Network of Texas Hospitals Provides Quality Care
Published Mar 19, 2008
San Angelo Community Medical Center is a 165-bed acute-care hospital.
Hendrick Health System in Abilene was established to fill a void in quality health care for the community. More than eight decades later, technology has advanced and treatment is more available, but the focus is still on communities.
“Today, Hendrick remains committed to meeting the needs of our community by providing residents with a complete system of innovative and specialized health-care services,” says Tim Lancaster, president and CEO of Hendrick.
The hospital sees approximately 17,000 patients each year and specializes in five areas: cardiac care, women’s services, cancer care, rehabilitation and pediatrics, according to Karen Brittain, marketing director for the hospital.
The hospital, which emphasizes new technology, was the first in Texas to install a CT imaging system called a LightSpeed VCT XT64-slice, which makes it possible to perform sophisticated diagnostic tests with significantly lower levels of radiation. Hendrick offers state-of-the-art digital mammography technology, which helps to detect breast cancer early on.
Meek’s Children’s Hospital at Hendrick is the only children’s hospital in the region to offer a pediatric intensive care unit and specialty-trained pediatric nurses.
Hendrick isn’t the only hospital in town when it comes to caring for the youngest patients, though.
Abilene Regional Medical Center boasts the only neonatal intensive care unit in the region, according to the hospital’s marketing and public relations director, Debbie McClure.
“Having a unit like ours is vital,” McClure says. “In 2007, we expanded from eight beds to 16 beds because there’s just such a demand.”
The hospital also employs the only neonatologist in the region.
“He’s right there taking care of the smallest residents in the Big Country,” McClure says.
ARMC also specializes, like Hendrick, in cardiac care. In fact, they were the first hospital in the region to perform an open-heart surgery, according to McClure. In 2008, the hospital will celebrate its 40th anniversary and will have performed more than 40,000 heart procedures.
In San Angelo, Shannon Medical Center has served as a not-for-profit hospital for more than 75 years. In that time, the hospital has provided more than a half-billion dollars in uncompensated medical care.
“Shannon Medical Center is proud to provide recognized physicians, services and staff to care for our friends and neighbors right here at home so they do not have to travel outside the region to receive the care or expertise they need,” says Shannon President and CEO Bryan Horner.
The hospital specializes in intensive care, cardiac care, trauma, behavioral health services and senior services. Additionally, the Shannon Clinic features more than 120 practitioners with 30 specialties in 11 locations.
Combined, these three hospitals, along with San Angelo Community Medical Center, offer comprehensive health care for the Texas Midwest.
Story by Michaela Jackson
Photo by Antony Boshier
Current Weather Conditions In Abilene, TX (79602)
Clear, and 44 ° F. For more details?
Click here...
