New Complex Care Medical Center For Williamson County January 23, 2008

When Seton Medical Center Williamson opens its doors to patients, it will bring not only advanced, modern equipment and healing design, but also excellence in leadership and staffing from the nationally-recognized Seton Family of Hospitals.

"Our intention is to bring the best of Seton's mission, vision, values and clinical excellence to an area that we know is underserved, " says SMCW President and CEO Mark Hazelwood. "Our operating plan is to provide a high level of complex care for a wide array of services. We also have a commitment to becoming the Family's fifth Magnet-designated hospital. With a highly experienced clinical and non-clinical staff, this goal is very achievable."

Four Seton hospitals have been awarded the coveted Magnet status, the highest possible recognition of nursing excellence from the American Nursing Association. These same hospitals also have been recognized for achieving excellence in patient safety by the Joint Commission, the federal organization that certifies hospitals across the nation. Clinicians involved in these types of initiatives will be working on the Seton Medical Center Williamson campus.

The building itself will combine high tech and high touch. "We believe we have built a beautiful hospital, but also one that is extremely functional not only for patients and their families but also for associates, physicians and volunteers," continues Mark. "It will be the first of Seton's adult hospitals to fully incorporate electronic medical records along with state-of-the-art capabilities for medical and surgical care. In addition to addressing each patient's particular injury or disease, we are committed to a more holistic approach that seeks to provide healing to the mind, body and spirit."

In addition to its chapel and consistent with evidence-based approaches for providing hospital services, healing gardens, multiple water features and other architectural design elements will help to reduce stress and improve clinical outcomes. Seton Medical Center Williamson will also use interactive television to provide information to patients and their families concerning their illness or injury. Space in the facility is dedicated for patient and family education. Classrooms will be used for disease prevention, chronic disease management and wellness classes in addition to continuing medical education for physicians and clinical staff. An adjacent integrated medicine center currently in development will include an epicurean kitchen to teach patients and family how to prepare food for patients after discharge. In addition, acupuncture, massage, Reiki and other alternative therapies will be available to complement traditional medical treatments.

"We expect medical education to be an important part of our commitment to the community. We are in the process of partnering with University of Texas medical schools and the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine to provide both medical and graduate medical education at SMCW. In this regard, Texas A&M plans to use $9 million granted by the Texas Legislature to construct a medical school campus just south of our hospital. Over time, we expect to be involved with faculty practices, residency programs and perhaps medical research. All of these actions are designed to leverage the talents, experience and wisdom of our physicians while also attracting great physicians to both live and work in our area," adds Mark.

"There is so much more that we want people to know about Seton Williamson. That's why we have created a series of events before it opens in addition to our Grand Opening Celebration. I hope everyone in the community will join us for at least one event."

Experience Seton Williamson Before It Opens

Seton Williamson focuses on creating positive and memorable experiences for patients, their families, our associates, physicians and volunteers. There are several different ways to experience the medical center before the Grand Opening, including several tours. To participate, please sign up for yourself and your party on our tour form.

Building for Better Health - January 28 (6:30 - 8 p.m.) This behind-the-scenes tour will focus on architecture, design and technology at the state-of-the-art facility.

Faith, Spirituality & Healing - January 29 (6:30 - 8 p.m.). A lecture and tour will explore how Seton Williamson incorporates faith and spirituality into the healing process.

Ignite Women's Health 5k and Services Tour - February 2 (5K: 8:30 am - noon; Family Fun Mile: 9:30 a.m.; Women's Services Tours: 10 a.m. - noon) The run culminates the several week training program Ignite Women's Health. It will be held on the hospital campus and followed by tours of our Women's Center. Family fun events such as Build-A-Bear giveaways and teddy bear clinic are scheduled.

Grand Opening Celebration and Public Open House

Join us for our Winter Wonderland February 7 from 4:30 - 8:30 p.m. Bring the whole family to enjoy the snow (yes, we will be providing snow!), then gather around our campfire and listen to live music by the Biscuit Brothers and Joe McDermott & the Smart Little Creatures. Refreshments will be available.

If you are there, ask for a button with a Web address that will allow you to download the special music from our Web site later and to view photographs of participants snapped by our roving photographers.

The evening will conclude with the Celebration of Lights, a spectacular lighting extravaganza that will use the hospital building as the backdrop.

Seton Williamson Programs & Services

Visit the Seton Medical Center Williamson Locations page at for a complete listing of programs and services, plus information on the building, design features and other details.

If you need assistance find a physician in the area, please call (512) 324-4444 or search online at www.seton.net/physician.

...