For more than a century, one address has quietly carried the weight of El Paso’s health and hope. At 4815 Alameda Avenue, generations of residents have arrived in moments of crisis, recovery, and new beginnings. While the name on the building has changed over time, its purpose has never wavered: taking care of the community.
A Century of Healing
In 1915, El Paso General Hospital opened its doors in a modest adobe structure. It was a practical response to a growing city and an early commitment to public health. As El Paso expanded, so did the need for a hospital equipped to serve everyone, especially those without the means to pay.
During the 1950s, El Paso voters approved a tax to support indigent care and modern facilities, an investment that led to the opening of a new 335-bed hospital in 1963. That hospital was named R.E. Thomason General Hospital in honor of Robert Ewing Thomason, who served as mayor of El Paso, U.S. Congressman, and federal judge.
The Shift to UMC
Decades later, the hospital entered a new chapter. On July 13, 2009, R.E. Thomason General Hospital officially became University Medical Center of El Paso.
By then, the hospital had long served as the primary teaching hospital for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, a partnership that began in 1973. Embracing the “University Medical Center” name highlighted that academic mission, clarified the identity of the expansive 40-acre campus, and strengthened efforts to recruit leading physicians, nurses, and researchers. It also positioned the hospital to compete for federal research grants and national recognition.
As the region’s only Level I Trauma Center, the new name aligned El Paso’s hospital with top academic medical centers across the country. Today, UMC El Paso stands true to its roots, continuing to serve residents and carrying forward a century-old promise of care.
Stay connected with UMC El Paso’s events, initiatives, and community recognitions. Visit umcelpaso.org to learn more, register for upcoming events, or celebrate our latest achievements.
