St. Louis is recognized as one of the cities with the highest level of healthcare in the Midwest.

Centered around the world-class Washington University School of Medicine, the city has several large general hospitals and specialized medical systems that attract patients not only from the local community but also from across the Midwest. We will take a look at three major hospitals that are key to St. Louis's healthcare infrastructure and the overall medical environment.

The first hospital to introduce is Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Located near Forest Park in downtown St. Louis, this hospital is one of the top-ranked general hospitals in the United States, consistently ranking among the best in the nation according to US News & World Report.

With over 1,300 beds, it is particularly well-regarded in the fields of cancer, cardiology, neuroscience, and transplant surgery. Operated as a teaching hospital affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine, it closely integrates education, research, and clinical practice. It is part of the BJC HealthCare system and operates the Siteman Cancer Center, one of the leading cancer centers in the U.S. Siteman Cancer Center is designated as a cancer research center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), where cutting-edge clinical trials and research are actively conducted.

The second notable hospital is St. Louis Children's Hospital. Located on the Barnes-Jewish Hospital campus, this pediatric specialty hospital is considered one of the best children's hospitals in the United States.

It has a national reputation in various pediatric specialties, including neonatal intensive care, pediatric cardiac surgery, pediatric cancer treatment, and pediatric neurosurgery. It is also known as a leading institution in pediatric organ transplantation, attracting children with complex congenital heart diseases from across the country for treatment. It provides high-quality pediatric medical services in collaboration with the faculty of Washington University's Department of Pediatrics.

The third hospital is SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital.

Operated by the Catholic healthcare system SSM Health, this hospital is an educational facility affiliated with Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Designated as a Level I Trauma Center, it is responsible for treating severe trauma patients and has expertise in cardiology, neuroscience, and cancer treatment. It plays a crucial role as a healthcare hub for community patients in the eastern part of downtown St. Louis. SSM Health operates several hospitals and clinics in the St. Louis metro area, enhancing healthcare accessibility throughout the region.

In addition to these three hospitals, St. Louis has several local hospitals, such as Missouri Baptist Medical Center and Christian Hospital, under the BJC HealthCare system, providing relatively good access to medical services from the urban center to suburban areas. Furthermore, the healthcare workforce trained by Washington University School of Medicine and Saint Louis University School of Medicine continuously contributes to improving the local healthcare standards. The interconnected structure of medical schools, research institutes, and hospitals acts as a key factor in making St. Louis a center for healthcare in the Midwest.

In terms of healthcare costs, St. Louis is relatively affordable compared to major cities like New York or San Francisco, but there is not a significant difference when compared to the national average. The financial burden can be substantial for those receiving treatment without insurance, which is why there are federally designated community health centers (FQHC) and free or low-cost clinics for low-income individuals in the St. Louis metro area. Washington University School of Medicine and BJC HealthCare also run community health promotion programs to address health disparities within St. Louis.

In summary, St. Louis boasts a healthcare infrastructure that ranks among the best in the Midwest, centered around Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children's Hospital, and SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital. The combination of highly specialized medical services and cutting-edge research demonstrates that St. Louis is not just an industrial city in the Midwest, but also a city of medicine and science.