When you move to Orlando, finding a hospital is just as important as knowing your home or school.

The first place to know is AdventHealth Orlando. This large hospital, located north of downtown, may be remembered by those who lived here long ago as Florida Hospital. AdventHealth is a nonprofit healthcare system that has grown from the tradition of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

This hospital is a major medical institution that covers various specialties, including cardiology, neurology, oncology, and orthopedics. When serious illnesses arise and local hospitals cannot provide treatment, patients are often referred to these large hospitals. If you're not comfortable with English, it's a good idea to inquire in advance about the availability of translation services. When visiting the hospital, having your insurance card, ID, and a list of medications saved on your phone can be surprisingly helpful.

The second is Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center, commonly referred to as ORMC. There's an important reason to remember this place: it is a Level I Trauma Center. This facility specializes in treating severe trauma patients from serious traffic accidents, gunshot wounds, and falls.

During the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, many injured individuals were transported to ORMC. While the hospital's proximity to the incident site played a role, ORMC's emergency medical capabilities became widely recognized as they treated a large influx of trauma patients. It's not just a place you go for a cold; it's important to know that such a hospital exists in Orlando for when a major accident occurs.

If you have children, you should also remember Nemours Children's Hospital, Florida. This pediatric specialty hospital, located in Lake Nona, opened in 2012. It is not just a pediatric department of a general hospital; it is designed specifically for treating children. The existence of such a pediatric specialty hospital is very reassuring when dealing with complex pediatric conditions, surgeries, or specialized tests.

However, one thing to clarify is that you don't rush to Nemours Children's Hospital every time your child has a cold. Typically, you would establish a relationship with a local pediatrician for vaccinations, regular check-ups, and general illnesses, and refer to a specialty hospital when necessary, which is common in the U.S. healthcare system.

The same goes for adults. When settling in Orlando, it's advisable to choose a Primary Care Physician. Both AdventHealth and Orlando Health have a network of hospitals and clinics throughout the region, so you can select based on your home, workplace, and insurance network.

Additionally, it's crucial to understand the difference between ER and Urgent Care in the U.S. If you experience chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, or altered consciousness, you should definitely think of calling 911 or going to the emergency room. However, for mild fevers, cold symptoms, minor cuts, or relatively minor injuries, Urgent Care is often much more practical. ERs prioritize patients based on severity, so if your condition is mild, you might wait for hours, and the cost difference can be significant.

Finally, you must check your insurance. Even if a good hospital is just 10 minutes from your home, it could be out of your insurance network, leading to cost issues. Therefore, after moving, it's wise to check your insurance app for nearby primary care physicians, Urgent Care, and emergency rooms.

It's too late and chaotic to find a hospital after you're already sick. If you've settled in Orlando, make sure to know the locations of medical facilities just like you would for nearby grocery stores. Remember the names AdventHealth Orlando, ORMC, and if you have kids, Nemours Children's Hospital. Keeping these three names in mind will definitely help you in your Orlando life.