A Friend of the Family

Driscoll Children’s Hospital has a rich history of bringing the best and brightest healthcare professionals home to South Texas. Physicians and staff use a creative blend of treatment, education and play to reach the best possible outcome in the treatment of every child. Smiles, hugs and a soothing touch are as much a part of Driscoll’s approach to treating children as is its advanced medical treatments and technologies. When patients and families come to Driscoll for help, they are met with the same compassion, spirit and generosity with which Clara Driscoll blessed our community when she founded Driscoll Children’s Hospital more than 60 years ago.

The hospital and its specialty centers, urgent care centers and after-hours facility, serve a vast area. On a daily basis, physicians and patients are transported by ground and air to ensure the children of South Texas can receive the best treatment possible. Driscoll treats more than 100,000 children every year from 31 South Texas counties.

The hospital is a 191-bed tertiary care center offering 32 medical and 13 surgical specialties.

A few of our medical specialties and surgical services:

Emergency Department

The Emergency Room at Driscoll was the first created in South Texas for children and treats approximately 35,000 children annually. A $14 million dollar renovation has made the facility even more efficient, calming and caring. The project included adding 5,000 square feet and renovated the 18,500 square feet of existing space for better utilization and patient flow.

Renal Transplant Program

Driscoll was the first hospital in South Texas to perform an organ transplant of any kind and today has the only pediatric transplant program in South Texas. Driscoll has performed more than 70 kidney transplants. The Renal Transplant Program offers comprehensive, quality kidney care to children with end-stage renal disease in a setting close to home. Driscoll’s pediatric transplant surgeon works with a comprehensive Nephrology team led by pediatric nephrologists recognized as some of the best in the country. The team offers continuity of care for patients from diagnosis to dialysis and ultimately, to transplant.

Cancer and Blood Disorders Center

Families and patients dealing with a diagnosis of pediatric cancer or a blood disorder can rely on Driscoll Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center for the most advanced treatments available for infants, children and adolescents. The compassionate physicians and staff are also skilled with providing emotional and psychological support for patients and families. Patients receive treatment in a child-friendly and entertaining atmosphere. Hugs, play areas and friends made at summer camps help children through their diagnosis and treatment.

Cardiology

Since 1962, Driscoll Children’s Hospital has offered high-quality Pediatric Cardiology services to children across South Texas and has remained at the forefront of pediatric care. The Pediatric Cardiology program’s clinical services include non-invasive imaging, electrophysiology and interventional cardiology. Surgical services include a wide range of advanced treatments including neonatal repair of all forms of congenital heart disease.

Cardiology services are offered in the following areas:

  • Corpus Christi
  • McAllen
  • Victoria
  • Rio Grande City
  • Eagle Pass
  • Laredo

Pediatric Intensive Care

The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit provides sophisticated medical and surgical care specifically designed for children and adolescents.

Services provided include:

  • Pre-operative and post-operative care of patients undergoing major cardiac surgery for the repair of congenital cardiac defects
  • Complex neurosurgical procedures
  • Sever trauma treatment
  • Major pediatric surgery, including transplantation as well as treatment of the entire spectrum of critical medical disorders

Neonatal Intensive Care

When a newborn is at risk, Driscoll Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit staff is there to help infants and their families through an uncertain and challenging time. Driscoll offers care for at-risk babies and their mothers from pregnancy through the first months of life.

Complete care includes:

  • Maternal fetal medicine specialists who are specially trained to care for mothers and babies during the mother’s pregnancy.
  • Driscoll’s Transport Team, which annually transfers approximately 1,000 neonatal and pediatric patients to or from Driscoll Children’s Hospital, as well as local, state, national and international facilities.
  • A level IV NICU that treats babies for prematurity (carried less than 37 weeks), respiratory distress (breathing problems), infections, birth defects and other illnesses.
  • A variety of therapies and programs, including Driscoll’s High Risk Follow-up Program that ensures any high-risk baby in South Texas will have the best chances of living a healthy, normal life.

The caring environment and experience forge bonds so strong that the hospital holds an annual reunion so that patients, parents and staff can stay in touch.

Rehabilitation Services

Driscoll Children’s Hospital’s innovative Rehabilitation Services Department has a long history of helping children in South Texas reach their potential and lead rich and happy lives. Physical therapy, an audiology program as well as speech and language therapy are a few of the services that help children surmount natural barriers placed in their path. The recently added Sports Medicine Program has helped young athletes across South Texas return to play.

These are just a few of the many specialties and services Driscoll Children’s Hospital offers, all tailored specially for children.

Nothing is more precious than our children. Families can be confident in the fact that every child that enters the doors of the hospital is cherished and loved. Driscoll Children’s Hospital is truly a friend of the family.