On a crisp January morning marked by hard hats, hope, and history, Harris Health reached a major milestone with the topping-out of the John M. O’Quinn Hospital on the campus of Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital. The ceremonial placement of the ‘final beam’ on Thursday, January 23, 2026, signaled more than construction progress—it marked a bold investment in the future of public health care for Harris County and a reaffirmation of the system’s six-decade mission as the region’s essential safety-net provider.

The 12-story, $2 billion hospital is the centerpiece of Harris Health’s sweeping $3.2 billion strategic facilities plan, approved by voters in 2023 and designed to modernize and expand care across one of the nation’s most diverse and fastest-growing counties. Scheduled to open in 2029, the John M. O’Quinn Hospital will initially serve hundreds of patients daily, with the flexibility to expand to approximately 450 beds as community demand grows.

“This moment belongs to our people,” said Harris Health President and CEO Dr. Esmaeil Porsa, addressing a crowd that included county leaders, medical professionals, construction partners, and community stakeholders. “Our employees, our physicians, our students—they are the reason this vision is becoming reality. And they’re just getting started.”

Joining Porsa were Harris County Commissioners Rodney Ellis and Lesley Briones, along with Dr. Andrea Caracostis, chair of the Harris Health Board of Trustees and CEO of Hope Clinic, and Dr. Melina Kibbe, president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Together, they underscored the project’s significance not only as a building, but as a platform for equity, resilience, and world-class care outside the Texas Medical Center.

Named in honor of legendary Houston trial lawyer John M. O’Quinn, the hospital reflects a landmark philanthropic commitment. The John M. O’Quinn Foundation contributed $40 million—the largest single gift in Harris Health’s history—helping the system reach its $100 million philanthropic goal a remarkable seven years ahead of schedule. The name joins a distinguished list of O’Quinn-supported institutions across Houston’s medical and academic landscape.

Construction of the campus is a true Houston collaboration. McCarthy Building Companies leads development of the hospital tower, while Houston-based Tellepsen is constructing a central utility plant and O’Donnell/Snider Construction is delivering a new parking garage. Beyond bricks and mortar, the campus is being designed with resilience in mind: six backup generators, buried power lines through an agreement with CenterPoint Energy, and a helipad positioned to support future trauma and emergency response services.

Notably, Harris Health plans to seek Level 1 trauma certification for the LBJ campus—an achievement that would make it the first Level 1 trauma center in Houston located outside the Texas Medical Center. The hospital will also feature green spaces, walking trails, and a new pavilion to expand Harris Health’s beloved farmers market and urban farm, blending wellness with community connection.

The timing could not be more critical. With Harris County’s population continuing to rise and potential shifts in health insurance coverage looming, Harris Health is preparing for increased demand. The John M. O’Quinn Hospital, alongside new community clinics and strategic upgrades systemwide, positions Harris Health to meet that challenge head-on—safely, sustainably, and with dignity.

Houston Style Magazine readers, as Harris Health also celebrates its 60th anniversary, the topping-out of the John M. O’Quinn Hospital stands as a powerful reminder: when voters, philanthropy, and public institutions align, the result is not just a hospital—but a promise kept to generations of Houstonians who depend on it.

For Houston Style Magazine, this milestone is more than news—it’s history in the making, rising beam by beam on the northeast side of Houston.