CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation along with CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Mary located in Port Arthur celebrated the grand opening of the newly renovated, kid-friendly and technologically advanced Valero Pediatric Unit, the only pediatric unit in South Jefferson County. The Celebration took place on May 15, 2012.

The renovation combines the latest in medical technology with design that will make the hospital experience more comfortable for children and their families. Enhancements include new rooms, a new nurse’s station, and new treatment rooms all with a kid-friendly nature theme that will serve children from babies through teens.  “The playroom has quadrupled in size and one of the most popular new features will most certainly be the PlayStation® in every room,” said Angie Coleson, nursing director at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Mary. “Kids can play games, watch movies and take their minds off their illness.”

The $600,000 worth of renovations resulted from several years of fundraising and a number of generous donors. “The foundation has worked diligently for the past several years to acquire funding for this important project” said Ivy Pate, CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation. “Our funders including the namesake Valero Port Arthur Refinery, the Meadows Foundation, the Scanlan Foundation and individuals through Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals have all made this project possible.”

“Even our own Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurses held a gumbo fundraiser,” said Coleson. The NICU nurses raised about $2,000 to provide more toys and décor for the pediatric unit.

The new facilities contain four negative pressure rooms used for treating and containing respiratory infections in infants. Even the cribs will be updated with 360-degree access for medical staff to better provide treatment in emergency situations. Updated treatment rooms will be a place for kids to have procedures or tests conducted outside of their hospital rooms.

“Kids can feel like their room is a safe haven,” added Coleson. “Even though they are sick, our patients are still kids,” said Dr. Nancy Ngo, pediatrician at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Mary. “They need a place that is inviting and that lifts their spirits. The environment truly helps with their recovery.”

CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Mary is a 227-bed acute care facility providing a comprehensive range of services including: orthopedics, cardiology, oncology, birthing, neonatal care, pediatrics, women’s health, imaging, general surgery, emergency services, and is designated as a Level IV Trauma Center. Areas of advanced technology include St. Mary’s heart bypass surgery program and cardiac catheterization services capable of 3D rotational angiography.

Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center

Renovation of the Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center
January 19, 2010. The Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center located on the campus of CHRISTUS Southeast Texas St. Elizabeth held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the renovation of the center made possible through a $500,000 grant from the Mamie McFaddin Ward Heritage Foundation to CHRISTUS Southeast Texas Foundation.

Information about Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center
The Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center was completely remodeled to keep up with the latest advances in cancer treatment. This gift is the second for the Center from the McFaddin Family. The first was over twenty years ago to dedicate the Center in honor of Mamie McFaddin Ward.

The Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center is Southeast Texas’ only Community Comprehensive Cancer Center, as designated by the American College of Surgeons. An average of 600 patients per week are served at the Cancer Center by the physicians of Texas Oncology.

The Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center and the doctors of Texas Oncology provide patients with the most advanced, patient-friendly cancer treatment and cancer care available. Patients of Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center benefit from leading-edge medical services and our participation in innovative research programs.

The Cancer Center’s support services team is committed to addressing the educational, emotional, financial, and nutritional needs of patients during their cancer treatment. They deliver all of this with a high level of personalized care close to home.

They offer genetic counseling and testing, and received the Reader’s Choice award for the best cancer center in Beaumont. The Cancer Center treats all types of cancer, from the most prevalent forms such as breast cancer,prostate cancer, skin cancer and lung cancer to any of more than 200 forms of cancer identified by the medical community. They offer a full range of leading-edge treatment options. They strive to bring brighter futures to cancer patients and help improve cancer survival rates.

The Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center has the resources to help fight cancer. They are associated with both CHRISTUS Hospital and Texas Oncology both leading health networks in research and patient care.

Information about the McFaddin Ward Heritage Foundation and McFaddin Family

The McFaddin Ward Heritage Foundation started began in 1976 and is an extension of the charitable giving of the McFaddin Family. The family has been in Texas since 1823. They have always been cattle ranchers and have a deep and abiding love of southeast Texas. They were part of the oil boom and McFaddin Beach is named for the family. Three family members serve on the Board of the Foundation, Rosine McFaddin Wilson, Eugene McFaddin and Ida McFaddin Pyle. The McFaddins have been benefactors in the community for over one hundred years giving generously to a number of worthy causes including St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Ubi Caritas, Medical Research and Scholarships, and the McFaddin Ward House. The McFaddin Ward Heritage Foundation is managed by the Trust Department of Capital One Bank.