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Jeff Flowers, MBA, FACHE, Chief Executive Jeremy Viles, DNP, Chief Operating Officer Kimberly Summers, PharmD, Associate
Officer Vice President for Research Operations

deal of faculty and provider participation in the planning process, in all as soon as the hospital achieves accreditation by The Joint Commis-
the clinical and research areas, to really be able to augment the entire sion, which is anticipated in 2025. “UT Health San Antonio Multi-
continuum of research that we offer at the university,” said Viles. specialty and Research Hospital will be at the forefront of adopting
Continuity of care during clinical trials new technologies and providing leading treatments for our patients.
A top priority was providing continuity of care for patients As an academic-research hospital, we have the potential to signifi-
involved in clinical trials, many of whom are highly immuno- cantly enhance patient care by delivering innovations and discoveries
compromised or have other comorbidities. For example, working from our UT Health San Antonio investigators directly to the bed-
together with the Institute for Drug Development within the Mays side, seamlessly integrating these advancements with the care of our
Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, front-line clinical trials patients,” said Summers.
require frequent pharmacokinetic monitoring. This involves con- In the 2024-2025 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Global Uni-
ducting numerous blood tests to identify medication levels over versities rankings, UT Health San Antonio ranked No. 51 among the
time in a patient’s system. At the new hospital, patients can have world’s top 1,000 universities with clinical medicine research pro-
Where Tomorrow’s Breakthroughs Begin: testing completed and processed immediately in one convenient grams, and No. 32 among all U.S. healthcare institutions in the 2024
Nature Index for their research output. The hospital, as part of UT
location.
“Rather than stopping and starting in an outpatient clinic setting, Health San Antonio, means it can integrate research and education
UT Health San Antonio’s first hospital opens, this gives us the option to treat those patients consistently and timelier into its operations, offering specialized services and treatments pre-
viously unavailable in this region. “The academic connection ensures
through their entire continuum of care. It offers a better experience to
merging comprehensive care, innovation our patients, and it offers greater efficiency to the primary investigators that leading experts in various medical fields are deeply involved in
both patient care and research delivering novel treatments and thera-
for our clinical trials,” Viles said.
By UT Health San Antonio The hospital also provides a protective environment unit, meeting pies to patients,” she said.
the highest safety requirements for an in-patient setting. Patients stay- Current and future efforts will be significantly enhanced, par-
s the golden sun peeks over the Hill Country skyline, UT “UT Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital ing at the hospital for long periods of time such as those undergoing ticularly in areas that disproportionately impact the health of our
Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital brings unparalleled, comprehensive patient care and cutting-edge stem cell transplants, cellular therapy or other oncology services, can South Texans. “This includes expanded research in complex dis-
Abegins to stir with the promise of a new day. A physician scien- clinical research directly to the heart of South Texas. Our goal is to be continuously monitored and have immediate access to a higher level eases such as cancer, aging, brain health and neurosciences. These
tist steps purposefully through the sleek glass entrance into an atrium not only advance the science of medicine but ensure our community of care delivery required for their unique disease. focused efforts will drive advancements in understanding and treat-
bathed in natural light. Their path leads to an expansive lab equipped has access to the latest breakthrough treatments close to home. We A first for UT Health San Antonio, this hospital will be able to ing these critical health issues, ultimately benefiting our communi-
with the latest in diagnostic technology, ready for breakthroughs to are setting a new standard for health outcomes in our region,” said support novel pharmacy research through fully United States Phar- ty,” Summers said.
come. UT Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research Hospital Chief macopeia (USP)-compliant non-sterile compounding, or food com-
During morning rounds, clinicians greet patients in spacious pri- Executive Officer Jeff Flowers, MBA, FACHE. pounding, along with typical sterile compounding. Additionally, the Exceeding expectations in cancer care, research
vate rooms designed to feel more like serene suites than medical spac- From the beginning, the hospital’s planning team knew they wanted hospital’s 22,000 square-foot laboratory is nearly double the capacity Patient care services in oncology and research, in conjunction
es, offering a sense of calm and comfort in every interaction. As the a place where deep commitment to patient care merged seamlessly with for hospitals this size, providing ample room for the unique blend of with the Mays Cancer Center, is expected to account for the majori-
day winds down, a physician scientist pauses, reflecting on a fulfilling cutting-edge research and use of the latest technology. Every aspect of scientists, researchers and hospital personnel. ty of hospital services. Cancer research is an interdisciplinary effort,
journey. Here at UT Health San Antonio Multispecialty and Research the facility was thoughtfully designed to foster clinical innovation while and this innovative multispecialty hospital elevates our research
Hospital, this is more than a day’s work — this is where pioneering sci- prioritizing patient well-being. Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Viles, At the forefront of new technologies, treatments capabilities, said Lei Zheng, MD, PhD, executive director of Mays
ence and compassionate care unite to foster an environment of healing, DNP, said the hospital was specifically designed to support care teams in Associate Vice President for Research Operations Kimberly Sum- Cancer Center and vice president for oncology at UT Health San
discovery and hope. all their missions — clinical, educational and research. “We had a great mers, PharmD, said researchers are gearing up to initiate clinical trials Antonio.

26 SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • December 2024 Visit us at www.bcms.org 27