Valley Regional Medical Center Announces acquisition of two Exceptional Emergency Center locations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mariana Tumlinson
Valley Regional Medical Center
(956) 545-4588 (cell)
Mariana.Tumlinson@hcahealthcare.com
Valley Regional Medical Center Announces acquisition of two Exceptional Emergency Center locations, based in Brownville and Harlingen
BROWNSVILLE AND HARLINGEN, TX, Feb. 2, 2026 — Valley Regional Medical Center, an HCA Healthcare facility, announced today the acquisition of two Exceptional Emergency Center locations – one based in Brownsville and the other in Harlingen – that will operate as departments of Valley Regional Medical Center, e.g., under the leadership of, and clinically integrated with, Valley Regional Medical Center. Now operating as ER 24/7 Brownsville (449 East Alton Gloor Boulevard, Brownsville, Texas, 78526) and ER 24/7 Harlingen (6902 W. Expressway 83, Harlingen, Texas, 78552), these locations will continue providing 24-hour, full-service emergency care to the growing Brownsville and Harlingen communities. These Freestanding Emergency Rooms (FSERs) were acquired from ZT Corporate, a company that owned and operated the locations under its Altus Community Healthcare portfolio. Each location offers comprehensive emergency services for patients of all ages and are staffed by board-certified emergency physicians and highly trained clinical teams.
“This acquisition represents a meaningful investment in the health and well-being of our communities” said Joe Hernandez, CEO of Valley Regional Medical Center. “It further strengthens our hospital’s commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible emergency care to Brownsville, Harlingen and surrounding areas.”
These new locations bring several benefits to the growing Brownsville and Harlingen communities, including:
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24/7 Emergency Care with no appointment necessary.
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Faster access to emergency services in a convenient, neighborhood-based location.
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Seamless coordination of care with Valley Regional Medical Center for patients requiring hospital admission or specialized services.
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Consistent clinical standards and quality care backed by HCA Healthcare’s nationally recognized health system.
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Expanded access for families, seniors, and individuals experiencing medical emergencies, from minor injuries to life-threatening conditions.
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Multiple treatment rooms and dedicated spaces with state-of-the-art technology.
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Both locations accept EMS transport and most major insurance plans.
Patients visiting these FSERs will benefit from advanced diagnostic capabilities, including on-site imaging and laboratory services, while remaining closely connected to the broader HCA Healthcare network of specialists and resources. For more information about emergency services at ER 24/7 Brownsville and ER 24/7 Harlingen, visit valleyregionalmedicalcenter.com.
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About Valley Regional Medical Center
Valley Regional Medical Center has proudly served the Rio Grande Valley community for 50 years. The full-service, 214-bed-acute-care facility offers services including cardiovascular care, 24/7 neuroendovascular care, general and minimally invasive surgery, orthopedic surgery and rehabilitation services. As an accredited Chest Pain Center and Primary Stroke Center, Valley Regional Medical Center is well-equipped to provide 24/7 emergency treatment to the Brownsville community and surrounding areas. In 2025, the hospital received a Healthgrades Patient Safety Excellence and Surgical Care Excellence Awards. For more information, visit valleyregionalmedicalcenter.com.
About HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division
HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division is a comprehensive network of hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, emergency centers and diagnostic imaging facilities in greater Houston, Corpus Christi and South Texas. Facilities in the Gulf Coast Division include: 17 acute care and specialty hospitals, 13 ambulatory surgery centers, 24 3D breast imaging centers, 31 freestanding emergency centers, 28 CareNow® urgent care centers, three air ambulances, more than 100 physician practices and a regional transfer center that provides support for patient transfers into and out of HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division hospitals as well as access to ground and air transportation within a 150-mile radius. HCA Healthcare Gulf Coast Division is part of HCA Healthcare, one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services with 182 hospitals and 2,300+ sites of care, including surgery centers, freestanding ERs, urgent care centers, home health, and physician clinics located in 20 states and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit HCAgulfcoast.com.
