The Azalea District, currently under development in Valley Ranch, is set to bring a significant expansion of medical options to the area. According to Jhanae Kelley, a public relations specialist for Valley Ranch’s developer, The Signorelli Co., design is underway on the medical and wellness portion of the district, which is expected to feature a multibuilding campus.

Meeting Local Demand

Demand for more health care options in the New Caney and Porter areas is strong, with the potential to draw a hospital to the district, said Greg Wattson, senior vice president of commercial development for The Signorelli Co. The population in the two ZIP codes making up the New Caney and Porter areas grew from 46,609 to 77,795 from 2013 to 2023, representing a 67% change.

Melissa Herpel, a family nurse practitioner and owner of Express Family Clinic in New Caney, welcomes the development, stating that it will improve access to medical specialists and make health care more accessible for patients who currently have to travel outside the area for certain types of care.

Economic and Community Impact

The Azalea District also opens up retail and business opportunities, according to Kelley Mattlage, the chief operating officer for the East Montgomery County Improvement District. The development is expected to create jobs, improve access to care, and add convenience for local residents.

Even if a large hospital eventually opens in the Azalea District, local clinics will still be needed to provide follow-up care for patients discharged from a hospital or urgent care, Herpel noted. Officials with Fresenius Medical Care, an international company with a kidney dialysis clinic in New Caney, are supportive of the Azalea District, stating that they support efforts that expand access to healthcare services and contribute to the overall health and well-being of local residents.

Original reporting: Community Impact — Houston — read the source article.