History

What is today Knapp Medical Center started as an idea in the mid-1950s. That’s when Weslaco citizens indicated in a Chamber of Commerce survey that they wanted a hospital to serve the Mid-Valley. What follows is a brief synopsis of how that idea grew into the hospital Knapp is today.

From Concept to Building to Expanding

Interest Expressed

• The Mid Valley Hospital Development Corporation was formed after the McAllen District of the United Methodist Church agreed to run the hospital if a structure was built. Volunteers from Donna, Mercedes, Edcouch-Elsa, Progreso, and Weslaco went to work to raise money.

Fundraising Begins

• The Knapp Foundation donated the first major gift of $300,000. The hospital was named after the Knapp family to recognize this generosity.
• Volunteers raised another $500,000 from among Mid Valley communities.
• This $800,000 was matched by a federal Hill-Burton grant to make the hospital a reality.

Hospital Opens and Expands

• Knapp Medical Center opened in Weslaco on January 2, 1962 as Knapp Memorial Methodist Hospital with 100 beds.
• In 1980, Knapp doubles in physical space and adds 80 rooms to the original 100.
• Under an amicable agreement, the long relationship between United Methodist Church and Knapp Memorial Methodist Hospital was dissolved in 1986, and the hospital was renamed to Knapp Medical Center.
• In 1990, Knapp grew by a third to add outpatient services and a new Emergency Room.
• Knapp acquired 15 acres of adjacent property in 1993 for future expansion after Weslaco voters approved an exchange for 50 acres in southwest Weslaco.

Hospital Grows Along with the Valley

• All inpatient, surgical and obstetrical services were moved into a six story tower with 233 inpatient beds in late 1995.
• The Hospice program accepted its first patient in late 1996
• A new Emergency Department was dedicated in May 2003.
• In 2004, a 32,000 square foot Conference Center was opened.
• Remodeling of the former E.R. space for an Outpatient Center was completed in 2006 followed by major renovations of Labor & Delivery and Pediatrics in 2007 and Postpartum, Nursery and Medical Units in 2010.

Knapp Today

Today, Knapp Medical Center is a 226-bed not-for-profit acute care hospital. Not-for-profit means that Knapp uses its income for operating expenses, retirement of debt and expansion of services.

Our Service Area

• Our Primary Service Area includes Donna east to La Feria and Monte Alto south to the Rio Grande River or what is referred to as the Mid-Valley.

Our Medical Team

• More than 200 physicians, all independent professional practitioners, serve on the Knapp Medical Staff.
• Knapp employs a total of approximately 1,000 people, and is one of Hidalgo County’s largest private employers.
• We also provide volunteer opportunities for more than 250 people.

Our Services

With a broad spectrum of patients, here are a few Knapp services:

• A 24-hour physician-staffed Emergency Department with a Level III Trauma designation
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• 16-bed Medical Intensive Care Unit
• General surgical services for both inpatients and outpatients
• A total of 52 cardiac monitored beds
• Pediatric unit
• Radiology services including MRI, CT, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound and Digital Mammography
• Hospice care services
• Rehabilitation services
• The Diabetes Center helps patients understand and manage their diabetes.

Knapp – A Recognized Leader

Throughout the years, Knapp has been recognized as one of the best healthcare facilities in the United States in the various areas we serve.

• 1998 Knapp Auxiliary won Texas Association of Hospital Auxiliaries Past President’s Award
• 2000Texas Hospital Association Community Service Award
• 2000American Society for Directors of Volunteers Services 2000 Extraordinary Program for Health Promotion
• 2005 Thompson Reuters Top 100 Hospitals Performance Improvement Leader
• 2009One of 25 hospitals nationwide to be recognized by Hospital and Health Networks Most Wired as “Most Improved” in information technology
• Training Center for American Heart Association’s Certification Programs: Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
• Through January 2012 Fully Accredited as a Provider of Continuing Medical Education (CME) by the Texas Medical Association
• Recipient of the 2011 HealthGrades® Maternity Care Excellence Award™ and Ranked among the Top 5% in the Nation for Maternity Care for 3 years in a row (2009-2011)
• Only Hospital in Region* to receive the HealthGrades Maternity Care Excellence Award™ in 2010/2011
• Five Star Rated for Maternity Care for 3 years in a row (2009-2011)
• Recipient of the 2011 HealthGrades® Joint Replacement Excellence Award™ and Ranked among the Top 10% in the Nation for Joint Replacement
• Five Star Rated for Joint Replacement (2011) and Total Knee Replacement for 3 years in a row (2009-2011)

*Region is the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX Census Bureau Statistical Area as defined by the federal government’s Office of Management and Budget