By Stephanie Hyde, CEO, Tyler ContinueCARE Hospital, Guest Author

As the holiday season invites us to reflect on what matters most, it’s a fitting time to celebrate the meaningful work being done at long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs) like Tyler ContinueCARE Hospital. For 20 years, we’ve been privileged to provide highly specialized care to patients with complex medical needs, offering them a path to recovery and renewed hope.

Tyler ContinueCARE Hospital opened its doors in Tyler, Texas, on May 17, 2004, with a mission to serve patients requiring extended hospitalization of 25 days or more. Since then, we’ve cared for over 11,000 patients, expanded from 25 to 51 beds, and grown our team from 25 employees to 140, nearly a third of whom have been with us for more than five years. This year, we opened a satellite location in Longview, Texas, adding 32 critical care beds to our capacity. Together, we now offer 83 beds across East Texas, making us one of the largest LTACHs in the state.

Our success stems from strong community relationships, trust among our patients and physicians, and our commitment to delivering exceptional clinical outcomes. In the past year, 60 percent of our patients were discharged home or to a lower level of care—a testament to the expertise of our team and our innovative approach to care. Advances like the Wound Scout, introduced two years ago, have enhanced our ability to assess and treat patients effectively.

Beyond medical care, we see our work as sacred, providing not just for patients but for their families as well. Many of our families travel long distances—from Shreveport to Dallas, Texarkana to Conroe—to be near their loved ones in our care. For family members, we offer onsite accommodations in patient rooms, complimentary meals and parking passes.

As a hospital located within CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Hospital-Tyler, we’re proud of our longstanding partnership and our shared commitment to improving healthcare access. This collaboration extends to our new Longview facility, which allows us to reach even more patients across the region.

Over the years, our dedication has been recognized with numerous awards, including being the first LTACH in Texas to receive the CIHQ LTACH Center of Excellence designation in 2016, as well as honors for respiratory and nursing care in 2022. These accolades reflect the unwavering passion of our staff, who treat every patient with dignity and compassion.

As we look to the future, we’re excited to continue this high level of care, embracing innovations that improve outcomes for the communities we serve. During this season of gratitude, we thank our patients, families, and staff for trusting us to be part of their journey.

From all of us at Tyler ContinueCARE Hospital, we wish you and your loved ones near and far, a joyous holiday season filled with health, hope, and peace.