PHOTOGRAPHY BY LUCAS PURVIS

The Central Texas mother of three contracted swine flu in her last month of pregnancy, and doctors were forced to deliver her baby early. She was then transferred to Seton Austin’s intensive care unit, where she was put on a newly acquired machine called ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), which is used as a last-ditch treatment for severe pneumonia and other life-threatening lung failure. 

After 17 days connected to ECMO and two weeks of rehabilitation, Short returned home with her family and new baby.

“I didn’t realize how much pregnancy would compromise my immune system,” Short said. “ECMO saved my life. I wouldn’t be here with my three kids if doctors hadn’t put me on 

Seton Austin is the only Central Texas hospital with this technology, and it demonstrates the Seton Healthcare Family’s commitment to innovative, top-quality health 

During the past decade, Seton has dedicated itself to being a national leader in patient safety and innovation. The road hasn’t been easy, but the results have been 

For example, Seton’s safety program related to births and newborn care has earned national acclaim. By adopting evidence-based practices such as restricting elective inductions prior to 39 weeks gestation, Seton has raised the bar in patient safety for its tiniest patients, resulting in one of the lowest birth-trauma rates in the 

 The opening of Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas in June 2007 put Austin on the map as one of the leading providers of world-class pediatric care. Since that time, Seton has also expanded into Hays, Bastrop and Williamson counties and now operates a total of 12 facilities from Highland Lakes to 

Both Dell Children’s and University Medical Center Brackenridge have been elevated to Level I trauma centers, the highest possible level of trauma care. All Level I trauma centers in the nation must demonstrate the ability to conduct rigorous research projects surrounding trauma care and treatment, and this designation reflects the Seton Healthcare Family’s enhanced commitment to research, and to providing complex care for adults and 

One such child is Than Hien Vo, a 1-year-old girl who seems like a perfectly happy, healthy tot unless you see the scars on her chest. Than suffered from heart disease that strikes one in 2,000 children – basically a hole in her heart and an obstruction that prevented blood from reaching her 

When she was 3 months old, Dr. Kenneth Fox of Dell Children’s Regional Heart Program operated on Than, an incredibly difficult surgery due to the infant’s tiny operating field.

Dell Children’s has received widespread acclaim for combining such cutting-edge medical technology with a collection of healing art and green building design, becoming the first hospital in the world to receive a platinum designation from LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design). 

The facility and staff are committed to improving children’s health and well-being through collaborations with the March of Dimes, Safe Kids Austin and the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, which co-sponsored the Annual Childhood Cancer Fair in March. 

The fair aimed to bring awareness to childhood cancers and raise money for research through a Shave-A-Thon, where volunteers shaved their heads bald for the cause.

Janet Pollok, the mother of 10-year-old Luke, who died from a brain tumor in 2009, attended Dell’s Childhood Cancer Fair in March. 

“The stories that were shared while the participants shaved were heartwarming and heartbreaking, but the passion these people have for helping find a cure for our children is overwhelming,” says Pollok, a St. Baldrick’s participant. 

Other Dell Children’s “shavees” included Seton physicians, nurses and other employees, community volunteers and dozens of fathers, mothers and siblings of cancer patients. The event raised more than $100,000. 

In addition to excellence in cancer, orthopedic and cardiovascular care, Dell Children’s has state-of-the-art neurosurgery services, a pediatric spine center and a comprehensive epilepsy center that was recently designated a Level 4 center, the highest ranking for epilepsy care.

Dedication to medical research is at the core of Seton’s mission. In 2009, Seton entered into an affiliation with UT Southwestern Medical Center to significantly increase the number of medical residents, or physicians-in-training, at Seton facilities. 

Dr. Susan M. Cox became the first regional dean of UT Southwestern Medical Center, and she will oversee the Seton partnership in Austin. 

“Together, we are committed to the development of residency training programs of the highest quality, and to further development of clinical care and research within Seton Healthcare Family,” Cox said. “By training more residents in Central Texas, Seton and UT Southwestern hope to address the local doctor shortage. Many physicians eventually establish permanent practices in the communities where they train.”

In fact, data shows that 90 percent of medical residents open their own practices within 50 miles of where they do their residencies. More medical residents will lead to a much-needed influx of new doctors in Central Texas, where the need is expected to grow to more than 5,200 physicians by 2020. 

Practicing here is a huge draw for many residents, especially at Brackenridge, with its history of serving the poor and uninsured, who tend to wait as long as possible before seeking medical attention. Because of the type of patients and severe cases treated, there are many opportunities to study complex medical conditions. 

“Emergency medicine is a big draw for medical students,” Cox said.

The agreement with UT Southwestern also provided for the creation of a new Seton/UT Southwestern Clinical Research Institute. Seton is in the process of hiring a scientist to lead the institute, take laboratory research and translate it into clinical uses for doctors and patients. 

Once the scientist is in place, another 19 researchers will be hired to work with the doctors, faculty and residents. 

“Civic, business and policy leaders in our community come together to learn how medical education and research are helping us set the standard for health care in Central Texas,” said Greg Hartman, president and CEO of UMC Brackenridge. “Medical innovation also creates an economic engine for our region and provides accessible, patient-centered health care.” 

And if you don’t have a strong research institute, you can’t attract faculty to teach residents, Hartman added.

This collaborative effort incorporates the talent and expertise of UT Austin, UT Southwestern and the Seton Family of Hospitals to serve as a generator of spin-off biotech and medical device firms. 

Bringing together talented physicians and scientists, along with entrepreneurs and venture capitalists who have made Austin famous, the clinical research Institute will enhance tomorrow’s economy and quality of life for Central Texas – and is expected to create thousands of new local jobs. 

The economic impact of academic medicine on Central Texas is also huge. It could translate into more than $360 million in annual economic activity and as many as 5,363 permanent jobs, according to TXP, Inc. 

Ultimately, the focus on academic medicine and medical research could lead to a new medical school in Austin.

According to Seton spokesperson Steven Taylor, “This is a huge opportunity to create a lot of positive changes in our community.”

For more information, contact the Seton Healthcare Family at 800-749-7624 or online at www.seton.net.