Starting fresh this year, let’s take pride in everything UMC has accomplished. From taking the lead in medical technologies to achieving high ranking awards, UMC continues to guide the way in providing exceptional healthcare services. These 23 milestones highlight the hospital’s commitment to patient well-being, innovation, and excellence.
Level 1 Trauma Center: UMC is the only Level 1 Trauma Center within a 280-mile radius of El Paso, providing the highest level of emergency care for severe injuries since 2001.
Level 1 Stroke Center: Since 2018, UMC is certified to handle the most complex stroke cases. No other hospital in West Texas, New Mexico, or Southern Arizona has this certification.
Level 4 Maternal Care: UMC is the region’s first hospital with a Level 4 Maternal Care designation, offering the highest standard of care for mothers and babies.
Mobile Stroke Unit: A specialized ambulance with a 16-slice CT scanner, delivering immediate stroke care at the scene to save critical time for patients.
GI Genius: UMC introduced the region’s first intelligent endoscopy module, improving detection of suspicious lesions that may indicate colorectal cancer.
Xenex Robot: UMC was the first hospital in El Paso to use the Xenex Robot, which utilizes ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, viruses, and spores, helping to prevent infections.
Single-Port Da Vinci Robot: This technology allows for minimally invasive surgeries, resulting in quicker recovery times, less pain, and fewer long-term complications for patients.
Portable MRI: UMC has introduced the Swoop, the region’s first portable MRI system that brings the MRI scanner to patients at their bedside, reducing anxiety and allowing family presence.
Octaray: A heart-mapping catheter used to treat atrial fibrillation, allowing surgeons to guide it from the inner thigh to the heart for precise treatment.
2023 Chest Pain Award: UMC received the American College of Cardiology’s Silver Performance Achievement Award for its excellence in cardiovascular care, ranking among the top 82 hospitals in the nation.
2024 Gold Plus Award: For the consecutive year (2023 and 2024), UMC received the highest recognition from the American Heart Association for outstanding stroke and Type 2 diabetes care.
Direction and Treatment for Barrett’s Esophagus: UMC introduced new technologies to treat cancers affecting the throat, expanding its mandate to provide excellent care to the El Paso community.
UMC Outpatient Clinics: UMC has opened new 45,000-square-foot multi-service clinic facilities in East and West El Paso to provide expanded care to the community.
Excellence in Professionalism Award: UMC was one of only nine hospitals in the U.S. to receive the Excellence in Professionalism Award from the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses.
HIPEC: UMC became the first in El Paso to offer hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), a heated chemotherapy treatment for colon and ovarian cancer.
3D Mammography: UMC leads the community with 3D imaging systems that detect cysts and tumors up to 40% earlier than traditional mammography.
BrainScope Technology: UMC is the first hospital in Texas to use BrainScope technology for detecting concussions, especially from sports injuries or impacts.
Paternity Award Program: In 2023, UMC was recognized by the Texas Attorney General’s Office for its exemplary paternity program, helping unmarried parents establish paternity and legal rights.
ASGE Quality Star: UMC’s Digestive Health Center and Ambulatory Surgical Center West are the only endoscopy units in the region to maintain the ASGE Quality Star status for excellence in gastrointestinal procedures.
ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Award: UMC earned recognition for surgical quality, receiving high scores for both “All Cases” and “High Risk” categories in 2023.
SCOPY Award: UMC’s colorectal cancer outreach program has enrolled 41,978 people and provided 1,092 diagnostic colonoscopies, earning recognition for year-round excellence in prevention and cancer detection.
QTF Regional Award: UMC was honored by the Quality Texas Foundation for its performance excellence, implementing efficient practices to improve healthcare delivery across the hospital district.
Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation: UMC’s Emergency Department achieved Level 3 GEDA status, reflecting its commitment to providing high-quality care for older adults in the community.
UMC’s achievements are proof of its dedication to improving healthcare in the region. With each award and new advancement reached, UMC proves its role as a healthcare leader, pioneering solutions that directly benefit the community. For more details, visit UMC’s awards page.
