Big City Technology, Hometown Warmth Arrives in Cedar Park

Cedar Park Regional Medical Center is now open, serving the growing healthcare needs of Cedar Park, Leander and Liberty Hill. The new hospital is a joint venture of the Seton Family of Hospitals and Community Health Systems (formerly Triad Hospital Systems). The hospital currently operates 77 beds, but has the capability to quickly expand to 153 beds as demand warrants.

Local residents are clearly excited about having a community hospital to call their own, according to Cedar Park Regional Medical Center President and Chief Executive Office David Klein, MD, MBA. “There was a huge groundswell of support to build a hospital in Cedar Park,” Klein said. “We are proud to be serving this community and proud to be part of Seton.”

A former general surgeon, Dr. Klein was selected to lead Cedar Park Regional after serving as the administrator at Presbyterian Hospital of Denton. On his decision to trade in his surgical mask, Dr. Klein said, “I had a rich and fulfilled surgical career and decided that I could impact healthcare on a much broader scale by working in administration.”

In developing the terms of the joint venture, Seton’s Senior Vice President of Business Development Tom Gallagher worked closely with Cedar Park Regional’s leadership. “Our joint venture to create Cedar Park Regional was a good way to expand our geographical presence in Central Texas without incurring all the capital costs to do it,” he said.

Seton owns 20 percent of the new hospital, but holds an equal number of seats on its governing boards as the 80 percent owner, Community Health Systems. Although Community Health Systems manages Cedar Park Regional on a day-to-day basis, Seton has an important say in how the hospital is run from both a clinical and a financial standpoint.

Seton and Cedar Park Regional have developed a detailed clinical integration plan to ensure patients receive the highest possible level of care. Seton Medical Center Williamson and Cedar Park Regional currently work with many of the same medical staff and hospital-based physician practices including emergency doctors, pathologists, radiologists, anesthesiologists and hospitalists. What’s more, Cedar Park Regional and Seton nursing leadership have been working closely to implement the best nursing practices in areas ranging from patient safety to shared governance.

In addition, as part of the joint venture agreement, Community Health Systems has agreed to adhere to Seton’s religious and ethical principles and charity care policy. “We want to make sure the mission of Seton is carried out at Cedar Park,” Dr. Klein said.

Charles J. Barnett, president/CEO of the Seton Family of Hospitals, characterized the joint venture with Cedar Park Regional as a “win-win” for both parties. Klein couldn’t agree more. “We benefit richly from our relationship with Seton,” he said.

Cedar Park Regional Medical Center Fast Facts

Address: 1401 Medical Parkway, Cedar Park, 78613
Location: Whitestone Boulevard (FM 1431) between Bell Boulevard (HWY 183) and Parmer Lane.
Number of Licensed Beds: 77 with future expansion to 153
Size: 260,000 square feet on four floors
Number of Hospital Associates: 300