The Topping Off Ceremony for Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley, currently being built in Edinburg, is Driscoll’s latest milestone in bringing the best pediatric healthcare possible to the children of the RGV.

Held Thursday, Nov. 10, the Topping Off Ceremony celebrated placing the last steel beam on the building, which is expected to open in late 2023. During the ceremony, a Mexican White Oak Topping Tree was included, symbolizing good wishes for future occupants and continued growth.

“The Topping Off Ceremony is a time-honored tradition in the construction industry. We are happy to be at this point in the building process and we are eager to open the doors of our new hospital to the Valley’s children,” said Matt Wolthoff, President of Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley.

Driscoll has had a strong presence in the Rio Grande Valley for decades, with specialty centers in Brownsville, Harlingen and McAllen staffed by Driscoll pediatric subspecialists and other team members.

In addition to Wolthoff, other speakers included Eric Hamon, President and CEO of Driscoll Health System, Lenora Keas, Board Chair of Driscoll Children’s Hospital and Laurie Lozano, Board Member of Driscoll Children’s Hospital Development Foundation.

“We are proud that Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley will be able to serve the children and families of the entire region 24/7/365. Best of all, the Valley’s newest hospital will get kids back to being kids,” said Hamon.

Ground was broken on the new hospital Nov. 16, 2021. It is located on the campus of DHR Health; however, it will be leased to and operated independently by Driscoll Children’s Hospital, implementing the passion-driven know-how of pediatric care that Driscoll has provided their service area for many decades.

Driscoll has an almost 70-year history of providing expert care to the children of South Texas. As construction continues, the Driscoll team is busy recruiting staff and physicians, and ensuring the children of the Rio Grande Valley will have access to the best pediatric care in South Texas.

Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley will operate with approximately 600 employees, creating significant economic impact and new job opportunities for clinical and support staff in the Valley, solidifying their role as an important part of the Valley’s community.

Wolthoff is pleased with the hospital’s progress and is excited about the opportunities it will offer families in the Valley.

“The entire Rio Grande Valley is looking forward to having a comprehensive free-standing children’s hospital here at home. The overwhelming support we are receiving from our community is incredibly inspiring,” said Wolthoff.

The new, freestanding, independently operated, eight-level children's hospital will further the mission of Driscoll Children’s Hospital founder Clara Driscoll to provide medical care to all the children of South Texas.

“Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley is the next step in a long history of commitment to caring for the kids of South Texas. It aligns perfectly with the vision of Clara Driscoll to ensure children in South Texas have access to high quality healthcare,” said Wolthoff. “The goal is that our kids and families in the Rio Grande Valley will, with very few exceptions, no longer have to travel for specialty care.”