Mega Doctor News
For decades, families across the Rio Grande Valley lacked access to specialized pediatric care, often traveling more than 160 miles to Corpus Christi or beyond to meet their children’s medical needs.
The opening of South Texas Health System (STHS) Children’s in Edinburg changed that reality, immediately bringing highquality, specialized care closer to home for families across the four-county region.
“From the moment STHS Children’s opened, the facility became more than a hospital; it became a symbol of healing and hope for families across the Valley,” said Lance Ames, CEO of STHS Children’s & STHS Edinburg.“Twenty years later, that same spirit lives on. Our roundtheclock emergency and specialized pediatric care continue to be a lifeline for parents, offering comfort in their most vulnerable moments and the reassurance that compassionate, comprehensive care for their children is available right here at home.”
See the Gallery Below for more images of the event. All images courtesy of STHS:
Originally named Edinburg Children’s Hospital, the fourstory, 86bed facility includes a 15bed dedicated pediatric emergency department designed to deliver safe, effective and compassionate care that meets the unique physical, emotional and developmental needs of children. It also features a 14bed pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) tailored specifically for infants, children and adolescents facing lifethreatening injuries or illnesses. In 2025, STHS Children’s cared for more than 28,500 pediatric patients in its emergency department and delivered critical, lifesaving support to 620 young patients, each one a reminder of the hospital’s unwavering commitment to putting kids first.
“Our pediatric emergency department and PICU have been at the heart of countless stories of strength and healing,” said Ames. “These units have provided lifesaving interventions, comforted families in moments of uncertainty and ensured that children across the Valley receive the specialized, compassionate care they deserve. Their impact extends far beyond numbers, it represents lives changed, futures protected and hope restored.”
In the 20 years since its opening, STHS Children’s has grown into a comprehensive pediatric care leader, broadening its specialty services to encompass pediatric infectious disease, nephrology, neurology and neurosurgery, cardiology, orthopedics and spine care, pediatric gastroenterology and an everexpanding range of advanced pediatric specialties.
To date, more than 300,000 children and their families from Brownsville to Roma have received quality,compassionate pediatric care of STHS Children’s, each one becoming part of the facility’s 20year story of healing and hope.
“Behind every child we’ve had the privilege to care for stands an extraordinary team of specially trained nurses, physicians and staff, dedicated individuals who give not just their skill, but their whole hearts, every single day,” said Ames. “They are the steady hands families cling to, the calming voices that provide heartfelt support in moments of fear, and the unwavering hope that carries parents through their darkest hours. This 20year milestone is far more than the passage of time, it’s a powerful tribute to their compassion, dedication and to the countless families who have entrusted STHS Children’s with what matters most.”
To commemorate 20 years of putting kids first, South Texas Health System Children’s hosted a special community celebration on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, reflecting on the facility’s two decades of exceptional pediatric care. The milestone event featured participation from STHS Children’s leaders and physicians, along with the reading of a special proclamation issued by Edinburg Mayor Omar Ochoa and the Edinburg City Council recognizing the facility’s rich 20year history.
Additionally, the event honored the allstar staff members and physicians whose dedication has helped establish STHS Children’s as a beacon of hope for families across the fourcounty region, including three of the 50plus employees who continue to serve at the facility two decades after helping launch it.
“For 20 years, STHS Children’s has stood as a trusted partner to families across the Valley, delivering expert pediatric care grounded in compassion and hope,” Ames said. “This milestone celebration not only honors the community that has supported us, but also the dedicated team members who give their all each day to ensure children receive the highquality care they deserve. As we look to the future, our commitment remains unwavering. We will continue to expand, innovate and stand ready to support Valley families whenever they need us most.”
To learn more about the comprehensive pediatric services available at STHS Children’s, visitwww.sthschildrens.com.
