The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has signed a letter of intent to complete negotiations regarding a long-term lease of the recently vacated Bay Area Regional Medical Center in Webster.
The Bay Area facility at the corner of Highway 3 and Blossom opened in 2014 but was shuttered in May, throwing several hundred employees out of work. The UT System Board of Regents approved UTMB proposed plans Thursday with financing to be managed through operational funds.
“This is a unique opportunity for UTMB Health to advance our mission of education, research and patient care,” said Dr. David L. Callender, president of the university.
“The Webster location will complement our existing facilities on our League City Campus and in surrounding areas, as well as our future plans for education and research activities in the Bay Area. Together, these facilities will enable us to broaden our efforts to serve a rapidly growing region, while supporting our academic work to define the future of health care.”
When a lease is final, UTMB will work with UTMB faculty and program leaders, as well as existing physicians in the Bay Area, to determine how best to use the property, he explained. Once final agreements have been signed, an opening date will be determined, he added.
UTMB is continuing with plans to add 60 beds to its existing 37-bed League City Hospital, which currently includes an emergency room, mother-baby unit with Level II infant special care capability, and medical/surgical services for adults. Numerous UTMB specialty services also are available on the university’s League City Campus and nearby facilities.
In 2016, UTMB dedicated the 250-bed Jennie Sealy Hospital in Galveston and work is continuing to modernize the nearby John Sealy Hospital. In addition, UTMB has a hospital at its Angleton Danbury Campus in Brazoria County, as well as numerous clinics throughout the Greater Houston/Galveston area. The clinical facilities support the university’s education and research activities.
