“Traumatic events can impact anyone at any time, no matter your background, socioeconomic status, where you live or any other factors. In trauma, every second matters,” CEO of Hospital Campuses Glorimar Medina, MD said. “We are always here and open when you need us most.”
Ben Taub Hospital
As one of only two adult Level I trauma centers in Harris County, Ben Taub Hospital plays a central role in the region’s emergency medical system.
“Being a Level I trauma center means we offer the most comprehensive and advanced level of care for trauma patients 365 days a year,” said Stephen Mora, Trauma Program Director at Ben Taub Hospital. “We have the capabilities of performing innovative types of life saving measures when seconds count.”
In addition to clinical excellence, Ben Taub is dedicated to advancing trauma care through research and education. The hospital is a hub for training future health care professionals, offering hands-on experience in trauma care through its partnership with Baylor College of Medicine.
Ben Taub’s Level I trauma designation was recently reaccredited by the American College of Surgeons, reaffirming its adherence to the highest national standards in trauma care.
Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital
As a Level III trauma center, Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital provides vital emergency services for a large area with limited healthcare resources.
“LBJ is in a very unique location where the nearest hospital north or south is about 20 miles away,” Trauma Program Director Future Johns said. “In the northeast area, we really serve as a safety net for our patient population.”
In its role as a Level III trauma center, LBJ Hospital has the capability to stabilize patients, provide necessary emergency care and perform some surgical procedures. This function is crucial for the regional trauma system, allowing LBJ to manage less severe injuries and free up Level I trauma centers for the most critical patients.
Unique among many Level III centers, LBJ Hospital is associated with the McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. This affiliation provides the hospital with 24/7 physician coverage and supports a research component, distinguishing it from purely community-based facilities.
A new hospital on the LBJ Hospital campus
A new $1.6 billion hospital is slated to open in 2029 on the LBJ Hospital campus. The new hospital will serve as a Level I trauma capable center, eliminating the need to transfer hundreds of patients per year to the Texas Medical Center
“For every 1 million individuals, you should have at least one adult Level I trauma center. We have almost 4 million in our community and there's only two,” Medina said. “The new hospital is going to come in and be critical not only for our system but our whole community. Having a Level I trauma center in that specific location is going to save lives.”
The new 12-story facility will offer 330 private rooms when it opens, advanced surgical suites and a rooftop helipad, significantly expanding the hospital’s ability to deliver timely, lifesaving interventions.
“Currently, we are transferring between 400 to 600 patients a year due to needing higher levels of care,” Johns said. “This will be a huge step for the trauma care on the LBJ Hospital campus.”
Trauma Conference: May 21
Harris Health will host the 22nd annual Trauma Conference May 21. The title of the conference is Circle of Survival, which represents the variety of interconnected actions that significantly increase the chances of survival after a traumatic event.
This one-day, multidisciplinary conference is designed to provide health care professionals from the region with the latest insights into trauma care across its entire spectrum, from pre-hospital and emergency care to critical and acute care and rehabilitation.
“We are going to have a variety of presentations that all center around various types of trauma, such as dog bites, management of facial fractures, trauma informed care and active shooter training,” Mora said.
- 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., May 21
- United Way Greater Houston, 50 Waugh Drive, Houston
- RSVP here
Harris Health’s Trauma Survivor Celebration, held annually to honor those who have overcome life-threatening injuries, will take place May 30. This event allows survivors to reconnect with their care teams and share their stories of recovery.
“For the trauma staff, it’s our revival,” Johns said. “It shows us the impact of our care and fuels our commitment to always be here when you need us.”
The celebration is a powerful reminder that trauma doesn’t just affect the individual, but ripples through families and communities. Reconnecting with survivors and sharing a meal together brings both healing and a renewed passion to the health care teams who made their recovery possible.
To learn more about trauma care at Harris Health, visit the trauma care webpage.
The above story was produced by Multi Platform Journalist Chloe Chapel with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
