When moving to San Fernando, it's important to know about hospitals as well as finding a home. It can be overwhelming to look for a hospital when you're feeling unwell. I remember searching for a long time at first, not knowing where to go. So, the first hospital you should know about is Providence Holy Cross Medical Center.

This hospital is located in Mission Hills, which is very close to San Fernando. It's just a few minutes away by car, making it one of the most frequently used general hospitals by local residents. It has an emergency room (ER), as well as a heart center, oncology, orthopedics, obstetrics, and other major departments, making it a go-to hospital for emergencies or when hospitalization is needed. The quality of care is quite good, and it has been recognized multiple times as one of the top hospitals in the U.S. by Healthgrades.

This hospital is part of Providence Health, a nonprofit Catholic healthcare system. It is large and has received praise for its well-established patient support services. If you are worried about language, you can request Korean interpretation services in advance, so it's a good idea to ask when making an appointment. While it may not be available at all times, it can be a great help for those using a U.S. hospital for the first time.

The hospital accepts most major U.S. health insurance plans. If you don't have insurance, don't give up right away. There may be financial assistance programs offered by the hospital, so it's worth consulting about it.

One of the most confusing things for first-time users of U.S. hospitals is the emergency room. In our country, people often go to the ER even for minor ailments, but in the U.S., the costs can be very high. For symptoms like a cold, minor sprains, or simple fever, using Urgent Care is often quicker and less expensive.

On the other hand, if you experience severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, heavy bleeding, or loss of consciousness, don't hesitate to go directly to the emergency room. The ER treats patients based on the severity of their symptoms, not the order of arrival, so mild cases may have to wait for several hours.

It's also really important to have a primary care physician (PCP) established. The U.S. healthcare system typically connects patients to specialists through their PCP, so registering in advance makes it much easier to receive care. If you want to find a Korean doctor, utilizing local Korean community resources or recommendations from acquaintances is the quickest way.

In the U.S., knowing about hospitals is as important as having insurance. To avoid panicking when you suddenly get sick, it's recommended to check the locations of nearby general hospitals, emergency rooms, and urgent care facilities in advance.