Dell Children’s Medical Center is proud to celebrate its 19th anniversary this year. We are celebrating by honoring the hospital's founding members, as well as the physicians, nurses, clinicians, and staff who have passionately served the Central Texas community for nearly two decades. Since opening in 2007, Dell Children’s has transformed from Austin’s original children’s hospital into a cornerstone, now spanning two locations to better serve our community.
“As we look to the future, we remain steadfast in our mission of clinical excellence and compassionate care," said Dell Children’s President, Adam Messer. We are committed to meeting the needs of our growing Central Texas community by expanding access and innovation. By continuously advancing our capabilities, strategic investments and recruiting top talent, we have solidified our position as a premier destination for complex pediatric care, ensuring every child receives the world-class treatment they deserve and need.”
When Dell Children’s opened in 2007, the combined population of Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties was approximately 1.5 million people. Today, that population has grown to nearly 2.2 million. This unprecedented 43-percent increase in regional population has fueled a comprehensive plan to expand pediatric care in collaboration with partners at Dell Medical School at The University of Texas and UT Health Austin.
Major milestones in the hospital’s history include:
2013: Opening of the W.H. and Elaine McCarthy South Bedtower.
2018: The Grace Grego Maxwell Mental Health Unit opens.
2020: Completed the region's first pediatric heart transplant.
2021: Addition of the Specialty Pavilion, housing Centers of Excellence in Cardiovascular and Heart Surgery, Neurosciences, Oncology & Hematology, and Maternal Fetal Medicine.
2022: Completion of the fourth patient tower, adding 72 acute care rooms.
2023: Opening of Dell Children’s North Campus in Williamson County, a 135,000-square-foot facility expanding access to emergency, trauma, and surgical services.
As our hospital continues to expand its footprint, so does its national standing. Dell Children’s has earned national recognition in the U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals list for 2025-2026, earning top 50 national rankings in seven specialties. This includes a top-10 national ranking for its Pediatric Cardiology and Heart Surgery program, a department that achieved its 50th pediatric heart transplant milestone in early 2026.
Dell Children's Medical Center is the region's only pediatric Level I trauma center. Dell Children's Medical Center North Campus, which opened in 2023 and now holds a Level III trauma designation, expands access to pediatric emergency care, surgical and outpatient services. With both the Main and North campuses, Dell Children's provides full access to specialized care throughout the region and beyond.
For more information about Dell Children’s Medical Center and its ongoing commitment to providing world-class pediatric care in Central Texas, please visit www.dellchildrens.org.
