Laredo Medical Center Delivering Quality Care and More to Laredo, Webb County Region
4/4/2025
Total Community Benefit Estimated to be $498 Million in 2024
LAREDO, Texas, APRIL 4, 2025 – Laredo Medical Center provided care to thousands of area residents in 2024, with almost 335,000 patient encounters across its network of physician clinics and other outpatient sites of care. In addition to delivering safe, quality, compassionate healthcare, the health system is helping those in need, supporting charitable organizations and contributing to the area economy. In its most recent Community Benefit Report, Laredo Medical Center’s impact totaled an estimated $498 million overall in 2024.
One of Laredo Medical Center’s significant investments is enhancing the quality of cardiac care for its patients. The newly upgraded cardiac catheterization lab has two interventional cardiology suites and capabilities for electrophysiology services— creating local access to advanced diagnostics and treatment for abnormal heart rhythms for the first time.
“Our work to grow and enhance the medical services we provide is ongoing, as we continuously improve our safety and quality and support access to healthcare for our community,” said Jorge Leal, FACHE, chief executive officer of Laredo Medical Center. “From providing care to our most vulnerable residents to supporting local charitable organizations, we are proud to make an impact on the health, well-being and quality of life in Laredo and Webb County.”
Laredo Medical Center’s emergency rooms provide lifesaving, medically necessary care at almost 57,000 patient encounters each year, treating all patients regardless of their ability to pay. In 2024, Laredo Medical Center provided more than $333 million in charity and uncompensated care and provided resources to help patients in need to secure medications and medical support devices.
The health system and its employees also support local organizations that make a difference, especially those addressing social determinants of health. Through service projects such as the annual Jars of Love Peanut Butter drive for the South Texas Food Bank and contributions to charitable organizations such as Mercy Ministries, Casa Misericordia and Bethany House, Laredo Medical Center gives back to the community throughout the year.
To enhance patient care and expand healthcare access, Laredo Medical Center is investing in medical services, facilities and technologies. Capital projects in 2024 totaled $3.3 million, and coming in 2025, is the opening of a Women’s Imaging Center in north Laredo to increase lifesaving screenings and other critical women’s health services, and an expansion and enhancement of post-acute care services by adding eight additional skilled nursing unit beds and 16 inpatient rehabilitation beds.
The hospital also took steps to strengthen its surgical and diagnostic imaging services through recruitment of a general surgeon and an interventional radiologist who are performing advanced procedures such as robotic-assisted surgeries for general surgery, urology, gynecology, bariatric, and orthopedics. Access to primary care has been enhanced with the opening of a clinic in north Laredo and recruitment of specialists in ENT, general surgery, and interventional radiology means more specialty services are here locally.
“We are strategically applying our resources to help area residents have access to the care they need close to home,” said Leal. “These investments, along with our outstanding medical staff and employees, support our delivery of high quality medical care and services for a positive patient experience.”
Laredo Medical Center is one of the community’s larger employers with a payroll of nearly $118 million. Support for the future healthcare workforce includes training the next generation of medical professionals in family medicine and internal medicine, which has graduated 64 resident physicians across four graduate medical education classes, with 47 residents currently enrolled. In addition to supporting the local economy through job creation, Laredo Medical Center paid approximately $32 million in taxes in 2024, monies that support local infrastructure and civic resources.
Laredo Medical Center’s commitment to helping people get well and live healthier includes a free monthly e-newsletter with health and wellness tips for all ages. Sign up at https://www.laredomedical.com/enewsletter-sign-up.
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