The early days
Following a growth in population and industry in the early 20th century, it quickly became evident that New Braunfels required a full-service hospital to serve the community.
In the late 1940s, a group of business and civic leaders, spearheaded by Howard C. McKenna of the Mission Valley Textiles Mill, took on the task of privately securing the funds to build a new hospital. In 1951, city leaders Alfred Liebscher, R.B. Vickers, Arlon Krueger, Ben Krueger, Harry Richards, John Langston, Mrs. R Wright, and McKenna convinced the City of New Braunfels to support health care for its citizens by providing a hospital site.
Through fundraising efforts, including going door-to-door to seek support, the community’s generosity produced over $500,000 for the initiative, which was supplemented by a $280,000 Hill-Burton grant. In 1952, a groundbreaking ceremony was held commemorating the beginning of the hospital’s construction, and in October 1953, the new 40-bed New Braunfels Hospital celebrated its grand opening. In honor of Howard C. McKenna, who served as the president of the Hospital’s board for over 20 years, the New Braunfels Hospital changed its name to McKenna Memorial Hospital in 1973.
Health System Expansion
What began as a small community hospital grew into a nationally recognized regional health system over the following decades. The McKenna Health System became an essential part of New Braunfels and Comal County, offering programs, services, and resources to improve the health and well-being of the community. A few of the system offerings included:
- McKenna HealthLink
- McKenna Healthcare Foundation
- McKenna Sports, Fitness and Rehabilitation Center
- McKenna Children’s Museum
- McKenna Village
- McKenna Events Center
- At Home Medical Equipment
- At Home Care
The McKenna Legacy
After successfully operating as an independent hospital for over 50 years, McKenna Memorial Hospital was sold to CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital on January 31, 2008, to ensure the hospital’s long-term growth and service to the community.
The sale realized the assurance of quality health care for the community and also provided funding to establish the McKenna Foundation, which aims to advance the well-being of the New Braunfels community for generations to come.
The McKenna Foundation continues to oversee the operations of the McKenna Center, including the McKenna Events Center and McKenna Children’s Museum. These programs specifically address community needs with an emphasis on positive early childhood experiences, healthy lifestyles, and capacity building for the non-profit community. Since opening its doors on April 1, 2006, the McKenna Center has served thousands of residents as a community partner.
Inspiration, Influence and Impact
The McKenna Foundation Board of Trustees oversees a significant endowment that generates income to address social needs in our community. The Foundation began making grants to community non-profits in 2009 and has since developed the necessary resources to address basic needs, health, education, family relationships, and community development services. Such support, including funding for non-profit partners, offers an extraordinary benefit unique among areas the size of greater New Braunfels.