Halloween in Texas Hospitals

Here’s how Texas health care workers, patients, families and communities come together to celebrate Halloween in hospitals.

Oct. 31, 2024 | | Written by Amy Rios

For patients spending Halloween in the hospital, the holiday can be a bittersweet reminder of the celebrations they’re missing at home. However, Texas hospitals rise to the occasion by transforming their halls into havens of spooky fun and creative engagement, ensuring that patients don’t miss out on the Halloween spirit.

Integrating Halloween festivities into hospital settings is more than just a morale booster – it’s therapeutic. A 2006 study in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that when patients were exposed to positive emotional experiences in the hospital, they had significantly less stress and improved recovery outcomes. These insights underline the therapeutic impact of incorporating joy and normalcy into patient care settings.

Patients aren’t the only ones who benefit from the festivities. Workplace positivity – often enhanced by festive and social gatherings – can increase creativity, engagement and productivity for staff.

These unique celebrations showcase the dedication Texas hospitals have toward supporting their patients’ emotional well-being and create lasting memories for patients, families, and staff alike.

Here are the heartwarming Halloween celebrations happening in Texas hospitals this year:

CHRISTUS Health

Who says Halloween and health can’t go hand-in-hand? This year, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances hosted a Halloween Hustle 5K to promote health and wellness through exercise. Participants were encouraged to participate in their Halloween costume and enjoyed a post-race treat during their trunk-or-treat event.

CHRISTUS Health, Halloween 2024, Halloween Hustle

Memorial Medical Center

To assuage kids’ common fear of going to see the doctor, every Halloween, Memorial Medical Center coordinates with local daycares in Port Lavaca to provide trick-or-treating experiences throughout the hospital. Each department gives out treats as the trick-or-treaters take an age-appropriate trip throughout the hospital.

Methodist Hospital Atascosa and Metropolitan

Hospital staff play a crucial role in creating the Halloween atmosphere. The hospital staff at Methodist Hospital Atascosa in Jourdanton, Texas and Methodist Hospital Metropolitan in San Antonio, Texas lifted spirits with their fun, creative costumes.

Methodist Hospital Atacosa

Methodist Hospital Metropolitan

St. Joseph Health Emergency Medical Services

For the past three years, St. Joseph Health Emergency Medical Services hosts a Halloween Truck-or-Treat event for the Bryan and College Station communities. Attendees are treated to face painting, games, ambulance tours and, of course, candy.

Texas Health

It wouldn’t be Halloween without NICU babies adorned in Halloween costumes. These tiny trick-or-treaters might not be able to go door-to-door trick-or-treating yet, but hospitals across the Texas Health system brings some normalcy and joy to their families by providing fun and creative costumes for these patients’ first Halloween.