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Known for its rich diversity, Houston, Texas, is a dynamic blend of creativity, talent and top-notch attractions that make it a world-class metropolis. Home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, Houston features some of the nation’s top-ranking hospitals and healthcare systems. It’s also internationally known as having one of the best medical communities worldwide. The City of Houston’s website states that Houston’s health system includes 85 hospitals with around 19,300 beds and over 100,000 healthcare professionals.
This guide provides an overview of 10 top Houston hospitals based on employee and facility reviews. It doesn’t rank the providers in the style of a “top 10” list but instead explores the range of specializations of each hospital to help you identify which one is best for your specific career goals.
1. Houston Methodist Hospital
Located in the Texas Medical Center, Houston Methodist consists of a nationally recognized academic medical center and six community hospitals. Houston Methodist offers a full spectrum of care with specialty physician offices and diagnostic capabilities that feature expert teams and the newest technologies. The hospital boasts over 900 beds and 7,200 employees as well as six Centers of Excellence that include centers for:
- Cancer
- Vascular disorders
- Transplants
- Digestive disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Orthopedics and sports medicine
The hospital’s team of physicians and healthcare professionals provides care in over 35 medical specialties. Its system-wide float pool lets registered nurses (RNs) in certain specialties enjoy the perks of travel nursing while staying in Houston, including flexible scheduling, floating between hospitals and exposure to different environments with premium pay and full-time PRN benefits. Houston Methodist Hospital was nationally ranked in 10 adult specialties by U.S. News & World Report and ranked No. 15 on its Best Hospitals Honor Roll in 2022-2023.
2. CHI St. Luke’s Health/Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center
Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center is part of the CHI St. Luke’s Health System and jointly owned by CommonSpirit Health and the Baylor College of Medicine. The facility received international recognition for research and clinical excellence with advancements in cardiovascular care, oncology, neuroscience, transplantation and other specialties in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Heart Institute. The medical center’s primary specialties include:
- Family medicine
- Heart care
- Neuroscience and stroke care
- Emergency services
- Lung care
- Cancer care
- Performance medicine
- Orthopedic care
- Women’s health
- Pediatrics
- Primary care
Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center was the first in Texas to be designated a Magnet hospital for Nursing Excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, an honor the center has repeated five times total, four times consecutively. It received national rankings in six adult specialties in 2022-2023.
3. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Located in the Texas Medical Center, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is the largest cancer treatment and research center in the United States. MD Anderson has worked to eliminate cancer for more than seven decades and is world-renowned for its cutting-edge cancer research and development of front-line diagnostic equipment. The 739-bed facility owned by Epic Systems Corporation provides multidisciplinary cancer treatment and specialized services that include:
- Brain tumors
- Children’s cancer
- Gynecologic oncology
- Gastrointestinal cancer
- Leukemia
- Melanoma and skin cancer
- Proton therapy
- Radiation treatment
- Reconstructive surgery
- Stem cell transplantation
- Cellular therapy
Newsweek designated MD Anderson Cancer Center as the best hospital in the world for oncology and other cancer-related treatment in 2021. It was nationally ranked in seven adult specialties and one children’s specialty in 2022-2023. It’s also a degree-granting academic institution and employs more than 22,000 people, including 1,788 faculty members.
4. Memorial Hermann Hospital
As one of the largest nonprofit health systems in Southeast Texas, Memorial Hermann Hospital boasts evidence-based care that’s practiced to the highest-quality standards to provide a personalized, outcome-oriented care experience. It has over 6,100 affiliated physicians and 29,000 employees across 270 care delivery sites that include 17 hospitals in the Greater Houston area as well as many specialized offices and care centers, including:
- NICU and neonatal care
- Pediatrics
- Digestive health
- Diabetes and endocrinology
- Ear, nose and throat
- Neuroscience
- Sports medicine
- Transplant and surgical care
Memorial Hermann has over 50 specialized care services. Its Level 1 trauma center at the Texas Medical Center is one of the busiest in the nation and serves as the primary teaching hospital for McGovern Medical School. Memorial Hermann Central Staffing offers travel contracts to fill open roles across the Greater Houston area.
5. Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital
Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital is one of 13 hospitals in the Memorial Hermann Health System. It provides a range of specialized children’s healthcare as well as obstetrics and labor and delivery services. The hospital’s 332-bed facility also functions as a teaching hospital for the pediatric and obstetric/gynecology departments at McGovern Medical School of UTHealth Houston. Features of Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital include:
- Level IV maternal unit
- Pediatric intensive care unit
- Pediatric specialty care unit
- Pediatric surgical care
- Epilepsy monitoring unit
- Level IV Neonatal intensive care (NICU)
- Pediatric emergency center
- Fetal center
- Pediatric brain tumor program
Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital also focuses on high-risk pregnancy and pediatric care that require experimental medicines and treatments or specialized surgical procedures. It has over 29,000 employees and 6,100 affiliate physicians who all practice evidence-based medicine, fully focused on quality care and patient safety.
6. Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital
Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital serves the Fort Bend County area with full-service medical care capabilities and state-of-the-art technology. The hospital’s website touts over 40 specialized medical services, including service centers focused on:
- Breast care
- Cancer
- Childbirth
- Orthopedics and sports medicine
- Heart and vascular care
- Neuroscience and spine care
Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital offers family-centered medical, health and wellness care for every stage of life in a warm and comfortable setting. It first earned ANCC Magnet Recognition in 2017 and received redesignation in 2022 for its high-quality nursing care.
7. HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood
HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood, in the northeast corner of Houston, is a full-service, 411-bed acute care hospital with an advanced brain and spine center, Level 1 stroke center, Level III trauma center and Level III neonatal intensive care unit. It provides 24-hour emergency care, customized cardiovascular services, cutting-edge imaging technologies and endoscopy. Other advanced medical care services and award-winning programs include:
- Bariatric surgery
- Cardiology services
- Emergency care
- Gynecology services
- Obstetric care
- Neurology services
- Orthopedic care
- Pulmonary care
U.S. News & World Report designated HCA Houston Healthcare of Kingwood as a high-performing hospital in diabetes care, kidney failure care and COPD. The hospital also offers recovery and rehabilitation services for stroke, orthopedic injuries, trauma and more.
8. Texas Orthopedic Hospital
Opened in 1985, Texas Orthopedic Hospital is a specialty hospital near the Texas Medical Center that focuses solely on orthopedic care. Partially physician-owned, the hospital partners with Fondren Orthopedic Group, LLP, one of the largest private orthopedic surgeons associations nationwide. The hospital has over 150 doctors on staff in addition to patient care staff. Its care specialties include:
- Spinal diagnostics and treatment
- Rehabilitation
- Hip preservation
- Joint replacement
- Sports medicine
Texas Orthopedic boasts the newest orthopedic technologies, including robotic-assisted surgery for joint replacement or spine procedures. It’s affiliated with HCA Healthcare, the leading healthcare provider in the country.
9. HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast/Bayshore Medical Center
For over five decades, HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast/Bayshore Medical Center has provided medical care in Pasadena, part of the Houston Metro Area. The 345-bed facility employs 250 physicians and 1,500 healthcare professionals. As a comprehensive acute-care facility, the medical center offers:
- Emergency care
- Heart care
- Intensive care and neonatal intensive care units
- Lung care
- Occupational medicine
- Orthopedic care
- Pediatric care
- Prenatal and midwifery care
- Rehabilitation
- Sleep medicine
- Sports medicine
- Urology
- Wound care
HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast/Bayshore Medical Center has received numerous awards for its workplace culture and healthcare offerings. Prestigious organizations like The Joint Commission, American College of Surgeons and American College of Cardiology have previously recognized the facility for providing excellent cardiology care, bariatric surgery, imaging, labor and delivery, neurology and wound care.
10. St. Joseph Medical Center
St. Joseph Medical Center has served the Greater Houston area for over 130 years as the first and only hospital in Downtown Houston. Its staff includes over 1,500 skilled employees and more than 500 board-certified physicians. The medical center features an Advanced Wound Care Center, a Center for Behavioral Health, a Women’s Center for Breast Care, the St. Joseph’s Maternal Fetal Medicine Center, comprehensive cardiac and vascular services and a weight loss surgery program. Other popular services include:
- Emergency care
- Cardiology
- Orthopedics
- Maternity
- Primary care
As Houston’s first teaching hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center offers advanced patient care aided by technology and research. The center is also part of the Steward Health Care Network, the largest tax-paying physician-led healthcare network in the U.S., with headquarters in Dallas.
Expand Your Career and Experience in Houston
Houston’s top-rated healthcare employers provide nurses and other medical professionals opportunities to expand their careers with the best in the healthcare industry. If you’re looking to grow in your nursing specialty, the fourth largest city in the nation offers many competitive options in every specialized medical field.
Houston is a great place to live as well as work due to its diverse culture and vibrant lifestyle. From the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in the spring to the Texas Renaissance Festival in the fall, the city hosts dozens of events for residents and visitors to enjoy throughout the year.
The Houston-area hospitals listed provide competitive perks and the chance to collaborate with some of the country’s finest doctors while enjoying the area. Once you’ve settled on the best healthcare employer in Houston for your career goals, find the ideal neighborhood for your lifestyle and explore everything the state has to offer in our Texas Location Guide.
