The University of Texas Medical Branch announced that The Sealy & Smith Foundation is providing $75 million to renovate both the interior and exterior of John Sealy Hospital. The hospital was constructed in the late 1970s.
“This generous gift from the Foundation will greatly enhance and broaden our spectrum of health care services,” said Dr. David L. Callender, president of UTMB. “We’re honored that the Foundation entrusts us to continue providing the best possible health care, education for health workers and cutting-edge research.”
The improvements and upgrades to the hospital will include the reconfiguration of floors three through seven to provide women’s and children’s services.
Donna Sollenberger, CEO of the UTMB Health System, praised the Foundation’s gift, saying that, when complete, the renovated John Sealy Hospital, coupled with the new Jennie Sealy Hospital, will represent some of the most advanced health-care facilities in Texas. “We’re extremely grateful to the Foundation for its foresight and generosity.”
John Kelso, president of The Sealy & Smith Foundation, said the renovated John Sealy Hospital and the new Jennie Sealy Hospital will provide unparalleled health care.
“We are proud to continue our relationship with UTMB knowing that these funds will help thousands upon thousands of people,” Kelso said.
The renovation of John Sealy Hospital is expected to cost approximately $133 million. The remaining $58 million will be funded through debt and local sources.
The $438 million Jennie Sealy Hospital will be completed later this year and is scheduled to be open for patients in March 2016. The Foundation provided $170 million toward the building of Jennie Sealy Hospital.
Mike Doherty, executive director of the Foundation, added that the Foundation is proud to continue the Sealy family legacy of helping UTMB provide health care in Galveston, which began in 1890 with the opening of the first John Sealy Hospital.
The Foundation has funded more than $900 million to UTMB for a variety of projects in addition to providing Foundation-owned clinical facilities and other properties for use in UTMB’s health care mission.