St. Joseph Health Receives Grant to Increase Laboratory Services and Capacity

Wed., November 17, 2020, Bryan, Texas – St. Joseph Health recently received a grant from the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to support increased COVID-19 testing for our community. The $8.6 million grant allows St. Joseph Health to hire additional laboratory staff and purchase equipment specifically for COVID-19 and flu testing. This new equipment is currently the most accurate test method available for COVID-19.

"We’re thankful to continue to be in a position to support our community during this pandemic and are grateful for the many community partnerships that allow us to do that. This project in particular was made possible through the collaboration of our partnerships with Texas A&M Health Science Center and the Texas Department of State Health Services," said Theron Park, President and CEO of St. Joseph Health. "Through community relationships and innovative thinking such as this project, we are even more prepared to care for those in our community as we move into the winter months and flu season."

This equipment allows St. Joseph Health to increase daily testing capacity to up to 3,000 tests per day, should the need in our community arise. With this potential increase in testing, St. Joseph Health is also looking to hire up to 30 medical technologists and non-technical staff to support the efforts to serve the COVID-19 testing needs of our area.

Medical Technologists perform COVID-19 testing, as well as other laboratory tests in a clinical setting. Non-technical staff accession samples into our electronic medical records system, sort samples, and prepare samples for testing. Interested applicants are asked to visit https://www.commonspirit.careers/ to learn more.

This new equipment also allows the St. Joseph Health laboratory services team to respond with test results much more quickly – in 24 to 48 hours – rather than the 3 – 5 days it has taken in the past. St. Joseph Health continues to look for opportunities to support residents of the Brazos Valley during the COVID-19 pandemic and the approaching flu season. This is new equipment and additional staff are huge investment that St. Joseph Health is making towards that effort.

###

About St. Joseph Health
St. Joseph Health is comprised of five hospitals, two long term care facilities and multiple clinics across the Brazos Valley, including Regional Hospital in Bryan-College Station and St. Joseph Health – College Station Hospital (formerly College Station Medical Center). St. Joseph Health is home to a Level II Major Trauma Center, the highest in the region. St. Joseph Health is an academic and clinical partner of Texas A&M Health Science Center. Together, the St. Joseph and Texas A&M Health Network includes over 100 employed primary care physicians, specialists and advanced practice clinicians. As an active member of the Brazos Valley, St. Joseph Health is a leader in providing compassionate care and are committed to overall health of the community. We are part of CommonSpirit Health, the largest Catholic healthcare system in the United States, and is committed to advancing the health of all people and dedicated to serving the common good. Learn more about St. Joseph Health at CHIStJoseph.org.

[For more information, please contact Communications Manager Tracy Bates at 713-962-9347 or [email protected].]