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Transforming Health Care Access in San Antonio
Residents of San Antonio’s East Side are about to gain vital emergency health care services with the opening of the Baptist Neighborhood Hospital-Rigsby on July 27. This new facility, strategically located near Rigsby Avenue and Loop 410, will operate 24/7, offering critical services to a community traditionally underserved by medical facilities.
Features of the New Neighborhood Hospital
Spanning 11,000 square feet, the hospital will be equipped with an emergency department that accepts ambulances, a triage room, 10 examination rooms, and essential imaging services including CT scans, ultrasounds, and X-rays. Additionally, it will have in-house lab services for various medical tests.
Community Health Advocacy
City council member Jalen McKee-Rodriguez expressed excitement over the hospital’s opening, emphasizing the community's historical struggles with health disparities and underinvestment in medical resources. This sentiment is echoed by Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Calvert, who acknowledges that while this new facility represents significant progress, more investments are necessary to bring specialized care such as mental health and occupational therapy to the region.
A Step Towards a Healthier Future
Baptist Health System, which operates six acute-care hospitals throughout San Antonio, plans to expand further into neighborhood hospitals to enhance access to health services in underserved areas. Market CEO Bill Waechter highlighted the importance of timely emergency care, stating, “The convenience of being in the neighborhood also seamlessly connects patients to the broader, more specialized services.”
A Vision for Improved Health Outcomes
The Baptist Neighborhood Hospital-Rigsby is more than just a new facility; it symbolizes a crucial step toward addressing health inequities in the city. With a commitment to serve the community's needs effectively, this initiative starts a dialogue around the future of medical resources on the East Side. Hospital director Liz Diaz Drake noted, "We’ll try to get you back there (in an examination room) as soon as possible." Their focused approach underscores a patient-centric model designed to stabilize and swiftly transfer patients as required.
This opening marks not only a growth in facilities but an ongoing effort to ensure equitable health care access for all residents. As McKee-Rodriguez aptly puts it, this is just the beginning, laying the foundation for a healthier future across San Antonio.
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