Updated: March 30, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. This story has been updated with additional information from Baylor Scott & White. 

Rapid growth in the area has led Baylor Scott & White to open their first Hays County location in Kyle, representatives announced Wednesday afternoon.

“The population over there in Kyle is growing quite a bit,” said Colleen Sundquist, vice president of clinic operations. “Serving Kyle because of the growth and the demand from our patients made a lot of sense to us.”

They conduct “extensive” research into where to open new locations, she said. That research led them to Kyle for their first Hays County location.

“Patients are looking for care that’s closer to their home or the place that they work,” Sundquist said. “For us, it’s really about providing convenient access.”

As a full-service primary health clinic, the new Kyle location will include 12 exam rooms, a lab and an x-ray. In the future, if community need is demonstrated, it is likely that Baylor Scott & White could provide integrative medicine, which includes acupuncture and massage, Sundquist said. They plan to hire 15-20 people to staff the clinic.

Baylor Scott & White’s integrated care model is “very unique,” Sundquist said. Patients have a single Medicare record, and care is coordinated across the spectrum of treatments.

“That’s an advantage for patients, because they don’t have to travel all around and bring their medical records and try to understand if a previous physician had all the info to make their decisions about their health care,” she said. “In our model, it keeps medical costs down and reduces the duplication of getting test done over and over again.”

Posted: March 29, 2017

Baylor Scott & White Health, the largest not-for-profit health care system in the state, announced the opening of a new primary care clinic at 1001 Kohlers Crossing, Kyle, Wednesday afternoon.

According to a release, construction is underway and the clinic will open its doors fall 2017. It will be the first Baylor Scott & White location in Hays County.

“Making our debut in Hays County is a great milestone for Baylor Scott & White,” said Colleen Sundquist, vice president of clinic operations, in a news release. “The clinic will allow us to serve more Central Texans, offering the community a new primary care clinic close to home.”

According to U.S. Census Bureau data released last week, Hays County was the third-fastest-growing county in the U.S. in 2016 with a population increase of 5.09 percent.

“Located in one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas, Kyle is the perfect location for us to introduce our trusted model of quality, convenient care,” said Jay Fox, Austin/Round Rock region president.