RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas - DHR Health officials have given community members a preview of its new state-of-the-art Starr County medical campus.
The aim is to bring healthcare services closer to home and reduce the need for Rio Grande Valley residents to travel outside the region to access the healthcare they need.
The health system held a press conference to announce the new facility. After the event ended, DHR Health CEO Dr. Manish Singh gave the Rio Grande Guardian an interview about the new clinic.
Singh said the campus is designed to alleviate healthcare service and professional gaps, expand access to primary and specialty healthcare services, advance clinical research, and train the next generation of physicians through the establishment of a clinic and training space for Starr County’s first ever family medicine physician residency graduate medical education program.
He said the new campus is a culmination of years of planning and represents the most significant investment in Starr County’s healthcare infrastructure in decades. He predicted the campus would transform rural healthcare in Starr County.
Here is the interview:
According to a DHR press release, the medical campus was made possible by a $16.7 million grant by the Texas Department of State Health Services. The press release said DHR developed the campus in partnership with Starr County, Starr County Memorial Hospital, and Rio Grande City.
“By integrating multiple services under one medical campus, the project creates a comprehensive model designed to strengthen healthcare delivery across Starr County and reduce healthcare professional shortages in this federally designated Medically Underserved Area (“MUA”) and high-Needs Health Professional Shortage Area (‘HPSA’),” the press release states.
Here are some stats about the new campus:
12,375 sq. ft.: Medical laboratory providing advanced diagnostic testing and serving as a regional support laboratory.
11,766 sq. ft.: Cardiology and Multi-Specialty Resident Training Clinic.
12,893 sq. ft.: Clinical Research Center expanding access to clinical trials.
17,526 sq. ft.: Primary Care Graduate Medical Education Center and Clinic focused on training physicians in family medicine, internal medicine and psychiatry.
Dr. Singh said that with the construction of the facilities, DHR Health will fully operate the medical campus and cover all staff and operational costs, with no ongoing financial burden to local, state or federal governments.
“This medical development reflects a long-term commitment to expanding access to high-quality healthcare in Starr County. DHR Health is strengthening essential services, advancing clinical research, and training future physicians to ensure patients can receive coordinated care close to home. This investment demonstrates the impact of strong public and private collaboration focused on improving community health,” Singh said.
Completion of the campus marks a milestone in regional healthcare development for a rural medically underserved region, Singh said. He said the project brought together public and private partners that have created a lasting impact on the health and economic vitality of Starr County and surrounding communities. He said the new medical campus is also expected to create new clinical and support positions while strengthening the regional healthcare workforce.
Additionally at the event, DHR Health named its Family Medicine Clinic after Rio Grande City native and longtime family medicine physician, Dr. Alberto “Beto” Gutierrez. He was at the ceremony and received a plaque from DHR Health.
“Dr. Gutierrez, who recently retired, was known by many as a compassionate and dedicated physician who worked for over 54 years. He proudly treated more than one million patients, always grounded in humility, excellence and commitment to his patients,” DHR states.
“DHR Health was honored to work side by side with many partners to make this happen including many federal, state and local partners, including U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Starr County Judge, Rio Grande City Mayor, Starr County Industrial Foundation, Rio Grande City Economic Development Corporation, and Starr County Memorial Hospital.”
