HMH leaders outline plans for a modern facility focused on patient privacy, emergency care, and critical capacity.
As the Huntsville Memorial Hospital (HMH) bond election approaches, hospital leadership is highlighting some of the top-requested upgrades from the community—enhancements that will significantly improve patient care, comfort, and capacity. The new hospital will address current limitations by offering private rooms, expanded emergency services, and improved critical care capacity, better serving the growing needs of Walker County residents.
One of the most significant improvements will be the shift from semi-private to fully private patient rooms. Currently, many HMH rooms are shared by two patients, along with their families and medical equipment, creating challenges with privacy, comfort, and accessibility. This setup also falls short of the current post-pandemic standard of care, which prioritizes greater separation and safety.
“The new hospital will give every patient the dignity and privacy they deserve,” said Jose Guerra, HMH Chief Nursing Officer. “Private rooms provide a more comfortable environment for both patients and their families while also allowing our staff more space for equipment and care. This setup promotes a better healing experience overall.”
The Emergency Room (ER) will also undergo a major transformation. Unlike the current setup, where some treatment spaces are separated by curtains, the new hospital will feature 22 individual, fully enclosed ER rooms, reducing wait times and enhancing both patient privacy and infection control.
Additionally, all TDCJ correctional care will be treated in a totally separate, secured ER with its own entrance, ensuring correctional patients are entirely separated from the public Emergency Department.
“Private ER rooms mean patients will receive care in a more secure, quiet, and confidential setting,” said Ian Gibson, HMH Chief Operating Officer. “And by moving all correctional care into its own secured area, the public ER will be dedicated exclusively to community members, giving them the privacy and attention they deserve.”
The new hospital will also double the size of its Intensive Care Unit (ICU) from six to twelve beds, helping HMH care for more critically ill patients locally. With the current hospital often at full capacity, HMH is frequently forced to transfer patients to larger hospitals. This not only separates patients from their families but also results in lost revenue for HMH.
“Not having to send patients away due to overflow keeps them close to their loved ones during a critical time,” Gibson said. “It also strengthens the hospital financially. By keeping more patients here, we can generate additional revenue through a higher rent payment to the Walker County Hospital District, which will help offset the bond debt. This is a win-win for the hospital and the community.”
Some have questioned why HMH is pursuing a new facility rather than remodeling the existing one. Hospital leadership emphasizes that remodeling is neither feasible nor cost-effective. Expanding the current building to meet modern healthcare standards would be prohibitively expensive and still leave the facility lacking the space needed to meet growing demand.
“Remodeling simply isn’t a viable solution,” Gibson explained. “It would be cost-prohibitive to bring the current building up to today’s standards in both technology and comfort. More importantly, it would not allow us to expand capacity in the way our community needs.”
Walker County voters will decide on the bond election on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Early voting will take place from Tuesday, April 22 – Tuesday, April 29, 2025. Polls will be closed Monday, April 21 for San Jacinto Day. For more information about the bond and hospital plans, visit huntsvillememorial.com.
Residents can also stay updated and get involved through TORCH Alliance for Rural Healthcare – Huntsville, a local citizen-led PAC chaired by former County Judge Danny Pierce and his wife Cindy Pierce. The PAC’s website, yournewhospital.com, provides updates and opportunities for engagement, with Bill Green, former Huntsville mayor and retired economics professor, serving as treasurer.
