“At the heart of the expansion is a simple idea: care that’s closer, more personal, and high-quality,” said Jay Fox, CEO and president of Baylor Scott & White Greater Austin Region.

Austin is thriving. From its booming tech scene to its vibrant cultural hubs, the Greater Austin region continues to expand as families, businesses, and new neighbors settle into the area.

These families and professionals need a strong healthcare infrastructure to thrive, and Baylor Scott & White Health is expanding to meet the growing need for quality healthcare close to home and work.

In the northern part of the region, one of the fastest growing areas, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Round Rock recently opened a major addition to better serve the people of Greater Austin, now and into the future.

The hospital’s new five-story patient tower has doubled capacity and includes:

• A New Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) which provides specialized care for newborns so families can be close to home, work, and their support system.
  
  This NICU provides Level III care from experienced staff and is the only hospital in the northern part of the region offering this higher level of care for babies who are premature or have medically complex needs after delivery.
  
  
• An Expanded Labor & Delivery Unit which allows more mothers to deliver their baby close to home and supports the large increase in the number of births at the medical center in recent years.
  
  
• Adaptable Patient Care Roomswith beds and technology that give the care team the flexibility to respond dynamically to demand for different levels of patient care needs.

“This space is more than additional square footage, this is a commitment to our community to deliver high-quality care where they are,” said Jay Fox. “Our goal is to match the pace of our region’s growth with the level of care its residents deserve. This expansion brings specialized services and innovative technology that will allow us to deliver exceptional care for generations to come.”

Wellness: Healthy People Power a Thriving Economy

According to economists, the top three reasons companies choose a location to conduct business are the proximity to good schools, a skilled workforce and quality healthcare.

Home to booming industries and growing companies, the Greater Austin region has growing healthcare needs — and this expansion helps increase access to essential care, including women’s services such as labor and delivery.

Over the last several years, Baylor Scott & White – Round Rock has seen an increase in newborn births. By adding a NICU, the hospital team can provide comprehensive maternal care under one roof, allowing parents and newborns to stay together and receive treatment without leaving the community.

“When you or your loved one is going through a medical journey — whether undergoing a surgery, having a baby, or receiving a tough diagnosis — having your support system nearby is crucial,” said Ghassan Salman, MD, chief medical officer, Baylor Scott & White – Greater Austin Region. “That’s why we’re aiming to provide high-quality care close to home and work for people throughout the area.”

The expansion goes beyond clinical spaces, creating an environment focused on healing and comfort.

“With this expansion, we are creating flexible, future-ready spaces to meet the needs of our growing community, today and tomorrow,” Fox said.

This investment in the new space is made possible by donations from the local community through the Baylor Scott & White Central Texas Foundation philanthropic foundation.

More than Brick and Mortar: Building the Future Healthcare Workforce

For Baylor Scott & White, growth is more than physical buildings.

As the largest not-for-profit health system in Texas, it reinvests surpluses into the communities it serves, including lifesaving clinical research, technology, medical education, expanding services and growing workforces.

The need for increasing the Texas healthcare workforce is critical. Texas faces a shortage of 10,000 physicians by 2032, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.

This crisis is expected to worsen as the population of older adults grows and current physicians retire. More than 2 of 5 currently active U.S. physicians will be 65 or older within the next decade, according to the Association of American Medical College.

The issue is exacerbated by the limited number of residency positions nationwide, which are needed to train qualified medical school graduates.

Baylor Scott & White operates one of the largest medical education programs in the state: the health system educates more than 9,000 medical professionals each year.

In the new space at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Round Rock, there are additional areas devoted to education and workforce development, including simulation labs for nursing advancement and dedicated workspaces for medical residents.

Baylor Scott & White is committed to offering ways for team members to advance and develop professionally.

“We are energized each day by the professionals on our campus who are providing outstanding clinical care to our community,” said Salman.

Growing with Central Texas: Hospital Expansion Rooted in the Community’s Needs

The vision at Baylor Scott & White is “Empowering you to live well.” That means the health system aims to help patients and customers with what they need to live better, whether it is high-quality care in a hospital setting, convenient care when and where they want it like on their smartphones or in the comfort of their homes, or wellness offerings to avoid needing “sick care” altogether.

The Baylor Scott & White team is on a focused path to make healthcare more customer-centric — more accessible, easier to navigate and more personalized. Through MyBSWHealth, the health system offers virtual care to all Texans, including 24/7 virtual access.

For more than 15 years, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Round Rock has been a cornerstone of our region’s health and well-being. From the comprehensive Baylor Scott & White Cancer Center – Round Rock, to the advanced cardiovascular team, to the compassionate NICU team, Baylor Scott & White is here to care for the growing community.

The opening of the hospital’s expanded spaces is just part of Baylor Scott & White recent investment in Central Texas. The healthcare system has expanded to 9 hospitals and more than 70 clinics in the Greater Austin Region, including hospitals in Austin, Buda, Lakeway, Marble Falls, Pflugerville and Taylor.

“At the heart of the expansion is a simple idea: care that’s closer, more personal, and high-quality,” said Fox. “As our community grows, so does our commitment to meeting its needs. We’re working to build a healthier future for our friends, neighbors and our entire region.”

The expansion at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Round Rock is an investment in the Greater Austin area’s future, helping residents have access to the care they need, close to home.