When talking about major hospitals in Hartford, Saint Francis Hospital is always mentioned alongside Hartford Hospital.

Many long-time residents of Hartford simply refer to it as "Saint Francis." Initially, I thought it was just an old neighborhood hospital affiliated with the Catholic Church, but it turns out to be a substantial comprehensive hospital.

The official name is Saint Francis Hospital, located at 114 Woodland Street, Hartford. It is situated northwest of downtown Hartford, making it easily accessible from West Hartford. It currently operates as one of the core hospitals of Trinity Health Of New England.

Its history is quite long. Saint Francis was established in 1897 by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chambéry. As the name suggests, it started as a hospital rooted in Catholic medical traditions. Having treated Hartford residents for over a century, it is not an exaggeration to say that this hospital has aged alongside the city's history.

However, we shouldn't only think of it as an old hospital.

Today, it is a large medical institution that handles various fields, from emergency care to heart and vascular diseases, cancer, orthopedics, women's health, and neurological disorders. In particular, heart-related treatments are one of the key areas that Saint Francis has focused on. Patients can receive various stages of treatment, from heart disease testing to interventional procedures and heart surgeries.

As I age, I find myself particularly interested in orthopedics.

When I was younger, I would think, "Just exercise more" when I saw people with knee or shoulder pain, but as I reach my 50s and 60s, that's not so easy. Issues like knee arthritis and shoulder and spine problems start to arise one by one. Saint Francis is well-known in the field of joints and orthopedics, offering treatments such as hip and knee joint replacement surgeries.

Cancer treatment is also a significant aspect. Through collaboration with Smilow Cancer Hospital, it provides cancer diagnosis and treatment services in the Hartford area.

Cancer is not a disease that ends with just one diagnosis; it often requires long-term testing, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, making the distance from home to the hospital more important than one might think.

The women's health sector is also noteworthy. It offers gynecological care and maternity services, as well as specialized medical programs for women's health, including breast health. This means it serves a wide range of age groups, from young families to seniors.

For Hartford residents, the good thing is that there are options.

Even though it's not a large city, there is a major medical institution like Hartford Hospital and another large hospital, Saint Francis. Having multiple options is completely different from having only one choice when you need to find a specific specialist or choose a hospital due to insurance networks.

This aspect is particularly important in the United States. Just because a hospital is well-known doesn't mean you should book an appointment right away; it's essential to first check if the hospital and doctor are in-network with your insurance. Even if Saint Francis is in your insurance network, it's wise to verify if the specific doctor you want to see is also covered under the same conditions.

The emergency room is also operational, but for minor ailments, it may be more cost-effective to first visit your primary care physician or urgent care. Conversely, if you experience symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or signs of a stroke, it's not the time to worry about hospital costs.

As I get older, I believe having a good hospital nearby is as important a neighborhood condition as having a good school district.

Saint Francis Hospital is not a flashy tourist attraction, and there's usually no reason to visit it intentionally. Ideally, it would be best if you never had to go there in your lifetime. However, when the day comes that you or your family suddenly need a large hospital, it's reassuring to know that there's one that has been serving Hartford for over a century nearby.

For those living in Hartford, it might be a more reliable safety net than one might expect.