Population Increase Prompts Health Care Growth in North San Antonio
Health care providers in North San Antonio are scaling up their services and facilities to meet the increasing demands sparked by the city’s continuous population growth. A significant focus has been placed on expanding cardiovascular programs and the reopening of hospitals in the region.
Rapid Population Increase
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that San Antonio experienced a significant population increase, with an additional 22,000 residents between July 2022 and July 2023, making it the U.S. city with the highest population gain within a year. The total population in the city is now fast approaching the 1.5 million mark.
Meeting Healthcare Demands
Michael Beaver, president, and CEO of Methodist Hospital Stone Oak, highlighted the recent expansion of his hospital’s cardiovascular services area. The hospital’s strategy aims to anticipate and provide for the services that this growing community will continue to utilize, right within their neighborhood.
In 2023, Methodist Healthcare spent $75 million to transform the former Forest Park Medical Center into Methodist Hospital Landmark, a new healthcare facility specifically erected to cater to North West Side and Hill Country residents. The revamped facility handles medical emergencies and offers multispecialty surgical care, inclusive of colorectal and neurological/spinal services.
Strategical Health care Improvements
Alongside adding more beds and operating suites, health care providers have also invested extensively in bolstering the technology used in specialized care. Such advancements are aimed at bringing quality care to residents’ doorsteps, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances to obtain decent health care services.
Furthermore, the recent population growth in Stone Oak, from less than 41,000 in 2010 to over 51,000 in 2020, necessitated almost $3 million worth of improvements in North Central Baptist Hospital. These enhancements particularly target the women’s services department, specifically for prenatal and neonatal care.
Future Projections
Health care improvements continue unabated, with plans for north side hospitals, including a 40-bed addition and food nutrition service expansion at Methodist Hospital Stone Oak. North Central Baptist Hospital also plans to upgrade its services for improved care for elderly adults who are at an increased risk of falls. Bill Waechter, the North Central Baptist Hospital president and CEO, emphasized the collaborative effort across the hospitals to serve the community fully.
Therefore, health care growth in North San Antonio continues to be a consistent response to the area’s rising population, promising to keep providing quality health care services. Health providers see this growth as more of a mission than competition, with a collective goal to lift up community health standards.
