Medical Center Alliance recently celebrated its first anniversary along with a major expansion project under way as the hospital builds for the future in the booming Alliance Corridor of North Fort Worth.
Medical Center Alliance, an affiliate of Nashville-based HCA Corp., opened its doors on Feb. 19, 2015, with 55 beds. Since then it has become a vital part of the Alliance region that includes Keller, Justin, Haslet, Trophy Club, Saginaw and Roanoke.
The hospital, located on 75 acres at Interstate 35W and North Tarrant Parkway, marked the one-year milestone on Feb. 19 with by a meal for all employees, a cake and the burial of a time capsule near the hospital entrance. The time capsule contains relevant health care information, descriptions of the technology used to care for patients – such as the da Vinci Surgical System – pictures, uniforms, pop culture references and numerous other items that might interest the hospital staff when it is opened 25 years from now.
“In our first year I think we stayed true to our mission statement,” said CEO Glenn Wallace. “Above all else, we are committed to the care and improvement of human life. In recognition of this commitment, we strive to deliver high quality, cost effective health care in the communities we serve.”
This dedication to quality has drawn accolades since the hospital opened, Wallace said.
The hospital is ranked No. 1 in inpatient satisfaction scores in the North Texas Division (out of 12 hospitals) and No. 8 in all of HCA’s 169 hospitals nationwide. Medical Center Alliance is ranked first in the North Texas Division in emergency room patient satisfaction scores and ninth in all of HCA as well as first in same-day surgery patient satisfaction scores in the regional division and No. 2 in all of HCA.
“Our patients are telling us every day what a great job we’re doing,” Wallace said.
Medical Center Alliance opened in 2011 as a free-standing emergency room under the name ER of Alliance on land HCA Corp. had purchased in 2000. It quickly set records within HCA as the most successful free-standing ER in the company’s history. Construction on a full-service hospital around the existing ER began in spring 2014.
Today, Medical Center Alliance has Joint Commission accreditation and has 240 full-time employees and 360 board-certified physicians on staff. It provides services including women’s health care, neonatal intensive care, bariatric surgery, STEMI cardiac care and sports-related orthopedic care. In its first year, the hospital recorded 552 deliveries, 584 surgeries, 1,536 admissions and 18,231 ER visits.
“Our vision for Medical Center Alliance was to create a full-service, community hospital close to home for the patients that live in the Alliance Corridor,” Wallace said. “This is such a high-growth area. I firmly believe that as more physicians come to the area and more people move to the area, that they want convenient health care close to them.”
Medical Center Alliance began construction in December on an expansion project that will add 20 beds and expand the kitchen to better serve patients and their families. The new patient tower, slated to open in July, is built to one day grow to six floors and 400-plus patient beds. The campus is planned to accommodate physicians’ offices, specialty clinics and outpatient services.
“Our theme for 2016 seeks to build on our success from our first year in operation,” Wallace said. “Our first year established a culture that will dictate the way we care for patients in the future. We’re very pleased that even before our first year is up we’ve got a crane back on the property adding more beds. That’s a testament to our staff and our physicians and the level of service they provide to the community and this fast-growth area.”
Judith Messer, chief nursing officer, said that from well before the hospital opened, its leadership has believed that being involved in the community is critical to the institution’s mission.
“To have the community be involved in your hospital, you have to be involved in your community,” she said.
Medical Center Alliance partners with local school districts, chambers of commerce, organizations, nonprofits and others. Over the past year, the hospital has contributed nearly $1.5 million in donations, sponsorships and awareness to support the local community.
“Unlike other health care institutions that may focus on more regional or national causes, our investment represents a commitment to the local community,” said Matt Eiserloh, director of community and public relations for the hospital. “Our kids attend local schools, we shop in local stores, and we support local chambers of commerce. Just like the patients we serve, this is our community too.”
In addition to the current expansion, Medical Center Alliance has broken ground on a $8.7 million free-standing emergency room in Saginaw.
Located seven miles west of Medical Center Alliance on 1.4 acres at the intersection of Bailey Boswell Road and Old Decatur Road, the new ER will be an 11,200-square-foot, 12-bed facility. The new building is expected to employ 30-35 technicians, nurses and board-certified ER physicians. The ER will feature specialized adult and pediatric care with on-site imaging services and laboratory.
The architect for the project is Devenney Group Ltd. Architects and the contractor is Deangelis Diamond Construction.
The ER is expected to be completed in October.
“There’s great growth and great opportunities here and we see that continuing,” Wallace said.