If you ask me what the scariest thing about living here after immigrating is, I would honestly say it's when I get sick.

I'm worried about money and my English skills, but when a family member suddenly falls ill in the middle of the night, my mind goes blank.

I start to think about which hospital to go to, whether my insurance will cover it, and if I'll get hit with a bill for thousands of dollars after going to the emergency room.

However, after living in Hartford for a while, I've at least become a bit less worried about hospitals. The medical infrastructure in this city is surprisingly well-developed. Today, I want to talk about three hospitals in Hartford that are worth knowing if you live here.

The first is Hartford Hospital. As the name suggests, it's a large hospital representing Hartford. Established in 1854, it's an old hospital and now serves as the central hospital for Hartford HealthCare.

This hospital is particularly important for its ability to treat emergency and critically ill patients. It handles a wide range of situations, from major traffic accidents and serious injuries to heart diseases, cancer, neurological disorders, and complex surgeries. It's not the kind of hospital you go to for a common cold, but knowing that such a facility is nearby when something serious happens is reassuring.

The second is Saint Francis Hospital. This large hospital is located on Woodland Street in Hartford and is part of the Trinity Health network.

This hospital also covers a broad range of fields, from emergency care to cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, and women's health.

If you look into orthopedics and joint treatments, you'll often come across the name Saint Francis. As we age, our knees and shoulders start to give us trouble. When you're younger, the location of a hospital might not seem important, but by the time you reach your 50s and 60s, having a good orthopedic hospital nearby becomes a significant factor in your quality of life.

The third is Connecticut Children's, which is a must-know for families with kids.

Located on Washington Street in Hartford, this is a pediatric specialty medical facility.

It's important to note that this hospital specializes in treating children's diseases, not just having a pediatric department like a general hospital. It has various specialties, including pediatric cardiology, neurology, oncology, and surgery, so when a condition or surgery is beyond what a general pediatrician can handle, you can receive expert care here.

Parents who have raised children will understand. When a child who seemed fine during the day suddenly has a high fever at 11 PM, it can be overwhelming for parents. Just knowing that there's a large hospital specializing in children's care nearby can provide some peace of mind.

Ultimately, the advantage of Hartford is that, despite its size, there are many medical options available. With large general hospitals like Hartford Hospital and Saint Francis, as well as Connecticut Children's for kids, there are plenty of resources. Expanding to the surrounding areas, there are also many specialty clinics, rehabilitation centers, and various outpatient facilities.

Of course, that doesn't mean the U.S. healthcare system is convenient. You have to check insurance networks, consider deductibles, and sometimes wait to see a specialist. For first-generation immigrants who struggle with English, filling out hospital paperwork can be stressful.

However, knowing which hospitals are where can reduce panic in emergencies. Especially if you have a family, it's wise to check out nearby emergency rooms and hospitals that are in your insurance network ahead of time. In the U.S., trying to figure things out after you get sick can be really chaotic.

Hartford may not be a glamorous big city, but when it comes to healthcare, it's quite a reliable place. It might seem trivial to have a hospital nearby while living as an immigrant, but as you age, you realize how invaluable that really is.