On Monday evening, January 5, 2026, Harris Health did something both rare and refreshing in modern civic life—it leaned into public dialogue. Not with talking points. Not with polished platitudes. But with openness, clarity, and a genuine invitation for Houstonians to help shape the future of public healthcare.

At a well-attended town hall hosted in Harris County Precinct 2, residents gathered at the BakerRipley Ripley House Campus to learn more about the proposed expansion of Ben Taub Hospital, one of the most critical healthcare institutions in Texas and a national leader in trauma care. The meeting focused on Harris Health’s proposal to acquire 8.9 acres of land adjacent to Hermann Park through eminent domain—a topic that naturally carries emotional, historical, and civic weight.

Rather than sidestepping concerns, Harris Health confronted them head-on.

Dr. Esmaeil Porsa

 

A Conversation, Not a Monologue

Led by Harris Health President and CEO Esmaeil Porsa, MD, the town hall centered on transparency. Dr. Porsa walked attendees through the rationale behind the proposed expansion, emphasizing patient safety, growing capacity needs, modernization, and long-term resilience for Houston’s public healthcare system.

Importantly, the evening was not framed as a fait accompli. Questions were welcomed. Concerns were acknowledged. Perspectives—both supportive and skeptical—were heard. That tone set the meeting apart and underscored Harris Health’s commitment to community accountability.

Commissioner Adrian Garcia

 

Hosting the event alongside Adrian Garcia, Harris Health reinforced that public healthcare decisions do not exist in a vacuum. They are civic decisions—rooted in neighborhoods, families, and shared public spaces.

Why Ben Taub’s Future Matters

For generations of Houstonians, Ben Taub Hospital has been far more than a hospital. As a Level I Trauma Center, it is often the last line of defense on the worst day of someone’s life. It is where accident victims, emergency patients, and those without insurance receive world-class care—without question and without delay.

The proposed expansion aims to ensure that Ben Taub can continue fulfilling that mission as Houston grows larger, older, and more complex. From emergency response to specialty services, Harris Health made clear that standing still is not an option when lives are on the line.

Respecting Houston’s History While Planning Its Future

Hermann Park holds a special place in Houston’s cultural fabric, and Harris Health acknowledged that reality throughout the discussion. The town hall reflected a deliberate effort to balance preservation with progress—recognizing that strong cities protect both their people and their public spaces.

For residents unable to attend in person, Harris Health also reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive participation by keeping public comment open via email at bentaubexpansion@harrishealth.org and continuing to share updates through harrishealth.org.

Sixty Years of Service—and Still Listening

The timing of the town hall was especially meaningful as Harris Health celebrates 60 years of service, having been established on January 1, 1966. Over six decades, the system has grown into one of the nation’s most respected public healthcare providers, anchored by Ben Taub Hospital and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital, and supported by nearly 40 clinics, specialty centers, and virtual care platforms.

Its record speaks volumes:

• Magnet® Nursing Excellence designations
• Magnet® with Distinction for Ben Taub Hospital
• An ‘A’ Leapfrog Grade for LBJ Hospital
• National recognition for patient-centered care

Those achievements are strengthened through academic partnerships with Baylor College of Medicine, UTHealth McGovern Medical School, and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center—ensuring Harris Health remains both compassionate and cutting-edge.

A Model for Civic Engagement

What stood out most on Monday night was not just the content of the conversation, but the willingness to have it at all. In an era when communities often feel talked at instead of talked with, Harris Health chose dialogue.

For Houston, that matters.

As discussions continue and plans evolve, one thing is clear: Harris Health understands that public trust is built not only through clinical excellence, but through listening—especially when the decisions are complex.

Houston Style Magazine will continue to follow this important story, because when it comes to healthcare, community, and the future of our city, showing up is how progress happens.