October 13, 1999
Baptist hospitals touched
1.8 million lives last year
___Imagine that every person who lives within the city limits of Houston got sick and needed medical care last year. Now imagine that every one of those 1.8 million people was cared for by Texas Baptists.
___That's a compact illustration of the ministry performed by the six hospitals affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Last year, those six hospitals treated more than 1.8 million people, not just in one city but across the state.
___The hospitals are connected to the BGCT through the Human Welfare Coordinating Board, which this month is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
___The six health care entities affiliated with the BGCT are:
___Baptist Health System, San Antonio.
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___Texas Baptists officially became involved in hospital work in 1904 after Texas Baptist giants R.C. Buckner and George W. Truett joined forces to form a hospital corporation in Dallas.
___That hospital, which today is Baylor Medical Center, began operation in 1904, with the BGCT electing the first trustees.
___The hospital joined forces with Baylor University in 1920, and the two operated under one board until 1998, when Baylor Health Care System separated from the university.
___The health care system now is one of the nation's largest not-for-profit integrated health care providers, encompassing a network of hospitals, clinics and primary care facilities. It operates 50 entities, including 13 medical centers in 19 cities, and treats more than 1.2 million people each year. Boone Powell Jr. is president.
___Later in this century, the Baptist mission of health care expanded outside Dallas as well.
___"Helping You Live Well" is the slogan of Baptist Health System of San Antonio. But it is more than a slogan, as the system continues to grow and expand as a fully-integrated health care delivery system. The Baptist ministry offers a full-range of hospital services and modern diagnostic and treatment facilities through five acute-care hospitals and a regional children's center.
___Baptist Health System began in 1902 when a group of physicians and businessmen built Physicians and Surgeons Hospital. In 1944, it merged with another entity to become a not-for-profit hospital. In 1948, it was given to the Southern Baptist Convention, and in 1952 ownership was passed to the BGCT.
___Last year, the entities affiliated with Baptist Health Systems of San Antonio saw 5,180 babies born and treated more than 260,000 patients. Fred Mills is president.
___High Plains Baptist Hospital began operation in 1968 as a new Baptist ministry in the Panhandle. For more than 25 years, the hospital was effective, but pressure from for-profit operations brought about a merger with another local hospital, St. Anthony's, creating Baptist/St. Anthony's Health System.
___The corporate parent of Baptist hospital changed its name to Baptist Community Services. The BGCT names the trustees of Baptist Community Services, which in turn elects half of the trustees of the health system.
___Funds paid to Baptist Community Services for St. Anthony's to have equal representation on the merged board have been used to establish a foundation, proceeds of which are used for mission purposes.
___T.H. Holloway Jr. is president of Baptist Community Services, and John Hicks is president of Baptist/St. Anthony's Health System.
___Back in 1924, a 75-bed hospital was opened in Abilene and called the West Texas Baptist Sanitarium. It was the realization of a dream of Millard Jenkins, pastor of First Baptist Church of Abilene.
___In 1935, the hospital became part of the BGCT, and the convention began naming trustees to serve the hospital.
___Since its founding, the hospital--now named Hendrick Health System--has served Abilene and the 22 surrounding counties. It has 525 beds and operates a regional network of clinics, a rehabilitation hospital, a cancer center and is a primary partner in an HMO. Michael Waters is president.
___Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in Waco, facing the need to compete more effectively in the local marketplace, this year has asked to change its relationship with the BGCT by requesting that half its trustees come from the local area.
___The hospital opened its doors in 1920 as Central Texas Baptist Sanitarium. In 1938, it became Hillcrest Baptist Hospital.
___In 1945, it became part of the BGCT and continues to be related to the state convention through the Human Welfare Coordinating Board.
___It has two medical centers, 10 primary care clinics, three community clinics, four school-based clinics, three managed care options, subspecialty clinics, adult day care, a wellness center and agreements with eight regional hospitals. Richard Scott is president.
___In 1925, Valley Baptist Hospital was started to perform health, religious, charitable, scientific, literary and educational programs in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Baptist laymen were concerned because there was no city or county hospital in the area. The hospital became a part of the BGCT in 1945.
___The hospital currently is licensed for 588 beds. In 1998, 3,945 babies were born there, and nearly 140,000 patients were treated.
___Valley Baptist is a major referral hospital and the centerpiece of a multi-purpose family of health care services in the valley. It has acute care, as well as outpatient services and outreach program. Ben McKibbens is president.
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___Reported by Dan Martin, Texas Baptist Communications
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