Hospital Opens New Helipad

FORT WORTH, Texas - Construction of a second ground-level helipad is complete at Texas Heath Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth - a project aimed at continuing to bolster emergency and trauma services to meet patient needs.

The new landing space is the hospital's fifth helipad. It is located adjacent to an existing helipad in front of the Emergency Department.

"This addition to the Emergency Department allows us to meet the evolving needs of our community," said Ann Quinlan, M.S.N., R.N., TCRN, director of trauma, burn and emergency general surgery and Trauma Program manager. "We are continually working to connect our most critical patients with the medical care they need."

Richard Brooks, M.B.A., L.P., program manager for EMS outreach, said some emergency events result in multiple patients being transported to the hospital in separate aircraft.

"Having another helipad for the Emergency Department will enable us to receive multiple patients by helicopter at the same time," Brooks said. "We can get patients to the appropriate care quicker."

Texas Health Fort Worth is one of two hospitals in Tarrant County with designated a Level I Trauma Center. Trauma cases at Texas Health Fort Worth increased 5% from 2022 to 2023.

"We are experiencing growth each year, which leads us to continue expanding trauma services," said Amy Papst, M.D., M.S.-H.C.T., chief quality and medical officer at Texas Health Fort Worth. "Our trauma center is a regional asset that serves a large urban center while also treating patients from suburban and rural communities."

Texas Health Fort Worth serves a growing number of patients from North Texas and beyond. Critical patients from rural communities often arrive by air. The hospital draws patients from 88 counties in Texas.

Texas Health Fort Worth has three other helipads located on the Richardson Tower that are closer to the intensive care units and obstetrics.