University Medical Center of El Paso: A Comprehensive Overview

University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC) stands as a vital healthcare institution in the El Paso community. As a non-profit, public hospital, UMC is deeply rooted in serving the needs of the city's residents, regardless of their ability to pay. This commitment is reflected in its history, its wide array of services, and its dedication to education and community partnerships.

Location and Contact Information

Located at 4815 Alameda Ave, El Paso, TX 79930, University Medical Center of El Paso is a cornerstone of healthcare in the region.

A History of Service

The story of UMC began in 1915 with the opening of El Paso General Hospital in a small, two-story adobe building. Just a year later, it moved to its current location on Alameda Avenue, thanks to the fundraising efforts of local residents. In the 1950s, the community demonstrated its commitment to quality healthcare by creating the El Paso County Hospital District. This involved a self-imposed tax to ensure the availability of services, particularly for the neediest residents. This led to the construction of the modern facility, originally named R.E. Thomason Hospital. On July 13, 2009, it officially became University Medical Center of El Paso.

Further solidifying its commitment, UMC completed a significant expansion and renovation project in 2011. This included upgrades to the Level 1 Trauma Center & Emergency Department, critical care units, and nursing units, transforming them into state-of-the-art, all-private rooms. In 2012, UMC spearheaded the construction of the El Paso Children’s Hospital, the region’s only dedicated pediatric hospital. In 2016, El Paso Children’s Hospital officially became a subsidiary of UMC. Furthermore, in 2013, UMC launched a plan to expand its Neighborhood Healthcare Centers throughout El Paso, aiming to improve access to care for more residents.

Organizational Structure and Oversight

University Medical Center of El Paso operates under the El Paso County Hospital District. It is overseen by a seven-member Board of Managers, appointed by El Paso's County Judge and Commissioners. This board sets policies for UMC and its outpatient facilities and is responsible for hiring the hospital's Chief Executive Officer.

Comprehensive Clinical Services

UMC is a general hospital, offering a wide range of medical services. As a Level 1 Trauma Center, it provides critical care for the most severe injuries and is the only Level 1 trauma facility within a 250-mile radius of El Paso. The hospital also features a busy Emergency Department, handling approximately 71,624 visits annually.

Key statistics highlighting UMC's service volume include:

Number of beds: 293
Number of bassinets: 40
Average daily census: 269
Annual births: 2,080
Annual admissions: 15,518
Annual inpatient surgeries: 4,899
Annual outpatient surgeries: 4,278
Annual number of Medicare discharges: 4,505
Annual number of Medicaid discharges: 3,100
Annual non-ED outpatient visits: 910,798

UMC provides a variety of specialized clinical resources, including:

Cardiac ICU (12 beds)
Medical Surgical ICU (30 beds)
Pediatric ICU
Neonatal ICU
Burn care
Physical rehabilitation
Psychiatric care
Hospice

The hospital also offers advanced diagnostic capabilities with MRI services.

Specialized Care for Women and Infants

UMC's commitment to women's health is evident in its Mother/Baby division, located in the Women's Pavilion. This facility offers complete Labor and Delivery Services in private rooms, promoting family bonding through liberal visiting hours. As a regional referral center for high-risk pregnancies, UMC delivers a significant portion of babies born in El Paso each year.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Accessible Outpatient Services

Recognizing the importance of accessible care, UMC operates Neighborhood Healthcare Centers throughout El Paso County. These primary care centers aim to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits by providing comprehensive outpatient services, including:

Primary care (internal medicine, family practice, pediatrics, geriatrics)
Specialty care for chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension)
Therapies for osteoporosis and stroke patients
Outpatient Rehab (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy)
Family Planning
Infusion (chemotherapy)
Pharmacy
Laboratory
Radiology

In fiscal year 2015, these centers saw over 89,000 visits, demonstrating their significant role in the community's healthcare landscape.

Commitment to Education and Training

UMC serves as the primary teaching site for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. This affiliation dates back to 1973 when Texas Tech established a Regional Academic Health Sciences Center on the UMC campus. Resident physicians receive post-graduate training at UMC in various specialties, including:

Family Practice
Anesthesiology
Psychiatry
Internal Medicine
Pediatrics
Surgery
Emergency Medicine
Orthopedic Surgery
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Radiology

UMC and Texas Tech also collaborate on fellowship programs in Radiology, Nephrology, Sports Medicine, Cardiology, and Gastroenterology.

In addition to Texas Tech, UMC has affiliation agreements with other educational institutions in the region, including the University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso Community College, Texas Tech University Health Science at El Paso, New Mexico State University, and Sul Ross State University. These partnerships provide clinical training opportunities for students in nursing and allied health careers.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Financial Assistance and Community Support

UMC's mission is to serve all who seek help, regardless of their ability to pay. As a result, the hospital provides significant financial assistance to people in need. In fiscal year 2015, UMC provided $354 million in uncompensated care to the uninsured and working poor population in El Paso. This commitment to the community is particularly important given El Paso's status as one of the largest, yet poorest, cities in Texas.

The UMC Foundation actively supports the hospital's mission through fundraising and community engagement. Recent initiatives include:

A $60,000 donation from El Paso Health to sponsor the Car Seat Safety Program, providing free car seat inspections and education.
A $100,000 gift from Dr. Moeen Abedin to name the Zainul and Karuna Abedin Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratory.
The Second Annual Soirée Serenade at the Vineyard, raising funds for the UMC Foundation’s Cancer Care Fund.

Nursing Excellence

The Nursing Division at UMC is committed to providing exceptional, compassionate, evidence-based care. Nurses are recognized as patient advocates, ensuring that each individual is treated with respect and dignity. Shared governance empowers nurses to make decisions that support excellent patient care. UMC also supports professional development through various programs and awards. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) has designated UMC with Pathway to Excellence status, recognizing its commitment to creating a positive work environment for nurses.

C.A.R.E.S. Values

UMC is guided by its C.A.R.E.S. values:

Accountability: Using resources wisely and completing tasks without waste.
Excellence in Service: Conducting themselves with the highest ethical standards and integrity, reflected in their actions and appearance.
Respect: Treating each patient with respect and dignity.
Safety: Maintaining a safe and accident-free work environment.

Recognition and Achievements

University Medical Center of El Paso has received several accolades, including being a three-time designee as one of America's Top 100 Hospitals. The White House has also designated UMC as the hospital where the President, Vice President, and former Presidents of the United States will be treated should they require medical care while traveling in the region.

Controversies

In July 2014, the ACLU reported that a woman settled a suit with UMC over a cavity search. On Dec. 8, 2012, an American citizen was crossing the border to return home to the US and Customs and Border Protection officers stopped her. She presented her passport to them and did not have any illegal drugs or contraband. She was then taken into custody and repeatedly searched in an increasingly intrusive manner. According to court documents, despite no evidence of drugs, the agents placed tape on (her) legs and abdomen, handcuffed her, and transported her to the University Medical Center (the “Hospital”) in El Paso where two male doctors forced a pelvic exam, a rectal exam and an x-ray on her which she did not consent to, in front of other hospital personnel.

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