KYLE, Texas - (April 8, 2008) - Leaders with the Seton Family of Hospitals, City of Kyle and Hays County were joined by area religious, business and other surrounding city and county government officials on April 8 at a special "ground blessing" ceremony for the new Seton Medical Center Hays.
During the ceremony, which featured a Seton Family Tree theme, city and county representatives placed a specially-crafted leaf -- a symbol of the involvement they will have with the future of the hospital-- on a handmade 6'x6' oak tree sculpture. This unique piece of art was handcrafted by local artist and Seton associate Joshua Farrell.
Bishop Gregory Aymond with the Diocese of Austin blessed the site and Hays County Judge Elizabeth Sumter proclaimed it "Seton Medical Center Hays Day" in Hays County.
"As a community ministry with more than 100 years of service to Central Texas, the Seton family has always considered it our responsibility to provide health care services to all the people of this region," Charles Barnett, President and CEO of Seton explained. "As Central Texas continues to grow, we have a responsibility to be accessible in Hays County and to provide the same level of care that is delivered throughout the Seton Family of Hospitals."
"We are proud that Seton and the City of Kyle have come together to create such a bright future, not only for Kyle, but also for Hays County," said Tom Mattis, Kyle City Manager. "Our City is the epicenter of the most significant growth corridor in Texas and we continue to demonstrate to potential developers that Kyle provides the best opportunity to reach the widest range of new people and customers. An exciting project of this scope, with such a reputable organization as Seton, will be a huge step forward in accomplishing our goal to become a full-service community where citizens can live, play and work."
The 307,000-square-foot Seton Medical Center Hays facility, scheduled to open in late 2009, will be constructed at the corner of I-35 and Kyle Parkway. The first phase of the campus will include 112-beds (with an additional 32 shelled beds ready for expansion as needed) offering a full range of medical services. Ultimately, the facility will have the ability to expand to approximately 210 beds.
Seton is proud to have four hospitals – the only hospitals in Central Texas - that have earned the