2017 Abilene Community Guide

Community Guide 2017 - 2018

BUSINESS CULTURE GAME CHANGERS

Companies like Coca-Cola, AbiMar From celebrating our western heritage, Abilene Young Professionals are leading
Foods and Prairie Dog Pet Products to a night out on the town, Abilene is the city into the future in every industry.
are growing in Abilene. a cultural oasis.



Abilene Magazine | 3

AB-1322956

WELCOME

CONTENT STAFF/ CHAMBER OF
CONTRIBUTORS COMMERCE
6 HOWDY FROM THE CHAMBER CHAIR ABILENE REPORTER-NEWS PRESIDENT
8 WE LIVE HERE. WE LOVE IT. PUBLISHER Yvonne Batts
12 WELCOME Jeff DeLoach DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY
18 EDUCATION PUBLICATION EDITOR ENGAGEMENT
28 GOLD STAR INVESTORS Doug Williamson Erica Pangburn
30 DYESS AIR FORCE BASE DESIGN
35 BUSINESS Adrian Gomez SPECIAL THANKS
42 GAME CHANGERS Maria Hinojosa PHOTOGRAPHERS AND
46 HEALTHCARE Joel Torres REPORTERS OF THE
50 CULTURE ADVERTISING ABILENE REPORTER-NEWS
68 #ABILENE Abilene Reporter-News ABILENE CHAMBER OF
72 RECREATION COMMERCE STAFF
4
Abilene Magazine DOUG HODEL
PHOTOGRAPHY
COVER PHOTO COURTESY
OF ERIKA BOLADO

FEATHER IN OURWELCOME
TOURISM HAT

Travel and tourism is a huge econom- vice. Recently the ACVB was recognized State: “2016 Annual Idea Fair: People’s
ic driver for the city of Abilene, with the following awards and designa- Choice – Video Series” – Texas Association
pumping $428.5 million into the tions for their efforts: of Convention and Visitor Bureaus
local economy each year; and the Abilene
Convention and Visitors Bureau works National: “2016 Champions Of Economic State: “2017 Texas’ Top 10 Bookish Destina-
diligently to ensure all of the 3.67 million Impact in Sports Tourism” – Sports Destina- tions, Top 5” – Lone Star Literary Life
people who travel here annually receive tion Management
the best in southern hospitality and ser- Local: “2017 Gold American Advertising
National: “2016 Readers Choice Award” Federation Award – Big On What Matters
– ConventionSouth Magazine Video Series”

OCCUPATIONAL
AND AEROSPACE MEDICINE
Providing Work Injury and Corporate Health

and Medicine Services

WORK INJURY PREVENTATIVE
TREATMENT SERVICES
• Nonsubscriber and Subscribers • Dot & Non-Dot Physical Exams

• Injury management assistance • Drug & Alcohol Screening

• Corporate Health Preventative

Screening

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Board Certified in Occupational Medicine, Board Certified
Aerospace Medicine Board Certified Family Medicine

3449 N. 10th, Abilene • 325-437-8620 • Occmedtx.com
5 Abilene Magazine

WELCOME

It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to HOWDY FROM THE growing industry; a world-class workforce;
our great community, and to the pages of our CHAMBER CHAIR access to quality healthcare with some of the
2017-18 Abilene Community Guide! most talented physicians anywhere; some of the
Abilene, Texas is a special place for a variety best schools and educational opportunities in
of reasons, and if you stop and ask anyone what the country and a quality of life that provides
makes us unique and compelling to both our lifelong residents, something for everyone.
our newcomers and our visitors alike, you’ll quickly learn that it’s We’re rich in the arts, and are proud to be known officially
because of the spirit of our people. as the Storybook Capital of Texas. I invite you to explore our
Abilene is a growing, vibrant community where exists one of downtown, home to our signature Storybook characters; our local
the strongest - if not the strongest - public/private partnerships in parks as well as Abilene State Park. Recreational opportunities
our nation. abound in and around Abilene, whether you’re into sports, hunt-
Born on the hard work and vision of so many who’ve served ing, fishing, real West Texas rodeo and of course our infamous
before us, Abilene and the Big Country of West Texas has grown Texas music.
over generations into what many refer to as a “big little city.” We welcome you to our city, whether for a day or for a lifetime,
As a mid-sized market, Abilene is unapologetically the home of and look forward to including you as we write our next chapter.
the “15-minute rush hour.” We’re a peaceful, focused community After all, we are uniquely Abilene - where there’s a whole lot of
of nearly 120,000 people who are both proud of our heritage as Texas going on!
well as our authentic West Texas culture, but we’re also equally as Welcome!
excited about our future.
With a cost of living at 87% instead of 75% of the national average,
Abilene is an incredible place to live, work and to raise a family. Yvonne Batts,
Batts Communications
Everyday, our community works together in a spirit of coop- 2017 Chair of the Board,
Abilene Chamber of Commerce
eration to ensure opportunity for all, punctuated by thriving,

Abilene Magazine 6

WELCOME

Macy Compton, 5, takes first place in the
dummy roping competition during the
Western Heritage Classic at the Taylor
County Expo Center.

JOY LEWIS/KACU/SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER-NEWS

Cowgirls
bring in the
flags during
the ranch
rodeo at the
Western
Heritage
Classic at the
Taylor County
Coliseum.

AB-1268407 Improving lives by THOMAS METTHE/REPORTER-NEWS
providing safe, reliable and Abilene Magazine
sustainable energy solutions
in every market we serve.

7

WE LIVE HERE.WELCOME
WE LOVE IT.

Downtown Abilene

THOMAS METTHE/REPORTER-NEWS

GREAT PLACE FOR ALL AGES LITERARY CAPITAL
Abilene’s median age is a youthful 32 compared to 37.3 for the U.S. and 33.6 for Texas. Abilene has been named by the 85th Texas Legislature as the Storybook Capital of Texas.
Yet, retirees also have reasons to love it here. Forbes named Abilene one of the 25 best We also have been named number 5 out of the top 10 Texas Bookish Destinations!
places in the U.S. to retire based upon a “robust economy, warm climate, cost of living 13 Home of the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, which features a sculp-
percent below national average (and) average home price.” ture garden of children’s book characters. Also, in 2017, the West Texas Book and Author
Festival celebrates its 17th year! It’s easy to see why you can fulfill all of your story book
COMMITMENT TO ARMED FORCES AND FAMILIES dreams in Abilene.
A community support award given each year by the U.S. Air Force was renamed the
Abilene Trophy because the community won so frequently. Eventually, the Air Force RECOGNIZED FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
disqualified Abilene so other communities could win, too. In 2016, The Texas Economic Development Council (TEDC) announced the recipients of
its annual Community Economic Development Awards (CEDA) with Abilene at the top of
A TOP 20 TRAVEL DESTINATION the list. The CEDA program recognizes exceptional contributions of TEDC member cities
Texas Highways magazine asked readers to share their favorite places in the state for the toward the economic vitality of their communities and the State of Texas through cre-
Texas Top 40 Travel Destinations. We’re proud to say Abilene was named number 18 out ativity, leadership, and partnership in the achievement of business retention, business
of 40 for the top travel destinations to visit out of the entire state of Texas because of our recruitment and community improvement.
attractions like Frontier Texas!, our creative art scene and our vibrant downtown.

Abilene Magazine 8

WELCOME

LOWER COST FOR BETTER LIFE WHERE CHAMPIONS
ARE MADE
Abilene’s cost of living is 87 per-
cent of the U.S. average according Abilene High, Abilene Cooper
to Sperling’s Best Places. And we and Wylie high schools produced
are 25% less expensive than the recent professional athletes such
Dallas-Fort Worth area. as Case Keenum and Dominic
Rhodes. John Lackey, two-time
World Series Champion; Justin
COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION Snow, former Colts long snapper
and Super Bowl champion; and
Abilene education institutions are Bob Estes, professional golfer,
in the middle of $200 million in also called Abilene home.
new facility construction over the
next five years. The collaboration
between Abilene city officials, SHORTER COMMUTES
community leaders and Texas Tech
University Health Sciences Center Abilene’s commute time of 14.3
has created an innovative eco- minutes is 11 minutes below both
nomic and academic development of the U.S. and Texas averages.
model for the future of the region’s Over a full year, that gives Abile-
health care industry. nians an extra 5,720 minutes of
nearly 100 hours to spend with
their family, their business, or
SPORTS AND OUTDOORS NELLIE DONEVA/REPORTER-NEWS pursuing other passions! 5 o’clock
With prime land, scenic lakes and People honor the National Anthem during a Memorial Day observation. traffic is a breeze in Abilene.
a state park, the Big Country boasts
a solid reputation for hunting and FLY ABI
fishing. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy playing on one of several world-class golf courses,
or finish a set at one of our many tennis centers. You may also find yourself a spectator Home to Abilene Regional Airport, American Airlines serves Abilene/Dallas- West Texas
for a full range of sports at Abilene Christian, Hardin-Simmons and McMurry universities. hospitality can be found in the convenience of the Abilene Regional Airport which
includes a Fort Worth route with eight flights six days a week and six flights one day a
week. Avis, Enterprise and Hertz are located in the terminal as well as a restaurant and
A LIVELY DOWNTOWN gift shop.

Abilene is known for a vibrant downtown featuring small businesses, unique eateries, CENTER FOR ENERGY
the Abilene Civic Center, The Grace Museum, Center for Contemporary Arts, National At 3,000 MW generation, the Abilene region produces more wind power than 44 states
Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, the restored Paramount Theatre and a story- and all but 12 countries. A group of wind turbine industries also benefit the local econo-
book sculpture garden. Visitors can experience Abilene’s true western heritage through my, providing jobs for the community.
state of the art technology at Frontier Texas!

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ChamberCONNECTION

Your Chamber
Business Quarterly

Chamber Connection is a quarterly
publication which features stories on
Chamber happenings, business in Abilene,

tourism, culture events and more.

AB-1553671

9 Abilene Magazine

ARTWALK WELCOME
CAN’T MISS EVENTS

Children bask in bubbles at during Artwalk & Cajun Fest. PHOTOS BY JOY LEWIS/REPORTER-NEWS
The Swahili Choir
performs a Every second Thursday of the month, from 5 to 8
worship song p.m., ArtWalk, takes over downtown Abilene: see
during Artwalk on the best in local visual, musical and performing
Cypress Street. arts. Presented by the Center for Contemporary Arts,
each month features a unique, topical theme to cele-
brate. Artwalk highlights gems in our cultural district
like Center for Contemporary Arts, National Center for
Children’s Illustrated Literature, The Grace Museum,
Cockerell Galleries and Studios, Jody Klotz Fine Art,
Abilene Christian University Downtown Gallery, The
12th Armored Division Museum, the Abilene Public Li-
brary, and The Paramount Theatre, as well as downtown
gift shops and restaurants. Performances can vary from
rock bands to theater in the street, from flash mobs to
rappers. This mini-monthly festival? Always FREE.

Abilene Magazine 10

WELCOME

Zoe Belk, 17 (left), and Katelynn Muddy Creek
Brooks browse through clothes band member
for sale by Psychedelic Moon Gary Sanders
Tie-Dye while holding their puppy plays the fiddle
Daenerys at Thursday’s ArtWalk. during the
2014 Western
JOY BONALA/SPECIAL TO THE REPORTER-NEWS Heritage Classic
Street Dance
at ArtWalk:
“Cowboy Up!”

JOY LEWIS/REPORTER-NEWS

WESTERN HERITAGE CLASSIC TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL RODEO 23RD ANNUAL BIG COUNTRY CHAMPIONS CLASSIC
ASSOCIATION STATE FINALS BALLOON FEST
May 11-14 August 31 - September 2
June 5-10 September 22-23
6TH CHILDREN’S ART AND 24 FPS INTERNATIONAL
LITERACY FESTIVAL WEST TEXAS FAIR AND RODEO 17TH ANNUAL WEST TEXAS FILM FESTIVAL
September 7-16 BOOKS FESTIVAL
June 8-10 November 3 - 4

September 17-23

THE GOOD LIFE

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UniversityPlaceLife.com

1250 E. North 10th Street, Abilene, Texas 79601
A SAGORA SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

11

FIRST 14 DAYSWELCOME

START OFF RIGHT

QUICK START CLEANING UP GROWING ROOTS

TURNING ON TRASH MAIL
City of Abilene provides containers for those Mail forwarding and change of address ser-
CABLE/INTERNET
NTS COMMUNICATIONS customers without alley service. Larger con- vices can now be accomplished online at https://
(325) 672-2011 tainers are provided for customers to share with www.usps.com/
their neighbors who border the container in
http://www.ntscom.com/ the alley. Containers are emptied twice weekly. Visit the web for a list of post office location
500 Chestnut St., Ste. 936 Call 676-6053 for additional information. Trash and hours. FedEx and UPS locations and hours
removal is facilitated by the solid waste services of operation are also available online at www.
SUDDENLINK component of the public works department, but fedex.com and www.ups.com.
(325) 698-3585 is included in your monthly water bill for your
convenience. DRIVER’S LICENSE
http://www.suddenlink.com/ Visit http://www.txdps.state.tx.us for a list of
902 S. Clack Street RECYCLE
The Environmental Recycling Center, locat- required documentation to obtain a Texas Driv-
ELECTRICITY AND NATURAL GAS er’s License at the Department of Public Safety
ed at 2209 Oak Street, is a “One Stop Drop” located at 4649 South First Street.
AEP WEST TEXAS UTILITIES Recycling Center as part of Abilene’s voluntary
(325) 674-7422 recycling program. In addition to items that can VEHICLE REGISTRATION
be recycled at neighborhood drop-off sites, the Register your motor vehicle at 300 Oak St.,
https://www.aeptexas.com/Default.aspx Oak Street location accepts tree limbs and some
301 Cypress Street household hazardous waste (such as oil, anti- Suite 200. Be sure to bring your last registra-
freeze and paint). tion or a copy of your title showing it is in your
ATMOS ENERGY name, a completed title application, a registra-
(325) 793-5311 Recycle the items below at neighborhood tion form, proof of insurance, proof of Texas
drop-off sites: Safety Inspection. Active duty located in anoth-
http://atmosenergy.com/ ■ Bi-metal cans er state may submit a vehicle self-certification
1449 Treadaway Blvd. ■ Glass bottles & jars (clean/without lids) form in lieu of the VI-30. This also applies for
■ Aluminum cans full-time students located out of state. All forms
PRO STAR ■ Newspapers, magazines, office paper, and are available online at http://www.taylorcounty-
(325) 829-4903 junk mail texas.org/.
■ #1 and #2 plastics only (milk jugs/soda
TAYLOR ELECTRIC bottles) VOTER REGISTRATION
(325) 793-8500 ■ Cardboard Register to vote in Taylor County by com-

http://www.taylorelectric.com To find the recycling site nearest you visit pleting the application available at http://www.
http://www.abilenetx.com/SolidWasteServices/ taylorcountytexas.org/. Call (325) 674-1216 for
TXU recycle.htm more information.
(877) 290-3723
ABILENE HOUSING MARKET
http://www.txu.com/ Abilene housing prices add to the appeal of this lively city. With an average

WATER sales price of $142,496 the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University indicates
City of Abilene Abilene’s housing costs as of February 2017 are 62% less than Dallas and 39% less
(325) 676-6405 than Fort Worth, yet Abilene has more cultural institutions per capita than both of
these metro areas.
http://www.abilenetx.com * Housing information from Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University current as
534 Cypress Street of February 2017

SCHEDULED WATERING
TIMES AND DAYS

Midnight to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
to midnight

Odd numbered residential addresses
– Wednesday, Friday and Sunday

Even numbered residential addresses
– Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Abilene Magazine 12

WELCOME

GETTING AROUND NEED A SERVICE? FIND A BUSINESS.

Abilene’s transporta- Looking for a barber or salon, a supermarket or gym?
tion network provides Visit www.abilenechamber.com to find local businesses
easy navigation around and organizations by category.
town and convenient
access to popular local Learn about your genealogy or join a book club. Abilene’s
attractions. Texas Loop public library system offers books, electronic resources and
322 circles around the other services for readers of all ages. Library cards are free to
city, while Abilene’s all Taylor County residents. Visit http://www.abilenetx.com/apl for
location on Interstate an application and more information.
20 and U.S. Highway 83
provides connectivity Forbes called Abilene one of the top 25 best places to retire.
to other major cities, One reason why? Affordability. With a cost of living about
both coasts and Mexico. 13% lower than the national average, staying in Abilene makes
Abilene is located on the practical sense. Another good reason to call Abilene home.
main line of the Union
Pacific Railroad and two
bus lines also serve the
city. Abilene Regional
Airport is located approximately 3 miles southeast of the central
business district and offers regular flights to Dallas Fort-Worth on
American Airlines.

Distance to Ft. Worth: 149 miles HELP WANTED
Distance to Dallas: 180 miles
Distance to Austin: 216 miles For job listings and informational workshops visit
Distance to Los Angeles: 1,271 miles Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas at 500 Chest-
Distance to Miami: 1,486 miles nut Street, 11th Floor, or online at https://www.work-
Distance to New York City: 1,729 miles forcesystem.org/.

This non-profit also has specialized programs support-
ing youth, veterans and entrepreneurs.

Come enjoy Day Nursery of Abilene
the best RIBEYE
Developing and Nurturing
in the WEST! All Children

daynurseryabilene.org

The mission of the Day Nursery of Abilene, Inc. is to provide
affordable quality child care for a diverse community.

Serving the Abilene Community Since 1973
Children Ages Birth Through 10 Years
Experienced, Qualified Staff

AISD School-Readiness Partnership Program
for Pre-School Age Children
Nutritious Meals & Snacks
Texas Rising Star (TRS) Rated

ADMINISTRATION OFFICE CHILD CARE CENTERS

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AB-1329738 1442 Vine Street | 325-672-7351
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AB-1341979

13 Abilene Magazine

FFAIGCUTRSE&S WELCOME

Total Population: 120,373 DATA SETS:
Average Age: 36.2 Dyess Economic Impact: $435 MM
Median Age: 32.6 Average Commute Time: 15.0 minutes
Adult Population (Over 18): 76.2%
Average Temperature: 64.6°
82.41% OCCUPATION CLASSIFICATIONS
High School or Higher: White collar: 46%
Households: 45,018 Blue collar: 23%
Median Household Income: $44,410 (Abilene) Pink collar (and Farm): 31%
Median Household Income: $52,576 (Texas)
Abilene Total Businesses: 10,332
Texas Total Businesses: 2,164,852
Abilene Retail Sales per Capita: $18,427
Texas Retail Sales per Capita: $16,998
Coordinates: 32.4500°N, 99.7500°W
Annual Rainfall: 24.4”
Land Area in Square Miles: 112
Persons per Square Mile: 1,074

Abilene Magazine 14

WELCOME

PHOTOS BY THOMAS METTHE/REPORTER-NEWS

ABOVE: Parade marchers wait for the start of the
18th Annual Hillcrest Neighborhood Parade.

LEFT: People wave while walking in the 20th
annual Hillcrest Neighborhood parade.

325- 677-4777 240 S Mockingbird Ln • Abilene, TX 79605
317 LOCUST STREET
325-670-9610
Member of
PERSONAL INJURY the Million
TRIAL ATTORNEYS Dollar and
Multi-Dollar
W.L. “Tres” Burke, III Advocates

AB-1311638 Forum

AB-1318218

15 Abilene Magazine

COMMUNITYWELCOME
CONNNECTIONS

QUICK REFERENCES THOMAS METTHE/REPORTER-NEWS

2-1-1 TEXAS: A CALL FOR HELP Woodson High School graduates Robert Lockridge, class of 1965, and Opal Young-Jackson,
240 Cypress St. – 2-1-1 class of 1967, laugh with Delbert Pimpton as they tell stories at a school reunion. Pimpton
www.acallforhelp.info was also a student at the Woodson school,
ABILENE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE but moved out of state before he graduated.
174 Cypress St. – (325) 677-7241
www.abilenechamber.com LOWER COST FOR NOT SURE WHO TO CALL? CODE RED CHANNEL 2
ABILENE CONVENTION AND BETTER LIFE Dial 2-1-1 to connect Emergency Notifica- Watch the Abilene
VISITORS BUREAU Abilene’s cost of living with local information tion System: Click Television Network
1101 N. 1st St. – (325) 676-2556 is 13% less than the and referral specialists. the CodeRED icon at on Suddenlink Cable
www.abilenevisitors.com U.S. average, accord- These trained profes- www.abilenetx.com Channel 2 (or 102)
ABILENE REPORTER-NEWS ing to Sperling’s Best sionals have a database to sign up for critical for information about
101 Cypress St. – (325) 673-4271 Places. with more than 1,600 community alerts and city happenings. The
www.reporternews.com resources and social notices about emergen- education/govern-
AIRMAN AND FAMILY STAY UP TO SPEED services. cy situations. ment channel features
READINESS CENTER With community broadcasts of City
(DYESS PERSONNEL) events by following Council meetings and
382 Avenue D (Dyess AFB) – (325) the Abilene Con- workshops, Planning
696-5999 vention and Visitors & Zoning Commission
www.dyess.af.mil Bureau on Facebook. meetings, Abilene
CITY OF ABILENE School Board meetings
555 Walnut St. – (325) 676-6200 and original programs.
www.abilenetx.com
POLICE NON-EMERGENCIES 16
(325) 673- 8331
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS OF WEST
CENTRAL TEXAS
500 Chestnut St. – (325) 795-4200
www.workforcesystem.org

Abilene Magazine

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EDUCATION

Wylie High School graduates throw their caps
into the air at the finale of the 2016 Wylie
commencement service, at Abilene Christian
University’s Moody Coliseum.

THOMAS METTHE/REPORTER-NEWS

STSMUCUHLDOCOOEFHCNOFTAETLORLSS Public schools in the Abilene and Wylie districts have a lot of things
in common.
They get good performance grades. They have strong academic
and extracurricular programs. And, they are in the middle of a facilities
growth and improvements spurt.

If you look at the two districts, in round numbers, the Abilene Independent
School District has 17,000 students, and Wylie ISD has 4,000.

A number of local campuses have been recognized by the state for their
exceptional work.

In the classroom, quality students in both the Abilene and Wylie
districts are being produced, too. At least recently, the districts annually
have had at least two finalists and a number of semifinalists for the Nation-
al Merit Scholarship Program, a premier program providing thousands of
students with money for college based on their performance in school.

Look at some of the expanded class and program opportunities that
weren’t available to us in school but our students have today.

Abilene Magazine 18

EDUCATION

Want to study the trades like Graduate Chem- championship in 2015 and many
refrigeration repair or plumbing dayah Hawkins’ of the school’s other sports teams
while in high school? Then the cap flies off her do compete in state tournaments
Abilene Independent School Dis- head as she on a regular basis.
trict and Cisco College have just the throws her arms
programs, with students – as many in the air in CITIZENS SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS
as 70 so far – working toward their celebration as In the last few years, during
associate degree while still enrolled she walks across
in their high schools. The Abilene the stage during a not-so-robust economic time
ISD also offers students interested the 2016 Cooper nationwide, residents in the
in computer science and repair to High School Wylie district approved $15
work in its device repair shops, the Commencement million in bonds for adding 25-
Tech SWAT, at both Abilene and Service. 30 classrooms to the high school
Cooper high schools. campus, and constructing a
THOMAS METTHE/REPORTER-NEWS performing arts center, which
Holland Medical High School is should be completed by the end
a partnership between the Abilene vanced graphic design, advanced girls concert choir represented the of 2017. This is a very state-of-
ISD and private college Har- engineering robotics. Also, new to district at the Texas Music Edu- the-art facility, that officials pre-
din-Simmons University. Within the campus is a student-led busi- cators Association conference in dict will prepare students well
the walls of the Holland Health ness within a school. San Antonio in early 2016, while for post-high school prospects.
Sciences building, high school the Wylie High marching band
students can earn an impressive Extracurricular activities are played in Disney World during Abilene ISD voters strong-
number of certifications, including also great opportunities for stu- spring break. Wylie’s football team ly approved spending almost
those in nursing assistance and dents to get involved, from sports was also a contender for a state $90 million to build three new
phlebotomy. It’s not uncommon to music. The Craig Middle School elementary schools on existing
for Holland students to have more campuses, improve facilities,
than five certifications before they consolidate all early-childhood
graduate high school. education functions to a single
rebuilt campus, upgrade securi-
Wylie High School course offer- ty at all campuses and more.
ings have recently expanded into
video production, entrepreneur- The Abilene and Wylie
ship, principles of education, ad- schools are great places to edu-
cate your children.

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AB-1301887

19 Abilene Magazine

WYLIE EDUCATION

POINTS OF PRIDE

Construction was in full swing in late
March 2017 on the new state-of-the-art
performing arts center at Wylie High School.

■ 2016 Global Champions in ■ New Performing Arts Center will be ■ Wylie ISD is considered a fast-growth
Destination Imagination ready by Christmas of 2017. It will be school in the state of Texas. Of the
■ 2016 UIL Lone Star Cup 4A State the newest facility of its type in the area. 1032 districts in Texas, 75 are consid-
Runner-up ■ New Ag farm facility is now being uti- ered fast growth. Wylie ISD has grown
■ 2016 Team Tennis 4A State Champions lized. This allows students who don’t have 22.4% since 2010 which makes them the
■ 2016 Marching Band 4A State Qualifiers the luxury of a farm setting to have animal 17th fastest growing district in Texas by
■ 2016 Baseball 4A State Champions projects in the agriculture program. percentage. That means there are nearly
■ 2016 Football 4A State Finalist ■ The High School Robotics team is 1000 students more since 2010. Of
competing at state. This is the second those 75 fast-growth schools, WISD has
year of the robotics program. the lowest outstanding debt.

Abilene Magazine 20

EDUCATION FINE ARTS
More than 13,500 (82%) students
ABILENE ISD participate in music, art, theater
and dance classes. Performance
POINTS OF PRIDE groups in band, choir, orchestra
COLLEGE READINESS and theater can be found at mid-
More than 3,600 students are en- dle school and high school.
rolled in 51 Advanced Placement
(AP) or Pre-AP courses. ATHLETICS
More than 60% of students
CAREER READINESS participate in at least one athletic
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THOMAS METTHE/REPORTER-NEWS SCHOOLS OF CHOICE TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE
Holland Medical High School at 7 students received National Mer-
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at Texas State Technical College academic standard and earned 49
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21 Abilene Magazine

EDUCATION

STEVEB UTMAN

ACU

HALBERT-WALLING RESEARCH CENTER OPENED IN 2017 AT
ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY.

Abilene Magazine 22

CISCO COLLEGEEDUCATION Cisco respiratory therapy
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right, and Heather
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Sabina Kami, left, from
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23 Abilene Magazine

EDUCATION

HSU

Hardin-Simmons’ Joe Hoeup puts up a shot over
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Abilene Magazine 24

EDUCATION

UMNCIMVUERRRSYITY

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Abilene Magazine
25

EDUCATION

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Abilene Magazine

EDUCATION

NELLIE DONEVA/REPORTER-NEWS Homes • Apartments
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wedding cake for his final exam at the TSTC Culinary School. Private Nursing Care Rooms
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Culinary arts students at Texas State Technical College in
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cuisine, baking and food production service management.

27

GOLD STAR

GOLD STAR INVESTORS
The Abilene Chamber thanks its Gold Star Investors who voluntarily show extraordinary
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29 Abilene Magazine

DYESS

Airman 1st Class Seth Seward, 455th Expeditionary Security
Forces Squadron Fly Away Security Team Defender, deployed
from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., provides half of the 360
degree security to a C-130 Hercules during a mission to
Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan.

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY TECH. SGT. NICHOLAS RAU

Dyess personnel perform a variety
of roles at the base and in the city
Dyess Air Force Base, located in
Abilene, is home to the B-1 and ERIC J. SHELTON/REPORTER-NEWS A Dyess air traffic controller guides the
C-130. Dyess is the nation’s only 317th Airlift Group’s newest C-130J
B-1 initial training facility and is the single that the award is now also known as the after landing. The C-130J incorporates
largest employer in Abilene. Abilene Trophy. The award is present- state-of-the-art technology to reduce
ed annually to recognize the community manpower requirements, lower
The men and women of Dyess Air Force that provides the finest support to an Air operating and support costs, and
Base, not only carry out military missions Mobility Command unit. A member of the provide life-cycle cost savings over
securing the United States and many other Abilene Chamber of Commerce Military earlier C-130 models.
countries, but they also are great citizens in Affairs Committee goes to the winning city
Abilene. annually to present the honor. in the Air Force and is the only active-duty
Air Force base with combat aircraft in Texas.
They may be airdropping paratroopers or 7TH BOMB WING The first production B-1 flew in October
equipment one week, and leading a pack of Dyess is home to the 7th Bomb Wing, 1984, and the first B-1B was delivered to
Boy Scouts, a church choir or civic club meet- which includes an operational B-1 Lancer Dyess in June 1985.
ing the next. They may be flying support to squadron and the only B-1B training squad-
troops on the ground or delivering munitions ron in the Air Force, where all B-1 pilots and The 7th Bomb Wing was activated at
to significant targets in hostile territories, and weapons systems officers (WSOs) learn to fly Dyess on October 1, 1993 and is the pre-
within a few days weatherizing the home of a and navigate the aircraft. mier B-1B unit in the Air Force. The B-1
person in need or participating in a fund raiser Dyess has the largest fleet of B-1 bombers lethality first manifested itself on Dec. 18,
for a child with cancer. 1998, during Operation DESERT FOX in
Iraq. Since that time the wing has supported
“I believe that when you have a good Overseas Contingency Operations, such as
working relationship you become one team, Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. With the
and are one community,” said Gray Bridwell, B-1B, Dyess provides dominant air power
chair of the Chamber of Commerce’s Military and combat support to combatant and joint
Affairs Committee. force commanders anytime, anywhere.

Their contributions help make Abilene the
great city it is and that doesn’t go unnoticed.

Abilene won the Air Mobility Com-
mand Community Support Award for its
extensive support of Dyess so many times

Abilene Magazine 30

DYESS DYESS

GETTY IMAGES 317TH AIRLIFT GROUP STRONG MILITARY PRESENCE
Dyess is also home to the 317th Airlift Though the United States Air Force is a
Group with two C-130J squadrons, which significant military presence in Abilene,
together compose one of the largest J-model other military units are based here as well
units in the world. The 317th is one of the and have participated in missions support-
most heavily-tasked units in the Air Force and ing the war on terrorism.
one of the several active-duty C-130 units.
The group’s mission is to save lives and U.S. AIR FORCE RESERVES, 489TH BOMB GROUP
sustain our nation’s operations by training, In 2015, the U.S. Air Force Reserve
mobilizing, and employing C-130J combat Command stood up the first B-1B “Classic
aircraft worldwide, providing all phases of Association” Reserve unit at Dyess Air Force
combat delivery, including air-land, airdrop, Base. The intent is to optimize capabilities
and air medical evacuation. In addition, the across the Total Force by leveraging the
317th has been a part of many key humani- unique strengths of both active and reserve
tarian missions for the United States, includ- components. While part of Dyess for daily
ing the Berlin Airlift in 1948-1949, air-drop- operations, the 489th Bomb Group falls
ping food supplies to residents of the Soviet under administrative control of the 307th
blockaded city; the relief efforts for the Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, LA.
earthquake which devastated Haiti in 2010; The Group consists of a Bomb Squadron and
and flood relief efforts in Pakistan following a Maintenance Squadron, and once it reach-
the epic flooding in 2010. Most recently, the es full strength in the near future, should
group was instrumental in providing sup- have 261 personnel, including 105 full time
port in the Operation United Assistance, the positions.
mission to fight Ebola in West Africa

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31 Abilene Magazine

DYESS DYESS

U.S. ARMY RESERVE 413TH TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD U.S. MARINE CORPS RESERVE, DETACHMENT 1,
CIVIL AFFAIRS BATTALION 111TH ENGINEER BATTALION MOTOR TRANSPORT MAINTENANCE COMPANY,
About 75 personnel are based in Abilene The company and detachment belong to COMBAT LOGISTICS BATTALION 453
with the 413th Civil Affairs Battalion (Char- the 111th Engineer Battalion, which is now Located at Dyess Air Force Base, the
lie and Delta Company), the Battalion Head- headquartered out of Brownwood. detachment is staffed with 10 active duty
quarters is based in Lubbock, Texas. The Brigade Headquarters is now the Marines and outfitted with 103 reserve
Many of the Army reservists while serv- 176th Engineer Brigade which is located in Marines.
ing under the 490th Civil Affairs Battalion Grand Prairie. These Marines provide maintenance sup-
were deployed to Iraq for a year, from 2003 The 822nd Engineer Company with 161 port for Motor Transport assets for all Ma-
to 2004, and also had members deployed troops and the 936th Engineer Detachment rine Corps reserve units located in the south
during 2006. with 39 troops, is now located at the new Joint and central portion of the United States.
The citizen soldiers’ duties included Reserve Center on Dyess Air Force Base. Additionally, the unit provides a steady
quickly and systematically identifying crit- flow of Marines to deploy and fight the war on
ical needs of the citizenry caught in war or terror in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
disaster situations.
They also coordinated military resources
to support government operations, emergen-
cy action and humanitarian assistance.

GETTY IMAGES

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Abilene Magazine 32

DYESS DYESS

NELLIE DONEVA/REPORTER-NEWS Abilene Magazine

Lt. Col. Mitch Spillers greets sons Reed, 6, and Eli 4, wife
Bridgett and daughter Halle, 2, on the runway at Dyess Air
Force Base, after returning from a six-month deployment in
Afghanistan.

DYESS BY THE NUMBERS

$433 MILLION

Dyess contributes $433 million to the
local economy each year

12%

Dyess personnel and families account for about
12 percent of the area population

MACH 1.2

How fast the B-1 can fly

44,000 LBS

The C-130J can transport a payload of up to 44,000 pounds
or airdrop 42,000 pounds. It can transport 128 combat troops

or airdrop 92 paratroopers

TRIVIA:

Dyess Air Force Base was named after Lt. Col. William Edwin
Dyess, a native of nearby Albany who was captured by the
Japanese in April 1942. He escaped a year later. During re-
training in the United States, his P-38 Lightning caught fire in
flight Dec. 23, 1943, near Burbank, Calif. He went down with

the aircraft keeping it from crashing in a populated area.

AB-1279767

33

DYESS DYESS

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASS AUSTIN MAYFIELD/RELEASED

Dyess B-1 Lancers perform during the Dyess Big Country A B-1B Lancer takes off from Dyess Air Force Base.
AirFest in 2015. The B-1s were supporting Exercise Constant Vigilance
16, an annual Air Force Global Strike Command
THOMAS METTHE/REPORTER-NEWS training event conducted to test the command’s
ability to support conventional and nuclear missions.

AIRMAN 1ST CLASS REBECCA VAN SYOC/RELEASED

Abilene Magazine 34

BUSINESS BUSINESS
NOTEBOOK
Abilene’s Top 12 Employers

Dyess Air Force Base
Hendrick Health System
Abilene Independent School District
Abilene State Supported Living Center

City of Abilene
Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas
Abilene Christian University

Abilene Regional Medical Center
First Financial Bank
Taylor County

Wylie Independent School District

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AB-1274419 Abilene Magazine

35

BUSINESS

BUSINESS RETENTION-EXPANSION
PROGRAM GETS UPGRADE

The Abilene Industrial Foundation (AIF) serves as the marketing and
development arm for the Development Corporation of Abilene (DCOA) and
is responsible for recruitment of new businesses and the retention/expan-
sion of existing businesses.

The Business Retention-Expansion (BRE)
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The program performs annual on-site
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The program also
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businesses to com-
municate issues
Cont. on 40

Extraordinary People,
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Contact Wendy Lorenz or J Bowerman for a personalized tour at 325.701.9975

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AB-1268393

Abilene Magazine 36

BUSINESS

Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News
Abilene’s local Coca-Cola bottling com-
pany is one which has benefited from
the Abilene Industrial Foundation’s
Business Retention-Expansion program.

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37 Abilene Magazine

Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News
Pallets of canned Coca-Cola products wait
to be distributed on Friday, Feb. 12, 2016,
at the Coca-Cola plant in northeast Abilene.

BUSINESS

Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News
The syrup room was part of a $16.2 million
dollar project to upgrade the Coca-Cola plant
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Abilene Magazine
39

BUSINESS

Cont. from 36
affecting their operations including workforce,

infrastructure or capital and to make requests for
assistance to address these concerns. These busi-
nesses are the basic economic building blocks of a
local economy and have provided significantly to the
Abilene area.

Given the importance of the BRE program, the
AIF deployed a new business information system
tool called, “Synchronist PRIME.” By utilizing this
program, the AIF will be able to formalize the infor-
mation gathered during these important visits and
aggregate the responses in such a way that will assist
in identifying potential needs and areas of opportu-
nity.

The application provides advanced business
retention strategies, sophisticated interview design,
assistance tracking/service delivery management,
competitive intelligence, intranet/extranet and data-
base technology (software), BRE resource library, and
a community of committed users all working together
to maximize the value of the BRE program.

Organizations that formalize their BRE programs
in this manner have been credited with being up to
40% more effective at identifying opportunities to
serve their existing employers. As is the case with
any community, finding ways to keep existing busi-
nesses operating in the city is far less expensive than
recruiting new ones that haven’t year realized the
value of being in Abilene, Texas.

The BRE program’s value is best exampled by the
recent expansion of the Coca-Cola plant located of
Highway 351. As a result of the annual on-site visit,
the company expressed an interest to invest an addi-
tional $32 million to begin making their own plastic
bottles. With an assistance package from the Devel-
opment Corporation of Abilene, the Atlanta, Geor-
gia-based company decided to make that investment
in Abilene instead of another location. The invest-
ment help secure the 300 employees at the warehouse
and production facility, greatly reducing the likeli-
hood of the plant’s downsizing or closure.

Abilene Magazine 40

Less waiting
for emergency care

(and a lot more care, if you need it).

In a medical emergency, every minute matters. So, at Abilene Regional Medical Center, you’ll
find faster care in the emergency room. We work diligently to have you initially seen by a
medical professional* in 30 minutes – or less. And, with a team of dedicated medical specialists,
we can provide a lot more care, if you need it.

The 30-Minutes-Or-Less E.R. Service Pledge –
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AbileneRegional.com

*Medical professionals may include physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. • Abilene Regional Medical Center is owned in part by physicians.

AB-1347796

BUSINESS

ABILENE YOUNG Abilene Young
PROFESSIONALS Professionals

An update on Abilene’s largest Attract, retain and engage. That’s the mission of the Abilene
young professional organization. Young Professionals (AYP), a program of the Abilene Chamber of
Commerce, which targets young professionals who want to make
In 2014, the Abilene 2 a positive impact in Abilene and are passionate about the success
Chamber of Commerce of our community. AYP currently has over 530 members and our
initiated a task force YEARS monthly networking events attract 150-200 young professionals in
to focus on attracting, one evening.
retaining and engaging
young professionals in We are proud of all this organization has accomplished in such
the Abilene area. a short period of time, and look to our future with excitement. As
we look toward celebrating our third AYP birthday this spring, let’s
NETWORKING take a look back at the professional development, community out-
20EVENTS reach and networking opportunities that AYP has been able to bring
535 to the Big Country. A few of AYP’s highlights include:
• Assisted in planning and hosting over 20 networking events (our
MEMBERS largest had over 200 young professionals in attendance on a Thurs-
day evening!)
AYP’s monthly networking event where young professionals • Launched the “Get on Board” nonprofit initiative to help match
in Abilene come together to make personal and professional highly motivated AYP members in the community with board
connections. Our largest event had over 200 in attendance. positions throughout the Big Country. The program has success-
fully placed over 10 young professionals with nonprofits since the
The AYP program is LEADERSHIP 2.0 AYP is working with program’s inception in late 2016.
currently listed on Chairwoman Yvonne • Partnered with the Abilene Reporter-News to help recognize our
the Association of Batts on developing community’s young talent in their 20 Under 40 program.
Chamber of Commerce a leadership program • Recognized the first-ever young professional of the year.
Executives website as open exclusively to AYP • Assisted in planning the Chamber’s Mayoral Debate.
an example program. members & Leadership • Planned and executed a membership drive that brought together
Abilene Alumni. over 400 young professionals in one evening.
• Assisted in the planning and participation of the first-ever Abilene
Working with AYP is continually Dyess Strong event that aims to connect airmen to civilians.
leadership from Dyess working to engage • Launched HYPE – a monthly e-newsletter that highlights mem-
DYESS AFB to enhance relationship young professionals bers, includes a professional development piece written by fellow
with airmen by adding in local elections and AYP members, and informs members of Abilene happenings.
an at large Dyess issues that affect young
Committee position. professionals in Abilene. With millennials now being the nation’s largest living genera-
tion, much of our future leadership is now beginning to shape our
“GET ON BOARD” - community. With that new leadership comes the need to empower
A NONPROFIT INITIATIVE. young professionals to create a stronger, more productive work-
place.
This program will help match highly
motivated AYP members with open Join us in continuing to cultivate and unleashing the potential of
each of our young professionals by getting involved with AYP today.
board positions throughout the
Big Country. For more information please go to

AYP has helped place over 10 young www.abileneyp.org or call 325-677-7241.
professionals to boards in the Big

Country since the program’s inception in
December 2016.

The Chamber looks The 2016 membership
forward to a long, drive brought together
enduring and mutually over 300 young
beneficial relationship professionals in the
with the Abilene Abilene area. The 2017
Reporter-News as membership bash will
we work together take place on April 6,
to recognize our 2017 and aims to bring
community’s talent. together over 350
young professionals.

47 53 50 39
PERCENT MALE PERCENT FEMALE PERCENT 22-28 AGE
RANGE
29-35 AGE
RANGE
PERCENT

ABILENEYP.ORG

Abilene Magazine 42

BUSINESS

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43 Abilene Magazine

BUSINESS

GAME CHANGERS

YOUNG BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS
MAKING A GREAT IMPACT

ABILENE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS: It’s an easy way to meet your peers and
grow your business! Join other community leaders for networking events and
informative seminars. Contact the Chamber of Commerce at (325) 677-6741 to
learn more about events and opportunities, also visit abileneyp.org.

These young professions share the
best advice they’ve been given.

MICHAEL HANSON JEREMY L. SHIPP JACOB BUNTON
Dyess Air Force Base Wagstaff LLP Batts Communications
dyess.af.mil wagstafflaw.com
battscom.com
“Cream rises to the top and so “Life is often about choosing
does dead bodies, so emulate the between what is right and what “If someone asks you a question, as-
cream and learn from the dead is easy. Don’t rely on motivation sume that they already know the an-
bodies.” for anything. It is fleeting and swer. This rings more true in today’s
unreliable. Discipline, however, culture where every answer is just a
Abilene Magazine is unyielding. Force yourself to
follow through.“ few clicks away. The statement can
mean a few different things but it is
44 truly just a statement about honesty.“

BUSINESS

AKANE THAXTON
Development Corporation of Abilene
abilenedcoa.com

“Sandra Pierson, who has been supporting Japanese
students at ACU for over 30 years, advised me to be
confident and to be myself. That is when I realized
that it is ok to be foreign and that I should be myself.
Since then, I have enjoyed meeting new people, mak-
ing friends, and getting out of my comfort zone.“

ELIZABETH WALLACE
McMahon Surovik Suttle Law Firm
mss.law

“My parents always said, “You can be whatever you
want to be when you grow up.” As a child, I loved
this freedom and changed my mind frequently. First,
I decided I would be “a grandma when I grew up.”
I then changed my mind that “I would be a cowgirl
when I grew up.” I remember lawyer and teacher were
somewhere in the mix….and, imagine that, I landed on
one of those early childhood aspirations.“

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Abilene Magazine

BUSINESS

HEALTHCARE

Hendrick Hospice

If you’ve got to get sick, Abilene’s a pretty It’s just not true that you have to go to ma- “And I’m sure Hendrick is about the same.”
good place to be. jor cities to receive premium healthcare. For years, Abilene, with its two hospitals as

Healthcare professionals and facilities in “We’re blessed to have two good hospitals,” well as the West Texas Rehabilitation Center,
the city are superb. said Mike Murphy, the CEO for Abilene has served as a regional medical center. Tim
Regional Medical Center. “We provide good Lancaster, the CEO at Hendrick, sees that
Local medical facilities are constantly up- care to the people in Abilene and the area trend getting only stronger in the future.
grading their equipment, their services and around us. Sometimes, we don’t realize how
their professional staff. good in Abilene we have it.” “That’s something that’s not going to
change,” he said.
Much of what has been added recently is Murphy can point to the numbers to prove
truly state-of-the-art technology and the per- his point: both ARMC and Hendrick Medical Abilene has a strong pipeline for medical
sonnel who are specially trained and experi- Center take in a lot more inbound patients personnel.
enced in using it. than they refer to other hospitals.
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences
That means, local physicians and hospitals “We’re 50 to 1 in taking in patients rather Center has a School of Nursing. a School of
can treat an ever-growing number of medical than sending them somewhere else,” he said. Pharmacy and a School of Public Health in
problems we have. Abilene.

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Abilene Magazine 46

BUSINESS

The school of nursing is one of four along with Abilene Christian
University, the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing (a consor-
tium that serves students of both Hardin-Simmons University and
McMurry University) and Cisco College.

The nursing programs help Abilene Regional and Hendrick Medi-
cal Center, as well as other medical facilities in Abilene and the rest
of the Big Country battle a problem that plagues medical facilities
across the nation—a shortage of nurses.

Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News Nellie Doneva/Reporter-News

Neurosurgeon Dr. Christopher S. Eddle- Abilene Regional Medical Center Inter-
man with the special X-ray for the head ventional Cardiologist Charisse Ward has
allowing 360 degree angle viewing of the developed two apps for doctors that are
blood vessels at Hendrick Medical Center. currently available for download, and a
new one for patients called Cardio Tracker.

First Abilene FCU is a member owned, not-for-profit, Abilene Magazine
full service financial institution serving those who live,
work, worship or go to school in Taylor, Jones, Callahan,
Runnels, Nolan and Eastland counties. As a member,
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loans and low cost or free products and services.

47

BUSINESS

In fact, the school of public health was Hendrick Medical Plaza on Buffalo Gap
established, in part, to help rural West Road. The facility houses internal medi-
Texas with the problem of a lack of public cine physicians, radiology, the Meek Blood
health care providers. Lancaster said the Center as well as an office of Professional
school has provided the unexpected bene- Association of Pediatrics. On its main
fit of helping to recruit physicians. campus, Hendrick opened a 30,000-square-
foot radiology department with state of the
“I was surprised at the number of phy- art technology, moving its radiology from
sicians we recruit who have degrees in areas around the hospital into one central-
public health,” he said. “This gives them ized location.
the opportunity to teach.” Other ongoing construction or remodel-
ing that’s already done include Hendrick’s
Recruiting and retaining top quality center for Rehabilitation, League House,
physicians is an ongoing goal of both BirthPlace, Sleep Disorders Center and
hospitals. Murphy said physicians who Radiology Department.
are either from the area or similar areas New construction and remodeling isn’t
are a group from which Abilene Regional limited to Hendrick.
likes to recruit. He said that several of Abilene Regional, too, has been busy
the physicians at Abilene Regional are adding to its facilities.
Abilene-born and Abilene-bred. Lancaster The Emergency Department is expand-
said that while many of the physicians he ing by 50 percent, and work should be
recruits are not from Abilene, they are at- finished by the second quarter of 2018.
tracted by the city as a place to raise their An Orthopedics Excellence Unit with-
families. in the hospital has opened with goals of
decreasing length of stays and improving
“Many of these doctors have lived in a orthopedic and spine patients’ outcomes.
big city or they went to school in a big Included in the orthopedic unit is robot-
city,” he said. “What we have to offer here ics technology that allows for robotically
is that Abilene is an excellent place to raise assisted partial knee replacement surgery.
a family.” Outpatient imaging services have ex-
panded to the Medical Mall, just south of Dr. David McCain, an interventional cardiologist at Abilene
However, physicians won’t come to a the hospital on Antilley Road. Regional Medical Center, shows off the tiny CardioMEMS
city, regardless of how inviting it is, if they device that is inserted into a patient’s pulmonary artery.
don’t have the opportunity to work on the Abilene also has the West Texas Reha-
cutting edge of medicine, said Murphy. bilitation Center, a superb facility which
Both hospitals offer da Vinci robotic sur- provides a wide variety of services. Among
gery; Abilene Regional has had it for five them are: audiology and hearing aid ser-
years while Hendrick added the technolo- vice hospice care, occupational health and
gy in the last two years. Murphy said that employer services, fitness programs, occu-
offering that kind of technology gives the pational therapy, orthotics and prosthetics,
hospitals an edge when it comes to recruit- family support services, pediatric services,
ing doctors. physical therapy, and speech and language
pathology.
“An urologist coming out of school can In addition, there are many, many more
go anywhere he wants,” said Murphy. “If specialized services from a number of addi-
he wants to go to New York City, he can. If tional facilities and offices.
he wants to go to Montana, he can because However, both Murphy and Lancaster
they’re needed everywhere. He may have said that technology is not added at the
worked with a da Vinci in his residency expense of being able to offer the service
and he wants to go where they have it.” with a high degree of quality. Lancaster
said Hendrick wants to make sure the hos-
In addition to the da Vinci, Murphy pital can afford the function and that they
said Abilene Regional prides itself on its do it proficiently and “aren’t just checking
neo-natal intensive care unit, a program off a box.” Murphy said one of the ques-
that has been at the hospital for more than tions the hospital asks itself whenever it
25 years and he noted that his hospital contemplates adding a service is whether
delivers more than 1,500 babies in a year, there’s enough business in Abilene where
more than Hendrick despite being half its physicians won’t go stale.
size. As he put it, “When you go in to see a Thomas Metthe/Reporter-News

In 2016, Hendrick opened its new, large doctor, you don’t want him to say, ‘I did Elaine Smith punches a speed bag during the Parkinson’s
hospice center, a program that Lancaster one of these a few years ago.’ You want Wellness Recovery program, at the Hendrick Center for
said was especially important to him. It is him to say he does these all the time.” Rehabilitation.
located a few blocks south of Hendrick’s
main campus.

It has also opened an emergency room
facility in south Abilene, an addition to its
2015 opening of the 38,000-square-foot

Abilene Magazine 48

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