HOUSTON – Ben Taub Hospital, located in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, has served as a cornerstone of public health care in Harris County for more than half a century.
The hospital, named after the late Houston philanthropist and civic leader Ben Taub, officially opened in 1963. According to the Harris Health System, Taub donated land and funding to support the creation of a modern, publicly accessible hospital to replace the aging Jefferson Davis Hospital.
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Ben Taub Hospital was established as a teaching facility and remains affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. The hospital quickly became known for its Level I trauma center—one of only two in Houston—as well as its commitment to serving uninsured and underinsured patients.
Today, Ben Taub is operated by the Harris Health System and is a safety-net hospital providing care to some of the region’s most vulnerable populations. It houses more than 400 licensed beds and serves tens of thousands of patients annually, many through its emergency and trauma departments.
While its mission has remained constant, the hospital has undergone several renovations and expansions over the decades to meet Houston’s growing medical demands.
Most recently, discussions have emerged about possible future development that could impact nearby green space within Hermann Park, a move that has drawn pushback from park donors.