WORK STARTS ON NEW HOSPITAL IN OAK HILL

The site marks Baylor Scott & White’s first hospital in Austin.

Construction is underway on a new hospital in Southwest Austin.

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center — Austin Oak Hill is expected to open late next year at 5251 U.S. 290 — the former site of the Oak Hill Golf Range.

The hospital will have a 24-hour emergency room, as well as operating rooms for surgical procedures and space for inpatient services.

It will be Baylor Scott & White’s first hospital in the city of Austin, although it does operate hospitals in several nearby communities, including Cedar Park, Lakeway, Round Rock and Taylor. Two other Baylor Scott & White hospitals are currently under development in Buda and Pflugerville.

In total, Baylor Scott & White has 48 hospitals statewide.

In addition to adding hospitals in Central Texas, Baylor Scott & White has also worked to build out a network of primary care and specialty clinics in the area in recent years.

“Communities’ needs are ever-changing, and providing a range of services will help make healthcare more convenient for the people we serve,” Robin Watson, chief medical officer for Baylor Scott & White’s Austin/Round Rock region, said in a written statement. “By offering convenient access points to serve communities throughout our five-county service area, we are showing what we mean by our focus on wellness, not just sick care.”

Filings with the state Department of Licensing and Regulation indicate the four-story Oak Hill hospital building will cost $32 million to construct, while an adjacent two-story medical office building and five-story parking garage will cost $14 million.

“We continue demonstrating our commitment to Central Texas communities by improving access to high-quality, comprehensive healthcare,” Jay Fox, Baylor Scott & White Austin/Round Rock regional president said.

“We couldn’t be more excited to announce the construction

of our first medical center in Austin at Oak Hill and look forward to delivering safe, high-quality care and service to residents in this vibrant and growing community.”

Based in Dallas, Baylor Scott & White was created in 2013 when the Baylor Health Care System and Scott & White Healthcare joined forces. Baylor Scott & White says it is the largest not-for-profit health care system in Texas, with more than 47,000 employees and more than 7,800 active physicians.