texas Children’s Hospital extends its reach beyond its primary location in the Texas Medical Center.
It has additional campuses in The Woodlands suburb and near Houston’s Energy Corridor at its West Campus. Furthermore, the hospital runs several clinics across the Houston metropolitan area.
It is involved in global partnerships through the Texas Children’s Global Health Network, emphasizing its worldwide influence in pediatric healthcare.
A Journey Through Time: The History of Texas Children’s Hospital
1940: Texas Medical Center was chartered, Texas Children’s Foundation was formed, and land was set aside for the planned hospital.
May 1951: Groundbreaking for the new building.
February 1, 1954: Texas Children’s Hospital officially opened.
1962: Partnership with St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital to open the Texas Heart Institute.
September 21, 1971: Birth of David Vetter, the “Bubble Boy,” at Texas Children’s Hospital.
1989: Completing a $149-million expansion, including the West Tower and the Wallace Tower.
1993: Official count of 465 licensed beds.
August 2005: Texas Children’s Hospital helps evacuate pediatric patients during Hurricane Katrina.
2018: Completion of Promise: The Campaign for Texas Children’s Hospital, raising $575 million.
A Glimpse into Texas Children’s Hospital Today
With numerous facilities spread across three hospital campuses, research centers, multiple specialty care centers, primary care offices, and urgent care centers, Texas Children’s Hospital is rapidly expanding throughout Texas.
Main Campus: Texas Medical Center
Texas Children’s Hospital’s main campus is the Texas Medical Center.
In addition, the Texas Children’s Hospital buildings also include inpatient facilities in Legacy Tower, West Tower, Pavilion for Women, and the Abercrombie Building.
Also located at the Texas Medical Center campus are the outpatient Wallace Tower and the research buildings the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute and the Children’s Nutritional Research Center.
West Campus
Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, located in West Houston, features 94 pediatric beds, two procedure rooms, and eight operating rooms.
In addition, the hospital is known for containing the first pediatric biocontainment unit in the country and has a helipad for critical care transport to the main campus.
The Woodlands
Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands offers 85 pediatric beds and the area’s only dedicated pediatric emergency room.
Austin
Texas Children’s Hospital has announced plans to build and open a new children’s hospital in Northwest Austin, Texas. A planned $450 million, 360,000-square-foot hospital with 48 beds is slated for completion in 2023.
Recognitions and Rankings
Texas Children’s Hospital has been consistently ranked as one of the best children’s hospitals in the country and the world.
In the 2022-2023 edition of U.S. News & World Report, Texas Children’s Hospital secured the #2 spot among 200 pediatric hospitals nationwide and has maintained its position on the U.S. News & World Report Honor Roll for an impressive fourteen years. Other notable achievements include:
- 2013, Parents Magazine featured Texas Children’s Hospital as the 7th best children’s hospital in the United States on their Top 10 U.S. Children’s Hospitals list.
- In 2016, the hospital was named one of the “100 Great Hospitals in America” by the publication Becker’s Hospital Review.
- The American Society for Health Care Engineering acknowledged Texas Children’s Hospital for its “facility management excellence” in 2017.
- In 2020, Texas Children’s Hospital earned a spot on Newsweek’s list of the World’s Best Specialized Hospitals for pediatrics.
The hospital’s commitment to excellence is evident in its various specialty rankings. According to the 2022–2023 edition of U.S. News & World Report, Texas Children’s Hospital achieved the following rankings and scores:
| Specialty | Rank (In the U.S.) | Score (Out of 100) |
|---|---|---|
| Neonatology | #3 | 96.3 |
| Pediatric Cancer | #4 | 97.8 |
| Pediatric Cardiology & Heart Surgery | #1 | 100.0 |
| Pediatric Diabetes & Endocrinology | #5 | 92.8 |
| Pediatric Gastroenterology & GI Surgery | #4 | 95.9 |
| Pediatric Nephrology | #3 | 92.6 |
| Pediatric Neurology & Neurosurgery | #2 | 96.7 |
| Pediatric Orthopedics | #8 | 89.9 |
| Pediatric Pulmonology & Lung Surgery | #1 | 100.0 |
| Pediatric Urology | #5 | 89.0 |
Continued Expansion and Growth
Texas Children’s Hospital is always looking for ways to expand its reach and improve the quality of care it provides to its patients.
In recent years, the hospital has rapidly expanded throughout Texas, with multiple campuses and clinics serving the needs of children and families across the region.
A Legacy of Giving
Texas Children’s Hospital has received support from numerous individuals and organizations.
Most notably, in November 2020, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Microsoft, and Bill Gates collaborated to donate Xbox Series X consoles to Texas Children’s Hospital and 19 other children’s hospitals nationwide.
Pioneering Telemedicine Services – MyChart Virtual Visits
Texas Children’s Hospital has been at the forefront of implementing telemedicine services to provide essential healthcare to children and their families, no matter where they live.
The hospital’s telemedicine program offers a wide range of services, including virtual consultations, remote monitoring of patients, and tele-education for healthcare professionals.
With a dedicated telemedicine team, Texas Children’s Hospital ensures patients receive the highest quality of care possible, even if they cannot visit the hospital in person.
This innovative approach to healthcare has been instrumental in bridging the gap for families in rural and underserved areas, allowing them to access expert pediatric care without the need for extensive travel.
Some of the telemedicine services provided by Texas Children’s Hospital include:
- Virtual urgent care visits for minor illnesses and injuries
- Remote consultations for pediatric specialties such as cardiology, neurology, and gastroenterology
- Tele-rehabilitation services for children with physical and developmental disabilities
- Virtual support groups and educational resources for patients and their families
Community Outreach and Impact
Texas Children’s Hospital is firmly committed to serving its patients and the broader community.
Through various community outreach programs and partnerships, the hospital aims to improve the health and well-being of children and families beyond its walls.
One such initiative is the Texas Children’s Mobile Clinic Program, which directly delivers healthcare services to underserved communities.
The mobile clinics are staffed by medical professionals who provide essential pediatric care, immunizations, and health screenings at no cost to needy families.
Additionally, Texas Children’s Hospital collaborates with local schools to promote health and wellness education.
Through these partnerships, the hospital provides resources and support for school-based health centers, helping identify and promptly address student health issues.
Furthermore, Texas Children’s Hospital is dedicated to addressing health disparities and advancing health equity within the community.
The hospital’s Center for Child Health Policy and Advocacy conducts research, develops policies, and advocates for changes leading to a healthier future for all children.
These efforts, among others, have significantly impacted the health and well-being of countless families in the Houston area and beyond, solidifying Texas Children’s Hospital’s reputation as a leader in pediatric care and community service.
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