Historic Riverside Hospital in Third Ward, Houston's First for Black People, Set to Reopen After Years of Neglect
A piece of Houston's rich history is finally coming back to life as the historic Riverside General Hospital, a hospital that once served the city's predominantly African American community, prepares to reopen its doors. The hospital, which was closed in 2015, has been a source of pride and nostalgia for many in the community, including 92-year-old Dorothy Booker.
Booker spent over a decade volunteering at the hospital in the 1980s, where she witnessed firsthand the impact that healthcare providers had on the lives of patients. "I'm proud to be a part of something that started in my life, advanced in my life, that I was able to help somebody," she said, reflecting on her experiences.
The hospital's history is steeped in significance, dating back to its founding in 1926 as Houston Negro Hospital, the first hospital of its kind for Black patients. During its operation, it provided a range of medical services, including inpatient and outpatient care, substance abuse programs, and Medicaid services. However, the hospital closed due to financial issues and allegations of Medicaid fraud.
Despite its decline, Riverside Hospital holds a special place in Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis' heart. Born at the hospital, Ellis has long advocated for its restoration and repurposing as a hub for community services. "Here in the shadows of the largest, most prestigious medical center in the world, there are many people who don't have access to healthcare," he said. "This building will be a part of that package to give people who can't afford great health insurance like we have, that they too ought to be respected and can come here for services."
A $200 million investment has been made to renovate the hospital and provide wraparound services, including transportation assistance, food, financial assistance, housing, and shelter resources. The Harris County Health Department will also relocate to the site.
The hospital's reopening is set to coincide with Black History Month, a fitting tribute to its rich history as a beacon of healthcare for African Americans in Houston. As Booker said, "I will be there," looking forward to walking through those familiar halls once again and seeing the impact that Riverside Hospital can have on people's lives.
A piece of Houston's rich history is finally coming back to life as the historic Riverside General Hospital, a hospital that once served the city's predominantly African American community, prepares to reopen its doors. The hospital, which was closed in 2015, has been a source of pride and nostalgia for many in the community, including 92-year-old Dorothy Booker.
Booker spent over a decade volunteering at the hospital in the 1980s, where she witnessed firsthand the impact that healthcare providers had on the lives of patients. "I'm proud to be a part of something that started in my life, advanced in my life, that I was able to help somebody," she said, reflecting on her experiences.
The hospital's history is steeped in significance, dating back to its founding in 1926 as Houston Negro Hospital, the first hospital of its kind for Black patients. During its operation, it provided a range of medical services, including inpatient and outpatient care, substance abuse programs, and Medicaid services. However, the hospital closed due to financial issues and allegations of Medicaid fraud.
Despite its decline, Riverside Hospital holds a special place in Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis' heart. Born at the hospital, Ellis has long advocated for its restoration and repurposing as a hub for community services. "Here in the shadows of the largest, most prestigious medical center in the world, there are many people who don't have access to healthcare," he said. "This building will be a part of that package to give people who can't afford great health insurance like we have, that they too ought to be respected and can come here for services."
A $200 million investment has been made to renovate the hospital and provide wraparound services, including transportation assistance, food, financial assistance, housing, and shelter resources. The Harris County Health Department will also relocate to the site.
The hospital's reopening is set to coincide with Black History Month, a fitting tribute to its rich history as a beacon of healthcare for African Americans in Houston. As Booker said, "I will be there," looking forward to walking through those familiar halls once again and seeing the impact that Riverside Hospital can have on people's lives.
this is so amazing!! 
it's like a dream come true for all the folks who grew up with riverside hospital in their community 
they're gonna be able to help ppl again and make a real difference 
meanwhile, 92-yr-old dorothy booker is living her best life reminiscing about old times 
and that harris county commissioner rodney ellis is just too cool for school 
his whole thing is giving people access to healthcare no matter what 
it's crazy to think about how something that was meant to serve as a helping hand got left behind in history... like, we're still struggling with healthcare access 90 years later 
and yet, there's this one place that was dedicated to making things better for people who needed it most 
. and now, with all these new services being added, I'm hoping it'll be more than just a Band-Aid solution... that it'll actually start to address some of the deeper issues that led to its closure in the first place 
, I'm so happy to hear that Riverside General Hospital is finally reopening its doors! It's like a part of Houston's history is being revived 
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. I hope it goes towards making sure everyone has access to quality healthcare, regardless of their income. It's crazy to think that in 2025, we're still having this conversation about who has access to good health insurance 
. It's a reminder of where we've been and how far we've come, but also how much work we still have to do 
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I'm beyond thrilled to hear about the reopening of Riverside General Hospital! It's amazing how something so historic and meaningful is finally getting the revival it deserves 
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. Riverside Hospital's reopening is a beacon of hope for many, and I'm so grateful to be living in a time where progress feels possible again 
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. this will definitely make a difference in people's lives, especially those who can't afford healthcare 
. I mean, can you imagine having to travel all the way from the Third Ward just to get medical care? 
It's no wonder that it was (and still is) such an important institution in the community.
And don't even get me started on the wraparound services - isn't that just code for bureaucratic red tape? I'm sure it's all well-intentioned, but come on, can't they just make the whole thing more user-friendly instead of adding a ton of extra hoops to jump through? And what about the Medicaid issues from back in the day? Are those really being addressed or just swept under the rug? 
. It's amazing how one place can hold so much significance for an entire community. I mean, who needs fancy hospitals when you have a space that truly cares? The $200 million renovation is going to be a game-changer - I just hope they're able to provide the kind of support services that will really make a difference in people's lives 
. Can't wait to see it all come together!
This hospital has been a part of so many people's lives for generations, and to see it reopen as a hub for community services is just incredible 
I'm so stoked to hear that Riverside General Hospital is finally getting its grand reopening! It's like, this hospital has been asleep for decades, neglecting the community it was meant to serve, but now it's waking up and ready to give back 
I'm so stoked that this historic hospital is finally getting the renovation it deserves! It's wild to think about how much history this place holds, from being one of the first hospitals for black patients in Houston back in 1926 to closing its doors due to financial issues and allegations of Medicaid fraud. 
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