18’ Foot Legacy Oak Tree to Symbolize the Branching Out of Quality Methodist Healthcare to North Central San Antonio

WHAT:

The dream of a modern, full-service hospital in North Central San Antonio which began nearly two decades ago will be realized on Monday, March 9 with ribbon cutting ceremonies officially opening Methodist Stone Oak Hospital, the Hospital of the Future. As the first full-service hospital built in San Antonio this century, Methodist Stone Oak Hospital is where high tech and high touch come together. The design for the hospital reflects the need to think differently about how hospitals are organized in response to the rapid evolution in the ways patients are diagnosed and treated. The hospital opens with 100 patient beds and an additional 28 private emergency treatment rooms with the potential to grow to a 350-bed facility. All rooms are private with complimentary valet parking for patients and their families. Services include a 24/7 emergency department staffed by board-certified physicians; an acute care facility offering services for cardiology, neurosurgery, general surgery, orthopedics, oncology and critical care; and women’s services, including labor and delivery. Methodist Stone Oak Hospital is the first hospital in the nation to open as an Accredited Hispanic Healthcare Hospital, a prestigious designation from the Country of Mexico.

The opening of Methodist Stone Oak Hospital has provided an important economic stimulus for North Central San Antonio, adding new jobs and serving as an impetus for the development of medical and office buildings and retail establishments. Community leaders anticipate the new hospital to be a leader in the continued economic vitality of the area.

WHEN:

Monday, March 9 at 10 a.m.

WHERE:

Methodist Stone Oak Hospital, 1139 E. Sonterra Boulevard, located west of Highway 281 and north of Loop 1604

WHO:

Dean Alexander, Chief Executive Officer, Methodist Stone Oak Hospital

The Honorable Nelson Wolff, Bexar County Judge

The Honorable Louis Rowe, San Antonio City Council, District 9

VISUALS AND INTERVIEWS:

• Dean Alexander will join Rev. Jerry Jay, chairman of the Methodist Stone Oak Hospital Community Board; Vernon Benson, M.D., hospital chief of staff, and members of senior management in cutting colorful ceremonial ribbons that will allow a huge crane to lower the 18-foot legacy oak tree into the ground. The tree symbolizes the branching out of quality Methodist Healthcare to North Central San Antonio and the strong commitment to future growth to serve area families for generations to come. The tree will be planted in front of the hospital and will provide an excellent visual.
• Hospital officials and community leaders will be available for interviews on the economic impact that the opening of Methodist Stone Oak Hospital has already had and will continue to have on the San Antonio area. The opening is stimulating economic growth that will enable San Antonio to continue to be a bright spot in the nation’s economy.
• Brooks Koronczok, the first baby born at the new hospital, and his parents, Kristen and Steve Koronczok, will be available for interviews. Brooks was born on February 25, during the hospital’s “soft opening” period. Even though the couple moved to Houston a couple of years ago, Mrs. Koronczok wanted her San Antonio physician, Gil Villanueva, M.D., to provide her prenatal care and deliver her first baby.
• Burr oak seedlings will be given to all attendees. Burr oaks are indigenous to the Stone Oak area.
• Tours of the hospital will also be available for media who wish to get videotaped footage and photos.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Shirley Wills, 822-2378/365-4488 (cell)

Palmira Arellano, 210-575-0172

JoAnn King, 210-575-0171