The Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation’s gift will fund advanced patient beds and treatment room upgrades, strengthening patient safety, comfort, and emergency care across the Borderplex.
The University Medical Center Foundation of El Paso is honored to receive a $1.1 million gift from the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation, the largest award in UMC Foundation’s history. This investment will enhance UMC’s Main Campus Emergency Department and support its capacity to meet the growing healthcare needs of our region.
Building on the Hunt Family Foundation’s longstanding support of UMC, the gift will fund two critical improvements: advanced hybrid patient beds and rolling locker door systems in emergency treatment rooms. These upgrades will support patients, families, and healthcare professionals while building on UMC’s commitment to exceptional care and safety.
The new patient beds combine comfort with advanced clinical functionality. Their technology supports better patient positioning and helps reduce the risk of pressure injuries and sores, improving the patient experience during extended stays in the emergency department.
The rolling locker door systems will keep critical equipment secure, accessible, and ready when needed. Together, these improvements will enhance treatment spaces and support the teams delivering care during some of the most urgent moments in a patient’s life.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation for its continued partnership and generous support,” said Jacob Cintron, President and CEO of the El Paso County Hospital District. “This support will help strengthen UMC’s Emergency Department by enhancing treatment spaces and introducing advanced technologies that complement the exceptional care already being delivered by our dedicated team. It reflects a shared commitment to ensuring our community continues to receive timely, safe, and effective emergency care.”
UMC’s Emergency Department treats more than 150,000 patients annually. As the Borderplex grows, demand for emergency services is expected to increase. Two new satellite emergency department locations are also planned as part of the voter-approved 2024 bond initiative.
For local families, this investment supports access to emergency care equipped to meet their needs today and into the future.
Maria M. Zampini, CEO of UMC, emphasized that the gift supports a team that has served the community through extraordinary challenges, including the August 3, 2019, tragedy and the COVID-19 pandemic. UMC is home to the region’s only Level I Trauma Center, and its emergency department has earned national recognition through Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation.
“Our mission is to build a globally competitive Borderplex region, and that starts with strong, accessible healthcare,” said Woody L. Hunt of the Woody and Gayle Hunt Family Foundation. “As our community grows, UMC must have the infrastructure to meet rising demand. This partnership strengthens the region’s healthcare backbone – improving care today while building a more resilient system for the future.”
UMC Foundation is deeply grateful for the Hunt Family Foundation’s continued partnership and commitment to our community. This historic gift will help strengthen the emergency care that patients and families rely on when they need it most.
To learn more about UMC Foundation and the programs supported by our donors, visit umcfoundationelpaso.org. For information about UMC’s expansion and care services, visit umccares.org.
