Before South Texas Health System (STHS) Children’s opened, specialized pediatric care in the Rio Grande Valley was extremely limited, often forcing families to travel more than 160 miles to Corpus Christi and beyond for essential services.
But that all changed on March 4, 2006, when the facility opened as the first freestanding children’s hospital in the four-county region.
“STHS Children’s didn’t just fill a critical gap, it transformed hope into reality for families across the Valley. By providing dedicated, around-the-clock emergency and specialized pediatric care, the hospital became a lifeline for parents who simply wanted their children to heal close to home,” says Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer of STHS Children’s & STHS Edinburg. “For Valley families, the facility has meant comfort, relief and the reassurance that expert care is right here where it’s needed most.”
Formerly known as Edinburg Children’s Hospital, the four-story, 86-bed facility features a 15-bed dedicated emergency department designed specifically for children and a 14-bed pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), which remain the largest of their kind in the Valley.
“Having a dedicated pediatric emergency department and PICU is essential to delivering the highest level of care for our youngest patients,” said Ames. “Children require specialized equipment, child-focused environments and clinicians trained exclusively in pediatric medicine. These specific units ensure that kids receive rapid, developmentally appropriate and compassionate care when it matters most.”
Two decades later, STHS Children’s has expanded into a comprehensive pediatric care provider, offering services that include pediatric emergency medicine, infectious disease, neurology and neurosurgery, cardiology, orthopedics and spine care, as well as pediatric gastroenterology.
To date, more than 300,000 children and their families have received quality, compassionate pediatric care from STHS Children’s.
“Behind every one of the children we’ve cared for is a remarkable team of specially trained nurses, physicians and staff who pour their hearts into their work every day,” said Ames. “They’re the steady hands, the comforting voices and the unwavering hope families rely on during their most difficult moments. This 20-year milestone is not just a measure of time, it’s a testament to their compassion, their expertise and to the countless families who have trusted STHS Children’s to care for what matters most.”
To commemorate 20 years of putting kids first, South Texas Health System Children’s will host a special community celebration on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the facility’s main parking lot.
The milestone event will reflect on two decades of exceptional pediatric care, honoring the all-star staff members and physicians whose dedication has helped establish STHS Children’s as a beacon of hope for families across the four-county region.
“For 20 years, STHS Children’s has stood as a place where compassion meets expertise, and where families know their children will be cared for with the highest level of dedication,” said Ames. “This celebration is not just about our history; it’s about honoring the countless families who have entrusted us with the care of their kids and the incredible team whose commitment continues to shape the future of pediatric care in the Valley.” The community celebration is open to the public. For complete details, visit the STHS Children’s Facebook Events page. If you’d like to RSVP to attend, please email STHSMarketing@uhsinc.com.
To learn more about the comprehensive pediatric services available at STHS Children’s, visit www.sthschildrens.com.
Who: South Texas Health System Children’s
What: 20th Anniversary Celebration
When: Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Where: Main Parking Lot South Texas Health System Children’s 1102 W. Trenton Rd. Edinburg, TX 78539
About South Texas Health System
South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system's South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.
