Exciting Expansion at Ascension Seton Williamson Medical Center
Round Rock, Texas, is buzzing with excitement as Ascension Seton Williamson Medical Center prepares for a major growth spurt. On a bright Thursday morning, community leaders, hospital staff, and eager residents gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony that marks the start of a fantastic new chapter for healthcare in Williamson County.
A Big Step Forward
The hospital is set to almost double its size, with the addition of a brand new six-story tower covering a whopping 216,000 square feet. This expansion will introduce 160 new beds to the existing 181-bed facility, greatly enhancing the hospital’s capacity to serve the growing community. The visionary project, costing about $230 million, is expected to be completed by spring 2026.
Meeting Community Needs
The president of Ascension Seton Williamson, Andrew Gnann, noted that this expansion is a direct response to the burgeoning population of Williamson County. “We’re just responding to that growing population,” he explained, emphasizing how the hospital is currently serving over 50,000 patients each year. Additionally, the emergency room sees about 50,000 visits from patients across 14 counties.
More Care and Services
Since its doors opened in 2008, Ascension Seton Williamson has aimed to provide high-quality medical services. With the new tower, they will address the increasing demand for general medical surgical beds and specialized heart monitoring units. The second floor of the new structure will remain as a shell initially, offering flexibility for future expansions of the intensive care unit.
In addition to more beds, the new facility will feature two additional operating rooms, a new MRI machine, and an expanded catheterization lab, enhancing their ability to handle diverse medical situations. The emergency room is also poised for an upgrade, ensuring quick and effective care. Plus, residents can continue to access a Dell Children’s-staffed emergency room for pediatric care, making it a family-friendly healthcare hub.
Focused on Outpatient Care
The hospital doesn’t stop at inpatient services. A 34,000-square-foot medical building will be constructed alongside the tower for outpatient services, offering much-needed offerings like wound care, cardiac rehabilitation, and pediatric physical therapy. This means that community members can get the care they need without traveling far away.
Investing in Future Talent
With this major expansion comes the necessity for skilled medical staff. Ascension Seton Williamson plans to recruit new talent while also fostering relationships with local nursing schools, including Austin Community College and Texas State University Round Rock Campus. “One of the goals of this expansion is to continue to serve patients where they live,” Gnann said.
A Level 2 Trauma Center
The hospital proudly holds the designation of a Level 2 trauma center, the second-highest level of trauma care available. Gnann mentioned that it’s rare to have patients transferred out of Ascension Seton Williamson, except in the case of burns, which are transferred to a specialized facility. “It’s really important to me that the citizens of Williamson County have complex, high services where they live,” he added.
Growing with the Community
Williamson County has seen an impressive wave of healthcare expansions recently. Baylor Scott & White Medical Center is also joining the growth trend with a $220 million expansion that will enhance its services. Other local facilities, such as St. David’s Round Rock Medical Center and Dell Children’s Medical Center, are likewise planning expansions to meet the increasing healthcare demands of the area’s residents.
As Round Rock continues to grow, Ascension Seton Williamson Medical Center’s expansion will undoubtedly pave the way for a healthier future, ensuring that high-quality healthcare is well within reach for everyone in the community. Exciting times are ahead for healthcare in our beloved Round Rock!
