Hospitals
Houston’s best health care facilities are all located in the Texas Medical Center with some of them having many affiliated hospitals throughout the city, referred to as a system. Due to the diverse culture of Houston and its doctors, most major hospitals provide translation services and physicians that speak foreign languages. Here is a list of some of the major hospitals and hospital systems in Houston:
• Texas Children’s Hospital – http://www.texaschildrens.org
Paediatrics and specialized in areas of illness and disease affecting children and affiliated with the Baylor College of Medicine.
Location: 6621 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030, 832-824-1000 or 800-364-5437
• Memorial Hermann Hospital – http://www.memorialhermann.org
General Hospital and largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Texas with eleven hospitals. Affiliated with the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, setting the standard in new treatments utilizing the latest technologies. The Memorial Hermann–Texas Medical Center hospital was one of the hospitals receiving a performance leader award in 2006.
Location: 6411 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030, 713-704-4000
• MD Anderson Cancer Center – http://www.mdanderson.org
Number 1 in the U.S. in cancer care and a world-class cancer treatment, education and research clinic and affiliated with the University of Texas.
Location: 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, 1-800-392-1611
• The Woman’s Hospital of Texas – http://www.womanshospital.com
Specialized in all women’s needs including OB/GYN and infant care.
Located: 7600 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030, 713-790-1234
• The Methodist Hospital System – http://www.methodisthealth.com
Recognized one of best in the U.S. with Methodist Cancer Center, Neurological Institute, Transplant Center, and many more in the system.
Location: 6565 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030, 713-790-3311
• St. Luke’s Episcopal Health System – http://www.sleh.com
Home of the Texas Heart Institute with doctors in the system specializing in cancer, eye care, surgery, women’s health, and much more. The Texas Heart Institute has been listed as one of the U.S. News and World Report’s top ten hospitals in heart and heart surgery for over fifteen years in a row.
Location: 6720 Bertner Ave, Houston, TX 77030, 832-355-1000
• Ben Taub General Hospital – http://www.hchdonline.com/about/facilities/bentaubgh.htm
Home of one of two Level 1 Trauma Centers in Houston and the most popular. Over 80% of admissions come from its emergency center. Ben Taub is part of the Texas Medical Center.
Location: 1504 Taub Loop, Houston, TX 77030, 713-873-2000
• Kelsey-Seybold Clinic – http://www.kelsey-seybold.com
A system with many doctor’s and referral services.
Location: over 15 different locations, 713-442-0427
General Practitioners
Since Houston is a city with an abundance of great practitioners, it is not possible to list only a handful. The best general practitioners are generally found in the listings of the hospitals mentioned above, particularly Memorial Hermann Hospital – http://www.memorialhermann.org and The Methodist Hospital System – http://www.methodisthealth.com
Depending on your insurance, you must either get a referral from your family doctor first before seeing a specialist, such as a gynecologist or you can go directly to them. HMO insurances generally require a referral, PPO generally do not.
Houstonians generally visit their health insurance’s website and look for doctor’s in their network and then pick a general practitioner close to their home or work area so they can conveniently visit when sick without having to travel long distances. Otherwise, here are also some resources you may use to find one or check on a doctor:
- Wellness.com – http://www.wellness.com/find/General%20Practitioner/MS/HOUSTON
- Texas Medical Board – http://www.tmb.state.tx.us/message.php
- American Board of Medical Specialties Certified Doctor Verification Service – http://www.certifieddoctor.org
Dental Care
As an expat, you will notice that dental care is a priority for Houstonians. They take excellent care of their teeth and go to regular cleanings. You will have access to excellent care such as general dental treatments but also to many centers providing cosmetic dentistry, which offer straightening and whitening.
General dentists are not always able or certified to perform surgical procedures and may refer you to a specialist. If you have dental insurance, check with your healthcare provider first to find a doctor in your network. Out of network cost can be very high for dental care.
American health insurance pays for two cleanings, including the removal of calcium build up and polishing, a year at no cost to you.
For cosmetic dentistry, here are some listings:
• Houstonian Dental – http://www.houstoniandental.com/
Excellent general and cosmetic dentistry
4101 Greenbriar, suite 155, Houston, TX 77098, 713-523-9655
• Ronald Konig – http://www.konigdds.com
Cosmetic Dentistry
2201 W. Holcombe, suite 300, Houston, TX 77030, 713-668-2289
• Brite Smile – http://www.britesmile.com
Med Spa and Teeth Whitening Services
Location: Houston Galleria 4, 5135 W Alabama Suite 5100, Houston, TX 77056, 713-877-1195
Optical Care
American health insurance pays generally for one check-up a year. If you have vision insurance, check with your healthcare provider first to find a doctor in your network. Out of network cost can be very high for glasses or contacts.
LASIK, or similar surgeries eliminating the need to wear glasses or contacts, are very popular with Houstonians, Health insurance pays only for specific cases; otherwise, you have to pay on your own.
Here are some listings for vision care providers.
• Copperfield Vision – http://copperfieldvision.com
Leader in PRIO Vision Tester for Computer Vision Syndrome
8100 Highway 6 N, Houston, TX 77095, 281-550-2020
• Slade and Baker Vision Center – http://www.visiontexas.com/
LASIK Eye surgery. Dr. Stephen Glenn Slade is a leading specialist in LASIK surgery and has certified thousands of LASIK surgeons himself
Location: 3900 Essex Lane Suite 101, Houston, Texas 77027 (713) 626 5524
