Healthcare System Overview

An In-Depth Look into the Healthcare System

A Century of Caring Meets 21st Century Innovation

As you drive onto the sprawling 74-acre campus at the intersection of I-35 and Highway 6, you'll immediately understand why Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Hillcrest stands as Central Texas’s healthcare beacon. This isn’t just another community hospital struggling to maintain relevance – it’s a 260-bed testament to what happens when visionary leadership, substantial investment, and genuine community commitment converge.

The modern facility, which opened in this location in 2009 following a historic single-day migration from its original Herring Avenue home, represents not just a building change but a transformation in how healthcare is delivered in Central Texas.

From Baptist Roots to Statewide Leadership

The institution’s journey began in 1920 as the Central Texas Baptist Sanitarium, born from the vision of First Baptist Church of Waco’s pastor. Over a century later, that founding mission of compassionate care continues, now amplified by the resources and expertise of Texas’s largest nonprofit health system.

  • Founded 1920 as Central Texas Baptist Sanitarium, over 100 years of service
  • 2009 relocation to 74-acre campus in a single-day patient transfer
  • 2013 became the first Baylor Scott & White branded hospital after landmark merger
  • Voluntary nonprofit with church ownership maintaining its healing mission
  • Joint Commission accredited with consistent reaccreditation
  • Part of a 52-hospital system offering tertiary-level resources

Financial Strength Enabling Clinical Excellence

With net patient revenue exceeding $519 million and an 11.8% annual growth rate, Hillcrest operates from a position of strength. A 74% bed utilization rate provides efficient care with room for growth, and the favorable payer mix (76.9% commercial insurance) allows for investments in innovation and services.

Centers of Excellence on Your Campus

Your daily practice is enriched by access to a wide range of specialty facilities on campus, enhancing coordination and expanding your clinical reach.

  • McClinton Cancer Center: Full-spectrum oncology care with infusion, pharmacy, and radiation services
  • Sports & Orthopedic Center: Mako robotic surgery, imaging, and orthopedic specialists
  • Level II Trauma Center: Primary trauma resource for five counties
  • Level III NICU: Only NICU of this level in Waco, vital for complex OB care
  • Women’s & Children’s Center: Dedicated to your area of specialty
  • Three chapels on campus offering spiritual support

Quality Metrics That Matter

Hillcrest backs its reputation with data-driven quality metrics. A 5-star HCAHPS rating places it in the top 4% nationally for patient satisfaction. A Magnet designation for nursing excellence, a 92nd percentile complication rate, and a Medicare Value-Based Purchasing bonus all reflect a deep commitment to safety and quality.

Market Dominance and Growing Influence

With nearly half of the inpatient and outpatient market share, Hillcrest sets the standard for care in Central Texas. Over 14,000 annual discharges and 35,000+ ED visits reflect strong community trust—translating to steady referrals and long-term practice viability.

Leadership Committed to Excellence

Charles Williams, FACHE, brings experienced leadership rooted in Texas values. Alongside Chief Nursing Officer Holly Ivy, the leadership team provides both vision and responsiveness, with support from system-wide governance and a board that includes prominent Texas leaders.

Technology Infrastructure Supporting Modern Medicine

Hillcrest is fully integrated with the Epic EMR system across the Baylor Scott & White network. Advanced tools including da Vinci XI robotic systems, Mako robotics, and 3D mammography ensure your patients benefit from the latest diagnostic and surgical technologies.

A Campus Designed for Efficiency

Free front-door parking, a physician-accessible pharmacy, and on-campus food options make the Hillcrest campus one of the most user-friendly facilities for physicians. Even features like the ScriptCenter kiosk for after-hours prescription pickup speak to a culture that values both patient and provider experience.

Community Trust and Regional Reach

With generational loyalty and the region's most comprehensive NICU and trauma services, Hillcrest serves patients from throughout Central Texas. Your practice benefits from both the depth of the local population and the complexity of regional referral cases—creating a blend of professional fulfillment and financial stability.

This is more than just a hospital—it’s a healthcare ecosystem that’s evolved for over 100 years to meet the needs of both patients and physicians. At Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Hillcrest, you’ll find the resources of a major health system, the legacy of a century of service, and the infrastructure to practice medicine at its highest level.

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