John Sealy Hospital & Annex (Galveston, Texas)

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The central hospital of UTMB’s inpatient care complex, John Sealy Hospital was completed in 1978 at a cost of $32.5 million and was funded in full by The Sealy & Smith Foundation. The 12-story hospital includes single patient rooms and specialized intensive care units. Other features include the Acute Care for Elders Unit, or ACE Unit. This area employs a holistic approach to help reduce complications of hospitalization among seniors. The unit was also funded by The Sealy & Smith Foundation. The first floor main hallway, which was renovated in 2002, houses a small chapel, gift shop, barber shop and food courts. It is the third facility to bear the name John Sealy Hospital, in memory of the benefactor whose bequest built the first John Sealy Hospital in 1890. Portraits of John Sealy and his son, John Sealy II, and daughter, Jennie Sealy Smith, are on display in the lobby.

The Sealy & Smith Foundation Wall, also in the lobby, features portraits of the board of directors of the foundation, which was established by Sealy family members in 1922 to support the original hospital. The Sealy & Smith Foundation has contributed nearly $500 million to UTMB since its inception. A second John Sealy Hospital, built in 1954, is known today as the John Sealy Annex and now houses administrative and support services. It is joined to the north side of the current hospital, and portions of its original facade are easily recognizable.