HOUSTON, TX (January 6, 2025) - Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, a member of CommonSpirit Health, announced today the launch of three transformative projects that represent investment in the future of the renowned hospital and commitment to delivering excellent care. Baylor St. Luke’s-McNair will relaunch inpatient rehabilitation services, Baylor St. Luke’s-Texas Medical Center will undergo renovation, and the McNair campus will expand patient capacity.

“Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center is home to some of the most groundbreaking advancements in health care and we are excited about setting the stage to advance our legacy of research, innovation and excellence,” said Brad Lembcke, MD, president of Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center. “These projects are fueled by CommonSpirit’s long-range strategy of local growth through investment in the communities in which we serve, ensuring patients have access to quality whole-person care that is close to home.”

McNair Campus Inpatient Rehab Center

The 30-bed inpatient rehabilitation unit at the McNair campus will begin accepting patients again in January,  expanding access to high-quality acute rehabilitation and recovery services in Greater Houston.

“Baylor St. Luke’s has a storied history of exceptional care and we are committed to building on our legacy of caring for patients in need of inpatient rehabilitation services,” said Dr. Lembcke.

The center will serve patients who suffer from conditions such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, complex neurological disorders, orthopedic injury, multiple traumas, amputation and other injuries or disorders.

Lifepoint Rehabilitation, a business unit of Lifepoint Health and the largest manager of hospital-based acute rehabilitation units in the country, will provide operational management services.

TMC Campus Renovation

Baylor St. Luke’s-TMC will undergo a four-year, $25 million cosmetic renovation project to make extensive upgrades that will enhance the quality of care and improve the environment. Phase one, scheduled for January 2025 through October 2026, focuses on a redesign of 58,000 square feet of the hospital’s main lobby, cafeteria, and three nursing units.

The hospital’s main lobby will undergo a complete transformation that will create a more welcoming and upscale environment. Patients and visitors will be greeted with an updated valet area and a spacious, soothing lobby featuring new flooring, ceilings, furniture, lighting, signage, artwork, and accent walls. A newly designed reception desk and visitor kiosk will provide a centralized point for information, streamlining the patient and visitor experience.

Downstairs, the cafeteria will also receive an extensive overhaul. The updated dining area will feature a full-service Starbucks, upgraded hot and cold food stations, an expanded beverage station, and new self-checkout kiosks. The redesigned space will offer a variety of seating options, including high-top tables, lounge seating, and bar seating, all set in a relaxed atmosphere enhanced by new lighting and sound systems.

Multiple nursing units will receive upgraded flooring, fresh paint colors, new wall protection, modern charting stations, and improved furniture and signage to enhance patient care and staff efficiency. Additional units will be renovated in later phases of the project.

McNair Campus Capacity Expansion

Baylor St. Luke’s aims to improve patient experience and the delivery of care by transitioning additional services from the TMC campus to the McNair campus. Starting in January, two floors of surgical care will make the move.

“The continued expansion of our McNair campus enhances our ability to provide excellent care, positive outcomes, and an outstanding experience to all who come to Baylor St. Luke’s,” said Dr. Lembcke. “In addition to modern conveniences and amenities for patients and guests, the McNair campus supports the latest cutting edge technology and is adaptable to future advancements.”

The McNair campus includes Tower One, an inpatient hospital tower, and the O’Quinn Medical Tower, an outpatient center that’s home to the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer center. Care will continue to be delivered at the Texas Medical Center campus as part of a two-campus strategy.

About Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center

Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, a member of CommonSpirit, is an 881-bed quaternary care academic medical center that is a joint venture between Baylor College of Medicine and St. Luke’s Health. Located in the Texas Medical Center, the hospital is the home of the Texas Heart Institute, a cardiovascular research and education institution founded in 1962 by Denton A. Cooley, MD. The hospital was the first facility in Texas and the Southwest designated a Magnet hospital for Nursing Excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, receiving the award four consecutive times. Baylor St. Luke’s also has three community emergency centers offering adult and pediatric care for the Greater Houston area.

About Lifepoint Rehabilitation

With 45 freestanding inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) and more than 250 hospital-based rehabilitation units, medical/surgical and outpatient therapy settings, Lifepoint Rehabilitation brings proven rehabilitation management and services expertise to help our patients recover and return home quickly from a number of conditions, including strokes, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopedic injuries, neurological conditions, amputations and trauma. Lifepoint Rehabilitation is a business unit of Brentwood, Tennessee-based Lifepoint Health.