Shriner's Hospital Renovation and Reconstruction Halted

January 23, 2009
Last September, Hurricane Ike caused significant damage to Shriners Hospitals for Children — Galveston, which specializes in providing care for pediatric burn injuries. The hospital has been closed for renovation since that time, and care for children with acute burns has been provided at other Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Due to the troubled economy, the value of the Shriners Hospitals for Children endowment fund – which is currently the largest source contributing to the organization’s annual operating budget – has fallen by more than $2 billion over the past few months. Given the current financial constraints, and the capacity to treat patients with acute burns at three other hospitals in the health care system, the Shriners Hospitals for Children Boards of Directors and Trustees have voted to suspend renovation and reconstruction at Shriners Hospitals for Children — Galveston, pending further evaluation and improvement in the organization’s financial situation. Shriners Hospitals for Children — Galveston patients will continue to receive care at other hospitals in the health care system and other locations as appropriate.
Shriners Hospitals for Children, an international pediatric specialty health care system that provides all care and services at no charge, is currently facing the most tumultuous and trying economic environment in its 86-year history. Leadership is focused on doing what is best for the entire Shriners Hospitals for Children organization, which means, unfortunately, that difficult decisions must be made.
Please check the Galveston Hospital Web page regularly for updates, including information for Shriners Hospitals for Children — Galveston employees.