Texas Children’s Celebrates 65 Years
What can be accomplished in 65 years? The answer is — a lot. When you have a clear vision, the right people and a structure in place, the sky is the limit.
In 65 years, Texas Children’s Hospital has emerged to become a world-class organization that treats patients from across the globe, while adhering to our founding principle to care for those who need us, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. In 2019 — during the 65th anniversary — we were ranked #3 among all children’s hospitals in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. We are leaders in patient care, education and research.
And at just 65 years young, we have progressed much faster and further along than many children’s hospitals twice our age.
Leadership is the Key
“Leadership always influences or determines outcomes – not some of the time, but all of the time,” is the first of 10 leadership maxims developed by Mark A. Wallace, President and Chief Executive Officer of Texas Children’s. When surveying the historical success of the hospital, this is clearly the case.
“The secret to our incredible story is our people,” Wallace said. “Our founders, Mr. Jim Abercrombie and Mr. Leopold Meyer, had the vision to create Texas Children’s Hospital to serve those patients and families from across the state who needed specialized pediatric care. Through leadership and the unwavering dedication of our One Amazing Team, we have taken their vision to new heights and set a new standard of care.”
In 1954, Texas Children’s opened with a single three-story building, housing 106 patient beds. Today, our hospitals house 969 patient beds, and we’re the largest and most comprehensive pediatric and women’s health care organization in the nation.
Between Houston, Austin and College Station, we’re providing care in more than 100 locations, including our two community hospitals – Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands as well as the Pavilion for Women, Texas Children’s Pediatrics, Urgent Care, Specialty Care, Texas Children’s Health Plan, and The Centers for Children and Women.
We know that our position as a health care leader carries with it a tremendous responsibility so beyond leading, we must also take the next step to define what the future of medicine will be. Among many research initiatives, we are home to the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, the world’s first basic research institute focused on childhood neurological diseases.
In only 65 years, we’ve been able to achieve some of the most astonishing breakthroughs in pediatric health care — and we’re only getting better.