Residents rely on local emergency services to close the gap between hospitals and patients. Joel Ramirez, area manager of Air Methods, said the medical air transport company AirLife mainly services rural communities and has provided helicopter transport for patients in Boerne.
Current situation
In 2021, Baptist Health System purchased 29 acres of land along I-10 in Boerne for a regional hospital; however, the site has not been developed. Baptist Health System officials said there is still a plan for the hospital in the future.
In the meantime, residents must drive around 30 minutes to a traditional hospital to receive care.
Despite challenges with access to care, Kendall County EMS, Bexar County Emergency Services District No. 4 and local emergency rooms help ensure residents receive treatment.
The Methodist Emergency Room in Boerne is equipped to handle nonemergency conditions, including asthma attacks, abdominal or chest pain and other acute conditions. The ER can also treat critical conditions, including amputation, broken bones, cardiac arrest and other life-threatening emergencies, according to the ER’s website.
Assessing the need
Webb said the hospital system covers the cost of additional transportation from the emergency room if a bed is needed at another Methodist location.
“If we take a patient there, and if they need to be admitted, Methodist will transport from the ER in Boerne to the nearest Methodist Hospital,” Webb said.
The majority of calls to Kendall County EMS come from the city of Boerne. In April, Fair Oaks Ranch City Council began a contract with Bexar County ESD No. 4 to offer ambulance services to residents.
The ESD began EMS services at the start of 2025 and continues to grow to serve the region south of Boerne.
During a May 15 council meeting, ESD representatives said a quarter of the calls they responded to came from Fair Oaks Ranch. The need for additional ambulance services grows alongside the population.
“We are working to keep up,” ESD No. 4 Administrator Charles Laljer said to City Council.
Diving in deeper
Webb said EMS vehicles and teams have advanced, allowing trauma patients to be treated while en route to a medical facility.
By carrying medical equipment, whole blood and an experienced team, lives are saved before patients make it out of the ambulance, Webb said.
“We are a strictly 911 service,” he said. “We believe our primary responsibility is providing emergency services to the community.”
Despite having access to emergency services and treatment, some residents have expressed a need for a facility that allows overnight stays.
Boerne area resident Sal Jensen told Community Impact the lack of a hospital causes undesirable challenges to those in need of long-term health care.
“You have to go downtown if you have to stay somewhere overnight,” Jensen said. “Some of us older folks would rather be close to home, and we need a hospital here.”
Looking ahead
Boerne Emergency Room and Fair Oaks Ranch Emergency Room are constructing new facilities, expected to open within the next few years.
Boerne Specialty Hospital is also planning to be constructed, although an opening timeline has not been confirmed.
Israel Tellez, owner of the Boerne Specialty Hospital, said the hospital is designed to offer a full spectrum of medical services, including a fully equipped laboratory. According to hospital representatives, the facility will also have 10 beds for overnight care.
Webb said the area is equipped to handle most medical emergencies, meaning the lack of a traditional hospital does not limit the ability for residents to receive care.
