A new era in health care for Denton, north Texas and southern Oklahoma will dawn when Presbyterian Hospital of Denton officially begins serving the community.  On Sunday, April 3, the new hospital will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for the community.  Festivities will begin at 2 p.m., and tours of the new 21st-century hospital will be available until 4 p.m. The hospital will accept patients April 9.

“The opening of the new hospital not only marks a new beginning for health care in our area, it also signals the completion of a historic partnership between two leaders in the health care industry – Triad Hospitals and Texas Health Resources,” Stan Morton, Chief Executive Officer of Presbyterian Hospital of Denton, said.  “For many years, the residents of Denton and the region have trusted the Presbyterian name for quality health care services.  Today we are proud to bring that name to our community.  The new Presbyterian Hospital of Denton is truly a patient-focused facility.”

“Triad and Texas Health Resources are truly very compatible and they share many common values including, a focus on meeting community needs, a commitment to advancing our relationships with physicians and our employees, and a dedication to providing the best possible care for patients and their families,” said Douglas D. Hawthorne, president and CEO of Texas Health Resources. “Presbyterian Hospital of Denton is a very clear example of collaboration between two health care organizations that have worked together to improve the health of the people in the communities we are privileged to serve.”

"Triad and THR formed a strategic partnership designed to address community need efficiently in Denton while avoiding unnecessary duplication of services. We're charting new territory through a unique public/private partnership where both entities are operating from positions of strength with very compatible cultures. I want to give special credit to hospital CEO Stan Morton, the excellent medical staff at Presbyterian Hospital of Denton, an outstanding hospital board of trustees, and the great group of employees who have made this marriage of organizations successful," said James D. Shelton, Triad Hospitals, Inc. Chairman and CEO.

April 9, is the official opening and the date patients will be transferred to the new hospital. “We have carefully planned all details of accommodating patients while they are moved from the existing hospital to the new facility,” Sharon K. Dingman, RN, BSN, MS, Chief Nursing Officer, said.  “Our first priority is ensuring the safety and security of our patients. We will begin moving our most critically ill patients first.”  The Emergency Room in the new facility will open up in the early morning hours on April 9th.

During the open house, guests will be able to tour all parts of the new $100 million, 308,000-square-foot hospital, including diagnostic, treatment, and patient care areas.  Hospital staff will serve as tour facilitators at the 245-bed facility and will be available to explain the latest technology that will be used throughout the facility.  The 80,000-square-foot Medical Office Building adjacent to the new hospital will also be open to visitors.

“While we are proud of the new physical appearance of our hospital, at the heart of the facility is the same dedicated, caring staff that has become a hallmark of our organization,” Morton said.  “Our unique Relationship Based-Care model combined with the patient-centered design of the facility provides the optimal environment for patients and their families to take an active role in their care and well-being.”

The University of North Texas Steel Drum Band will provide musical entertainment prior to the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony that will take place at 2 p.m. in front of the hospital.  Denton Mayor Euline Brock will speak, as will representatives from the new hospital.  The doors will then open to the community, and visitors will receive a map of a carefully designed tour route.  Denton firefighters will man a fire truck, and emergency response personnel will be stationed with an ambulance on the parking lot in front of the hospital.  CareFlite air ambulance service will have a helicopter on hand, and the flight crew will be available to answer questions.  Children will be encouraged to create get-well cards for current hospital patients.