South Texas Health System Children’s

South Texas Health System Children’s South Texas Health System Children's is a freestanding pediatric hospital and part of STHS. Social media accounts are managed by Marketing.

South Texas Health System Children's is the first freestanding pediatric hospital in the Rio Grande Valley. The 107-bed hospital in Edinburg, Texas, features the region’s only exclusive pediatric emergency department, a Joint Commission certified asthma program, Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Institute as well as access to physicians in many specialty areas. We are unable to provide medical advice through social media. Please contact your physician, or in case of emergency, call 911. Although we do our best to respond to comments and messages, there may be a delay in response time, and we may not be able to respond due to the nature of the message. Please visit our website for language assistance, disability accommodations, the non-discrimination notice, Terms of Service and other important disclaimers.

Breaking the Silence on Eating Disorders: Approximately 22% of children and adolescents worldwide experience disordered ...
02/23/2026

Breaking the Silence on Eating Disorders: Approximately 22% of children and adolescents worldwide experience disordered eating, according to recent research from JAMA Pediatrics, with higher rates among girls, older teens and individuals with higher body mass indexes. Eating disorders are now the third most commonly diagnosed chronic illness among teenagers, according to Eating Disorder Hope.

Conditions like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder can cause severe malnutrition, impacting nearly every organ system. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder, per the National Alliance for Eating Disorders, with the mortality rate for anorexia nervosa estimated to be 12 times higher than that of all other causes of death among females ages 15–24.

This National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, South Texas Health System Children’s encourages parents to learn the signs of eating disorders so they can better support early identification and treatment within our community.

To learn more, watch our recent Let’s Talk Mental Health webinar on this topic. https://bit.ly/4aHgRT3

Ready to Get 'Wild' About Healthy Living as a Family? South Texas Health System Children's is gearing up for its fourth ...
02/21/2026

Ready to Get 'Wild' About Healthy Living as a Family? South Texas Health System Children's is gearing up for its fourth annual Eddie’s Safari Run.

Prepare to demonstrate your physical fitness by participating in our 2K or 5K run/walk; both are fit (and fun) for all ages!

In addition to the races, the event will feature a special community expo to highlight local health and wellness resources for children (and adults) throughout the Rio Grande Valley!

All proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities South Texas.

Registration will remain open until Wednesday, March 5, at noon. For more information and to register, visit sthsactive.com.

Empowering Families Through First Aid Training: Each year, approximately 9 million children and adolescents in the U.S. ...
02/20/2026

Empowering Families Through First Aid Training: Each year, approximately 9 million children and adolescents in the U.S. visit emergency departments for unintentional injuries, per the CDC. These cases make up 25-40% of all pediatric emergency visits and lead to more than 225,000 hospitalizations annually.

Unintentional injuries are also the leading cause of death for children and youth ages 1–19 in the U.S., per the CDC, accounting for more than 7,400 deaths annually. That’s an average of nearly 20 fatalities every day.

Knowing first aid empowers parents to respond quickly and confidently when emergencies like choking, burns or other injuries occur, potentially saving a child’s life and reducing the severity of harm before paramedics arrive.

So, to empower parents to swiftly and safely manage accidents and injuries their children may experience, South Texas Health System's freestanding emergency departments will kick off a no-cost, three-part first aid education and training series with the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen on Monday, February 23 at 5:30 pm with basic first aid and CPR training for children and infants.

Named the “Calm in a Crisis: Family First Aid Academy,” the series aims to equip participants with essential emergency response skills and the confidence to act quickly and effectively during emergencies. Additionally, representatives from various STHS facilities and departments, including STHS ER Mission and STHS ER Ware Rd., will be available to share vital information about the programs and services that support the health and well-being of families across the Rio Grande Valley.

For more information on this upcoming event series, visit the STHS Facebook Events page. [Link to page: https://bit.ly/3OiZU8J]

Celebrating the “Spirit” of Spooktacular Giving! A hospital stay can feel overwhelming for any patient, especially a chi...
02/19/2026

Celebrating the “Spirit” of Spooktacular Giving! A hospital stay can feel overwhelming for any patient, especially a child. Through its Child Life Program, though, South Texas Health System Children’s provides developmental, educational and therapeutic interventions designed to help pediatric patients and their families feel more comfortable and confident during their stay. This meaningful work is strengthened by the incredible generosity of community partners like Spirit Halloween.

Since 2018, Spirit Halloween has donated more than $320,000 to STHS Children’s through its Spirit of Children initiative, a national effort that directs a portion of proceeds from the sale of costumes, accessories and décor to hospitals across the country, as well as in-store community donations.

Following the successful 2025 Halloween season, Spirit Halloween presented a $68,790 donation to The Auxiliary to South Texas Health System Children’s, an 8% increase over the 2023 season record-breaking $63,187 donation. This milestone amount brings the eight-year total contribution to an incredible $389,648.

“Spirit of Children is more than a program, it’s the heartbeat of who we are at Spirit Halloween,” says Whitney Thompson, Rio Grande Valley District Manager, Spirit Halloween. “Through this initiative, we’re able to pour genuine love, joy and hope back into the communities we call home. By partnering with STHS Children’s, we’re not just donating, we’re helping create moments of light, laughter and courage for the children who need it most. We’re already looking forward to delivering our next check to support the extraordinary work happening inside this incredible facility.”

A heartfelt, spooktacular thank you to Spirit Halloween for continuing to bring joy, comfort and courage to our pediatric patients. Your generosity is helping transform the hospital experience into one filled with hope and healing.

02/18/2026

Ear infections, or acute otitis media, are among the most common childhood illnesses in the United States.
More than 80% of children experience at least one ear infection by age 3, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and these infections account for approximately 30 million pediatric visits each year.
Most ear infections occur in children between 6 months and 4 years old. Symptoms often include ear pain, fever, irritability, and difficulty sleeping due to fluid buildup in the middle ear. They frequently follow a cold and may be treated with pain management, observation, or antibiotics. In many cases, they resolve within a few days.
If left untreated, ear infections can lead to serious complications like permanent hearing loss, speech delays, eardrum rupture or the spread of infection to nearby structures.
To help parents and caregivers better understand risk factors, symptoms, and treatment options, South Texas Health System Children’s will focus its upcoming Let’s Talk Children’s Health webinar on ear infections.
During the online seminar, a healthcare professional from STHS Children’s will share guidance on identifying and managing ear infections in kids, as well as key prevention strategies.

Committed to Quality Pediatric Care: A warm welcome to registered nurse Lori Santillan, one of the newest night shift al...
02/18/2026

Committed to Quality Pediatric Care: A warm welcome to registered nurse Lori Santillan, one of the newest night shift all-stars at South Texas Health System Children's.

Lori began her nursing career in October 2025, inspired by a lifelong dream of caring for children. She chose STHS Children’s because of the exceptional peer support and strong sense of teamwork among the facility’s nurses. And she’s already making a meaningful difference.

“I’ve always wanted to work at STHS Children’s because of the incredible peer support among the nurses. From the very beginning, I could see how everyone lifts each other up and works together for the children,” Lori shares. “It’s the kind of environment where you’re encouraged to learn, grow and become the best nurse you can be, and that’s exactly where I want to be.”

Eager to continue growing as a nurse, Lori is passionate about expanding her skills while providing exceptional care to our pediatric patients and their families. Her colleagues describe her as someone who consistently goes above and beyond, offering comfort, compassion and genuine kindness with every interaction.

As a proud mom to a beautiful 6-year-old daughter, Lori brings heartfelt understanding to her role—treating every child with the same care and tenderness she gives her own.

Thank you, Lori, for your dedication, your heart for children and for being such an inspiring addition to our amazing nursing team.

Understanding Ear Infections in Children: Ear infections are among the most common childhood illnesses in the United Sta...
02/17/2026

Understanding Ear Infections in Children: Ear infections are among the most common childhood illnesses in the United States, with more than 80% of children experiencing at least one ear infection by age 3, per the CDC, and these infections accounting for approximately 30 million pediatric visits each year.

Ear infections frequently develop after a cold and may be treated with pain management, observation or antibiotics. In many cases, they clear up on their own within a few days.

However, if left untreated, recurring or severe ear infections can lead to serious complications, including eardrum rupture, speech or developmental delays or permanent hearing loss.

So, to help families better understand the risk factors, symptoms and treatment options, South Texas Health System Children’s is dedicating its latest Let’s Talk Children’s Health webinar to ear infection awareness. Streaming live via the STHS and STHS Children's pages this Wednesday, February 18, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, the online seminar will share guidance on identifying and managing ear infections in kids, as well as key prevention strategies.

For more information, visit the STHS Children's Facebook Events page. https://bit.ly/46P1iGb

Honoring the Leaders Who Inspire Us: As Former U.S. President John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire othe...
02/16/2026

Honoring the Leaders Who Inspire Us: As Former U.S. President John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”

On this Presidents’ Day, we reflect on the courage and vision of the leaders who shaped our nation and safeguarded the freedoms we cherish.

At South Texas Health System Children's, their legacy reminds us to lead with purpose, serve with integrity and strive to make a positive impact every day.

Wishing you a meaningful and inspiring Presidents’ Day.

Straight from the HeART! Arts & crafts activities have been proven to help pediatric patients in many ways. Along with b...
02/14/2026

Straight from the HeART! Arts & crafts activities have been proven to help pediatric patients in many ways. Along with being therapeutic and relaxing, they can improve a child’s mental well-being while helping them feel more empowered and in control.

So, to help in the healing journey of the patients at South Texas Health System Children’s, the facility partners with The Auxiliary to South Texas Health System to host weekly arts & crafts activities to help ensure each patient's hospital experience is a positive one.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, Auxiliary staff led special arts & crafts activities throughout the week that allowed patients to showcase their art with plenty of heart!

Thank you to the Auxiliary for bringing healing and hope to our pediatric patients!

Serving Love, One Plate at a Time: For parents of hospitalized children, the stress of a hospital stay can be overwhelmi...
02/13/2026

Serving Love, One Plate at a Time: For parents of hospitalized children, the stress of a hospital stay can be overwhelming, often leading to heightened anxiety and emotional fatigue.

To offer comfort and a little extra TLC during Valentine’s Week, Ronald McDonald House Charities South Texas hosted a special luncheon inside the Ronald McDonald Family Room, located on the third floor of South Texas Health System Children’s.

Families were able to enjoy a delicious meal and Valentine’s Day-themed treats, along with a peaceful opportunity to rest, reset and recharge without ever having to leave the facility.

A heartfelt thank you to Ronald McDonald House Charities for this thoughtful, love-filled gesture and for all you do to support families when they need it most.

Working in Sync for Safer Surgeries: For the past two and a half years, certified surgical technologist Natalie Galvan h...
02/11/2026

Working in Sync for Safer Surgeries: For the past two and a half years, certified surgical technologist Natalie Galvan has been a vital presence in the operating rooms at South Texas Health System Children’s & STHS Edinburg.

With nearly 15 years of experience, Natalie brings skill, focus and a true team-first mindset to every procedure, supporting both pediatric and adult patients with the highest standard of care.

“Empathy is incredibly important in the operating room,” Natalie shares. “Preparation is key, especially when you’re anticipating a surgeon’s needs while making sure the patient remains safe at all times.”

Surgical technologists play an essential role behind the scenes, ensuring procedures run smoothly, safely and efficiently. Natalie’s dedication, preparation and compassion help create an environment where patients and surgical teams alike can feel confident and supported.

Thank you, Natalie, for your commitment to patient safety!

A Warm Serving of Gratitude: For hospitalized patients, malnutrition can lead to a weakened immune system, slower wound ...
02/09/2026

A Warm Serving of Gratitude: For hospitalized patients, malnutrition can lead to a weakened immune system, slower wound healing and a longer hospital stay. By serving freshly prepared meals that are nutritionally balanced and tailored to each individual patient's diet, hospitals can help patients recover faster.

This Pride in Foodservice Week, an initiative aimed at celebrating the important work of nutrition and foodservice service providers, South Texas Health System Children's would like to serve up a hearty helping of gratitude to the employees who work tirelessly to ensure that our littlest patients, visitors and staff have access to high-quality meals.

Our most sincere appreciation to these all-star food and nutrition professionals for their dedication to delivering quality, compassionate care through their culinary skills.

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1102 W Trenton Road
Edinburg, TX
78539

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+19563886800

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