By Shelby Lang
This spring, Scott & White Hospital – College Station will begin doing business as Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – College Station and Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Brenham. The name change is a milestone that marks a journey that began more than two years ago when Scott & White Healthcare merged with Baylor Health. It also makes the two hospitals part of one of the largest not-for-profit healthcare systems in the U.S.
“The name change is more than a name; it’s a symbol of Baylor Health and Scott & White Healthcare forming one company,” says Jason Jennings, College Station Region president. “Each organization brings different strengths. This merger further strengthens that commitment.”
As the Brazos Valley and surrounding communities continue to grow, the focus of the staff at Baylor Scott & White will continue to be on providing innovative services and exceptional healthcare while expanding their capabilities to best serve patients, says Jennings.
In 2013, Scott & White Healthcare invested $165 million to build the five-story, 143-bed acute care hospital facility, which houses an emergency department, comprehensive cardiac services, a neonatal intensive care unit, surgical and other specialty services. Since then, the hospital staff has added 24 more patient beds, including six dedicated to pediatric care, and increased the operating rooms from six to eight.
“We want to be a leader in healthcare, not a follower. We’re not here for today or tomorrow but for the foreseeable future,” says Jennings. “By 2020, we want to be one of the top three healthcare systems in the U.S.”
Baylor Scott & White is always looking for ways to improve patient satisfaction and experience, says Jennings. “We will always put the patient first and our community is going to be supported,” he adds.
One example is that the Level III NICU is now offering NICVIEW™ – a small, innovative webcam system— as a service to parents of preemies. This secure online portal allows parents, regardless of where they are, to keep a close watch on their premature baby during a NICU stay.
Jennings says he is excited to announce that the hospital recently acquired the da Vinci® Surgical System. This robotic-assisted, minimally invasive surgical system allows surgeons to achieve a heightened level of precision and control while using fewer, smaller incisions, which can translate into less pain after surgery and a quicker recovery.
New advances in research programs, as well as in initiatives like MyChart®, same-day access and Patient-Centered Medical Homes, all work together to provide comprehensive, connected healthcare for the extended community, explains Jennings. He adds that behind the new name are the same providers and healthcare professionals the community knows and trusts, with access to an even wider network of medical expertise and resources. This network includes both family practice doctors as well as specialists ranging from neurology and cardiology to orthopedics, rheumatology, and pediatrics. The hospital will continue to build their regional presence based on the diverse needs of the community, says Jennings.
“In the Brazos Valley, residents have trusted us with their health and well-being for many years, and that relationship is one that we value and respect,” said Jennings. “We remain committed to providing the highest quality healthcare to our residents, and we look forward to an exciting future as we grow to meet the needs of the communities we serve.”
Jennings notes that while they may soon be called by a new name, their calling is still caring. Jennings says he is grateful for the community support that has allowed Baylor Scott & White to grow as a medical center.
