The University of Texas System Board of Regents has approved a transformative $300 million expansion project at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health) League City Hospital Campus, a major step that will broaden access to high-quality emergency and inpatient care across the rapidly growing Bay Area region.
The multiphase project, which is expected to be fully completed by 2030 with services opening as each phase is finished, will expand emergency services, increase inpatient capacity, and strengthen diagnostic and treatment capabilities to meet rising demand for care in the region. At the heart of the expansion is the construction of a new 40-bed Emergency Department, designed to improve patient throughput and access to emergency services.
"The Regents and I are very proud of the extraordinary role UTMB plays in offering world-class health care to the coastal communities," said UT System Chancellor John M. Zerwas, MD. "The board’s action is one example of that. We congratulate President Reiser and the entire UTMB clinical team for ensuring that more Texans will have access to their great care."
The hospital expansion will bring new advanced diagnostic imaging capabilities for both inpatient and emergency settings, including MRI, CT, ultrasound, and fluoroscopy. In addition, new inpatient and outpatient procedural imaging will further strengthen diagnostic precision and treatment efficiency.
“This expansion represents a major investment in the health and well-being of League City and the surrounding communities,” said Dr. Jochen Reiser, UTMB President and CEO of the UTMB Health System. “As our region continues to grow, so does the need for timely access to advanced emergency and inpatient care. This project ensures we are not only keeping pace with that growth
but leading with innovation, efficiency, and an unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care.”
The project also includes expansion of the inpatient pharmacy to optimize medication management and renovated laboratory spaces to improve workflow and diagnostic efficiency.
The existing 17-bed Emergency Department will be converted into a 20-bed Observation Unit to enhance patient flow and support appropriate levels of care. Administrative offices, training facilities and the outpatient rehabilitation clinic will be relocated to newly constructed space, allowing the vacated areas to be transformed into a new 20-bed Medical-Surgical Unit.
The League City Hospital Campus, located at 2240 Interstate 45, opened in 2016 as League City’s first hospital and complemented the existing UTMB outpatient and specialty clinics. A major expansion, which added a five-story patient tower and 60-new beds, was completed in 2020.
Reiser said this Phase 3 expansion of the hospital emphasizes the long-term investment by UTMB in the region.
“UTMB has proudly served our local communities for generations,” Reiser said. “This expansion strengthens our ability to deliver high-quality, coordinated care close to home, ensuring that families have access to the advanced services they need today and in the decades ahead.”