For over 25 years, the dedicated specialists, nurses, and administrative staff at Cornerstone Regional Hospital have provided world-class surgical services to the Rio Grande Valley. Renowned for its expertise in advanced orthopedic procedures, Cornerstone has become the premier destination for those facing debilitating mobility issues, such as arthritis, sports injuries, and the need for life-changing joint replacement surgeries. The hospital also boasts a team of some of the finest neurological surgeons in the region.
In 1998, Dr. Raul Marquez brought together a group of top physicians to realize his vision of a facility owned by surgical specialists. This vision remained in place until 2005, when Universal Health Services joined to support the hospital’s rapid growth. Until then, all physician owners were directly involved in patient care and hospital operations. What started with four operating rooms and 14 patient rooms has expanded significantly. Recent additions include two new operating rooms and a state-of-the-art Sterile Processing Department, which uses cutting-edge technology to sterilize essential surgical instruments for the dozens of daily on-site procedures.
The hospital’s dedication to excellence has earned it numerous local and national awards. In 2023, Cornerstone was named a Top Hospital by The Leapfrog Group — one of only two hospitals in Texas to receive this distinction. It was also recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a High-Performing Hospital in Knee Replacement and Spinal Fusion. The hospital’s unwavering commitment to patient care and safety has also helped it achieve the lowest infection rate of any hospital in the country.
As Cornerstone continues to evolve, the need for expansion has become increasingly clear. By 2019, the hospital was operating beyond capacity, highlighting the region’s growing demand for high-quality care. With new rooms and state-of-the-art facilities, the hospital is better equipped than ever to meet this demand. Following a soft opening in Dec., the rooms are now operational. Still, April 16, the hospital will celebrate a grand opening featuring a ribbon-cutting and a chamber of commerce gathering.
A key focus at Cornerstone is orthopedic surgeries, which have evolved to rely heavily on technological innovations such as robotic arms and advanced navigation systems. These technologies require ample space, and the recent expansion has allowed for more efficient resource use, shorter patient wait times, and the ability to attract highly skilled medical professionals to the area.
Cornerstone also has an on-site rehabilitation and therapy department, allowing patients to recover more quickly and return to their daily lives sooner. Sometimes, patients can get back on their feet just hours after surgery.
Although the facility might be smaller than other regional hospitals, it serves as a full acute care hospital, providing an emergency room, dietary services, and inpatient care. “We are tucked away, but we perform more joint surgeries than any hospital south of Houston. While we may be small, our orthopedic surgeons are among the busiest in the world,” said Crystal Lopez, Director of Operations at Cornerstone.
The expansion benefits the public and medical staff, who are excited about its positive long-term impact on the community. “Seeing our capacity increase by 50% has positioned Cornerstone to meet the rising demand for surgeries, especially as many people are catching up on procedures that were delayed due to COVID-19,” said anesthesiologist Dr. Lemuel Newton.
“Being able to deal with that increased demand with the latest and greatest facilities gives me renewed enthusiasm and puts us in a better position to take advantage of those opportunities and take care of the patients in the place we call home.”
For surgeons like Dr. Michael T. Lago, the expansion represents an opportunity to treat more patients faster and more efficiently. “We already have the highest throughout any hospital in the Valley for total joint (surgeries),” he said. “This is only going to increase our capacity to treat more patients in a faster and more efficient manner.”
Even the administrative staff is thrilled with the improvements to the facility. “We’re really excited about this expansion,” said Carmen Vasquez, Surgical Services Director. “It’s a blessing for us to have this addition. Our teams are amazing in the way they take care of our surgeons and keep our patients safe. We’re looking forward to bigger and better things.”
Founder Dr. Raul Marquez shares the excitement. “[This expansion] means a lot because now we can serve our patients better and provide a higher quality of care,” he said. “It also increases business for Cornerstone — I always say we have the smallest facility but largest heart, meaning we do more surgeries than any other larger hospital in the area with higher quality care.”
Dr. Marquez also believes that the expansion is just the beginning. “We’ve come a long way,” he said. “It means everything to me. The dream I had 25 years ago has grown up, and I think we will continue to grow, not only in physical size but also in the quality of service we provide.”
