Health Care Edition: 6 health care updates from local hospitals

The 26-story Centennial Tower project, approved by the Houston Methodist board of directors in 2022, is anticipated to top out at 511 feet in early August, surpassing the height of the adjacent Walter Tower, according to Houston Methodist officials. As of May, more than 2.2 million hours have been worked by nearly 1,000 construction workers on the $1.4 billion project.

When completed, the tower will house nearly 400 patient beds and a new, larger emergency department, as well as enhanced imaging services. It will also replace the hospital’s existing space for transplant, medicine, intermediate care and surgical intensive care, as well as nine operating rooms, according to its website. Levels 9 to 21 will connect to the Walter Tower by vertically stacked connector bridges.

Hospital officials said the project is on schedule and will have a phased opening starting in April 2027.

• 6551 Bertner Ave., Houston
• www.houstonmethodist.org

3. Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center

In 2025, Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center broke ground on a six-floor build-out of the Susan and Fayez Sarofim Pavilion, received approval for the expansion of the Women’s Extended Care Unit and welcomed new Chief Financial Officer Matt Pruitt.

According to Memorial Hermann officials, the Sarofim tower expansion includes moving several existing institutes at the campus to the additional six floors, including the Children’s Heart Institute, expanded GI suite, Mischer Neuroscience Institute and a floor dedicated to oncology. The $270 million expansion will increase the hospital’s bed count by 252. The project will finish the full build-out of the Sarofim tower, which is anticipated for completion in 2027.

The hospital also received approval to add 9 new beds to the Women’s Extended Care Unit in May.

• 6411 Fannin St., Houston
• www.memorialhermann.org

4. HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center

HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center unveiled cutting-edge robotic surgical technology in January that will assist with non-invasive surgery. The addition marks the fifth robotic system in the fleet, according to its website, and completed the first case using the system on Jan. 6. HCA is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

• 1313 Hermann Drive, Houston
• www.hcahoustonhealthcare.com

5. Houston Methodist Surgery Center

Houston Methodist opened a new freestanding surgery center in Bellaire in early January. The center offers a patient-focused approach that emphasizes comfort, safety and quick recovery, according to its website. Located off Bissonnet Street, the center’s area of expertise includes ear, nose and throat surgery, hand surgery and ophthalmology, the treatment of eye disorders.

• 4460 Bissonnet St., Bellaire
• www.houstonmethodist.org/surgery-center

6. MD Anderson Cancer Center

MD Anderson Cancer Center launched a new institute in late 2024 specializing in impactful cell therapies, per a Nov. 8 news release. The Institute for Cell Therapy Discovery & Innovation will bring together top scientists and clinicians to lead new research and clinical trials that will create and deliver new treatments needed to address cancer, autoimmune diseases and infections.

• 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston
• www.mdanderson.org