Driscoll Children’s Hospital: New Heart Center Expansion
Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Texas dramatically expands its Heart Center with a $100 million investment, significantly boosting its capacity for pediatric cardiac care. This initiative features a brand-new facility spanning 53,333 square feet, complete with specialized cardiac operating rooms and a 35-bed Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, enhancing the delivery of advanced treatment options. This expansion allows the Heart Center to substantially increase the number of pediatric heart surgeries conducted annually. The expansion promises to provide advanced treatments and improve patient outcomes and is a testament to Driscoll’s commitment to top-tier cardiac care for the South Texas community. News Directory 3 is following this story closely. Discover what’s next for pediatric cardiac services at Driscoll Children’s hospital.
texas Hospital Expands Heart Center with $100M Investment
Updated June 7, 2025
driscoll Children’s Hospital in Texas has launched it’s expanded Heart Center following a $100 million investment, enhancing its capacity for pediatric cardiac care. The new pavilion adds 53,333 square feet across two floors.
The Heart Center expansion includes two cardiac operating rooms, a 35-bed Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), and a pair of cardiac catheterization labs designed for hybrid and minimally invasive procedures.This development aims to provide advanced treatment options for young patients with complex heart conditions.
Karen Long, vice president of Driscoll Clinical Operations, emphasized the hospital’s commitment to providing top-tier cardiac care to the children and families of South Texas, ensuring they can access world-class treatment without needing to leave their community.
The Driscoll Heart Center employs more than 40 specialists, offering multidisciplinary care for a variety of congenital heart conditions. The center plans to expand its services to perform over 500 pediatric heart surgeries each year, addressing the growing population’s needs in South Texas.
Dr. Stephen Langley, medical director of the driscoll Heart Center, noted the importance of precision and expertise in pediatric heart surgery. He added that the expansion strengthens their mission to tackle more complex cases and push the boundaries of what they can achieve in pediatric heart care.
“This expansion is more than just adding space; it’s about ensuring that every child receives the best possible care with the latest advancements in paediatric cardiology and surgery,” Long said.
The hospital is also extending its reach with a new cardiology clinic in El Paso and the launch of South Texas’s first mobile ECMO Program, providing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for cardiac patients during transport.Earlier in the year,Driscoll Children’s Hospital also opened a 60-bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
What’s next
Looking ahead, the Driscoll Heart Center plans to further increase its surgical capacity, recruit specialized staff, and hire additional cardiologists to meet the rising demand for pediatric cardiac services in the region.