About Us

Our History

During the early and mid 1930’s citizens of the county and town of Refugio, Texas envisioned a community hospital. Inhabitants of the place felt that with the exception of Corpus Christi’s Spohn Hospital, facilities in the immediate area were inadequate. A new highway had been constructed through the county, oil lands were being developed in the region and there was a sizeable increase in farm population; items such as these led public minded citizens of the area to believe more hospitals would be needed. Certainly, the town of Refugio, with a population exceeding 3,000 souls, by March, 1937, needed its own hospital.

By that year there seemed to be little opposition to such an institution, the chief problem being a suitable site for its location. City property was unavailable as it was encumbered by oil leases and producing wells. Thus the hospital continued to be nothing more than a dream until Joe C. Heard, a prominent local resident, decided to convert the dream into reality.

Heard, who was secretary for both the town and its Chamber of Commerce, worked quietly, but steadily, throughout 1937, on a plan which he presented to the Martin McDonald Post Number 298 of the American Legion. He acquainted the Legion with his idea at the regular monthly meeting on February 23, 1938. That night he proposed that the Legion sponsor the construction of a $150,000 county hospital.

Refugio County Memorial Hospital admitted its first patient on February 2, 1940. Since then, we have provided continuous service to the citizens of Refugio County. The original hospital was expanded in 1962 and then again in 2009. It was originally operated by several religious orders and in May of 1974, the county took over the entire operation. Early in 1977, the 65th Texas Legislature authorized the creation of the hospital district and this was confirmed by public vote on May 1, 1977.

Our Mission

The mission of Refugio County Memorial Hospital (RCMHD) is to provide and promote quality healthcare to the citizens of our county. Through our hospital, rural health clinics, wellness center, and specialty clinic we are striving to provide primary healthcare to our patients in Refugio County. Your welfare is a sacred trust to us and we take great pride in the care we deliver to our patients. Whether you need emergency trauma care, routine surgery, minor illness care, or rehabilitation in our swing bed program, we are here for you. RCMHD welcomes your suggestions as we continue to improve our healthcare services.

Providers

Russell Mascarenhas, MD

Russell Mascarenhas, MD serves as Medical Director for the Refugio Rural Health Clinic and the Austwell-Tivoli Medical Clinic. His primary location practice is at the Refugio Rural Health Clinic; however, he works two days a month at the Austwell-Tivoli Medical Clinic. He also serves as Chief of Staff and EMS Medical Director for Refugio County Memorial Hospital. Dr. Mascarenhas is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and has been associated with the hospital and its rural health clinics since September of 1999.

Kayla Staples, FNP

Kayla Staples graduated in May 2011 from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi with a Master’s of Science in Nursing. She is certified through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She works at the Refugio Rural Health Clinic and Austwell-Tivoli Medical Clinic. She works at the Woodsboro Medical Clinic when needed. Kayla encourages preventive care and enjoys the teaching aspect of the medical field. Kayla is a Christian and realizes the importance of faith in the healing process. She is a lifelong horseback rider and has been involved in ranching since her childhood. As a result, she is interested in ranch and farm safety. Kayla is proud to work in Refugio County helping the people of her home county.

John Wineman, PA-C

John Wineman, PA-C, MPAS is a 1995 graduate of the US Air Force Physician Assistant Training program. He holds a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine with a specialization in Family Practice. Practicing mainly from Woodsboro Medical Clinic in Woodsboro, TX, he offers Primary Care, Urgent Care as well as Occupational Health Services under the Supervision of Russell Mascarenhas, MD. He is a Registered DOT Medical Examiner. Mr. Wineman is a Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants. He is a clinical site preceptor for Physician Assistant and Advanced Family Nurse Practitioner students. Mr. Wineman joined our staff in July 2000. He is married and lives with his wife in Refugio. All 3 of his children have graduated from Refugio ISD.

Donna McMahan, FNP

Donna McMahan is a long-time Woodsboro resident and graduated from Texas A&M Corpus Christi with a Masters Degree of Science as a Family Nurse Practitioner. She has over 22 years experience as an FNP and is experienced in Family Practice, Women’s Wellness and Health, Insurance/Sports/TXDOT physicals, Texas Health Steps and has also worked in the Emergency Department of a Corpus Christi Hospital. Donna is married to Rick McMahan of Woodsboro and they have one daughter, Alyssa. In her spare time, Donna likes to fish, exercise and snow ski. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Donna not only has a stellar reputation as a quality healthcare provider, she is a local resident vetted in the community.

Philip Scherrer, MD

Refugio Memorial County Hospital would like to take this opportunity to welcome and introduce Dr. Philip Scherrer to Refugio County. Dr Scherrer is a personable and detailed oriented professional who will listen to your healthcare needs. Dr. Scherrer seeks to provide the patient with that ”old-fashioned” patient-doctor relationship that is based on listening, respect, and understanding. Forming a tailored relationship with the patient allows for personalized care that addresses the individual’s healthcare needs.

Family Health Clinics

Refugio Rural Health Clinic

107 1/2 Swift St. | Refugio, TX 78377

Hours:
M-F: 8am – Noon/ 1pm – 5pm
Sat: 8am – 4pm
p:361.526.5328 | f:361.526.5670

Refugio Specialty Clinic

114 Swift St. | Refugio, TX 78377

Hours:
M-F: 8am – Noon/ 1pm – 5pm
p:361.526.1513 | f:361.526.1517

Woodsboro Medical Clinic

120 Wood Ave. | Woodsboro, TX 78393

Hours:
M-F: 8am – Noon/ 1pm – 5pm
p:361.534.5414 | f:361.543.5420

Austwell-Tivoli Medical Clinic

106 W. Wilson | Tivoli, TX 77950

Hours:
M/W: 8am – Noon/ 1pm – 5pm
F: 8am – Noon
Closed Tuesday and Thursday
p:361.286.0115 | f:361.286.0256

Refugio County Memorial Hospital

107 Swift St. | Refugio, TX | 78377
p: 361.526.2321 | f: 361.526.2210 | e: info@rcmhospital.org

Refugio Rural Health Clinic

107 1/2 Swift St. | Refugio, TX | 78377
p: 361.526.5328 | f: 361.526.5670

Refugio Specialty Clinic

114 Swift St. | Refugio, TX | 78377
p: 361.526.1513 | f: 361.526.1517

Woodsboro Medical Clinic

120 Wood Ave. | Woodsboro, TX | 78393
p: 361.543.5414 | f: 361.543.5420

Austwell-Tivoli Medical Clinic

106 W. Wilson | Tivoli, TX | 77950
p: 361.286.0115 | f: 361.286.0256

24 Hour Emergency Room