"A Vision for South Padre Island's Micro Hospital"

17/4/2020

Dr. Joe Ybarra and Mr. Sam Wilkinson shared their vision for a new, 100% privately financed micro-hospital on South Padre Island at a recent press conference.

Medically, SPI is unique. It has gaping service gaps for both young families and senior citizens. Many in our community of retirees cannot finish their retirement on our island because of a shortage of critical health care. At the other end of the age spectrum, an absence of pediatrics, OB-GYN, and family practice makes it difficult for young families.

Adding South Padre Island's first hospital would not only be historic but could catapult our community into opportunities for economic development and healthcare self-sufficiency.

If the micro-hospital becomes a reality, it could be a turning point that would expand the demographics of the island and could provide an environment where people of all ages can stay longer, comfortably, and safely throughout their lives.

"It's going to be very innovative, said Dr. Ybarra. It will be very appropriate for the time that we're living in with COVID-19. The island should be pleased with what's coming."

Teran Hughes, longtime owner of Island Fitness, has been an outspoken advocate for an on-island ER. "We have to do it even though it doesn't make economic sense. Our police and fire departments aren't profitable. We need to think about an ER the same way. It is about public safety. You are going to need an ER the moment that the traffic on the bridge is the worst."

Hughes was delighted to hear the news of the upcoming project of Padre's first hospital. "During key times of the year, when it gets hectic, there's a lot of people and a lot of traffic. In the summer, when all the family and visitors are here, this would be a great addition, creating a more economically viable future for Padre."

Hughes added that the micro-hospital could signal the start of promoting and marketing our island for long-term residence and long-term economy, instead of relying on tourism alone.

For any ER, coordination with the EMS system is critical. Fire Chief Jim Pigg's response to the building of the new hospital was positive, but specifically avoided the issue of an Emergency Room or micro-hospital. "The City of South Padre Island would welcome an urgent care facility that would provide healthcare for the wellbeing of our residents and visitors alike."

Although it's early along in this new project, "At this time, I am unaware of any commitments of funds or request for funds to facilitate this project. I believe it is too soon to (discuss) any coordination of patient care or transport protocols. When the appropriate time does approach, we will be excited to start the process of delivering the best patient care possible between our EMS system and the urgent care facility."

Mr. Samuel Wilkinson, with Wilkinson Financial, is handling the finance side of the project. Concerning EMS, Mr. Wilkinson said the ongoing plans ascertain the new hospital coordinates with the EMS. "We're going to be coordinating and working with the local EMS in taking (all of us) to the right place."

This project has been rapidly moving forward still despite COVID-19 thanks to video conferencing. "We are still finishing up the design phase. We've made a few adjudgments. We haven't submitted those plans yet to the city, because we are still working with our team," says Wilkinson. "We want to work closely with them and make sure they're on board with it. We want that feedback, when we get to that stage of making an initial design proposal. We'll have the conversations directly with the city council, with standard approval processes."

According to the press conference, the new hospital will be across the street from the fire station and 100% (privately) funded. "We may be building this, but we don't see this as our project. We see this as SPI's hospital, SPI's medical developments, and that ownership is of the island itself, even if they're not putting up the financial capital."

Although it is 100% privately financed, Wilkinson stated that "Based on our conversation with (some) city council members, they want to help us make it happen as quickly as we can.

"We've done feasibility studies and we've been very careful in analyzing it. It will begin in phases starting with the core services and then expand from there."

According to Ybarra, the hospital will bring quality healthcare to the island by providing access to a full range of specialty services, leverage advanced technology, and accept all forms of insurance.

As this story develops, spimedcenter.com will have a page that has contact information and post updates as they happen.