TEXARKANA MONTHLY
T exarkana is known for being “Twice as Nice” because of our location on the state line between Texas and Arkansas. From our ability to be in two places at once, to a healthy cross-town rivalry, Texarkana’s character, in large part, comes from straddling these two great states. Ask the locals, “What makes Texarkana ‘Twice as Nice?’” and you will often hear, “the people!” Businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals contribute to this mentality by maintaining an inclusive, energetic and welcoming environment. Adding to Texarkana’s points of pride, local philanthropists and founders of Texarkana Emergency Center and Hospital, Dr. Matt and Cindy Young, have worked together in the medical field for over 20 years, ensuring Texarkana receives the best healthcare in the Four States area. Dr. Young and Cindy recall the beginning of their story together like it was yesterday. Dr. Young was living in Texarkana mowing lawns before he left for medical school. One afternoon, following a full day of yard work, he ran into an old friend and struck up a conversation. He can’t recall what they talked about that day, but the one thing he remembered was her beautiful roommate, Cindy. For Dr. Young, it was love at first sight. Dr. Young recalls, “I was determined to take her on a date.” “He was definitely persistent! I think he asked me out five times and I kept saying, ‘No,’” said Cindy. Luckily for Dr. Young, his friend, Dr. Don Tribbey, worked with Cindy at CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital and advocated on his behalf. Cindy eventually agreed to a simple lunch date to keep things low pressure, and the rest is history. “Matt picked me up for lunch on a Sunday afternoon,” Cindy said. “I was a
little nervous when we pulled into a gas station and Matt got out of the car. He told me we were having a burrito and a Slurpee in the park because he did not have any money!” Luckily, Matt was joking and quickly jumped back into the car with a laugh. “We are all about a joke in my family,” Cindy said, “That’s when I thought I might give him a chance.” They had a nice lunch at a local restaurant in town. “Matt and I have been together ever since.” Together, the Youngs have built a business inspired by the longtime passion of Dr. Young’s family for healthcare. Raised in Texarkana with nine siblings, Dr. Young attended St. James Day School, Highland Park Elementary, Pine Street Middle School
it was the ministry of helping others that drove a lot of us into healthcare. It was just in our blood. It felt obvious.” With his passion for helping others, Dr. Young felt drawn to emergency medicine. “No one plans to have an emergency. Being present for people who need help the most during their raw emotions is what I love most about practicing emergency medicine.” Dr. Young and Cindy moved to Texarkana in 1999, and Cindy planned to be a stay at home mom. Instead, in 2000, Dr. Young took over management of a contract at CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital and Cindy became his practice manager. They recognized the need for a freestanding emergency room in Texarkana, so when the laws changed in Texas regarding these types of facilities, they began to brainstorm. On Christmas Eve, 2014, Cindy received an unexpected Facebook message from Dr. Dallas Bailes. Dr. Bailes was interested in opening a freestanding emergency room in Texarkana and thought the Youngs were the right contact for the opportunity. The Youngs discussed their options, and by February 2015, the former bank building on Cowhorn Creek was under contract. Less than one year after Cindy opened Dr. Bailes’ Facebook message in November 2015, Texarkana Emergency Center opened for business. Cindy oversaw the construction and hiring, but she planned to be out of the business by December 2015. However, five years and one large expansion later, Cindy remains the visionary and CEO and Dr. Young continues to be the Chief Medical Officer. This past year, the emergency center expanded to become a hospital in order to offer even more services to the Texarkana area. Texarkana Emergency Center and Hospital (TECH) celebrated its five-year anniversary in November 2020. TECH has become a well-known and respected,
Dr. Matt and Cindy Young on a Caribbean cruise in 2008
and Texas High School. His dad practiced medicine independently and his mom was a Licensed Vocational Nurse, working with him in his office. Dr. Young’s parents never pushed their children into medicine. Many of their children went to college for business or finance, but in the end, seven ended up in the medical field and one became a vet. Dr. Young’s family instilled in him a very realistic perception of medicine from a young age. “Our dad was on call 24/7, but my siblings and I saw him helping others,” Dr. Young said. “Medicine gave us a religious background, guiding us to understand that God is in control. I think
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