We are excited to announce that The University of Texas Health Rio Grande Valley (UT Health RGV) recently broke ground on its new UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center in McAllen, Texas. The center, for which Vaughn Construction serves as the construction manager-at-risk, is part of the phase one development of UTRGV’s McAllen Academic Medical Campus. The three-story, free-standing facility will provide South Texas patients access to state-of-the-art facilities and world-class doctors.
The Rio Grande Valley region experiences higher rates of cancer. Most residents have historically had to seek treatment in other areas of the state—until now. With spaces dedicated to ambulatory surgery, radiation oncology, diagnostic imaging, infusion therapy, orthopedics, and rehabilitation therapy, this 144,231 SF cancer care facility will bring first-rate cancer care directly to the Rio Grande Valley. To help achieve this mission, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will provide oncology advisory services to UT Health RGV.
UT Health RGV leaders, business partners, members of the community, and members of our Vaughn project team gathered at the groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of this new project. When asked about the significance of this project to the Rio Grande Valley community, one Vaughn project manager said, “This project brings hope to an underserved community that is the Rio Grande Valley. Our neighbors won’t need to travel to San Antonio or Houston for life-saving treatment. They will have world-class treatment close to home.” He continued, “Every member of the Vaughn team and UTRGV team is taking great pride in the effort we are undertaking. All the projects we have had the privilege of building for UTRGV have impacted the local community, but this one is special. Many people involved have had a family member or friend afflicted by this disease.”
The UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center will support the healthcare needs of the Rio Grande Valley area for years to come, and Vaughn is proud to support UT Health RGV’s goals on this project. The same Vaughn project manager shared, “This part of Vaughn’s mission statement stays with me: ‘We help heal the sick, make discoveries, educate future leaders, and improve our communities.’ The UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center will give us the privilege of living up to all four of these mandates.”
The UT Health RGV Cancer and Surgery Center is slated for completion in late 2024, and will receive its first patients in early 2025. We look forward to sharing more information as this project progresses.