Unexpected Healthcare Hubs: 6 Cities Redefining the Future of Medicine
When people talk about cutting-edge medical care, some of the more common places that come up in the conversation are the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, John Hopkins in Baltimore or Massachusetts General in Boston. These institutions are notably famous, often mentioned in major publications and documentaries, and sometimes even portrayed on television shows and Hollywood sets.
And while they have definitely earned their stripes, there are also a surprising number of unexpected cities and towns across the United States emerging as new healthcare hubs. From coast to coast and border to border, you’ll find all manner of lesser-known gems that are raising the bar and setting new standards in the medical field. Here are six we think deserve a little more time in the spotlight.
Tyler, Texas
Tyler may be known as the Rose Capital of America, but the city is beginning to turn heads in the medical field. The city is known as a great launching pad for people looking to get into the medical field, thanks to institutions like the University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine. The school has emerged as a center of innovation and excellence in a region that hasn’t necessarily been associated with cutting-edge medical research in the past.
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What sets the University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine apart?
Even though they are in a smaller city, UT Tyler Medical School has positioned itself as a leader in a few different areas of healthcare, including personalized cancer treatments, advanced cardiovascular care and neurological research.
The school has also shown a unique commitment to integrating innovative healthcare solutions with the community at large, emphasizing telemedicine, for example, to bridge any gaps that may exist among underserved populations in the area. Family practice and helping the local community improve their health is a high priority among medical students at UT Tyler School of Medicine, making them a cornerstone of quality healthcare in eastern Texas.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Boasting a nationally recognized research program that fueled some serious extramural funding (to the tune of more than 400 million dollars), it’s no surprise Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC, is starting to turn heads. The university not only ranks among the country’s top PA and Nurse Anesthetist programs but also claims many noteworthy graduates, including Thomas Marshburn, MD, a veteran astronaut with three space flights under his belt.
Training the next generation of healthcare professionals is one of the key goals at Wake Forest School of Medicine, guiding the education of almost 2,000 students who will inevitably become tomorrow’s physicians and researchers. The school adamantly pursues opportunities to further biomedical research while preparing students to raise the bar for collaborative patient care and the continual pursuit of innovation in both technology and medicine. Winston-Salem is also known as a hub for regenerative medicine and is home to several companies that are changing the landscape of medicine.
What advancements are being made in the Innovation Quarter?
Furthermore, the Wake Forest School of Medicine has historically backed a downtown Winston-Salem district known as Innovation Quarter, a unique pocket of the community with more than 90 companies committed to industries such as healthcare, technology and research. The district is one of just nine innovation districts of its kind in the world, and one of its goals, according to Atrium Health president and CEO Eugene A. Woods, is to develop into a “Silicon Valley” for healthcare innovations.
The Innovation Quarter sits on 1.9 million square feet of reimagined historic tobacco factories donated by R.J. Reynolds for the redevelopment. The campus employs more than 3,700 people, hosts 170 companies and includes five academic institutions. Its flexible spaces and collaborative environment create a hub of startup activity where the city’s entrepreneurial ecosystem flourishes.
Franklin, Tennessee
Franklin, TN, combines the best of Nashville with the heart of the rolling countryside. But don’t let the charming accents and green pastures blind you to the region’s growing emphasis on health and wellness. Franklin serves as one of the headquarters of HCA Healthcare, one of the largest healthcare providers in the country, and Williamson Medical Center, which provides a wide range of services and participates in community outreach initiatives to further advance health and wellness beyond the patients in the hospital.
Franklin also falls in the Greater Nashville area, which boasts a long-standing reputation for medical advancements and quality patient care thanks to institutions like Vanderbilt University Medical Center (regularly ranking among the top hospitals in the country), TriStar Centennial Medical Center and Saint Thomas Health. Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is another major contributor to the region — often praised for its top-notch pediatric care. The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center also serves Williamson County residents.
How has Franklin, TN, grown as a healthcare hub?
Williamson County residents remain in good health as healthcare providers expand to meet the needs of this growing area. Because of the variety of specialties and opportunities in the area, Franklin is quickly becoming a medical magnet, drawing in medical professionals nationwide. The groundbreaking of a $200 million renovation and expansion project at Williamson Medical Center — the largest in the hospital’s history — brings a new era of continued leading-edge medical services close to home.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Regularly praised for its beautiful mountains and world-class skiing resorts, Salt Lake City, UT, may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about healthcare. But among its many top-tier hospitals and academic institutions, this capital city deserves to be on the list of growing industry leaders. The University of Utah Health is one of the major players in town, best known for the University of Utah Hospitals, which regularly sees praise in the areas of neurology and cardiology. Huntsman Cancer Institute is another arm of the university, dedicated wholly to cancer research and treatment with state-of-the-art care and a relentless pursuit of innovative research for preventative care and therapy.
Step outside the university, and you’ll find other notable providers like Intermountain Healthcare, a not-for-profit system with many facilities, including Primary Children’s Hospital downtown. This is one of the region’s leading pediatric and teaching hospitals, with more than 50 medical and surgical specialties, 800 providers and outpatient clinics in six states.
What schools in Salt Lake City prepare people for a career in the medical field?
Those hoping to pursue a career in the medical field are often drawn to the city because of the University of Utah, particularly the U of U School of Medicine and College of Nursing, but a range of graduate programs are also available at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in nearby Provo.
University of Utah’s School of Medicine is one of the premiere higher-ed institutions in the area for people pursuing a career in the medical field. It is often ranked among the top medical schools in the US, especially for specialties centered around primary care and research. Research areas focused on genetics, infectious diseases and cancer are the most notable ones at the university.
Worcester, Massachusetts
Boston is top of mind when it comes to outstanding healthcare reputations in Massachusetts; however, a short commute west will land you in Worcester. The city is a hub for a myriad of cutting-edge medical and technological institutions. Among the list of standouts is UMass Memorial Health system, which includes the UMass Memorial Medical Center, the largest healthcare provider in central Massachusetts. The hospital is known around the northeast for its advanced care in areas like cardiology and neurology, and patients get the added benefits of its close association with the research and development arms of the UMass Chan Medical School.
Another key player in Worcester is Saint Vincent Hospital, often praised for its comprehensive care in cardiology, orthopedics, and sports medicine. Their heart and vascular center is particularly important, offering everything from diagnostics and rehabilitation to surgery and advanced emergency care. The hospital has also invested a solid chunk of change (upwards of $11 million) in equipment upgrades like a da Vinci Xi robot and new electronic records systems.
How can Worcester residents stay in good health?
Speaking of innovation, Worcester residents are in good health thanks to various community programs, like UMass Memorial’s Hospital at Home program, which provides hospital-level care in the comfort of a patient’s home. Biotech businesses also feel welcome in the area as the Worcester region is home to 12 colleges and universities with life sciences programs and more than 60 biotech companies.
Adams County, Colorado
Adams County, Colorado, knows how to improve the quality of life for locals when it comes to healthcare. This community has seen a dramatic boom in growth and development over the last few decades, transforming from a more rural area to a thriving suburban region with a multitude of newer residential neighborhoods and commerce. Occasionally, spikes like this can leave residents without an increase in vital quality-of-life factors like healthcare — but not in Adams County. Quality care can be found in clinics, physician’s offices, emergency room services and specialized surgical care.
One of the more well-known institutions in the area is CommonSpirit, which has offered affordable, quality care to the entire state for the last 100 years. It may not come as a surprise that they serve as a serious cornerstone for the community with their 6,000 physicians, 21,000 employees, 17 hospitals, two senior living communities and an array of clinics, practices and an air transportation service to accommodate more severe incidents.
What are some of the hospitals located in Adams County, Colorado?
You’ll also find the renowned Children’s Hospital Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, right in the heart of Aurora. This noteworthy hospital has garnered national attention for its 85% cure rate for pediatric cancer and blood disorders, earning a well-deserved spot among the top 10 pediatric hospitals nationwide. Physicians and surgeons here are in the business of saving lives, and their expertise provides parents in the county with extra peace of mind when it comes to their children’s health.
Other worthwhile institutions in the area include North Suburban Medical Center in Thornton, a 157-bed hospital with a reputation for comprehensive women’s care services, Platte Valley Hospital, an Intermountain Health facility which boasts acclaimed heart and vascular services, and UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital with almost 900 beds and specialties in everything from cancer to pulmonology. With all of these patient-centered providers, it’s no surprise that residents can find award-winning health care in Adams County.