GALVESTON, Texas -- Shriners Hospital in Galveston got a new lease on life on Monday, KPRC Local reported.

Delegates at the National Shriners Convention in San Antonio voted to reopen the hospital.

The hospital has been closed since Hurricane Ike slammed ashore in Galveston in September.

Shriners is a 30-bed facility that offered treatment, rehabilitation and orthopedic care for burn patients 18 and younger from all over the world.

Since closing, many of the doctors have focused on helping the patients at UTMB in Galveston, which is across the street.

The UTMB burn unit used to only accept adult patients, but in April, opened up to burn patients of all ages to fill the need.

Former employees and burn patients treated at the facility were relieved at the news.

"We are all hoping, including myself, that the Shriners will come back," Dr. Marc Jeschke said. "I worked for Shriners for many years. I loved the Shriners system. I loved helping children."

There's no word yet on a date or a time line for the reopening.

Future votes could also be taken at the national convention on the hospital's future.