On Saturday, McAllen-Edinburg residents joined Driscoll Children's Hospital Rio Grande Valley for a memorable ribbon cutting event. Families enjoyed community activities together while celebrating the opening of the first freestanding designated children’s hospital in the Valley.
Those attending heard from Driscoll leadership about the historic opening of the hospital, which more than 14 weeks after beginning services, is already transforming lives and healthcare in the region.
“This is just the beginning,” said Eric Hamon, President & CEO of Driscoll Health System. “…God bless you and God bless the children we take care of.”
Matt Wolthoff, President of Driscoll Children's Hospital Rio Grande Valley, said the ribbon cutting event was as a celebration of a new standard of care in the Rio Grande Valley.
“Believe it or not, in three months of operations we’re already talking about capacity: how do we grow, how do we make more room?” Wolthoff said.
Texas Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, whose district contains Edinburg and the new hospital, also attended the ribbon cutting ceremony to give remarks and receive an award from the Children’s Hospital Association of Texas.
The nonprofit group representing children’s hospitals in Texas honored Senator Hinojosa with a “Children’s Health Care Hero Award” for his work in the legislature advocating to improve healthcare for children. Stacy E. Wilson, President of Children's Hospital Association of Texas, spoke at the event and praised Hinojosa for his focus and advocacy on healthcare in the Texas Legislature, especially the need for medical providers in the Valley.
“Ensuring all children in Texas have access to health care designed specifically for them is vital to the long-term health of our state,” said Wilson. "Senator Hinojosa's impressive career and constant focus on healthcare, especially for kids, has made a lasting impact on our families and the future of our state, and we are honored to recognize him today."
Hinjosa said he was humbled, honored and believed that the entire South Texas delegation and community deserved the award too.
“I thank all our healthcare providers who work in children’s hospital,” Hinojosa said. “They have the experience, the knowledge, tienen corazón— they have heart, to work with children.”
