VALLEY BAPTIST WELCOMES
DRISCOLL CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL SERVICES

Driscoll Children's Hospital
3rd floor
Thursday, May 6, 2004
2pm

(Harlingen/Corpus Christi, TX) Driscoll Children's Hospital is expanding their pediatric services and combining resources with Valley Baptist Medical Center to meet the needs of children who are patients of Valley Baptist. Both hospitals will work hand in hand caring for the children of South Texas. This joint venture will enable families to work with almost all pediatric sub-specialists and stay close to home as their child receives medical attention in a first-class healthcare facility.

Driscoll Children's Hospital has been in the Rio Grande Valley for over five years providing outpatient services, but will now be able to provide inpatient care as well. Valley Baptist, in the Rio Grande Valley for 77 years, recognizes the need to help families within their growing community. Together, we’ll enhance the quality of life and medical reputation both hospitals stand for. Ultimately, the goal will be to offer advanced medical procedures such as open heart surgery and cancer care for children.

In February 2003, Valley Baptist opened the Matt & Patty Gorges Children’s Center in Harlingen, which greatly improved the access of local children to specialized medical care and to physician consultation with pediatric sub-specialties. Last year, the Children’s Center treated more than 3,000 children in Cameron County (one of the fastest growing regions in the country). This growth clearly indicated the need to create an area specifically fitting for pediatric patients. Driscoll Children's Hospital has been offering the most advanced care to children for more than 50 years and is continuing their efforts by expanding in the Rio Grande Valley.

James G. Springfield, President and Chief Executive Officer for Valley Baptist Health System, said “This is an exciting time for children’s health care in the Valley”. “This historic agreement paves the way for additional health care services and resources and better access to medical care for children throughout the Rio Grande Valley,” Mr. Springfield added.

President and CEO for Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Rick Merrill comments “We are excited about this opportunity to partner with a respected and admired hospital like Valley Baptist. Both our organizations have been in South Texas for over 50 years offering hope and healing in not-for-profit hospitals.”

About Driscoll Children’s Hospital
“Improve the health of adults and you give them back their health …
Improve the health of children and you give them their life.”

Since opening its doors in 1953, Driscoll Children’s Hospital has been offering hope and healing to the children of South Texas for half a century. The facility is a 189-bed pediatric tertiary care center with pediatric board-certified specialists representing 19 medical and nine surgical specialties. Each year, more than 6,000 children are admitted for inpatient care, 5,000 for day surgery, and 50,000 for outpatient primary and specialty care, as well as 40,000 for emergency care, as the first South Texas hospital with emergency services exclusively for children. Additionally, Driscoll maintains a state-of-the-art ground/air transport team, 20-bed pediatric intensive care unit, 40-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and specialized medical outreach.

www.driscollchildrens.org

# # #