Our History

We’ve been leading from the beginning.

The Methodist Hospital System was founded in 1996 as a way to extend the quality care and breakthroughs of The Methodist Hospital into our communities and beyond. Our founding entity, The Methodist Hospital, first opened its doors in 1919, and as a system, we continue today guided by a simple yet profound mission:

"To provide high quality, cost-effective health care that delivers the best value to the people we serve in a spiritual environment of caring in association with internationally recognized teaching and research."

The Methodist Hospital is affiliated with Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, two of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.

A legacy of medical milestones has attracted patients from around the world to Methodist. Our accomplishments include creating an international physician referral network — with information centers in Guatemala City and Mexico City and affiliations with hospitals spanning four continents. This has extended Methodist's reach into the global community. Acting as partners with more than 25 hospitals throughout Latin America, Europe and the Middle East, Methodist shares the highest quality of care and knowledge with people the world over. A brief list of firsts includes:

• 1968: One of the world's first heart transplants
• 1968: First multiorgan donor – one donor saved the lives of four people
• 1985: Texas' first heart/lung transplant
• 1987: Nation's first successful single lung transplant
• 2000: Nation's first implantation of the MicroMed DeBakey-Noon ventricular assist device
• 2002: First islet cell transplant in Texas
• 2005: World's first multiorgan transplant in patient with ventricular assist device
• 2006: World's first patient to undergo chemotherapy while implanted with ventricular assist device

While our accomplishments are impressive, we look toward tomorrow to translate even greater discoveries to our patients – as well as meaningful opportunities for our exceptional team. Join The Methodist Hospital System, and be a part of tomorrow's breakthroughs.