Hospital holds groundbreaking for new 6-story office building

December 31st, 2019

Those taking part in the Nassau Bay groundbreaking were, from left, Houston Methodist Clear Lake Chief Nursing Officer Katherine Walsh, Board of Trustees members Levi Benton and Elaine Renola, HOAR Construction Project Leader Brian Cook, Houston Methodist Clear Lake CEO Dan Newman, Greg Johnson of PhiloWilke Partnership Architects, Nassau Bay Mayor Mark Denman, Trustees John Kennedy, Dr. Franz Schneider and Jerry Neff, and Houston Methodist Regional Senior Vice President Chris Siebenaler.

By Mary Alys Cherry

Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital will begin construction soon on a six-story, 150,000-square-foot medical office building on land adjacent to its campus – the first phase in a multi-year expansion plan. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Dec. 17 near the construction site with Nassau Bay Mayor Mark Denman and a host of dignitaries there for the turning of the first dirt.

The $40 million medical office building will be home to Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Clear Lake as well as the hospital’s physical therapy facilities. The building’s upper floors will contain office and clinic space for physicians from a broad range of specialties.

The building will be constructed on land that previously was part of the Nassau Bay Shopping Village in the 1800 block of Upper Bay Road. The hospital purchased that center in 2015. Construction is expected to begin in August and the building will open in 2021.

“Buildings like this don’t just happen,” Houston Methodist Clear Lake CEO Dan Newman said as he explained how hospital officials have been working with Hoar Construction, which won the main contract for the structure, the architect and many others, adding that with the new building, “we will be able to serve the community for a long time.”

He also introduced Brian Cook, the project’s managing director, noting that this will be his sixth project for Hoar Construction, which has done a number of projects for the hospital.
Mayor Denman also addressed the crowd, explaining how the community was looking forward to the proposed new building while also asking for a moment of silence in memory of the late Nassau Bay Police Sgt. Kaila Sullivan, who died so tragically earlier in the month when a suspect’s car ran over her as he tried to escape.

Joining Newman and Mayor Denman in turning the first dirt were Regional Houston Methodist Vice President Chris Siebenaler, Chief Nurse Officer Katherine Walsh, Hoar Construction Project Director Brian Cook, Architect Greg Johnson and Board of Trustee members Levi Benton, Elaine Renola, John Kennedy, Dr. Franz Schneider and Jerry Neff.

Houston Physicians’ Hospital

March 4th, 2019

Setting the new standard for healthcare

Houston Physicians’ Hospital is an award-winning facility with some of the first technology of its kind offered in the Houston Bay Area. As a physician-owned hospital specializing in surgical services, including joint, spine, sports medicine and robotic surgery, Houston Physicians’ Hospital has a vision to be the healthcare provider where physicians choose to practice, patients want to receive care, and employees prefer to work.

Dr. Greg Bonnen, Neurosurgeon, says that Houston Physicians’ Hospital “is really the only place I want to work. It is the most efficient and patients are the happiest with their experience here by far. There’s no other place where patients rave about their experience and the way they are treated.”

The team at Houston Physicians’ Hospital is dedicated to providing compassionate care with a patient-centered focus. The hospital accepts most major insurances and also publishes competitive cash pricing online. While most patients who are being treated by a physician do not need surgery or require a visit to a hospital, many patients find the value of aligning with physicians affiliated with Houston Physicians’ Hospital.

Award-Winning Care
Houston Physicians’ Hospital recently earned a 5-star rating for patient experience from CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) and is one of only two in the Houston area to achieve such designation.

It is the first and only facility in Houston to earn Hip and Knee Replacement Certification from DNV and was recognized as a Center of Distinction by Stryker and recognized in the top 75th percentile for Joint Replacement.

Houston Physicians’ Hospital obtained ISO-9001 certification, earned a Five-Star Recipient for Spinal Fusion Surgery from Health Grades in 2018, and was recognized as a Houston Chronicle Top Workplace in 2017.

Joint Solutions Center
The Joint Solutions Center at Houston Physicians’ Hospital is truly a one-of-a-kind program that provides an individualized plan with a patient navigator, pre-operative classes and a space-theme competition between patients post-operatively. The program is evidence based and provides some of the best outcomes in the country.

The team at the Joint Solutions Center at Houston Physicians’ Hospital “utilizes evidence-based protocols that were developed collaboratively with surgeons, anesthesia, nurses and physical therapists,” said Dr. Anthony Melillo, Orthopedic Surgeon. “We continually enhance our program with a patient-centric approach. We invite patients back and incorporate their feedback to help us improve the program.” As a result, Houston Physicians’ Hospital is now performing the most joint replacements in the Clear Lake area.

Dr. Marilyn Copeland, Orthopedic Surgeon chooses Houston Physicians’ Hospital because “it has the lowest infection rate in the area. When I send patients [to Houston Physicians’ Hospital], they are pleased with the care. The employees love working here, and you can tell they want to be here. There’s a level of commitment and care to help patients feel comfortable so the whole experience is seamless.”

Mako Robot
Houston Physicians’ Hospital has the only Mako Robot in Southeast Houston for hip and knee surgery. Robotics is also a demonstration of a commitment to superior orthopedic outcomes. Several orthopedic physicians utilize the Mako Robot at Houston Physicians’ Hospital, which provides precision planning, rapid recovery and a shorter hospital stay for patients. It is the most accurate and personalized approach possible to hip and knee replacement surgery.

Spine Solutions Center
Houston Physicians’ Hospital takes spine care seriously and understands that neck and back pain can be life-altering. That’s why the Spine Solutions Center offers appointments within 48 hours with no referral needed. Based on diagnosis, the patient navigator will help with everything from getting timely appointments to selecting the right specialist. The Spine Solutions Center program focuses on patient care and clinical outcomes collaboratively designed by surgeons and highly trained clinical staff. The ultimate goal is to have patients resuming normal activity as quickly as possible. The team at Houston Physicians’ Hospital thoroughly assesses patients’ needs to ensure they receive the proper treatment. Most patients can be treated non-surgically with treatment options such as Physical Therapy. Houston Physicians’ Hospital has 15 physical therapy locations in the Houston area. If surgery is needed, neurosurgeons, orthopedic spine surgeons, and pain medicine specialists provide advanced surgical options.

COOLEIF Treatment
“At Houston Physicians’ Hospital, we embody excellence in terms of being in top of the most modern ways of treating problems,” Dr. Eduardo Garcia, Pain Management Physician. COOLIEF is a minimally invasive, non-narcotic procedure that treats chronic back, knee, and hip pain and can last up to a year. According to Dr. Garcia, “this device relieves pain to treat chronic arthritis. We are the only [hospital] who has it in the Houston Bay Area.”

Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep Brain Stimulation is used to help control the movement symptoms of Parkinson’s, including tremors, slowed movement and stiffness. For many people with Parkinson’s, Deep Brain Stimulation makes a difference when even small tasks have become challenging.

Caring Suite MRI
Houston Physicians’ Hospital has the first and only “Caring Suite” MRI in Southeast Houston that offers an innovative, personalized and stress-relieving approach to diagnostic imaging suite design. With a tap, patients can choose their favorite 4K nature theme, lighting hue, music, movie or even family photos. The MRI “Caring Suite” helps reduce anxiety and the need for sedation in patients that experience claustrophobia in other MRIs.

Patient Testimonials
After getting both of her knees replaced last year, Vicie Richardson says she doesn’t spend Saturdays in bed. “I can live again. Dr. Melillo is my hero. Everyone [at Houston Physicians’ Hospital] was phenomenal and treat you like you’re like the only person there. Every single person was kind,” said Richardson.

After seeing many specialists and going to an emergency room, Jodie Crews found Dr. Marilyn Copeland, who “saw me on her lunch break and correctly diagnosed me within five minutes of something I had been fighting for months and living in excruciating pain.” Within a few hours, her pain had subsided.

Carmelita Love was diagnosed with nonessential tremors 30 years ago. After her Deep Brain Stimulation procedure by Dr. Bonnen, she said “I came out of recovery in tears. I wasn’t crying in pain. It was tears of joy because my tremors were gone.” She commented that her “care [at Houston Physicians’ Hospital] was wonderful. I just love the place. The doctors, the PA, the nurses, even x-ray techs are so patient-focused.”

Cara McAfee recently had her second back surgery at 40 years old, and compared to her first surgery at another facility, “the physicians were coordinated so my care was seamless. I received customized treatment from the staff and Dr. Bonnen anticipated my needs to make sure it was the right environment for me to heal.”

Houston Physicians’ Hospital is located at 333 North Texas Avenue, Suite 1000, Webster, TX 77598. Visit them online at www.houstonphysicianshospital.com

HCA-affiliated Clear Lake Regional Medical Center gets a new name

March 4th, 2019

Clear Lake Regional Medical Center was rebranded as HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake on Jan. 31.

By Mary Alys Cherry

HCA-affiliated Clear Lake Regional Medical Center in Webster has a new name – HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake.

Officials said the name was changed to better reflect the hospital’s affiliation with one of Houston’s most comprehensive healthcare systems. They gathered at the hospital with League City Mayor Pat Hallisey and officials representing Webster Mayor Donna Rogers to officially launch its new identity.

“Taking the HCA name signals our commitment to be held to the highest standards in the industry,” said Todd Caliva, chief executive officer of HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake, who also announced upcoming improvements to the hospital, including new VIP labor and delivery suites, a facelift to the women’s services department, major construction to the Emergency Department entrance, two new operating rooms, a major cath lab expansion, and a significant bed expansion.

THIRD CHANGE
Actually, it is the third name change for the medical facility. It started out life as Clear Lake Hospital, but later became known as Humana Hospital-Clear Lake and then as Clear Lake Regional Medical Center.

Fay Dudney, wife of the late Dr. Ned Dudney of League City, who helped turn a dream into a reality, remembered how it all happened when she talked with us back in 2012 as the hospital was celebrating its 40th anniversary.

“Dr. Larry Chapman (who died Dec. 2, 2018) came over from Seabrook to see us, and when he walked in, he said, ‘Ned, I want you to help me build a hospital here in our area.’”
Dudney, who had to put patients in hospitals long distances from their homes, immediately liked the idea, and “soon we sought out physicians all over the area,” Dr. Chapman said as he thought back to those heady days.

Joined by the late Dr. Joe Symon of Friendswood, “the three of us pursued things pretty hard, and before long some 18 to 20 doctors practicing at Bayshore Hospital in Pasadena gave us their blessings. And, their financial backing,” Dr. Chapman recalled.

The group bought a 70-acre tract bounded by State Highway 3 and Texas Avenue in Webster, and on George Washington’s birthday, Feb. 22, 1970, a crowd of 500 gathered for the groundbreaking of the $4.2 million hospital, which opened with 150 beds, but designed to hold 600 beds.

OPENING DAY
A crowd of 3,000 was on hand Sunday, March 12, 1972 for the dedication and opening of Clear Lake Hospital, as it was originally named. But over the years it has grown so much it is barely recognizable in early photographs. A new emergency room was added in 2003, and its $55 million Heart & Vascular Hospital was built across the street in 2007, then expanded in 2010 with a $17 million, 72-room addition that included a pharmacy and dialysis unit.

The hospital grew even larger in 2012 with a $92 million expansion that included a 154,000- square-foot Patient Tower with a 30-bed Intensive Care Unit and a wide range of innovations.

Every year, HCA Houston Healthcare provides care for more than one million hospital patients, more than 450,000 emergency room patients and delivers one in four births in Houston. It currently has more than 16,000 employees, including 6,900 nurses. And, now a new name.

Bay Area Houston Magazine