As we reflect on the Paul and Judy Andrews Women’s Hospital 15th birthday, we recognize that it was built on a solid foundation of caring for women, for life.
Since opening in 2008, Andrews Women’s Hospital has delivered over 86,662 babies. Year after year, Andrews welcomes more than half of all babies born in Fort Worth each year, representing the second highest volume of births in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Over the last 15 years, Andrews Women’s Hospital has cared for 10,213 babies through their on-site 63-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). One of the largest NICUs in North Texas, this highly skilled team cares for the sickest babies ranging in age from just 22 weeks gestation to term infants.
In addition to caring for women in childbearing years, Andrews Women’s Hospital also offers comprehensive women’s surgical services. On average, more than 200 surgical procedures are performed by our expert surgeons each month for gynecological, breast and urological purposes, including many minimally-invasive robotic surgeries.
Combined with its team of dedicated medical professionals and advanced technology, the women’s hospital has received numerous recognitions and designations. Here are just a few:
Level IV Maternal Care Center – In 2021, Andrews Women’s Hospital became the first hospital in Fort Worth designated as a Level IV maternal care center, the highest possible designation by the state, providing care for the most critically ill maternal patients. Andrews operates a unique Obstetric Emergency Room (OBER), 24 hours a day, for mothers experiencing emergencies during pregnancy.
Level III Neonatal Facility – Andrews Women’s Hospital has a Level III NICU which recognizes expertise in providing comprehensive care to premature and seriously ill infants at all gestational ages. The unit offers readily available access to a full range of pediatric medical subspecialties.
Patient Satisfaction scores put Andrews Women’s Hospital in the top 1% of hospitals in the nation for inpatient surgical care.
Whether it is rising to the challenge of delivering over 6,500 babies last year or creatively devising a plan to add four new labor and delivery rooms and an additional operating room to the existing footprint of the hospital, one thing remains the same — throughout the past fifteen years, Andrews Women’s Hospital has continued to benefit from the philanthropic generosity of this community.
Thanks to your generous support of Andrews Women’s Hospital during the formative years, we are now able to provide the next generation of healthcare to women of all ages, stages and walks of life.
Enjoy reflecting with these individuals on what the past and future of Andrews Women’s Hospital means to them.
As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of Andrews Women’s Hospital, how would you describe the significance of this hospital to you?
Judy Andrews (Donor): I am so proud to witness the exceptional level of care that we offer to the residents of Fort Worth and surrounding communities. The nursing staff brings a genuine sense of warmth and compassion to every patient, creating a feeling of “family,” unconditionally.
Dr. Jay Herd (Donor and Physician): From the inception of Andrews Women’s Hospital, doctors and female patients have been actively involved; from planning and building design to sitting on Executive Councils. I feel that everyone has pride in the making and continued running of the largest maternity hospital in the county.
Rick Dunlap (Donor and Parent): If we hadn’t been at Andrews Women’s Hospital for the birth of our second child, our family would not be the same today. When the doctors and nurses rushed to save my wife Maggie’s life, I witnessed an incredible combination of medicine and prayer. I am forever grateful for their quick emergency response, for the doctors that performed her life-saving procedure, and for the staff that prayed over me while we waited. I’m also thankful for the nurses who watched over our daughter while we dealt with the trauma of that event. They loved her while we couldn’t and provided much needed support for my family. It should be no surprise that we returned to Andrews Women’s Hospital for the birth of our third child, feeling incredibly safe in the care of that hospital.
Janice Whitmire (Chief Operating Officer): Andrews Women’s Hospital holds such a special place in my heart. From the time the “idea” was put on that napkin- the journey was just magical. Not all “ideas or dreams” come to fruition but this one did with fantastic success. Seeing the physicians, employees, community, and donors gathered around a planning table, dreaming of an amazing hospital that could be built will never be forgotten. Today, it still has that same feeling. I walk over there with pride, not in just the physical environment but the amazing team that serves the women of Fort Worth every day.
Michelle Stemley (Nurse and Administrator): I was fortunate to be a part of Andrews Women’s Hospital when we opened in 2008, and I am so proud of how far we have come in providing exceptional care to women, infants, and families over the past 15 years. Not only am I privileged to work at Andrews Women’s Hospital, but I have also had family members and many friends receive superb care in our beautiful facility.
What are your hopes or aspirations for Andrews Women’s Hospital in the next 15 years?
Judy Andrews: Our unwavering commitment to our original mission of “caring for women for life” will continue to be our guiding principle, as we strive to establish a lasting legacy. We are fortunate to be well-positioned for success in the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare for women.
Dr. Jay Herd: As Fort Worth and the surrounding area continues to grow, so will Andrews Women’s Hospital. With Andrews’ contribution, Baylor Scott & White All Saints has transformed from a small community hospital to a flagship teaching hospital.
Rick Dunlap: I hope that Andrews Women’s Hospital continues to grow and provide the same love and support for many more families. I wish that every family could witness the incredible prayers that were poured onto my family. That combination of medicine and faith is life changing.
Janice Whitmire: I see us continuing to be a destination hospital nationally for women. When we built Andrews Women’s Hospital, we had about six national hospitals that we visited – now folks come to Andrews to see what WE are doing! We will continue to be a destination for physicians, employees, and residents as well.
Michelle Stemley: On a daily basis, Andrews Women’s Hospital reaches our maximum capacity from a space and patient bed standpoint while the demand for services continues to increase. I look forward to the day we open our new state of the art NICU and additional patient rooms so that we can serve even more women, infants, and families in our community. This will also allow us to continue to attract the very best talent in medicine, nursing, and healthcare support services. It is such an exciting time to be a part of Andrews Women’s Hospital!
