Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect an updated timeline regarding the hospital's opening.
Houston Methodist broke ground on its newest hospital in Cypress at a groundbreaking ceremony June 8.
Houston Methodist purchased the 100-plus acres of land last year for the planned 400-bed hospital that will be the closest Houston Methodist hospital for Cy-Fair-area residents. Currently, the nearest Houston Methodist hospital is the Willowbrook location located off Hwy. 249.
The hospital is set to be open by first quarter 2025 and could employ more than 500 people, according to previous reporting. Hospital officials said the June 8 groundbreaking was held five years after the opening of The Woodlands hospital.
Debbie Sukin, the regional senior vice president and CEO of Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, discussed the technical aspirations for the new Cypress hospital, which she said will be the most advanced smart hospital within the hospital system.
“We knew we had an opportunity in Cypress to build a hospital with all of the appropriate infrastructure from the beginning,” Sukin said.
Artificial intelligence and data will be used to bring innovative service to the hospital’s patients, Sukin said. Further, the hospital’s patient rooms will feature monitoring systems and smart speakers, so patients will have safer experiences and can control rooms with temperature and other functions from their beds. Advanced technology will be available to all patients through smart phones to communicate and coordinate information so they are up to date.
President and CEO Marc Boom kicked off the event, speaking about the history of Houston Methodist and the progress the hospital system has made since beginning with a 30-bed hospital in 1919.
“Of course, at that time the city of Houston ... sorely lacked hospital beds,” said Boom. “Almost immediately it was apparent we would have to begin growing in order to serve the means of our community.”
Other speakers included Houston Methodist Board Chair Greg Nelson; Trent Fulin, former vice president and chief operating officer for The Woodlands location who will be running the Cypress hospital; and state Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress.
Oliverson presented an honorary resolution to Boom and Fulin addressing structural capabilities of the hospital as well as commemorating its groundbreaking.
“Be it resolved that the groundbreaking of the Houston Methodist Cypress be commemorated and that all those associated with the project be extended the sincere best wishes for the future,” Oliverson said.
