Home For Patients & Visitors Why University?

Why University?

University Health System is a nationally recognized academic medical center and network of outpatient healthcare centers across San Antonio, Bexar County and South Texas. In partnership with UT Health San Antonio, we are committed to delivering patient-centered, culturally competent and high-quality healthcare for adults and children based on a strong foundation of outcomes-based research and innovative teaching.

When you choose University, you will receive care from physicians, nurses and a team of health professionals who care for their patients with the same level of expertise, concern and compassion they would want for their own families. Many of the nation’s top medical professionals choose to practice at University Health System because it is a place where they can continually learn and help teach those who will follow in their footsteps. It’s a place where they are exposed to the very latest in advanced treatments and technologies. And it’s a place where patients from all walks of life are cared for with dignity and respect.

Here for You, Around the Clock

From extended ExpressMed hours with walk-in appointments for urgent care needs, to a hospital with board-certified physicians in nearly every major specialty, at University you can expect to receive care that is comprehensive and coordinated, with teams of physicians working together to keep you well or manage your complex condition.

As a teaching hospital and academic medical center, patients benefit from having specialized teams available in the hospital to treat serious illness and traumatic injuries any time, any day.

Recognized as the Best

In order to teach the next generation of healthcare professionals, we have to be the best in our fields – and we continue to be recognized. Our awards and distinctions are numerous and a source of great pride, but our priority is to provide the highest quality care and service to the people who entrust us with their health and lives.

  • University Hospital is ranked among the top 50 hospitals in the nation for urology care by U.S. News & World Report, and designated as high-performing in the care of kidney and lung disease. Since 2001, U.S. News has consistently ranked University Hospital among the best hospitals in Texas and the San Antonio region. We are in elite company as the only San Antonio hospital — and one of only 3 percent of all U.S. hospitals — nationally ranked in any category.
  • The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) recognizes University as the first Magnet health system in South Texas. Magnet is the gold standard in nursing care, providing patients with assurance that their care team has a proven track record for providing excellent care with positive outcomes.
  • University Hospital received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award – ensuring patients with stroke and heart disease receive care following evidence-based guidelines.
  • For the past nine years, University has been named one of the nation’s Most Wired Hospitals and Health Systems by the Most Wired Survey by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine. A comprehensive electronic health records system means every one of your providers, at every University Health System location, has immediate access to your complete medical record so they can better understand your individual health needs and make the best recommendations for your care plan.

Leaders in Trauma Care

South Texas’ Highest Level Trauma Center for Adults & Children

University Hospital’s specialized trauma team is in the hospital every day, around the clock, because serious injuries can happen to anyone at any time. There are less than 20 Level I Trauma centers in Texas. University Hospital is proud to be a lifesaving resource for a 22-county region of South Texas.

As a Level I Trauma Center for adults and the only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center in South Texas, we are consistently recognized as the leader in advanced treatment options, new technologies and clinical research to treat the most complex trauma cases.

Only Integrated EMR in the Region

Your medical records follow you wherever you go across University Health System’s comprehensive network of locations. From routine immunizations, to radiological images, and listings of medications, all of your providers can identify any concerning medication interactions and understand the larger picture of your health to make the best recommendations for your care.

Combining Research with Expertise

Collaborative Care Using the Latest Research Advances

Thanks to research, tremendous progress has been made to improve outcomes for patients with serious health issues like cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Thanks to our partnership with UT Health San Antonio, our patients have access to groundbreaking medical research studies. At University Health System, we are advancing medical knowledge and helping develop tomorrow’s best practices today.