Memorial Hermann’s newest addition to the Katy campus officially opened its doors Jan. 7.

“We had the ribbon cutting [Jan. 6],” said John Kueven, vice president of operations for Memorial Hermann Katy. “The next day, at 7 a.m., we had our first patient.”

The 230,000-square-foot, six-story East Tower, located at 23900 I-10, significantly increases the hospital’s patient capacity and services.

The new tower houses expanded surgical suites, intermediate care facilities, an intensive care unit, a neonatal intensive care unit and sleeping quarters, kitchen and a locker room for the Life Flight pilots and crew.

The tower has 64 beds in private rooms. Future expansion plans include sports medicine, endoscopic services and an additional 300 beds.

“Katy is the fastest-growing area in Houston,” Kueven said. “It was really about being able to keep up with that demand.”