Mega Doctor News
EDINBURG, Texas – Access to quality healthcare is more than a convenience; it’s a lifeline. From preventive screenings and routine care to the management of complex medical conditions, timely access to healthcare plays a critical role in helping people live longer, healthier lives.
In medically underserved communities, however, access to care can be limited by geographic barriers, provider shortages and higher rates of chronic disease.
In the Rio Grande Valley, economic disparities and limited healthcare resources have created significant challenges in accessing care, resulting in Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties all being designated as medically underserved areas.
Poverty rates across the region range from 25.3% to 32.8%, according to U.S. Census data, while nearly 30% of residents lack health insurance, far exceeding the statewide average.
These barriers can delay preventive care, disease diagnosis and treatment, leading to poorer health outcomes and a greater burden of chronic illness. As a result, access to comprehensive, high-quality healthcare services close to home is especially critical for Valley residents, helping improve quality of life, strengthen community health and, in some cases, save lives.
Despite the challenges associated with providing healthcare in a medically underserved region, South Texas Health System (STHS) Edinburg continues to deliver exceptional care to Valley residents.
For the third consecutive year, STHS Edinburg has been named a Best Regional Hospital for Community Access by U.S. News & World Report. One of just 73 hospitals nationwide and among less than 2% of facilities evaluated to receive the distinction, STHS Edinburg was recognized for delivering high-quality care to patient populations that reflect the racial, ethnic and socioeconomic diversity of the communities it serves.
“Being recognized as a Best Regional Hospital for Community Access for the third consecutive year is a tremendous honor and a reflection of our unwavering commitment to the people of the Valley,” said Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Edinburg and STHS Children’s. “In a region where access to healthcare can be a significant challenge, our physicians, nurses and staff work every day to ensure patients receive the high-quality, compassionate care they need close to home. We are proud to help break down barriers to care, expand access to advanced services and improve health outcomes for the diverse communities we serve.”
Along with being one of only five hospitals in Texas to earn the distinction, STHS Edinburg is the only hospital in the Valley recognized for its success in providing substantial access to high-quality care for historically underserved populations.
To earn the 2026-2027 Best Regional Hospital for Community Access designation, STHS Edinburg and the 72 other recognized hospitals were required to meet at least two key criteria demonstrating their commitment to serving diverse and underserved populations.
These measures included providing a significant proportion of inpatient care to patients from socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, delivering elective care to diverse patient populations and caring for a substantial percentage of Medicaid beneficiaries. The designation reflects a hospital’s ability to provide high-quality care while expanding access to healthcare services for individuals and families who may face barriers to care.
“Improving the health and well-being of the people of the Valley is at the heart of everything we do,” said Ames. “This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring patients have access to the high-quality, compassionate care they need close to home. We are proud to serve our communities and remain dedicated to advancing healthcare access and improving outcomes across the region.”
In 2022, STHS Edinburg expanded its ability to serve the growing healthcare needs of the Rio Grande Valley with the opening of a $105 million patient tower that more than doubled the size of the hospital. The expansion added a new cardiac catheterization laboratory to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions, expanded laboratory services for more efficient diagnostic testing, and enhanced emergency, intensive care and rehabilitation services.
Part of STHS, the largest integrated healthcare network in the Valley, STHS Edinburg continues to set the standard for quality, access and patient-centered care. In addition to earning the Best Regional Hospital for Community Access designation for the third consecutive year, the facility was recently named a Best Regional Hospital by U.S. News & World Report for the fifth consecutive year.
To learn more about the award-winning care and comprehensive services available at STHS Edinburg, visit www.sthsedinburg.com.
