The Woman's Hospital of Texas celebrated its 40th year anniversary as the state's premier facility dedicated to the health and well-being of women and newborns today. Founded in 1976 by a group of physicians who believed women and infants deserved top-notch care in a facility that focused exclusively on caring for them, they opened the doors of a hospital that was comfortable, innovative and fostered advanced healthcare for women.
"Today we celebrate 40 years of exceptional care for women and babies," said Ashley McClellan, CEO of The Woman's Hospital of Texas. "We look forward to reinforcing our founding physicians' commitment to excellence every day and that's why more women choose to have their babies at The Woman's Hospital of Texas than at any other hospital in the State of Texas."
Friends of The Woman's Hospital of Texas gathered to celebrate 40 years of caring for generations of women and infants. Hospital Board of Trustees' Chair Dr. Joanie Hare welcomed everyone to the celebration. The Reverend Juanita Rasmus, senior pastor at St. John's Church, Downtown & Northwest Campus, delivered the invocation. Houston Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Cohen extended greetings from the city and shared remembrances of her personal connections to the hospital.
CEO McClellan provided a brief history of the hospital and spotlighted the founding physicians in attendance at the morning celebration. She also recognized her CEO predecessors, Judy Novak and Linda Russell, for their innovative leadership. McClellan thanked the hospital's four employees with 40 continuous years of services –Bobbie Hall Brown, Katherine Howard, Carla Tehranchi and Linda Washington – and presented each with a bouquet of red roses and a gift. The celebration guests honored the women and their combined 160 years of service with a standing ovation.
The featured speaker was Lisa M. Woods, J.D., HCA Gulf Coast Division Ethics and Compliance Officer. Ms. Woods was born on the hospital's opening day. With her mother proudly listening in the audience, Woods recalled the flood of that day, her Mom's beloved physician, Dr. Eberhard Lotze, and the events surrounding her birth, which included a missing wheelchair and a missed "birth" day party. Woods was then presented with a Smash Cake to mark that missed party and the audience spontaneously began singing Happy Birthday to her.
The celebration was concluded by Dr. Connie Faro, The Woman's Hospital of Texas Medical Staff President, reminiscing about her choice of medicine as a career just like her father, of her obstetrics rotation with her uncle Dr. Sebastian Faro at The Woman's Hospital of Texas while in medical school, and working with her first cousin, Dr. Jonathan Faro, and her husband Dr. Patrick Duffy, who both practice at The Woman's Hospital of Texas.
Today, The Woman's Hospital of Texas employs more than 1,600 men and women who are dedicated to the hospital's mission of providing compassionate and exceptional care for women, infants, and children. More than 650 board-certified physicians practice at Woman's providing key services in obstetrics and gynecology, general medical and surgical care, neonatal intensive care and well newborn care, and pediatrics.
The Woman's of Hospital Texas is a proud supporter of the Houston-area community through a number of fundraising events and professional support opportunities. Its largest event and fundraiser, The Woman's Hospital of Texas Labor Day Luncheon & Style Show Labor Day which is scheduled for Saturday, August 27, 2016 benefits the March of Dimes, a non-profit organization dedicated to the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. Even the tiniest of patients receive care at The Woman's Hospital of Texas – more than 11,000 babies were delivered in 2015, making Woman's the leading choice for expectant mothers.
The Woman's Hospital of Texas is also recognized for its innovations in education. The hospital's education department offers a full array of child birth and parenting classes for expectant parents, siblings, parents and babies, parents of multiples and some classes that can only be found in Houston at The Woman's Hospital.
The Woman's Hospital of Texas still offers one-on-one nursing care in Labor and Delivery, 124-bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) levels II and III, board certified Neonatologists in house 24/7, board certified anesthesiology in house 24/7, dedicated operating rooms for Cesarean sections, Maternal/Fetal medicine specialists, Urogynecology specialists, minimally invasive surgical procedures, women centered physical therapy department and hospital suites.
About The Woman's Hospital of Texas
The Woman's Hospital of Texas opened in 1976 and is celebrating its 40th year as the state's premier facility dedicated to the health and well-being of women and newborns.
Our founders chose to name the hospital "Woman's" – not "Women's" – as a way to honor each patient as an individual and as a daily reminder that the care we give is always personalized and patient focused.
Our attention to every detail of the patient experience makes us the top choice for women throughout the greater Houston area and beyond. Our physicians and nurses delivered more than 11,000 babies in 2015 – more than any other hospital in the State of Texas.
And with the recent addition of our Pediatric Center, our hospital now offers its high-quality care to children and teenagers.
Located near the Texas Medical Center in the heart of Houston, The Woman's Hospital of Texas has 397 licensed beds, including a 124-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU).
With more than 650 board-certified physicians, The Woman's Hospital of Texas offers expertise and outstanding care in breast health, imaging, gynecology, obstetrics, high-risk pregnancy, neonatology and minimally-invasive surgery.
In our "40 Years of Caring," we've consistently raised the standards for women's healthcare in Houston and the State of Texas. We were the first hospital in Houston to earn the Baby-Friendly Hospital distinction from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nation's Children Fund (UNICEF.) We also were the first hospital in Texas to be named a National Association for Continence Center of Excellence for Continence Care in Women – one of only six in the nation.
The Woman's Hospital of Texas is accredited by The Joint Commission and recognized by the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology.
About HCA Gulf Coast Division
HCA Gulf Coast Division is a comprehensive network of hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, emergency centers, and diagnostic imaging facilities. It offers a complete continuum of specialized health programs and services that meet the needs of Greater Houston and South Texas' residents and businesses. HCA affiliated facilities in the Gulf Coast Division include: 13 hospitals, 8 ambulatory centers, 7 off-campus emergency centers, and a regional transfer center that provides one-phone-call access and support for patient transfers into and out of the HCA Gulf Coast Division Affiliated Hospitals, as well as access to ground and air transportation within a 150-mile radius. For more information, visit our website at www.HCAGulfCoast.com.