Happy 10th birthday, McLane Children's!

Reflecting on a decade of healing and hope at Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Medical Center.

This fall, McLane Children’s celebrated a very special birthday—ten years of babies graduating from the NICU, children ringing the bell at the end of chemotherapy, teenagers dreaming about their futures, and many other moments of joy and healing.

Since the opening of the freestanding hospital in 2011 on the former King’s Daughters hospital campus, McLane Children’s has cared for tens of thousands of children—not only saving, but changing lives.

The facility is named in honor of a generous gift by local businessman Drayton McLane, Jr., his wife Elizabeth, and their sons’ families. Mr. McLane’s dedication to Baylor Scott & White stretches back to the 1970s when he joined the Scott & White board of directors. He served as chairman of the board for 14 years and was deeply involved in establishing the freestanding children’s hospital.

“Children are magic,” Mr. McLane says. “The joy of seeing this hospital and the impact it has had is just immeasurable. I like to borrow a phrase I learned from my time being involved with a major league baseball team. The players would say the hardest thing was playing so many games back to back, day after day; but, win or lose, there were only two words you needed to remember: hope and tomorrow. And I think that’s what McLane Children’s gives—hope for kids who need healing, and the help parents need to prepare their children for tomorrow.”

Thriving in a Small Town

The level of pediatric care offered at McLane Children’s is unusual because most children’s hospitals are in large cities. The facility is the only pediatric specialty hospital in rural Texas.

“I always refer to us as the hidden gem of Central Texas,” says Dell Ingram-Walker, vice president and chief operating officer for McLane Children’s. “People don’t realize how much we have available at our facility. For example, we have a Level IV NICU—the highest level in our state—so we can take care of the tiniest babies. We have a Level II Trauma Center, so we can care for a child and their family at what is possibly one of the worst moments in their life. We are Magnet designated, the gold standard in nursing, which means our nurses are the best and brightest and work hard to provide a higher quality of care for our patients. Things you would normally see in major cities are right here in Temple.”

In fact, part of the hospital’s success lies in its centralized location between Dallas and Austin. “When time is of the essence for a child, getting them the appropriate care quickly can make all the difference in both the short term and long term outcome,” says Dr. Dominic Lucia, chief medical officer for McLane Children’s. “That’s one of many reasons this resource is so important to families in Central Texas.”

McLane Children's starMcLane Children’s has earned multiple designations and certifications:

Level IV NICU
We are one of only 22 NICUs in the state of Texas to achieve this highest designation.

Gold Level Safe Sleep Certified
This award by Cribs for Kids recognizes hospitals that model and teach infant safe sleep best practices.

 

Level II Pediatric Trauma Center
We are able to care for the most serious pediatric trauma cases

Magnet® Recognized
As part of the Temple region, we are one of less than 8% of hospitals nationwide to earn this international award for nursing excellence.


A Team Effort

McLane Children’s growth and many achievements are also due in no small part to the skills and compassionate care of its staff. The hospital boasts 220 providers working alongside pediatric nurses and specially trained support staff.

“I get fired up about the staff,” says Mr. McLane. “They are excited about the work they do, and it’s contagious. They are what’s making this work. The executives, the physicians, the nurses, the front desk workers—it’s everyone coming together. You can’t do it without every one of them.”

Donors Made it Possible

“McLane Children’s is a true testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together,” says Jana Sharpley, president for the Baylor Scott & White Central Texas Foundation. “Thousands of donors of all ages shared our vision for even greater excellence in pediatric healthcare. They created this hospital through their incredible generosity, and their gifts continue to support each and every child and family who turns to McLane Children’s for care.”

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The Future is Bright

Texas leads the nation in population growth, and approximately 86 percent of the population in Texas lives in counties along and to the east of I-35. As the region grows, the specialists at McLane Children’s are prepared for new health challenges, whether for a community of children or a single patient.

“We have amazing ease of access from both north and south on I-35, with low traffic and a laid-back atmosphere, which helps us attract both patients and physicians,” Dr. Lucia says. “We have tremendous opportunity for growth not only geographically, but also expanding our service lines and capabilities.”

“Our family is so proud to be part of this hospital,” Mr. McLane says. “Mclane Children’s has grown larger and faster than any of us thought it would. It’s become a magnet, and I think its potential is unlimited.”

Learn More

To learn more about how you can support McLane Children's, please contact Lori Luppino at 254-899-3771.


 

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