New Level 1 Trauma Center Coming to Northeast Houston

HOUSTON — On Thursday, the city of Houston and other entities celebrated the grand opening of the first Level I trauma center outside of the Texas Medical Center.

A new $1.6 billion hospital will be located on the Harris Health Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital campus in northeast Houston.

The 12-story hospital will replace the aging LBJ Hospital. It is expected to open in late 2028 and will become the county’s third Level I adult trauma hospital.

“LBJ and Ben Taub were built more than 30 years ago, and during that time our community has grown exponentially,” said Harris Health System President and CEO Dr. Esmaeil Porsa . “The addition of a Level I trauma center will be the first of its kind in Harris County outside of the Texas Medical Center and is critical to meeting the growing needs of our region, as is the expansion of our primary care with new clinics.”

Executives and board members from Harris Health and UTHealth Houston attended the ceremony alongside philanthropic supporters from the Harris Health Strategic Fund and the Harris County Hospital District Foundation.

“This is the beginning of a monumental improvement to our medical infrastructure to provide state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional health care to all Harris County residents. The expansion of this hospital is long overdue and will go a long way in helping us better meet the needs of our staff, patients and Harris County residents,” said Dr. Andrea Caracostis, Board Chair. administration of the Harris Health System.

The following information was provided in a press release.

The new hospital will be approximately 1.3 million square feet and will include 390 private rooms with space to add 60 more when additional capacity is needed. With a rooftop helipad, 15 dedicated operating rooms and a state-of-the-art hybrid operating room, the hospital is designed to meet a wide range of medical needs, from routine procedures to the most complex emergency surgeries .

In November 2023, 72% of Harris County voters approved the $2.5 billion bond in support of the Harris Health plan.

“The Northeast has been underdeveloped for many years, especially in health care,” Porsa said. “If we put this hospital here, it will be essential to serving this community for many, many generations to come.” »

The hospital site will continue to serve as a training ground for residents and faculty at UTHealth’s Houston McGovern Medical School.

“I know firsthand the benefits of this, having completed my clinical training here over 30 years ago. This is where tomorrow’s doctors and specialists begin. »

The new hospital has not been named.