Twelve Reasons Why Cleveland is Tops in Healthcare

When it comes to getting top-ranked care from well-respected doctors, you might consider heading to the nation’s largest cities. But, according to many metrics, our hometown of Cleveland is one of the best locations in the country for healthcare, with first-rate services available from some of the nation’s most respected institutions. We could go on and on about why that is so.

But let’s pare it down to 12 good reasons why healthcare in Cleveland is tops.

1) Our medical landscape is rich in options.

Home to a number of the nation’s top institutions providing healthcare, medical education, and medical research and technology, the Cleveland metropolitan area is served by approximately 50 hospitals, nearly half of which are affiliated with medical schools, including the prestigious Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. More than 9,000 physicians and 23,000 healthcare professionals call the region home. (Source: CityData.com)

2) Cleveland is the best city in the nation for access to healthcare.

According to a 2014 study, Cleveland can boast a ratio of one hospital for every 16,533 residents and one primary care doctor for every 92 residents, giving it the country’s highest per-capita ratio of both hospitals and primary care physicians per resident. Important patient-reported metrics such as doctor quality, ease of getting an appointment and wait times also factor into that first-place ranking.

3) The city is home to the best hospital in Ohio and one of the best hospitals in the nation.

The Cleveland Clinic, which pioneered kidney transplants and open-heart surgery, is a treatment and referral center for patients throughout the United States and the world. Founded in 1921, the Clinic now has more than 1,400 beds on its main campus and 4,450 beds system-wide, making it one of the largest and most respected hospitals in the country. A general medical and surgical facility and a teaching hospital, Cleveland Clinic ranks as one of the nation’s five best hospitals and as the No. 1 hospital in Ohio. (Source: U.S. News & World Report )

4) Cleveland is also home to the No. 2 hospital in Ohio.

A 1,032-bed general medical and surgical facility and teaching hospital, University Hospitals Case Medical Center is ranked as the No. 2 hospital in the state. Additionally, UH Case Medical Center is ranked among the country’s top 50 hospitals in nine adult-care specialties, including cancer care; cardiology and heart surgery; ear, nose and throat care; gastroenterology and GI surgery; geriatrics; nephrology; neurology and neurosurgery; orthopedics; and urology. (Source: U.S. News & World Report)

5) Cleveland offers the nation’s best cardiology care.

Cleveland Clinic has been declared the Best Hospital in the Country for cardiology and heart surgery for a stunning 21 years in a row, most recently in 2015-16, by S. News & World Report. (Source: U.S News & World Report)

6) Cleveland has outstanding gastro-intestinal care.

Cleveland Clinic ranks No. 2 in the nation for gastroenterology and GI surgery. (Source: U.S. News & World Report)

7) Diabetes care is highly ranked.

Cleveland Clinic is No. 3 in the nation for diabetes/endocrinology care. (Source: U.S. News & World Report)

8) Cleveland hospitals play a vital role in cancer research and education.

As part of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center was elected to become a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the world’s leading cancer centers. This network of cancer centers is devoted to patient care, research, and education to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of cancer care so that patients can live better lives. (Source: University Hospitals)

9) Integrated cancer care is the Cleveland norm.

The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center is one of just 41 programs in the U.S. designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). NCI-designated cancer centers are characterized by scientific excellence and the ability to integrate a diversity of research approaches to focus on the problem of cancer. (Source: University Hospitals)

10) Skilled care for trauma and burns is available 24/7.

Founded in 1837, MetroHealth is an integrated health system with an acute care hospital offering Cuyahoga County’s only verified Level I Adult Trauma Center and Burn Center. As such, full trauma surgical teams are standing by around the clock. (Source: MetroHealth)

11) Cleveland is a national center for specialized stroke care.

The MetroHealth Stroke and Cerebrovascular Program has been certified as a Comprehensive Stroke Center, joining an elite group of hospitals across the United States responsible for setting the national agenda in highly specialized stroke care. (Source: MetroHealth)

12) Our hospitals offer the highest level of care for breast diseases.

Cleveland is home to four Comprehensive Breast Programs accredited by the American College of Surgeons’ National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), including care centers at MetroHealth, University Hospitals, and Cleveland Clinic facilities. These programs join an exclusive list of just 300 NAPBC accredited hospitals across the country. (Source: NAPBC)

Nothing is more precious than good health. When it comes to guarding that gift, Cleveland’s resources are clearly among the nation’s best.