View source for Texas Medical Center

{{Distinguish|text=[[Memorial Hermann–Texas Medical Center]], a hospital in the neighborhood}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Texas Medical Center
| settlement_type    = Neighborhood
| image_skyline      = Aerial view of Texas Medical Center.jpg
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = Aerial view of the Texas Medical Center's main campus looking south from [[Hermann Park]]. [[Brays Bayou]] is visible at the top of the image.
| coordinates        = {{Coord|29.7061789|N|95.408837|W}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|United States}}
| subdivision_type1  = State
| subdivision_type2  = County
| subdivision_type3  = City
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Texas}}
| subdivision_name2  = [[Harris County, Texas|Harris]]
| subdivision_name3  = {{flag|Houston}}
| established_title  = Institution created
| established_date   = 1945
| government_type    = [[Non-profit]] corporation
| governing_body     = Texas Medical Center Corporation
| area_total_sq_mi   = 4.93
| area_blank1_title  = TMC campus|
| area_blank1_sq_mi  = 2.10
| population_total   = 20866
| population_as_of   = 2012
| population_footnotes = 
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| population_note    = Figures for the combined Medical Center / Astrodome super neighborhood.
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code        = 77030
| area_codes          = [[Area codes 281, 346, 713, and 832|281, 346, 713, 832]]
| website            = {{official URL}}
}}
The '''Texas Medical Center''' ('''TMC''') is a [[List of neighborhoods in Houston|neighborhood]] in south-central [[Houston]], Texas, United States. It is immediately south of the [[Houston Museum District|Museum District]] and west of [[Texas State Highway 288]].

Over 60 medical institutions, largely concentrated in a triangular area between [[Brays Bayou]], [[Rice University]], and [[Hermann Park]], are members of the Texas Medical Center Corporation—a [[Nonprofit organization|non-profit]] umbrella organization—which constitutes the largest medical center and life science destination in the world. As the world's largest medical center, it is also nicknamed as the ''"Medical Mini-City"''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beyer |first=Scott |title=The Texas Medical Center: Houston's Medical Mini-City |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottbeyer/2015/12/11/the-texas-medical-center-houstons-medical-mini-city/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> The TMC has the world's highest density of clinical facilities for patient care, basic [[biomedical sciences]], and [[translational research]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2016 |title=Facts and Figures |url=http://www.tmc.edu/about-tmc/facts-and-figures/ |access-date=2017-09-17 |website=Texas Medical Center Corporation}}</ref><ref>[http://energy.gov/articles/world-s-largest-medical-center-now-among-most-energy-efficient The World’s Largest Medical Center is Now Among the Most Energy Efficient | Department of Energy]. Energy.gov (2011-05-18). Retrieved on 2013-09-06.</ref><ref>[http://www.mastersinhealthcare.com/blog/2011/10-most-prestigious-medical-centers-in-the-world/ 10 Most Prestigious Medical Centers in the World]. Masters in Health Care (2011-04-17). Retrieved on 2013-09-06.</ref> The neighborhood is {{Convert|2.1|mi2|km2|adj=on}}.<ref name=":0" />

The Texas Medical Center employs over 106,000 people, hosts 10 million patient encounters annually, and has a [[gross domestic product]] of US$25 billion.<ref name=":0" /> Over the decades, the TMC has expanded south of Brays Bayou toward [[NRG Park]] and the organization has developed plans for a new "innovation campus" south of the river.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://urbanedge.blogs.rice.edu/2015/11/20/the-texas-medical-center-has-ambitious-plans-for-a-new-houston-campus/|title=The Texas Medical Center has ambitious plans for a new Houston campus|last=Holeywell|first=Ryan|date=2015-11-20|work=The Urban Edge|access-date=2017-09-17|publisher=[[Rice University]] Kinder Institute for Urban Research|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918022422/https://urbanedge.blogs.rice.edu/2015/11/20/the-texas-medical-center-has-ambitious-plans-for-a-new-houston-campus/|archive-date=2017-09-18|url-status=dead}}</ref> The {{Convert|4.93|mi2|km2|adj=on}} Medical Center / [[Astrodome]] area, highly populated with medical workers, is home to over 20,000 people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Demographics/docs_pdfs/SN/33_Medical_Center.pdf|title=Super Neighborhood Resource Assessment – Medical Center|date=August 2014|website=City of Houston|access-date=2017-09-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Demographics/docs_pdfs/SN/34_Astrodome_Area.pdf|title=Super Neighborhood Resource Assessment – Astrodome|date=August 2014|website=City of Houston|access-date=2017-09-16}}</ref>

The TMC is served by the [[METRORail]] Red Line, a north-south [[light rail]] route which connects the district to [[Downtown Houston]] and NRG Park.

==Overview==
{{Infobox organization
| formation                = 1945
| type                     = Non-profit
| leader_title             = President and Chief Executive Officer
| leader_name              = William F. McKeon
| name                     = Texas Medical Center Corporation
| location                 = [[Houston]], [[Texas]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| num_volunteers           = 12,000
| website                  = {{URL|http://www.tmc.edu}}
}}{{Main|List of Texas Medical Center institutions}}

The Texas Medical Center contains 54 medicine-related institutions, with 21 hospitals and eight specialty institutions, eight academic and research institutions, four [[medical schools]], seven [[nursing]] schools, three public health organizations, two pharmacy schools and a dental school.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.texasmedicalcenter.org/about/|title=Unprecedented Life Science Technologies {{!}} Texas Medical Center|language=en-US|access-date=2016-07-02}}</ref> All 54 institutions are [[not-for-profit]]. Among the affiliated medical schools are [[McGovern Medical School]], [[Baylor College of Medicine]], [[University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston]] and [[Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine|Texas A&M College of Medicine]]. Some member institutions are located outside the city of [[Houston]].

In 2016, more heart surgeries were performed at the Texas Medical Center than anywhere else in the world with 13,600 heart surgeries annually. 180,000 annual surgeries were performed. The TMC performed one surgery every three minutes. Over 25,000 babies were delivered each year, more than one baby every 20 minutes. The Texas Medical Center offered over 9,200 total patient beds.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.texasmedicalcenter.org/campus/|title=Largest Medical Center in the World {{!}} Texas Medical Center|language=en-US|access-date=2016-07-02}}</ref>

The Center receives an average of 3,300 patient visits a day, and over eight million annual patient visits, including over 18,000 international patients. The TMC has over 750,000 ER visitors each year. In 2011, the center employed over 106,000 people, including 20,000 physicians, scientists, researchers and other advanced degree professionals in the [[life sciences]].<ref>{{cite web | title = 2010_FactsAndFigures_FA.pdf | access-date = 2010-12-30 | url = http://www.texasmedicalcenter.org/images/2010_FactsAndFigures_FA.pdf | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120130023325/http://www.texasmedicalcenter.org/images/2010_FactsAndFigures_FA.pdf | archive-date = 2012-01-30 }}</ref> The TMC has over 160,000 visitors each day.

The Texas Medical Center houses the world's largest children's hospital ([[Texas Children's Hospital]]), as well as the world's largest cancer hospital ([[MD Anderson Cancer Center]]).

==History==

===Founding and early years===
[[File:RF - Houston Texas Medical Center.2.jpeg|thumb|Main Street within the Texas Medical Center, viewed from the Baylor College of Medicine toward [[Downtown Houston]]. On the left is [[BioScience Research Collaborative]]]]
[[File:Texas medical center sundown.jpg|thumb|Texas Medical Center at twilight, viewed from [[Rice University]] campus]]
[[File:Medical Towers -- Houston, Texas.jpg|thumb|Medical Towers in Houston]]
Texas Medical Center was established in 1945, in part by funds endowed to the M.D. Anderson Foundation by businessman [[Monroe Dunaway Anderson]].<ref>[http://www.mdanderson.org/About_MDA/Who_We_Are/display.cfm?id=D78118AE-7845-11D4-AEC300508BDCCE3A&method=displayFull MDAnderson.org Biography of M.D. Anderson] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303124848/http://www.mdanderson.org/About_MDA/Who_We_Are/display.cfm?id=D78118AE-7845-11D4-AEC300508BDCCE3A&method=displayFull |date=2009-03-03 }}</ref> The fund's first gift was a check of $1,000 to the [[Junior League]] Eye Fund for eyeglasses. In 1941, the [[Texas State Legislature]] granted funds to the [[University of Texas System|University of Texas]] for the purpose of starting a cancer research hospital. The M.D. Anderson Foundation matched the state's gift to the university by supplying funds and land on the condition that the hospital be established in Houston and named after its founder.

President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] approved the purchase of {{convert|118|acre|km2}} from the estate of local entrepreneur George Hermann (namesake of [[Hermann Park]]) in 1944 for the construction of a 1,000-bed [[United States Navy|naval]] hospital in Houston. The hospital, later renamed the [[Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center]], opened in 1946 and became a teaching facility for [[Baylor College of Medicine]]. In 1946, several projects were approved for inclusion in the Texas Medical Center including:
* [[Memorial Hermann–Texas Medical Center]], built in the 1920s
* [[Shriners Hospitals for Children]]
* [[St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital|Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center]], [[Houston Methodist Hospital]]
* [[The Texas Medical Center Library]]

[[The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center|M.D. Anderson Hospital for Cancer Research]] of the University of Texas began construction in 1953. [[Texas Children's Hospital]] admitted its first patient in 1954.

During the late 1950s, the Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research opened. The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute at Houston added the Gimbel Research Wing. Texas Woman's University Nursing Program began instruction.

In 1962, the [[Texas Heart Institute]] was chartered and became affiliated with [[St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital|Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center]] (known then as St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital) and Texas Children's Hospital. [[Ben Taub General Hospital]] of the Harris Health System (known then as Harris County Hospital District) opened in 1963.

The [[Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library|TMC Library]] provides access to thousands of current digital books and journals and its John P. McGovern Historical Collections and Research Center houses rare medical books dating back to the 1500s, historical manuscripts such as the McGovern Collection on the History of Medicine, the Menninger Collection of Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis, and the [[Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission]] which recorded the aftereffects of the [[atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki]].

===Recent developments===
In 1993, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center began a $248.6-million expansion project which constructed an inpatient pavilion with 512 beds, two research buildings, an outpatient clinic building, a faculty office building, and a patient-family hotel. From 2005 to present, the George and Cynthia Mitchell Basic Sciences Research Building, the Ambulatory Clinical Building, the Cancer Prevention Center and a new research building on the South Campus opened. The Proton Therapy Center, the largest facility in the United States where [[proton therapy]] is used to treat cancer, opened in July 2006.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D8IT3QCG1.html|title=M.D. Anderson opens new proton therapy center|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|date=16 Jul 2006|agency=Associated Press|author=Juan A. Lozano|access-date=14 Feb 2009}}</ref>

In 2001, the Texas Medical Center was devastated by [[Tropical Storm Allison#Texas|Tropical Storm Allison]], which flooded basements and the first floors with 18 inches of water.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abc13.com/weather/how-these-doors-could-save-millions-during-a-flood/2341138/|title=How these doors could save millions during a flood|date=25 August 2017|website=abc13.com|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> This resulted in retrofitting of storm doors and barriers to prevent future flooding.

The [[Memorial Hermann Hospital|Memorial Hermann Healthcare System]] constructed the six-floor, {{convert|165000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} Memorial Hermann Heart & Vascular Institute. Also recently completed around 2006 was the 30-story Memorial Hermann Medical Plaza, which is now the largest medical office building in the Texas Medical Center. At night, it became recognizable by its unique rainbow lantern.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.memorialhermannmedicalplaza.com/common/pdf/04BAR004_insert_bldgspec_HR.pdf |title=Building Features and Amenities|website=www.memorialhermannmedicalplaza.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061126214049/http://www.memorialhermannmedicalplaza.com/common/pdf/04BAR004_insert_bldgspec_HR.pdf |archive-date=November 26, 2006}}</ref> The construction was part of the system's citywide "Century Project" initiative.

In 2005, Baylor College of Medicine opened the Baylor Clinic.[[File:RF - Houston Texas Medical Center.1.jpeg|thumb|Fannin Street within the Texas Medical Center, viewed from the crosswalk between two buildings of the Houston Methodist hospital]]

The Texas Children's Hospital announced the largest investment and program expansion ever by a single pediatric organization. The $1.5 billion, four-year initiative was targeted for completion in 2010 and focused on research and accessibility. Major projects included the development of the neurological research institute ($215 million), the formation of a maternity center ($575 million), and the expansion of existing research facilities ($120 million). Texas Children's was undertaking the development of one of the largest pediatric hospitals in a suburban setting ($220 million). The remainder of the expenditures were earmarked for new equipment and information systems.<ref>[http://www.texaschildrens.org/Web/2010/ Texas Children's Hospital Vision 2010.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213101520/http://www.texaschildrens.org/Web/2010/ |date=2012-02-13 }} Retrieved 2009-04-03</ref>

In 2010, the [[University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston]], including the [[John Sealy Hospital]], became the 49th member of the Texas Medical Center and the first member-institution located outside the City of Houston.<ref name="GDNUTMB">{{cite news|url=http://www.galvnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=d4a70cfc31550865|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110807091135/http://www.galvnews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=d4a70cfc31550865|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 7, 2011|title=UTMB partners with Texas Medical Center|work=Galveston Daily News|author=Kappes, Hayley|access-date=2010-05-13}}</ref><ref name="KPRCUTMB">{{cite web|url=http://www.click2houston.com/health/22726562/detail.html|title=UTMB Joins Texas Medical Center: UTMB Is About 50 Miles Away From Texas Medical Center|work=KPRC Click2Houston|access-date=2010-05-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304151931/http://www.click2houston.com/health/22726562/detail.html|archive-date=2010-03-04}}</ref><ref>Wollam, Allison. "[http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2010/03/01/daily14.html UTMB becomes TMC member institution]." ''[[Houston Business Journal]]''. Tuesday March 2, 2010. Retrieved on March 12, 2010.</ref>

Texas Medical Center–West Campus, serving residents of greater west Houston and adjacent areas, opened in January, 2011. Representing an initial investment of more than half a billion dollars, and almost 1.2 million square feet of healthcare development, the first two facilities to open in the new campus were the Texas Children’s Hospital and The Houston Methodist West Hospital. Texas Children’s West Campus is among the nation’s largest suburban [[children's hospital|pediatric hospital]]s.<ref>{{cite web | title = Texas Medical Center-West Campus Opens | work = Texas Medical Center | access-date = 2011-10-24 | url = http://www.texasmedicalcenter.org/root/en/TMCServices/News/2011/01-15/Texas+Medical+Center+West+Campus+Opens.htm }}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

In 2012, Texas Medical Center added the [[Shriners Hospital for Children (Galveston)|Shriners Hospitals for Children]] in [[Galveston]], which treats pediatric trauma burns, as its 50th member institution.<ref>[http://blog.chron.com/medblog/2012/01/shriners-hospitals-for-children-%e2%80%94-galveston-joins-the-med-center/ Shriners Hospitals for Children — Galveston joins the Med Center | MedBlog | a Chron.com blog]. Blog.chron.com (2012-01-04). Retrieved on 2013-09-06.</ref>

In 2016, Texas Medical Center added [http://www.sanjoseclinic.org San José Clinic], the community's leading charity care clinic, as a member institution. Denise Castillo-Rhodes, executive vice president and chief financial officer of the Texas Medical Center, as well as a volunteer for&nbsp;San José Clinic noted when it became a member of TMC: "San José Clinic serves a very important role in our community.&nbsp;Thus, it is a natural next step for the Clinic to join the Texas Medical Center as its newest member, as it continues to grow and provide extraordinary healthcare and education at affordable prices.".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tmc.edu/news/2017/01/texas-medical-center-welcomes-new-member-san-jose-clinic/|title=Texas Medical Center Welcomes New Member San José Clinic - TMC News|date=2017-01-12|work=TMC News|access-date=2017-06-22|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2020, [[Texas A&M]] announced plans to build a $550 million complex on the southern side of the TMC including academic, medical office, and housing buildings.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Texas-A-M-medical-center-TAMU-college-med-millio-15069488.php|title=Texas A&M to build $550 million complex in Houston's Texas Medical Center|date=2020-02-20|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2020-02-20|language=en-US}}</ref>

On June 24, 2020, the Texas Medical Center released data showing a 97% capacity in its ICU facilities due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19 crisis]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.khou.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/texas-hospital-icus-crowded-with-covid-19-patients-as-coronavirus-continues-to-spread/285-aad0788d-256e-4454-8e3f-87f9c7956680 | title=97 percent of ICU beds at Texas Medical Center now occupied as COVID-19 cases reach record highs | date=24 June 2020 }}</ref> The Texas Medical Center has been a forefront of helping COVID-19 victims in Houston during the pandemic.

== Member Institutions ==
The Texas Medical Center (TMC) in Houston is the largest medical complex in the world, comprising 21 hospitals, 8 specialty institutions, 8 academic and research institutions, 4 medical schools, 3 nursing schools, 2 pharmacy schools, and 1 dental school. Additionally, The Texas Medical Center (TMC) hosts over 400 [[biotech]] and healthcare startups, alongside numerous major pharmaceutical companies, making it a leading hub for medical innovation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tmc.edu/about-tmc/our-members/ | title=Member Institutions &#124; Texas Medical Center &#124; Houston }}</ref>

=== Hospitals ===
1. [[Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center]] <br>
2. [[Ben Taub Hospital|Ben Taub General Hospital]] <br>
3. [[Houston Methodist Hospital]] <br>
4. [[John Sealy Hospital]] <br>
5. [[Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center]] <br>
6. [[Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital]] <br>
7. [[Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center]]<br> 
8. [[Rebecca Sealy Hospital]] <br> 
9. [[Shriners Hospitals for Children|Shriner's Hospital for Children — Galveston]] <br>
10. [[Shriners Hospitals for Children|Shriners Hospitals for Children — Houston]] <br>
11. [[Texas Children's Hospital]] <br>
12. [[TIRR Memorial Hermann]] <br>
13. [[MD Anderson Cancer Center|The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center]] <br>
14. [[St. Dominic Village]] <br>
15. [[San Jose Clinic]] <br>
16. [[Houston Hospice]] <br>
17. [[Harris Health System]] <br>
18. [[The Menninger Clinic]] <br>
19. [[Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital]] <br>
20. [[Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital]] <br>
21. [[Houston Methodist West Hospital]]

=== Specialty Institutions ===

# [[DePelchin Children's Center]] 
# [[Shriners Hospitals for Children]]
# [[Texas Children's Hospital]]
# [[Texas Children's Hospital#Texas Children's Cancer Center|Texas Children's Cancer Center]]
# [[Texas Heart Institute]]
# [[The Menninger Clinic]]
# [[MD Anderson Cancer Center|The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center]]
# [[TIRR Memorial Hermann]] 
# [[Institute for Spirituality and Health]]

=== Academic and Research Institutions ===
1. [[Baylor College of Medicine]]
2. [[University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston]]
3. [[Texas A&M Health Science Center Institute of Biosciences and Technology]]
4. [[Rice University#BioScience Research Collaborative|Rice University - BioScience Research Collaborative]]
5. [[MD Anderson Cancer Center|University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center]]
6. [[University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston]]
7. [[Texas Woman's University Institute of Health Sciences]]
8. [[Houston Methodist Research Institute]]

=== Medical Schools ===
1. [[Baylor College of Medicine]]
2. [[McGovern Medical School]]
3. [[Texas A&M School of Medicine]]
4. [[University of Houston College of Medicine]]
5. [[University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston]]

=== Nursing Schools ===
1. [[Prairie View A&M University|Prairie View A&M College of Nursing]]
2. [[Texas Woman's University|Texas Woman's University College of Nursing]]
3. [[Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth]]
4. Houston Community College

=== Pharmacy Schools ===
1. [[University of Houston College of Pharmacy]]
2. [[Texas Southern University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences]]

=== Dental School ===
1. [[UTHealth School of Dentistry]]

==Cityscape and infrastructure==
{{wide image|Skyline of the Texas Medical Center - Houston, TX - December 2019.jpg|1600px|View of the Texas Medical Center from the east. [[Hermann Park]] is in the foreground.|100%|center|dir=rtl}}The Texas Medical Center is a dense agglomeration of hospitals, schools, and ancillary businesses clustered on a triangular piece of land bordered by [[Rice University]] and the neighborhood of [[Southampton, Houston|Southampton]] to the west, [[Brays Bayou]] to the south and east, and [[Hermann Park]] to the north. With 106,000 employees, the TMC has an employment density of approximately {{Convert|50475|/mi2|/km2}}. The Texas Medical Center Corporation has compared its dense cityscape to the [[Chicago Loop]] and [[Lower Manhattan]].<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20110717142402/http://www.texasmedicalcenter.org/NR/rdonlyres/2C814975-2A2B-4AC1-B898-0C424A311C28/0/50YearMasterPlanLowRes2006UpdateV2.pdf A 50 Year Master Plan 2006 Update]." Texas Medical Center. 2006. 2 (5/34). Retrieved on January 17, 2010.</ref>

The core of the TMC is serviced by three large arterial roads. Main and Fannin streets run southwest to northeast, while Holcombe Boulevard runs west to east. The Texas Medical Center is one of the few employment centers in Houston which is not directly serviced by a freeway; the nearest freeway is [[Texas State Highway 288]], located to the east of Hermann Park. To compensate, the TMC has developed strong transit connections; the entirety of the district is serviced by the [[METRORail Red Line]], which runs along Fannin. Rail stops in the Medical Center include [[Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo (METRORail station)|Memorial Hermann Hospital/Houston Zoo]], [[Dryden/TMC (METRORail station)|Dryden/TMC]], and the [[Texas Medical Center Transit Center (METRORail station)|Texas Medical Center Transit Center]], which doubles as a hub for local bus routes. These three stops are the busiest stations on the Red Line; ultimately, the district's bus, light rail, and shuttle services deliver nearly 65,000 trips per day to and from the area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://planhouston.org/sites/default/files//Texas_Medical_Center_Mobility_Study.pdf|title=Texas Medical Center Mobility Study|date=September 2014|website=PlanHouston|access-date=2017-12-08}}</ref>

In the 2010s, rapid development within the Medical Center began to strain existing transportation infrastructure; the [[Annual average daily traffic|average daily traffic]] on Fannin Street and nearby arterial Kirby Drive is expected to double by 2035.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/Medical-Center-mobility-centered-on-big-roads-for-5430667.php|title=Medical Center mobility centered on big roads for big need|last=Begley|first=Dug|date=2014-04-25|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2017-09-25}}</ref> New development during the first half of the decade is expected to require an additional 50,000 parking spaces to meet demand.<ref name=":1" /> Solutions to the district's traffic problems include expanding existing arterial roads, boosting transit capacity, and constructing new contract parking lots on the outskirts.<ref name=":1" />

The Third Ward Redevelopment Council defines the TMC as being part of the [[Third Ward, Houston|Third Ward]]. T. R. Witcher of the ''[[Houston Press]]'' wrote in 1995 that the TMC and nearby areas are "not the first places that come to mind when you say "Third Ward,"[...]".<ref>{{cite web|author=Witcher, T.R.|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/1995-07-20/news/third-ward-rising/|title=Third Ward Rising|work=[[Houston Press]]|date=1995-07-20|access-date=2020-03-18|quote=To the southwest, across Highway 288, lie [...] the towers of the Texas Medical Center, Houston's largest employment center -- not the first places that come to mind when you say "Third Ward," but which the redevelopment council includes as part of the community. }}</ref>

=== Government services ===
[[File:McGovernCampusTMC.JPG|thumb|John P. McGovern Campus]]
The Texas Medical Center Corporation is headquartered at the John P. McGovern Campus on Holcombe Boulevard southeast of Hermann Park, adjacent to the [[Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston|Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center]].<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20070810221035/http://www.texmedctr.tmc.edu/root/en/GetToKnow/AboutTMC/About+the+TMC.htm About the Texas Medical Center]." Texas Medical Center. Retrieved on June 20, 2009.</ref> The [[United States Postal Service]] operates the Medical Center Station on Almeda Road, and [[Harris County Public Library]] operates the Texas Medical Center Library near the Baylor School of Medicine.<ref>"[https://archive.today/20120715061144/http://usps.whitepages.com/service/post_office/65173?p=1&service_name=post_office&z=77021 Post Office Location – MEDICAL CENTER]." [[United States Postal Service]]. Retrieved on June 20, 2009.</ref><ref>"[http://www.hcpl.net/location/tmc-library TMC Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314153659/http://www.hcpl.net/location/tmc-library |date=2016-03-14 }}." Harris County Public Library. Retrieved on January 31, 2016. " TMC Library 1133 John Freeman Blvd. Houston Texas 77030 "</ref>

The [[Houston Fire Department]] Station 33 Medical Center, a part of Fire District 21,<ref>"[http://www.houstontx.gov/fire/firestations/index.html Fire Stations]." City of Houston. Retrieved on May 8, 2010.</ref> is near the Texas Medical Center at 7100 Fannin at South Braeswood Boulevard. The original Firehouse 33 was one of the last stations to be housed in an original volunteer fire station. The original Station 33 was the city hall/fire station of Braeswood. The City of Houston annexed the area in 1950. The current Fire Station 33 opened one block from the original station in August 2004. The city relinquished its ownership of the original fire station.<ref>"[http://www.houstontx.gov/fire/firestations/station33.html Fire Station 33] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060926103017/http://www.houstontx.gov/fire/firestations/station33.html |date=2006-09-26 }}." City of Houston. Retrieved on May 8, 2010.</ref>

The Texas Medical Center is within the [[Houston Police Department]]'s South Central Patrol Division.<ref>[http://www.houstontx.gov/police/cs/beatpages/southcentral.htm Crime Statistics for South Central Patrol Division]. Houstontx.gov. Retrieved on 2013-09-06.</ref>

===Residential developments===
Formerly TMC had its own employee housing, Laurence H. Favrot Tower Apartments, which accommodated TMC employees and their dependents.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20100624063945/http://www.texmedctr.tmc.edu/root/en/TMCServices/Housing/Parking+at+Favrot.htm TMC Services > Favrot Tower Apartments]." Texas Medical Center. June 20, 2010. Retrieved on April 22, 2018. "20-Minute Parking (located in the back of the building): 6540 Bellows Lane, Houston, TX 77030"</ref> On August 31, 2012 the complex closed.<ref>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20120729225051/http://texasmedicalcenter.org/housing/ Favrot Tower Apartments]." Texas Medical Center. July 29, 2012. Retrieved on April 22, 2018. "Favrot Tower is closing August 31, 2012."</ref> Dependent children living there were within the [[Houston Independent School District]] (HISD) and zoned to Roberts Elementary School in [[Southgate, Houston|Southgate]],<ref>"[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/RobertsES.pdf Roberts Elementary Attendance Zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208181959/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/robertses.pdf |date=2012-02-08 }}." ''[[Houston Independent School District]].''</ref> [[Ryan Middle School (Houston)|Ryan Middle School]] in the [[Third Ward, Houston|Third Ward]],<ref name="RyanMap">"[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/RyanMS.pdf Ryan Middle Attendance Zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630001236/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/SchoolBoundaryMaps/RyanMS.pdf |date=2007-06-30 }}." ''[[Houston Independent School District]]''</ref> and [[Lamar High School (Houston)|Lamar High School]] in [[Upper Kirby]].<ref>"[http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/LamarHS.pdf Lamar High School Attendance Zone] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928085440/http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/LamarHS.pdf |date=2011-09-28 }}." ''[[Houston Independent School District]].''</ref>

==Orchestra==

Formerly known as the Doctors Orchestra of Houston, the Texas Medical Center Orchestra was established in November 2000 and is one of the few [[orchestra]]s in the world that originated from health professions. Members of the orchestra include physicians, dentists, nurses, medical students, biomedical scientists, social workers and other health professionals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/music/article/Texas-Medical-Center-Orchestra-provides-creative-6103923.php|title=Texas Medical Center Orchestra provides creative outlet for professionals|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2017-02-16}}</ref>

The mission of the orchestra is to provide health care professionals with a high-quality outlet for creative expression through the world of symphonic music; perform regularly at affordable concerts that are open to the public and in an accessible venue; attract a diverse audience by commitments to select popular programming reflecting Houston’s diversity; and bring public attention to, and provide programmatic support for, medically related and/or educational charities.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/Orchestra-is-tuned-in-to-music-medicine-4044189.php|title=Orchestra is tuned in to music, medicine|newspaper=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2017-02-16}}</ref>

Organizations which have received contributions include: The University of Texas Medical School for heart research; The Ben Taub BOOKS programs; The H.O.M.E.S Clinic; Making a Mark Art Program at Texas Children’s Hospital; HISD's DeBakey High School for Health Professions; Eye Care for Kids Foundation; The Greater Houston Chapter of the American Red Cross; The National Space Biomedical Research Institute; San Jose Clinic; Haddassah; and The Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.arts.gov/NEARTS/2010v4-neighborhood/what-doctor-ordered|title=What the Doctor Ordered {{!}} NEA|website=www.arts.gov|access-date=2017-02-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tmcorchestra.org/charities-supported.html|title=Texas Medical Center Orchestra, Houston Orchestra, Houston Health Professionals, Houston Medical Musicians, TMCO, Houston Medical Orchestra, Gran Fondo Texas TMCO, Doctors Orchestra of Houston, Houston Music Fellowship, Houston Music Charities|website=www.tmcorchestra.org|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170217142611/http://www.tmcorchestra.org/charities-supported.html|archive-date=2017-02-17|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In an effort to increase appreciation for classical music in young audiences, [https://tmcorchestra.org/ Texas Medical Center Orchestra] has developed a close relationship with the charter school, KIPP SHARP of [[KIPP Houston]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afsc.org/sites/afsc.civicactions.net/files/documents/neaArts_2010_v4_0.pdf|title=NEA Arts - Number 4 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019203914/http://www.afsc.org/sites/afsc.civicactions.net/files/documents/neaArts_2010_v4_0.pdf|archive-date=2014-10-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> By coordinating efforts with KIPP SHARP teachers and administrators, TMCO has integrated its musical programming into the school's curriculum. Works that the orchestra performs are taught and discussed in history, art and music classes. The students are invited to display artwork and essays in the Wortham lobby at TMCO concerts, and they are encouraged to attend with their families. TMCO has included KIPP choirs and orchestras in concert performances.<ref name="auto"/>

In 2011, TMCO began working with the [[National Multiple Sclerosis Society]], Lone Star Chapter in an annual co-sponsorship of a bicycle ride, "Gran Fondo: Texas TMCO" that precedes the [[Bike MS: City to Shore Ride|MS150]] and benefits both organizations.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the Texas Medical Center Orchestra was invited to perform Diane Warren's Oscar-nominated song, "I'm Standing With You" in a [https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9390642/diane-warren-song-im-standing-with-you-covid-19-relief-video monumental music video] that featured more than 170 artists from six continents. Warren teamed up with director Gev Miron and composer/arranger Sharon Farber to put this effort together, which has raised over $7 million for the United Nations Foundation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization (WHO).

==Demographics==
The City of Houston defines an area around the Texas Medical Center as the Medical Center Super Neighborhood.<ref name="super-neighborhood">{{cite web |title=Medical Center Super Neighborhood |url=https://www.houstontx.gov/superneighborhoods/33.html |website=City of Houston |publisher=City of Houston |access-date=10 December 2024}}</ref> In 2015 that area had 2,717 residents. 52% were non-Hispanic white, 16% each were non-Hispanic Black and Asian, 12% were Hispanics, and 4% were non-Hispanic other. In 2000, the area had 2,358 residents. 47% were non-Hispanic white, 33% were non-Hispanic Asian, 10% were Hispanic, 8% were non-Hispanic Black, and 2% were non-Hispanic other.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/Demographics/docs_pdfs/SN/33_Medical_Center.pdf|title=Super Neighborhood Resource Assessment No. 33 Medical Center Area|publisher=City of Houston|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref>

==Education==
The main TMC area is within the [[Houston Independent School District]] (HISD).

Melinda Webb School, a private school for deaf infants to 7 years old, is located in the TMC;<ref name=Nickerson>{{cite web|author=Nickerson, Ryan|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bellaire/news/article/Melinda-Webb-School-enrolling-students-without-15327943.php|title=Melinda Webb School enrolling students without hearing loss|agency=[[River Oaks Examiner]]|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2020-06-10|access-date=2020-06-19}}</ref> it is operated by the Center for Hearing and Speech and was previously at 3636 W. Dallas.<ref name=Vaugnfathernamesake>{{cite web|author=Vaughn, Carol E.|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/heights-news/article/Father-of-school-s-namesake-donates-1-million-2066721.php|title=Father of school's namesake donates $1 million|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2002-05-16|access-date=2020-06-19}}</ref> The school serves as a day school for children not yet mainstreamed into regular classrooms and a speech and therapy center for those that are. Previously known as the Houston School for Deaf Children, it was given its current name, after a deaf girl, in 1997<!--2002 - 5 = 1997-->.<ref name=Vaugnmangives>{{cite web|author=Vaughn, Carol E.|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/baytown-news/article/Texas-City-man-gives-1-million-to-school-for-deaf-2098998.php|title=Texas City man gives $1 million to school for deaf|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2002-05-16|access-date=2020-06-19}}</ref> The girl died of [[leukemia]] circa 1958;<!--She began in a regular Texas city school in 1954 at age 7 so if she died before 11 she died circa 1958--> a former student of the school, she had been the first area deaf child to be mainstreamed into a public school, as she began attending one in [[Texas City]] in 1954. Her father, Frank Webb, donated $1 million to what became the Melinda Webb School in 2002.<ref name=Vaugnfathernamesake/> That year its enrollment was 35-40.<ref name=Vaugnmangives/> In 2020 it began admitting preschool students without hearing difficulties to provide a more mainstream environment.<ref name=Nickerson/>

Medical Center [[charter school|Charter School]]<!--URL was: http://www.mccs.cc/--> opened in 1996,<ref name=fourlose>{{cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/news/education/article/2-Houston-schools-lose-charter-for-poor-5945117.php|title=4 Houston area schools to lose charters for poor performance|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2014-12-09|access-date=2019-10-31}}</ref> catered to employees working in the Medical Center, and had the [[Montessori method]],<ref name="Berryhill1">Berryhill, Michael. "Think Small." ''[[Houston Press]]''. Thursday August 15, 1996. [http://www.houstonpress.com/1996-08-15/news/think-small/  1]. Retrieved on December 2, 2011. "The Medical Center Charter School will offer the Montessori method for children of Medical Center workers."</ref> used until grade two. Its specialty as of 2003 was foreign languages.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/special/schools/03/charter/2043866.html|title=Open enrollment charter schools|newspaper=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2003-08-10|access-date=2019-05-28}}</ref><!--Two URLs: https://www.chron.com/news/article/Open-enrollment-charter-schools-2125073.php and http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/special/schools/03/charter/2043866.html --> It was not located near the TMC area but in the [[Westbury, Houston|Westbury]] area.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mccs.cc/map.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021013043556/http://www.mccs.cc/map.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2002-10-13|title=Map|publisher=Medical Center Charter School|date=2002-10-13|access-date=2019-11-07}}</ref> In 2014, the [[Texas Education Agency]] (TEA) announced that the school's performance was insufficient and that it sought to revoke its charter.<ref name=fourlose/> By 2018, its charter had closed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Charter%20Campus%20Closures.pdf|title=Charter Campuses Closed in the Last Five Years Division of Charter School Administration|publisher=[[Texas Education Agency]]|date=2018-03-19|access-date=2019-10-31|archive-date=2019-12-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212191746/https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Charter%20Campus%20Closures.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Religion==
{{See also|Religion in Houston}}
Christian churches near the TMC include City Life Church, [[Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church]],<ref name=":2">{{cite web|author=Gabriel, Cindy|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/heights-news/article/Church-tour-Saturday-takes-aim-at-heart-soul-of-1970197.php|title=Church tour Saturday takes aim at heart, soul of downtown|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2004-04-29|access-date=2019-11-09|quote=[...]Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church near the Texas Medical Center.}}</ref> [[St. Mathew's Lutheran church (Houston)|St. Mathew's Lutheran church]],<ref name=":2" /> [[St. Paul's United Methodist Church (Houston)|St. Paul's United Methodist Church]],<ref>{{cite web|author=Dooley, Tara|author2=Barbara Karkabi|url=https://www.chron.com/life/houston-belief/article/Sunday-church-services-offer-spiritual-refuge-1785367.php|title=Sunday church services offer spiritual refuge after storm|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2008-09-15|access-date=2019-11-09|quote=St. Paul's United Methodist Church near the Medical Center[...]}}</ref> and [[St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church (Houston)|St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church]] (of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston|Galveston-Houston Archdiocese]]).<ref>{{cite web|author=Shellnutt, Kate|url=https://www.chron.com/life/houston-belief/article/Churches-often-buy-not-burn-their-ashes-1591337.php|title=Churches often buy, not burn, their ashes|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2010-02-16|access-date=2019-11-09|quote=St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, near the Medical Center, [...]}}</ref> Nine churches established the Church Apartment Ministry, which maintains three apartment complexes for families visiting hospitalized patients.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bellaire/events/article/Church-Apartment-Ministry-helps-Texas-Medical-14088595.php|title=Church Apartment Ministry helps Texas Medical Center patients|agency=[[West University Examiner]]|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2019-07-11|access-date=2019-11-09}}</ref>

There is a Jewish house of worship, Medical Center Chabad House, which maintains the Aishel House program.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lassin, Arlene Nisson|url=https://www.chron.com/neighborhood/heights-news/article/Aishel-House-volunteers-give-Challah-comfort-1500184.php|title=Aishel House volunteers give Challah, comfort|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|date=2006-08-31|access-date=2019-11-09}}</ref>

The [[Islamic Society of Greater Houston]] (ISGH) maintains the Al-Ma'adah [[Musalla]] (Medical Center Musalla), a prayer area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://isgh.org/islamic-centers/|title=Islamic Centers|publisher=[[Islamic Society of Greater Houston]]|access-date=2019-11-09|quote=Al-Ma'adah Musalla (Medical Center Musalla) Address: 6923 Almeda RD Houston TX, 77021}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
The Weekley Family [[YMCA]] is in the area. It opened in 1951 as the Southwest YMCA,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ymcahouston.org/southwest/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010711155524/http://www.ymcahouston.org/southwest/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2001-07-11|title=Southwest YMCA|publisher=YMCA Houston|date=2001-07-11|access-date=2020-05-04|quote=[...]his the YMCA that has serves{{sic}} the [...] Texas Medical Center,[...]}}</ref> in [[West University Place]]. The current facility in [[Braeswood Place]], Houston broke ground in 2001.<ref name="Stantondeathvalley">Stanton, Robert. "[http://www.chron.com/news/article/Death-Valley-coming-back-to-life-2051932.php 'Death Valley' coming back to life]." ''[[Houston Chronicle]]''. Thursday July 19, 2001. Retrieved on January 7, 2012.</ref>

In 2023, Helix Park opened as part of the Texas Medical Center complex with six parks shaped around a double-helix and a campus collaboration building. The park is a center for connections, events, and outdoor respite in the heart of the life science center.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/health-science/2023/10/26/467863/texas-medical-center-holds-grand-opening-for-helix-park/|title=Texas Medical Center holds grand opening for Helix Park|publisher=Houston Public Media|date=2023-10-26}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:HoustonMedicalCenterPostOffice.JPG|Medical Center Station Post Office
File:TexasMedicalCenterMETROStop.JPG|[[Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas|METRO]] stop in the Texas Medical Center area
File:HoustonFireStation33.JPG|Fire Station 33 Medical Center
File:HCCSColemanMedCenter.JPG|Coleman College for the Health Sciences, part of the [[Houston Community College]] system
File:UTMB Skyline, Galveston.jpg|Skyline of the [[University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston]], the 49th member of the Texas Medical Center Corporation
File:Texas Medical Center.jpg|Skyline of the Texas Medical Center
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Medical centers in the United States]]
{{Clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist|33em}}

==External links==
{{Commons|Texas Medical Center}}
{{Portal bar|Texas|Medicine}}
* [http://www.tmc.edu/ Texas Medical Center Homepage]
* [http://www.tmcmaps.info/ Texas Medical Center Maps and Driving Directions]
* {{Handbook of Texas|id=kct23|name=Texas Medical Center}}
* [http://www.tmc.edu/news Texas Medical Center News Homepage]

{{Coord|29.70951|-95.39818|type:city_region:US|format=dms|display=title}}

{{Texas Medical Center}}
{{Houston, Texas}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Texas Medical Center| ]]
[[Category:Geography of Houston]]
[[Category:Economy of Houston]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Houston]]