San Antonio's landscape of healthcare options is about to expand with the opening of Westover Hills Baptist Hospital this summer. Geared up to provide emergency services and specialties in cardiology, orthopedics, obstetrics, and surgery, the new facility strategically places itself in a booming part of the city. Brady Phillips, CEO of the fresh establishment, pinpointed the accelerating growth rate of the far West Side—6.5 times the national average—as a driving force behind the hospital's inception.
"What we observed was the importance of proximity to people, and it's not surprising when you look at the maps of hospitals in San Antonio that there's gaps out there," Phillips told the San Antonio Report. Their analysis identified a need to quickly fill these healthcare voids, which led to the creation of the 350,000-square-foot hospital.
Situated on Wiseman Boulevard and Loop 1604, the new structure is not only designed to meet current health care demands but also anticipates future expansions on its 72-acre site. With 92 beds and six operating rooms, Westover Hills Baptist becomes the westernmost hospital in the city, complementing the nearby CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital-Westover Hills, which is just a 10-minute drive away.
Settings to open its doors with 300 staff members, the hospital plans to activate its resources "in blocks," gradually scaling up its operations. "Half of the top floor will open with nine medical surgical beds and one nurse station, while the critical care unit, the women's and NICU floor and the main surgery department will open as patients start to arrive," Phillips explained, stressing the hospital's commitment to providing critical care close to the community.
Preparation for the anticipated opening is underway, with nurses and staff diligently stocking the hospital and practicing clinical drills. The facility emphasizes a connection with its locale; its main entrance is adorned with local limestone wood vertical panels, while the interior is decorated with imagery of iconic San Antonio locations like the Missions National Park and the Alamo. The $240 million hospital also boasts a skybridge that offers easy access to adjunct medical offices, a feature simplifying patient visits for primary and specialty care.
After approximately two years of construction, the fresh hospital stands as part of Baptist Health's network, owned by Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, expanding its footprint in the area. This growth in infrastructure comes in the wake of the Texas Vista Hospital shutdown, a change which has led to a surge in patient volume at Baptist's existing South Side facilities.
As the hospital gears to join San Antonio's medical landscape, it is operating at 92% staff capacity but is still actively recruiting to fill a myriad of roles, promising at least 200 new jobs. The health institution is encouraging the public to engage with the new space through a free community open house event scheduled for June 22 and a specialized preview for EMS and medical providers on June 24.
