In a monumental stride towards revolutionizing healthcare in northeast Houston, the Harris Health System recently marked the ceremonial start of construction on a new Level 1-capable hospital, set to transform the current Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital site. The groundbreaking event, celebrated on May 9th, signals the beginning of a four-year journey to unveil a state-of-the-art medical facility, made possible by a robust $2.5 billion bond overwhelmingly approved by Harris County voters.

Commissioner Leslie Briones expressed her enthusiasm for the project: "I was honored to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Level I trauma hospital on the Harris Health System Lyndon B. Johnson campus. Funded by the 2023 voter-approved bond, this groundbreaking marks the beginning of a vital project for Harris County.”

Echoing her sentiments, Mayor John Whitmire remarked on the significance of the development for the community. "I am honored to be a part of this important step in prioritizing healthcare for the most vulnerable communities in Houston - the groundbreaking of the expansion to the LBJ hospital. This expansion means a 12-story marvel and our city's FIRST Level 1 trauma center outside the Texas Medical Center. A game-changer for Houston's healthcare landscape!"

  

Upon its completion in 2028, the 1.3 million-square-foot facility will boast a 450-bed capacity, including 390 permanent beds and 60 flexible spaces. The design includes private patient rooms, 15 dedicated operating rooms, a state-of-the-art imaging department, and advanced emergency and cardiology departments, among other features. The hospital aims to achieve Level 1 trauma center certification, signifying the highest level of emergency care capability.

Harris Health System is collaborating with Houston-based HKS Architects for the hospital's design, while St. Louis-based McCarthy Building Cos. Inc. manages the construction. Not just a mere replacement, the new hospital will complement the existing facility, which will be repurposed into a dedicated mental health center once the new hospital begins operations.

The project's funding stems from a historic bond issuance that also allocates substantial investments towards refurbishing Ben Taub Hospital and building new health clinics, ensuring comprehensive healthcare coverage across Harris County. Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, CEO of Harris Health System, highlighted the broader implications of these initiatives. "We need to shift the focus of our clinics so that they’re not just places for people to get their antibiotics or other medications, but so that they’re health hubs," Dr. Porsa stated, emphasizing the goal of transforming these facilities into centers of community wellness and support.

This ambitious project not only underscores Harris Health's commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure but also reflects the community's overwhelming support for advancing public health services. As construction progresses, the eyes of Houston and the broader healthcare community will undoubtedly be on this transformative endeavor that promises to redefine medical care in the region.

For more info: www.HarrisHealth.com