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General Membership and Regional Information

Trauma Service Area V is the geographic area which lays at the southern most tip of Texas. It consists of four counties, Cameron, Hidalgo and Starr which border Mexico and Willacy County which lies to the north of Cameron County. There are 12 hospital within the region, 8 of which are now trauma designated facilities.

Cameron County contains Valley Baptist Medical Center - Brownsville a designated level III facility, Valley Regional Medical Center a designated level III facility both serving Brownsville and the surrounding areas, and Valley Baptist Medical Center- Harlingen, a Designated Level III facility and the lead facility for Cameron and Willacy Counties Serving Harlingen and its surrounding communities.

Hidalgo County contains Knapp Medical Center, a level III facility, serves the citizens of Weslaco and its surrounding communities.  McAllen Medical Center is the designated lead level III trauma facility for the upper valley.. Edinburg Regional Medical Center and Mission Hospital are designated level IV facility.

Willacy County contains no hospital and Starr County Memorial Hospital in Rio Grande City is currently designated a level IV trauma facility.

Currently, Rio Grande Regional Hospital and McAllen Heart Hospital in the Hidalgo area are seeking designation as a level IV. Harlingen Medical Center, which serves  the citizens of Cameron County opened its doors in October 2002 will be seeking designation. Dolly Vinsant Memorial Hospital in San Benito is not seeking designation at this time.

Trauma Service Area V represents a classic example of specialized challenges in delivering care to the trauma patient in a rural setting, since there is no level I or II trauma center within the service area. Many transfers for specialized care are transported outside the region. However since the development of the regional trauma system the communication between provider and hospital has increased tremendously and the quality of care provided to the victims of trauma has improved.

The region is excited about its continued growth and development. Future plans include working closely with the RAHC (Regional Academic Health Center) to further develop the educational opportunities for all the members of the Trauma Service Area.

For a listing of the Rio Grande Valley Trauma Regional Advisory Council Members please follow the navigation bars at the top left side of this page.