NFL Quarterback Matt Schaub and his GR8 Hope Foundation cut ribbon on expanded emergency center at Texas Children's Hospital West Campus

HOUSTON - (Nov. 18, 2013) - On Nov. 12, NFL quarterback Matt Schaub, his wife Laurie and their three children cut the ribbon on the newly expanded GR8 Hope Foundation Emergency Care Area at Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, Houston's first community hospital designed, built and equipped exclusively for children. The expansion project was partially funded through a donation from their GR8 Hope Foundation as part of a $1 million pledge.

"This is another huge milestone for Texas Children's Hospital West Campus," said Michelle Riley-Brown, senior vice president, Texas Children's Hospital West Campus. "As you can imagine, an expansion of this magnitude takes a village and we are so grateful to the Schaubs for this opportunity and for helping to make this a reality."

The GR8 Hope Foundation Emergency Care Area is part of The David and Mary Wolff Emergency Center at Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, which has nearly doubled in size and is now a 24-bed-unit staffed with board-certified pediatric emergency medicine physicians. The dedicated emergency center staff is trained to provide immediate care for illnesses and injuries in children less than 18 years of age.

"On behalf of Laurie and I, our three beautiful daughters and our GR8 Hope Foundation, we're incredibly honored to be here today and be a part of this project," said Matt Schaub. "To look back at what it was not even a year ago and see what it has become is remarkable. When this hospital first opened three years ago, it was near and dear to our hearts to do whatever we could to help out, lend a hand and provide the children that have to come to this remarkable facility with the opportunity to receive the best possible care."

As part of their continued dedication to Texas Children's Hospital West Campus, the Schaubs presented a third donation of $250,000 through their GR8 Hope Foundation in August.

"We're very fortunate to have families in Houston that want to help us meet the mission of making children better and the Schaubs are a great example of that," added Dr. Charles Hankins, chief medical officer of Texas Children's Hospital West Campus. "We see nearly 40,000 children a year in our emergency center; it won't take long for hundreds of thousands of kids to benefit from this facility."

Located at I-10 and Barker Cypress, Texas Children's Hospital West Campus houses the only 24/7 pediatric emergency room in the Greater West Houston area; four surgical suites and a minor procedure room; 48 acute-care patient; advanced imaging services including MRI and CT scans; a neurophysiology sleep lab; a pathology lab and a pharmacy for inpatient families. The attached outpatient clinic building offers a variety of pediatric subspecialty practices including physical/occupational therapy and speech therapy; diabetes/endocrine; gastroenterology; nutrition; audiology; cardiology; neurology; ophthalmology; otolaryngology; orthopedic surgery; pediatric surgery; pulmonary medicine; urology; oncology and infusion center; allergy and immunology; physical medicine and rehabilitation; adolescent medicine; sports medicine; and pediatric gynecology. A Texas Children's Pediatrics primary care practice is also on site.

About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, a second community hospital planned to open in 2017. The organization also created the nation’s first HMO for children, has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.