Spotlight
Baylor Waxahachie grows to better serve southern region
December 2012
Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie will bring new and expanded services to Waxahachie and the surrounding communities thanks to a $175.5 million campus planned for a 52-acre site at the intersection of Interstate 35E and U.S. Highway 287.
Jay Fox, president of Baylor Waxahachie, said, “There is a high level of enthusiasm and excitement about this endeavor across the Baylor community, and we’ve been fortunate that the City of Waxahachie has shared in and supported our vision.”
Leaders at Baylor Health Care System recognized the rapid population growth in the area and the need for expanded patient services. The new campus will also be the home to Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Waxahachie, along with expanded facilities to increase services for women.
HKS Architects has been selected to design the new campus, which will be constructed in accordance with LEED certification guidelines. Jay explained, “We want the new space to be lean, flexible and efficient so that we can continue to use this facility effectively for many years.” The new buildings will provide additional inpatient beds, operating rooms, and emergency and ICU space.
A comprehensive fundraising initiative will also be launched in support of the new facility, which is expected to provide increased visibility and familiarity with Baylor Health Care System in the surrounding areas.
Demolition of the buildings currently on the planned campus site has already begun and the new project is expected to break ground in spring 2013. The first phase of the project, a 75,000-square-foot medical office building housing physicians and health care related programs, is slated to open in December 2013. The larger campus project is expected to open in November 2014; the 100th anniversary of Baylor Waxahachie’s opening in 1914.
The announcement of the new hospital comes on the heels of “The Party,” an event hosted on Friday night of the annual Texas-OU weekend by State Rep. Jim Pitts to raise funds in support of Baylor Waxahachie. This year’s event featured a performance by legendary musician, Brian
Wilson, formerly with The Beach Boys. It raised $200,000 to support the expansion of health care services in Ellis County.
“This fundraiser means so much to me because it has a direct impact on the lives of our friends and neighbors in Ellis County,” Rep. Pitts said. “Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie is the chief provider of health care to so many people in the area. I felt it was important that we continue to strengthen the hospital’s ability to serve our citizens today and into the future.”
“It was a great night celebrating with Rep. Pitts and the rest of our Baylor family,” said Joel Allison, president and chief executive officer of Baylor Health Care System. “Baylor is committed to serving the residents of Waxahachie and the surrounding area with high quality, safe, compassionate care. We truly appreciate the generous support provided by Rep. Pitts and his team that will help us as we grow in Ellis County.” <p≥For more information about supporting Baylor Waxahachie, contact Melissa Dalton at 214.820.2705 or by email.
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