local
2 new University Health hospitals placed in growing areas of Bexar County deemed ‘healthcare deserts’
By Courtney Friedman, Adam Barraza, Eddie Latigo at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 11, 2026
· 3 min read
Gilbert Diaz Sr. was diagnosed with liver cancer in November.“I got rushed to University Hospital and they found the tumors,” Diaz said. “We were going into the Medical Center for all of his treatments,” said his daughter, Erika Valderrama. That’s not close to his Live Oak home, where he’s lived ...
Key takeaway That’s not close to his Live Oak home, where he’s lived and raised his family for 30 years, an area where the population is now exploding.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The placement of two new University Health hospitals in growing areas of Bexar County, deemed "healthcare deserts," addresses a critical need for accessible medical care in these communities. The Northeast Side and South Side locations will provide relief to residents like Gilbert Diaz Sr., who had to travel to the Medical Center for treatment, a burden exacerbated by lack of transportation options. The proximity of the new hospitals to residential areas and major employers, such as the Toyota plant, will improve health outcomes and quality of life for thousands of people. The fact that primary care clinics near these hospitals are already experiencing high demand underscores the severity of the healthcare gap in these areas. By increasing bed numbers in both hospitals, University Health is taking a proactive approach to meeting the anticipated demand, a move that will have a lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of Bexar County residents.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 11, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Gilbert Diaz Sr. was diagnosed with liver cancer in November.“I got rushed to University Hospital and they found the tumors,” Diaz said. “We were going into the Medical Center for all of his treatments,” said his daughter, Erika Valderrama. That’s not close to his Live Oak home, where he’s lived ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 11, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Courtney Friedman, Adam Barraza, Eddie Latigo at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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