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Valley Regional Medical Center Announces acquisition of two Exceptional Emergency Center locations

CommunityGeneral News ArticleHuman InterestPress Release

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: 

  • 24/7 Emergency Care with no appointment necessary. 

  • Faster access to emergency services in a convenient, neighborhood-based location. 

  • Seamless coordination of care with Valley Regional Medical Center for patients requiring hospital admission or specialized services. 

  • Consistent clinical standards and quality care backed by HCA Healthcare’s nationally recognized health system. 

  • Expanded access for families, seniors, and individuals experiencing medical emergencies, from minor injuries to life-threatening conditions. 

  • Multiple treatment rooms and dedicated spaces with state-of-the-art technology. 

  • 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.

Valley Regional Medical Center Announces acquisition of two Exceptional Emergency Center locations

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