
In January 2018, University Health System officially opened the much-anticipated Dr. Robert L.M. Hilliard Center, with the goal of improving the health of those living and working in neighborhoods east of downtown.
The $8 million, 12,500-square-foot health center was built on a two-acre site provided by the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA). The state-of-the-art health center offers primary care, women’s and children’s services, endocrinology and more.
Dr. Hilliard was a pioneering obstetrician-gynecologist who died in 2014. Over his distinguished career, he delivered more than 14,000 babies. Fittingly, he had significant ties to both University Health System and SAHA during his career. He was the first African-American physician to receive specialty training at the Robert B. Green Memorial Hospital and he was a past chair of the San Antonio Housing Authority.
The Hilliard Center is the first University Health System facility named in honor of a person since its founding hospital opened downtown as the Robert B. Green Memorial Hospital in 1917, and the Green’s outpatient clinic was named for philanthropist Lady Brady in 1978.
Among the many technological advances incorporated in the Hilliard Center are wall-mounted electronic interactive anatomy boards, located in every exam room. The boards are a teaching tool that providers can use to answer questions or help patients understand a diagnosis or health risk.
“We built the Dr. Robert L.M. Hilliard Center to be a prototype for future University Health System healthcare centers,” said George B. Hernández Jr., president and CEO of University Health System.
“It incorporates technology to improve coordination across the continuum of care,” he told the large crowd gathered at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, January 20. Dr. Hilliard’s widow Janie Hilliard and all of his eight children attended the opening events which also included a reception and open house.
Mr. Ira Smith, vice chair of the Bexar County Board of Managers, spoke about the importance of service and compassion. “We know that healthcare, at its core, is about people caring for people,” he said. “So, as we open the Hilliard Center, we want you to know that the people here will take good care of you. They will deliver the level of expertise and service that we all want for ourselves and our families. Above all, at the Hilliard Center and at every University Health System location, we treat everyone with courtesy, compassion and respect.”
In fact, those words are etched into the floor at the main entrance of the Hilliard Center. They are joined by some others including: Attentive, Kind, Helpful, Trustworthy and Reliable.
“We did this purposefully, as a reminder to everyone who comes to work here tomorrow and in the months and years to come. More than words on a floor, they form a pledge,” added Hernández.
Construction of the new family health center was funded by the Texas 1115 Medicaid Waiver.