The University of Texas Medical Branch opened its new Women’s and Children’s Wing on Jan. 17, marking the latest milestone in the John Sealy Hospital Modernization Project.
The new wing, located in John Sealy Hospital at 301 Eighth St. in Galveston, marks a significant leap in patient-centered care with reimagined patient rooms that are more spacious and family friendly while providing the latest in cutting-edge technologies.
“This is an exciting occasion, not only for UTMB Health but also for the women, infants, children and families we serve,” UTMB President Jochen Reiser, who also is the CEO of the UTMB Health System, said at the ribbon-cutting for the new wing. “We have transformed this portion of John Sealy Hospital into a welcoming, family-friendly space for women, infants and children in our care.”
Some of the features of the modernized unit include:
- More spacious, family-centered patient rooms with USB charging ports, refrigerators in pediatric and mother-baby rooms, locking self-storage, separate lighting controls, as well as infrastructure to support the latest technological advances
- Private and semi-private NICU patient rooms designed to foster family involvement in care and ensure a more intimate and supportive environment
- Mother-baby rooms that ensure newborns can stay with their mothers throughout their visit, promoting postpartum comfort and bonding in a serene setting
- A large collection of art—featuring many works by local artists—that brings nature indoors to create a healing environment
- Furnishing selections chosen with input from patients, staff, visitors and students
- Materials chosen to enhance stringent infection-control measures, from flooring to upholstery, along with seamless solid surface counters with integrated sinks
- Built-in receptacles to conceal trash and linen from the patient’s view
- Ceiling tiles designed to reduce ambient noise
- Decentralized nurse stations close to and with direct sight lines to patients
During the ribbon cutting, Dr. Deborah E. Mordecai, assistant chief nursing officer and director of Patient Care Services Women’s, Infants’ & Children’s Division, announced the naming of a residential facility for maternity patients.
The facility, Madi’s Place, was named for the granddaughter of Sealy & Smith Foundation board member Doug Rogers and his wife, Marcy Rogers.
Madi and her twin brother were born at UTMB four years ago, but Madi passed away within a week of her birth.
“Madi’s Place will be a beacon of hope for countless mothers, a place where the memory of a precious soul will inspire new beginnings and a future filled with promise,” Mordecai said. “This naming symbolizes the unity of our community and the transformative impact that kindness and purposeful action can have on the lives of those facing difficulties.”
Completion of this phase of the John Sealy Hospital Modernization Project brings the bed count to 196. The modernization was made possible in large part by The Sealy & Smith Foundation, which has contributed $111 million toward the $299 million project, ensuring John Sealy Hospital remains a source of compassionate, leading-edge care for UTMB patients for generations to come.
“We have continued our work to make patient rooms larger and more accommodating to the needs of our patients and their families while ensuring our expert faculty and staff have the space and technology they need to provide the most advanced care,” Reiser said.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
|