For additional information, please contact University Health System’s Public Relations Coordinator or call (210) 358-2335.

Graduating from School at Work
University Health System employees sharpen their skills while at work

BACKGROUND: Nine University Health System employees are putting their improved skills to the test, after completing the School at Work® (SAW) program, an eight month course designed to enhance abilities and boost confidence. The SAW students devoted two hours a week to the important career development course, and now they will be walking across the stage to receive their graduation certificates. More...

A $899.4 million plan to double the size of University Hospital and revitalize the historic Robert B. Green campus

(SAN ANTONIO, TX - November 9, 2009) Larger than the construction of the Alamodome, SBC (now AT&T) Center, and expansion of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, combined, University Health System’s Target 2012: Capital Improvement Program is one of the largest construction projects in San Antonio history. At a public forum held November 9, officials explained how the $899.4 million project will position the academic medical center and Level I trauma center at University Hospital to meet the hospital needs of our growing region well into the future, and expand University Health Center – Downtown, to provide access to the latest outpatient diagnostic and treatment options in a convenient location. More...

Two S.A. landmarks to be illuminated in blue as symbols against diabetes

A world-renowned San Antonio landmark, the Tower of the Americas, and a world-renowned diabetes treatment and research center, the Texas Diabetes Institute (TDI), will join the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Sydney Opera House and hundreds of other world landmarks in being bathed in blue light for the Third Annual United Nations World Diabetes Day. Blue is the official color of World Diabetes Day and signifies the fight against diabetes around the world. More...

We’re doubling the size of University Hospital and revitalizing the historic Robert B. Green Hospital campus

Public Forum, Mon., Nov. 9, 2009 at 6 p.m., to offer information and answer questions on University Health System’s $899.4 million Target 2012 Program

Larger than the construction of the Alamodome, SBC (now AT&T) Center, and expansion of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, combined, University Health System’s Target 2012: Capital Improvement Program is one of the largest construction projects in San Antonio history. It will position the academic medical center and Level I trauma center at University Hospital, owned by the taxpayers of Bexar County, to meet the hospital needs of our growing region well into the future. It will also provide access to the latest outpatient diagnostic and treatment options in a convenient downtown location. More...

Internationally-renowned researcher inducted to Wall of Honor
—Special “hometown” award capsoff TDI’s tenyear anniversary celebration—

(San Antonio, TX – October 28, 2008) An estimated 240 thousand people in Bexar County are living with diabetes. Another 68 thousand adults and children have it, but don’t yet know it. That’s why Texas Diabetes Institute (TDI) Researcher Ralph DeFronzo, MD, is passionate about finding better treatment options and, ultimately, a cure for this deadly disease. His hard work and dedication over the past 38 year has not gone unnoticed. His innovative thinking has earned every major award and accolade in the field of diabetes research across the world and, today, he received special recognition “at home” with his induction onto TDI’s Wall of Honor. More...

A Recipe for Success in the battle against diabetes
—Texas Diabetes Institute celebrates a decade of diabetes care, research and education—

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is the 4th leading cause of death in Bexar County. An estimated 240,000 people in our community are living with diabetes and another 68,000 have it, but have not yet been diagnosed. University Health System responded to the growing crisis by opening the Texas Diabetes Institute (TDI) in 1999. More...

Pediatric patients are in for a “Boo-tiful” experience
—Annual Halloween parade to kick-off with plenty of “trick-or-treating” —

BACKGROUND: Just because children are in the hospital doesn’t mean they can’t experience the fun of Halloween. Pediatric patients from the Janey Briscoe Children’s Center at University Hospital will be parading through administrative offices with their Halloween bags ready to be filled with goodies Friday afternoon. More...

One step closer to reaching the “gold standard”
—University Health System hopes to be first in San Antonio to achieve Magnet status—

(October 23, 2009 – SAN ANTONIO) Surveyors from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) will be at University Health System November 16-18 to see if Bexar County’s public hospital district has what it takes to be included among an elite group of healthcare institutions designated as Magnet Hospitals. The visit is the final step in the complex journey University Health System began more than five years ago. More...

Bruce Bowen Joins H-E-B and University Health System in Urging Community to Know their Health Risk Factors
-Bowen challenges community to take their first step by attending the Good Living Health and Wellness Expo, and help turn the tide against diabetes, heart disease and obesity-

Former Spurs player Bruce Bowen is on a mission to educate the community on the importance of monitoring their health with the aims of reducing the city’s rising rates of diabetes, heart disease and diabetes. On Wednesday, he will join H-E-B and University Health System to challenge residents to take the first step toward knowing their risk health factors by participating in the free Good Living Health & Wellness Family Expo occurring on Saturday at the Convention Center. More...

University Hospital searching for family of homeless patient

(SAN ANTONIO, TX - October 19, 2009) Social workers at University Hospital believe that 62-year-old Edward Parks may have family and friends who care about him. They just don’t know who or where those persons might be. More...

University Health System is one of 36 U.S. hospitals recognized for high quality cardiac care

(SAN ANTONIO, TX - October 14, 2009) University Health System has received the American College of Cardiology Foundation’s NCDR ACTION Registry–GWTG Silver Performance Achievement Award for 2009 – one of only 36 hospitals nationwide to do so. The award recognizes University Health System’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients, and signifies that University Health System has reached an aggressive goal of treating coronary artery disease patients with the standard levels of care outlined by the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association. More...

University Health System ranked one of very best learning organizations worldwide
-Awards Recognize Organizational Commitment to Employee Learning-

(SAN ANTONIO, TX – October 13, 2009) University Health System is ranked 18 in the American Society for Training & Development’s (ASTD) 2009 BEST Awards program, and is among just 39 organizations from Canada, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, and the United States to receive a BEST Award this year. More...

Gonzalez to Speak at Breast Cancer Screening and Awareness Event

Congressman Gonzalez will speak about legislative efforts to combat breast cancer and to provide better health care for women, and men, in the United States. The event, sponsored by the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation, Texas’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Services (BCCS), and University Health System, will include free mammograms, instructions in breast self-examination, blood pressure measurements, diabetes testing, flu shots, and further women’s health information. More...

Nephew gives his uncle a portion of his liver
-Celebrating the gift of “Living Donor Liver” transplants-

SAN ANTONIO (September 9, 2009) The liver is the largest gland in the body and performs an astonishingly large number of tasks that impact all body systems. So when 59-year-old Joseph Steffanic, a Bastrop resident, started feeling extremely fatigued and experienced constant pain, he knew something was terribly wrong. He decided to see a doctor who diagnosed him with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), a disease primarily of the bile ducts, both inside and outside the liver. That was in 2005. Since then, he was placed on the waiting list for a liver transplant. More...

It takes more than doctors and nurses to save kids’ lives
-State officials & area businesses named Child Passenger Champions -

BACKGROUND: This time last year, Texas was one of just seven states in the nation to be without a booster seat law. Today, thanks to the efforts of State Senator Judith Zaffirini and other members of the Bexar County Legislative Delegation, Texas has one of the strongest laws and thousands of young children are riding safer. The new booster seat law took effect September 1, 2009 and it requires motor vehicle passengers, who are younger than 8 years and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches, to be restrained in booster seats. More...

Quality and patient satisfaction are key priorities for new COO

(SAN ANTONIO – August 26, 2009) From social worker to high level administrator, University Health System’s new executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO) is bringing a wide range of healthcare experience to Bexar County’s hospital district at a pivotal time for the organization. Christann Vasquez, who most recently served as the chief operating and financial officer for Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services in Houston, has joined the University Health System executive team. More...

Public invited to see drawings & models for new University Health System buildings

(SAN ANTONIO – August 20, 2009) What did some of the nation’s most prestigious architectural firms propose for the massive expansion planned for University Hospital and University Health Center – Downtown? Simply put, all of the submissions for the $899.4 million Target 2012: Capital Improvement Program were impressive and featured the very latest in healthcare technology in an efficient and welcoming environment. They will all be on display this Saturday at an Open House at the Center for Architecture at the Pearl Brewery. More...

Successful bond sale will mean $45 million in savings for local taxpayers

(SAN ANTONIO – August 14, 2009) When it comes to buying or selling, it is often said “timing is everything,” and for the second consecutive year, that phrase held true in a positive way for the Bexar County Hospital District, d/b/a University Health System. The hospital district was more than just successful in issuing its second round of bonds to fund a portion of its much-needed capital improvement program, it managed to save Bexar County taxpayers more than $45 million in the process. The district’s first successful issuance, last September, occurred just days before the global financial meltdown forced many other hospital districts and municipalities to postpone their projects. More...

University Health System President/CEO receives statewide service award

University Health System President/CEO George B. Hernández, Jr. has been honored by the Texas Council for Community MHMR for his long-standing commitment to serving those most in need. Hernández received the 2009 Frank M. Adams Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service at the Council’s annual conference earlier this summer. More...

Former UT Longhorn football stars throw touchdown pass to save lives
-Wane McGarity & Johnny Walker join the “Blood Donation Challenge” at University Hospital-

BACKGROUND: Wane McGarity and Johnny Walker have more in common than playing college football at the University of Texas at Austin and getting signed with NFL teams; they both also understand the critical need for giving blood to save lives. More...

University Health System receives AA+ rating from S & P
-Higher credit rating is good news for Bexar County taxpayers-

(SAN ANTONIO – July 31, 1009) Standard & Poor’s has upgraded the Bexar County Hospital District credit rating to AA+, as the hospital district, dba University Health System plans to sell up to $290 million in bonds to fund its $899.4 million Capital Improvement Program. Following their annual reevaluations, the other two major rating agencies, Moody’s and and Fitch, kept their scores for University Health System the same at Aa2 and AA+, respectively. More...

University Health System named to Top 25 for health IT connectivity
-Just two Texas hospitals earn this prestigious ranking-

(SAN ANTONIO – July 20, 1009) From Twitter to FaceBook, it seems like everyone is looking for better ways to get and stay connected and, when it comes to using new connectivity technology to delivery high quality care and improve operational efficiency, University Health System continues to be ranked among the best in the nation. More...

San Antonio Eye Bank recognizes University Hospital as “Hospital of the Year”

(SAN ANTONIO – July 17, 2009) In 2008, 75 people were given the gift of renewed sight thanks to corneas donated at University Hospital. As the top donor hospital in the south Texas region last year, University Hospital was recognized by the San Antonio Eye Bank as its “Hospital of the Year.” The ceremony, held July 16 at University Hospital, included moving remarks from a woman whose husband was one of those 75 donors and a man who can see today because of his cornea transplant. More...

One simple question can save a child’s life
-So, why aren’t more parents asking it?-

(June 15, 2009 – San Antonio, TX) National ASK (Asking Saves Kids) Day is Saturday, June 21, 2009 and this year’s theme, "One Simple Question, Thousands of Reasons to ASK," is a reference to the single question that could save thousands of children from serious injury or death. That question, “Is there a gun in your home?” is one every parent should be asking the parents of their children’s friends, but less than half have ever done so. More...

“Pomp and Circumstance” at the bedside
-High school brings graduation to the hospital for teen recovering from car crash-

BACKGROUND: It’s not everyday that a high school graduation ceremony is held in a hospital room. But since Glenda Morales, an 18-year-old student at Coulhoun High School in Port Lavaca, near Victoria, is unable to attend her commencement service Friday evening, her school principal and classmates will bring it to her. On Saturday afternoon, Glenda, dressed in cap and gown, will be walk across her hospital room, so to speak, to receive her hard earned diploma. More...

Social workers at University Hospital trying to locate family of seriously injured patient

(SAN ANTONIO, TX. May 8, 2009) University Hospital social workers are asking for the public’s assistance in finding friends or family of a patient who was transported to the hospital by San Antonio EMS last week. The man, believed to be in his mid 50s, was found down by police May 1, on Cherry Street, located on the Eastside of San Antonio. More...

Local students “draw” attention to safety
-Children honored for their “How I Stay Safe” calendar contest drawings-

About a dozen children from across Bexar County will be recognized for their unique drawings and powerful messages on safety. Students, ages 4-11, were invited to participate in the 2009 citywide "How I Stay Safe" calendar contest, sponsored by University Health System. More...

Trading in brass badges for blue scrubs
-SAPD & SAFD Chiefs step into the shoes of a nurse-

BACKGROUND: San Antonio Police Chief William McManus and San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood can definitely relate to University Hospital’s lifesaving mission, but can they “cut it” as nurses? On Wednesday, May 6, Chief McManus and Chief Hood will trade in their badges and uniforms for a pair of scrubs and crocs, and join a group of hospital administrators who will be literally “stepping into the shoes” of a nurse for a few hours. As part of University Health System’s Nurses’ Week celebration, each person will experience firsthand what it means to be a nurse in a busy academic medical center. Chief McManus will be assigned to the Cardiac Cath Lab and Chief Hood will be headed to the busy ER. More...

San Antonio Families and Physicians Team up to Save Children’s Lives

(SAN ANTONIO – April 30, 2009) Motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death among children in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), child safety seats reduce fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers. See Me Safe, a Child Passenger Safety (CPS) program, held an event today at University Hospital to address this critical issue by providing families essential training and information on how to keep their children safe while in their vehicles. More...

University Hospital searching for family of homeless male patient

(SAN ANTONIO –April 15, 2009) University Hospital is looking for the public’s help in finding friends or family of a patient who came to the hospital last week after being hit by a car. 70-year-old Santiago “Simon” Molina is not able to communicate well, so social workers at the hospital are not able to determine where he lives or who has been caring for him. He is ready to be discharged, but unless someone comes forward, there is no place for him to go. More...

Easter baskets made for pediatric patients

Being a kid in the hospital is not much fun, especially during holidays like Easter. That’s why The Junior League of San Antonio, Inc. is delivering Easter baskets to University Hospital’s young patients. Junior League volunteers will assemble baskets with lots of fun and colorful items, in hopes of bringing some smiles to pediatric patients who won’t be able to spend Easter at home. More...

Teens "Talk it Up" to help others

-Harlandale H.S. students graduate from teen depression education program-

BACKGROUND: Depressed teens often look for support and advice from other teens. That’s why 30 students from Harlandale High School have made it their mission to reach out to their friends and classmates. These compassionate young people will graduate from Talk it Up, Texas, a school-based teen depression awareness program of University Health System. The “Talk It Uppers” will serve as student facilitators - providing support to their peers at school. More...

2009 National RV tour stops in San Antonio to help prevent blood clots
- Participants receive FREE Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT) risk assessment -

(March 30, 2009 - SAN ANTONIO) The Coalition to Prevent DVT’s first-ever nationwide RV tour, Driving to Reduce the Risks of DVT, made stops at University Hospital and the Texas Diabetes Institute today to provide free risk assessments and education on the deadly problem of blood clots. More...

Study shows hospital care for kids in San Antonio is good, but fragmented
-Public/private partnership could result in world class children’s hospital-

(March 25, 2009 - SAN ANTONIO) The number of children in Bexar County and the surrounding 8-county region is expected to top 640 thousand by 2020 and a study, released today, shows that San Antonio hospitals have some work to do if they want to be able to provide these future kids with highly specialized care for complex medical problems and serious injuries. More...

Some pictures make you smile. Others can make you cry. These will give you hope!
- Local artist creates and unveils paintings of pediatric patients at University Hospital -

(San Antonio, TX) Drunk drivers, drive-by shooters. Trauma can happen any time, any place - to people just like you and me. “It” happened to 18-year-old Sergio Gutierrez and 6-year-old Nicholas Velasquez - two of the hundreds of seriously injured children who find healing on the Janey Briscoe Children’s Center at University Hospital each year. University Hospital is the only hospital in South Texas equipped to care for critically injured and burned children, and local artist Francisco Segura generously donated his services to bring hope to their families. More...

Follow the red carpet to health & safety

(San Antonio, TX) For the past 20 years, University Health System, in partnership with other organizations and volunteers, has been working hard to reduce injury and improve overall health through it’s “A Su Salud” program. And, on Wednesday, March 4, those who have been “super stars” in this effort to make a positive difference through education, research, intervention and public policy modification will be honored “Hollywood” style with a red carpet celebration. More...

University Health System nurse earns first DAISY Award

BACKGOUND: Nurses are responsible for the treatment, safety and recovery of their patients. In fact, it would be impossible for University Health System – or any hospital - to carry out its mission without highly skilled and dedicated nurses. That’s why the DAISY Foundation was formed in 2000 by the family of a man who died after a battle with cancer and rare bleeding disorder. “As we brainstormed what to do in his memory, the one really positive thing we could hold onto from the experience was the skillful and amazingly compassionate care he received from his nurses - even when he was totally sedated. So we created The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses to recognize the super-human work nurses do every day all over the country,” the family explains on their Web site. Each year, this award is presented to an outstanding nurse in more than 175 healthcare organizations across the United States. About 3,000 nurses have received the award. More...

Christmas comes about a month late for one S.A. Baby

As they do every year, members of the Cuban Cultural Center of San Antonio will come to University Hospital to honor a baby born on January 28, the birth date of Cuban leader José Marti. This event is part of a program called “Hope for the World.” More...

Diabetes resources you can use

BACKGOUND: You’ve just been diagnosed with diabetes and you’re asking yourself: What next? If you’ve had this question and others, you’re not alone. Coping with this deadly and debilitating disease can be overwhelming for diabetics. That’s why University Health System’s Texas Diabetes Institute and the National League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) have joined forces to offer the First Annual Educational Forum on Diabetes: A Latinos in Action Initiative. The community is invited to take part in this forum, where they will learn about the many diabetes resources available to them at no cost. More...

University Hospital Emergency Center Medical Director Dies

(January 12, 2009 – SAN ANTONIO, TX) University Hospital Emergency Center Medical Director Michael J. Sanchez, MD was pronounced dead at University Hospital Sunday afternoon after being struck by a motor vehicle while jogging near the intersection of Bandera Road and Loop 1604.

Dr. Sanchez was named Medical Director of the Emergency Center (EC) in August of last year. He has been on the medical staff at University Hospital since 2006. “This is a shocking loss and a very sad time for all of us who knew him,” said University Health System President/CEO George B. Hernández, Jr. “In his short time in this leadership role, he made significant improvements in wait times, efficiency and overall customer service. He was a committed member of the master facility planning team and an advocate for improving the EC environment for staff and patients alike. His leadership, clinical skills and commitment to our mission earned him the respect of his colleagues at the UT Health Science Center and here at University Health System.” More...

For earlier press releases, please email our Public Relations department or call us at 210-358-2335.

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