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» News & Events » 2009 Press Releases » 7/24 - District Joins Seton in Brack Celebration
Healthcare District Joins Seton in Celebrating 125 years of Brackenridge
University Medical Center Brackenridge, formerly known as Brackenridge Hospital, celebrated its 125th year this week with a special ceremony at Austin City Hall on Thursday, July 23. Former mayors of the city, UMCB medical staff and other dignitaries participated in the ceremony and the kickoff of the “History Forward” project, an effort to record personal stories and recollections through the years by those whose lives have been affected by the hospital.
President and CEO Patricia Young Brown and Board of Managers Chairperson Dr. Tom Coopwood represented the Healthcare District, which owns the facility and in turn leases it to the Seton Family of Hospitals.
“Under our ownership, the District strives to ensure UMC Brackenridge remains a vital community asset that continually sets the bar for quality, affordable healthcare. Under the stewardship of the District’s board and staff and the day-to-day management of Seton, we will ensure UMCB always lives up to its illustrious legacy, now and into the future,” Coopwood said.
Since its creation by Travis County taxpayers in 2004, the Healthcare District has invested millions of dollars in UMCB to ensure its continued status as a community asset. That funding facilitated significant expansion of services and facilities, including:
• A $350,000 investment in March of this year to expand reconstructive and plastic surgery programs to help enable UMCB to achieve Level 1 Trauma Center Status, which should be awarded within the next couple of months.
• Expansion of trauma capacity through a $1 million investment in 2007
• Creation of additional Intensive Care Unit beds through $1.6 million investment in 2005
• Expanded primary care in collaboration with the Blackstock Clinic
• Expanded specialty care with the Paul Bass and specialty clinic
• Added Urgent Care capacity in the adjoining Health South building to help with Emergency Room overload
Budgeted property tax revenue for the Travis County Healthcare District this year is $63,597,727, and of that, approximately 52% or $33 million supports the provision of care to county residents who are uninsured and receive care at University Medical Center Brackenridge. The Travis County Healthcare District considers UMCB to be a cornerstone of its ability to fulfill its mission statement - to “Promote the health and wellness of the residents of our community, especially the uninsured and underinsured, by working together to ensure access to a full range of coordinated healthcare services,” – and will continue to prioritize the ongoing improvement and enhancement of services and facilities there.
More information on UMCB’s 125 years of service to the Travis County community can be found at http://www.umcb125.com/, including how you can contribute your personal story to the “History Forward” project.