North Dallas residents are privileged to have some of the best health care in the country. The medical community is known for its competence and dedication and the more than 30 general care hospitals and numerous outpatient clinics in the area. Most of the facilities are state of the art. Many of the larger hospital networks also have affiliated medical centers in North Dallas communities, making outstanding health care even more convenient and accessible. Moreover, North Dallas hosts more than a dozen established managed health care companies that are ready to assist residents. Whether it is a medical emergency or a routine doctor’s visit, the quality of health care in North Dallas contributes to the area’s high standard of living.

Hospitals With National Appeal
The hospitals of North Dallas are often compared to hospitals in such medical meccas as Houston, New York and Boston because of their advanced medical technology and outstanding staff of physicians and specialists. What remains in the hearts of the patients and families, though, is the professional, kind and caring atmosphere of North Dallas hospitals. Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas and Medical City Dallas Hospital are two of the larger North Dallas hospitals and are particularly well-respected for their medical programs and physicians.

Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas is located in the heart of North Dallas. This 897-bed hospital has more than 1,200 physicians on its medical staff and offers a full range of care, including services for cancer, cardiovascular problems, neuroscience needs, orthopedics, senior care and women’s services. The hospital also has locations in Plano and Allen.

Medical City Dallas Hospital, a 555-bed facility, is one of the country’s most renowned trauma and burn hospitals. Patients can also receive kidney dialysis, open-heart surgery, occupational therapy and cardiac rehabilitation, among other services. More than 1,250 physicians practice at Medical City, which also houses the North Texas Hospital for Children.

Parkland Memorial Hospital is also located in North Dallas. This nonprofit institution, operated by the Dallas County Hospital District, has the highest occupancy rate in the Metroplex.

There are two well-known nonprofit hospitals in Dallas that are solely dedicated to pediatric care, ranging from open-heart surgery to hand reconstruction: Children’s Medical Center of Dallas and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. These hospitals are well-supported by the community and have earned the respect of medical professionals across the nation.

For regular checkups, North Dallas residents do not have to look far from home to find a primary care clinic. These clinics are owned and operated by hospitals, health care companies and physician groups to serve the health care needs of the community in a prompt and efficient manner, while still retaining the warmth and personal attention of private practice.

Mental health care is available at numerous North Dallas acute-care hospitals and from a multitude of private practitioners. Green Oaks Hospital, on the campus of Medical City Dallas Hospital, is a well-respected, well-utilized center for psychiatric care, providing numerous mental health resources and support groups.

Doctors Who Know Medicine
Doctors and medical staff choose to work in North Dallas hospitals and outpatient clinics because of their commitment to the highest levels of medical professionalism. Trained in some of the best medical schools in the country, these physicians and nurses share a deep concern for the health and well being of their patients.

In large and small group practices, the doctors of North Dallas excel in specialties including cardiology, obstetrics/gynecology, oncology, orthopedics and primary care. Larger physician groups are particularly supportive of the ongoing exchange of medical research and ideas among peers to find procedures and drugs that are most beneficial to the patient.

Many North Dallas doctors attended medical school at the prestigious University of Texas Southwestern Medical School at Dallas, home to four Nobel Laureates. Zale Lipshy University Hospital is a private adult referral hospital located on the campus of Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. Breakthrough research is brought to the patient’s bedside by some of the most skilled medical professionals in practice. In addition, almost two-thirds of the dentists in the Dallas/Fort Worth area graduated from Baylor College of Dentistry, an institution established in 1905.

To ensure that patients receive the very best medical care at competitive prices, many doctors and dentists in North Dallas are contracted with large health care companies. This makes it especially easy for those relocating to the North Dallas area to identify medical professionals.

Staying Fit
Between the mild year-round climate and the numerous fitness clubs in every community, staying fit in North Dallas is easy. City-sponsored recreational centers, public parks and facilities, and privately owned clubs are available to host a variety of athletic activities. Whether you enjoy swimming laps, biking, in-line skating, playing racquetball or tennis, participating in step aerobic classes, or lifting weights, there are plenty of sporting options available near your home or business.

Cooper Aerobics Center, located in the Preston Hollow area in North Dallas, is nationally known. Its beautiful 30-acre campus inspires members to participate in preventive medicine programs, to learn the principles of fitness and to receive basic health education. Members can also take aquatic classes, run on the indoor track and use the cardiovascular equipment. With several physicians on staff, Cooper Aerobics Center offers members personal attention in preventive medicine, cardiology, cholesterol metabolism, sports injury therapy and a host of other related health concerns.

Growth in a Dynamic Industry
A variety of local organizations offer membership to health care professionals. These organizations, including The Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council, The Health Industry Council and the Dallas Business Group on Health, concentrate on particular sectors of the health care community. They represent small and large North Dallas employers, for profit and nonprofit hospitals, and various peripheral sectors in the health care industry, including medical device manufacturers, medical research laboratories and pharma-ceu-tical companies.

According to research conducted by the University of North Texas’ Center for Economic Development and Research in Denton, the health care industry is the largest employer in the Metroplex and includes close to 170,000 people with a $4.1 billion annual payroll. The health care industry generates more than $13 billion in volume in the Metroplex and accounts for more than 10 percent of the area’s gross product. These figures will continue to grow as the dynamic managed health care industry evolves in this area.