Chartered in 1955, Methodist Hospital is the pioneer facility of the now world-renowned South Texas Medical Center. Opened in 1963, Methodist Hospital has grown to be the flagship facility of the Methodist Healthcare System, San Antonio’s largest and most preferred health care provider. Methodist Hospital maintains this excellent reputation with a commitment to the hospital’s value statement that defines quality as meeting the customer’s needs by exceeding their expectations. With 672 beds, Methodist Hospital offers a broad range of specialties including cardiology, oncology, emergency medicine, neurosciences, maternity care, gynecology and orthopedics.

Hospital Highlights

• A groundbreaking ceremony was held in 1960 that included a mock nuclear explosion that marked the beginning of construction of the world’s first “nuclear disaster proof” hospital. Methodist Hospital has many other “firsts” in its 40-year history, including being the birthplace of the first baby born in South Texas that was created through in-vitro fertilization, first South Texas hospital to install a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine, and first in South Texas to perform cochlear implant surgery for the profoundly deaf.
• The Women’s Pavilion at Methodist Hospital takes a family-centered approach to maternity care with a comprehensive range of obstetrical and gynecological services. The Women’s Pavilion welcomes more than 7,000 newborns annually—more than any other hospital in San Antonio. The unit features 24 labor/delivery/recovery rooms, including deluxe private suites with sitting areas for family members. At Methodist Hospital, all obstetrical nurses are specially trained in fetal heart monitoring to help them quickly identify and respond to signs of fetal distress. A 46-bed neonatal intensive care unit, has board-certified on-site intensive care physicians. Construction is under way to expand the unit to 78 beds. For more information on Methodist Women’s Services, please visit our Web site at SAWomensHealth.net.
• Methodist Hospital performs more back and neck (neurology-related) operations each year than any other hospital in Texas. The Texas Neurosciences Institute at Methodist Hospital combines physician experience and expertise with a wide variety of resources, specialized personnel and advanced equipment. Texas Neurosciences Institute physicians offer a comprehensive program to patients with brain and spinal cord illnesses and injuries. Connected to Methodist Hospital via a covered walkway, this six-story facility includes physician offices, an imaging and diagnostic center, research library, rehabilitation and other health care services.
• Since 1981, thousands of South Texans with cancer have relied upon the hope, teamwork and advanced technology provided by Methodist Cancer Services. The program represents a multidisciplinary approach to treatment of the patient with cancer and continues to be primarily concerned with the emotional, social and spiritual life of cancer patients while providing comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic services to meet their medical needs. The Hematology/Oncology/Transplant Clinic is newly renovated and allows patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment to remain out of the hospital as much as possible. In 2005, Methodist Healthcare’s Cancer Services received a prestigious three-year commendation after a comprehensive survey by the American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer.
• The Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit opened at Methodist Hospital in 1990. Since then, it has led the way in performing and advancing bone marrow stem cell transplants in South and Central Texas. The program is certified by the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) as the Regional Bone Marrow Collection Center since 1992 and an NMDP transplant center in 1996. It was the first program in North America accredited by the Foundation for the Accreditation of Cell Therapy. In 1999, the program became part of the Texas Transplant Institute.
• Methodist Hospital offers many advanced imaging technologies that provide clear, detailed x-rays so physicians can diagnose and treat their patients’ diseases. These tools include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 3T magnetic resonance imaging, computerized tomography (CT), positron emmission tomography (PET), cerebral angiography and picture arching and communications system (PACS). PACS captures images through the computer instead of on x-ray film. As a result, physicians with the PACS software installed on their computers can view x-rays in their office, from several locations within the hospital and even from home, providing faster and more convenient access to their patients’ x-rays.
• Methodist Hospital was among the first hospitals to begin offering prostate brachytherapy in 1989. Prostate brachytherapy involves the surgical implantation of radioactive seeds, which deliver a maximum dose of radiation to cancer cells while minimizing the impact on surrounding tissue. Each year, more than 100 men from all over Texas, the U.S. and the world turn to Methodist Hospital for brachytherapy.
• The Gamma Knife Center at Methodist Hospital* is among the most advanced technologies available to treat vascular malformations, tumors, functional disorders and Trigeminal Neuralgia. The Gamma Knife is not a knife at all, but a device that directs 201 focused beams of radiation at the target area, allowing doctors to treat tumors without opening the brain or risking damage to delicate tissues. The 20-ton Gamma Knife can destroy deep-seated vascular malformations and brain tumors previously considered inoperable. For more information, please call (210) 575-6575, or toll-free 1-866-280-0304.
• Excellence in bariatric surgery. Methodist Hospital and Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital* have earned the designation, “Center of Bariatric Surgery Excellence” from the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. A rigorous series of site inspections examined all aspects of the surgical weight loss program,ranking the program among the top in the nation.
• The Methodist Wound Care Center features San Antonio’s largest hyperbaric chamber. Beginning in 1979, Methodist Hospital was the first civilian hospital to offer the technology at Methodist Plaza. This therapy has been proven to speed the healing process for hard-to-heal wounds, such as those caused by diabetes, poor circulation, burns and infections. The chambers also are used to treat victims of undersea diving accidents and carbon monoxide poisoning. The center was founded by Jefferson C. Davis, MD, who pioneered research in hyperbaric medicine while serving in the US Air Force. Dr. Davis is known inthe medical community as the “father of hyberbaric medicine.”
• Along with your physician, the Palliative Care Team at Methodist Hospital provides comfort and support to individuals and families facing a serious illness. The team offers sympathy, understanding and guidance through what maybe a frightening time. This specially-trained team of professionals includes physicians, nurses, caseworkers and chaplains who treat the patient and family as one unit, offering emotional support as well as pain management.
• Special Amenity Suites at Methodist Hospital are available on the tenth floor of Methodist Hospital. Known as “10 South,” these 2 room/2 bath suites offer a wide range of exclusive amenities including an elegant reception/conference area, private dining with a gourmet menu, a business center and access to the Chapel in the Sky. Another special amenities suite located on 5-North isavailable for patients undergoing gastric bypass surgery or other major surgeries.The suite includes a separate sitting area and bathroom to accommodate an overnight guest, high-speed Internet access, DVD player and refrigerator.
• Before Methodist Hospital opened in 1963, the Blue Bird Auxiliary became a chartered organization in 1961 and began working to make the dream of having a Methodist Hospital a reality for San Antonio. Over the past 40 years, the BlueBirds have collectively given 5 million volunteer hours (about 125,000 a year) to the patients and staff at Methodist Hospital and donated more than $4.5million to the hospital for equipment and programs. The Blue Birds operate the Methodist Hospital gift shop, beauty salon and a thrift store. The proceeds go toward college scholarships for students going into the medical field.