Texas Children’s Austin & Ronald McDonald House Announce Opening of First In-Hospital House in Central Texas

AUSTIN, TEXAS (March 30, 2026) – Texas Children’s Austin and Ronald McDonald House Central Texas announced the opening of the first in-hospital Ronald McDonald House in the Central Texas region. This growth marks a significant step forward in fulfilling the goals of both organizations to provide outstanding pediatric care that focuses on patients and their families.

The newly built Ronald McDonald House provides a place to stay for families with children receiving treatment at Texas Children’s Austin. The first family to stay in the House traveled from El Paso to receive care from the maternal fetal medicine physicians at Texas Children’s. Yadira and Nathan will stay in the newly opened house through the birth of their daughter Amelia and her treatment.

"Staying at Ronald McDonald House inside Texas Children's Hospital will truly help our family. It provides us with a comfortable and peaceful place to stay, and we will be just steps away from our child," said Yadira.

This facility will offer crucial support throughout hospital stays and reflects Texas Children’s continued dedication to broadening access to pediatric and women’s healthcare throughout Central Texas.

“This new in-hospital Ronald McDonald House represents a meaningful commitment to families across Central Texas and beyond,” said Dr. Jeffrey Shilt, president of Austin and Central Texas at Texas Children’s. “By bringing this resource directly onto our Austin campus, we are helping ensure families can stay close to their child, remain connected to their care team and focus on what matters most during some of life’s most challenging moments. We are proud to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas in expanding family-centered support for this growing region.”

The new House includes spaces privately designed with flowing forms and colors inspired by nature, fostering a soothing atmosphere where families can find relief. There are nine separate family suites, including one oversized suite crafted for those facing more severe medical challenges. Families will find a kitchen staffed by volunteers preparing meals, as well as a dining area, lounge, complimentary laundry facilities, and a versatile room for art and activities. This multipurpose area will support creative projects, playtime, and personal, one-on-one support sessions. These features help parents and caregivers remain close to their child's healthcare providers while enjoying essential opportunities for rest and connection.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome families to the new Ronald McDonald House at Texas Children’s Hospital Austin,” said Kristin Coulter, Chief Executive Officer of Ronald McDonald House Central Texas. “Keeping families close is the heart of our mission. While the need across Austin continues to grow, this new House represents a meaningful step forward in closing gaps in care and ensuring more families have the support they need when it matters most.”

The opening of the House at Texas Children’s Austin represents the first phase of “A Place Like Home,” RMHC CTX’s capital campaign dedicated to expanding capacity and ensuring families have access to comfort, care and community during their child’s medical journey. 

About Texas Children’s 
Texas Children’s, a nonprofit 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 system includes the Texas Children’s Duncan NRI; the Feigin Tower 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; Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children’s care for communities north of Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin, the state-of-the-art facility providing world-class pediatric and maternal care to Austin families, which opened in 2024. The organization also created Texas Children’s Health Plan, the nation’s first HMO focused on children; Texas Children’s Pediatrics, the largest pediatric primary care network in the country; Texas Children’s Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that is channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, visit  www.texaschildrens.org.  

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas (RMHC CTX) supports the health and well-being of children and their families through lodging, emotional support, and community-based care. Its programs help reduce the financial and emotional burden of pediatric hospitalization by providing housing, meals, support services, and resources for healing.