Health Care

A Nationally Renowned Health Care Center

Charlotte's quality health care facilities and outstanding competent physicians and health professionals serve more than one million patients a year. In addition to Mecklenburg County residents, patients come from almost all of North Carolina's 100 counties, many other U.S. states and a number of foreign countries.

In a rapidly evolving industry driven by research and technology, Charlotte-Mecklenburg is on the cutting edge, offering the most sophisticated treatment, and utilizing state-of-the-art medical technology. Prominent national and international specialists have been attracted to Charlotte to teach and to conduct research in such specialties as laser surgery, heart disease, organ transplantation, orthopedics and spinal cord injuries.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg's delivery of quality health care is accomplished at costs below the state and national averages. The dominance of not-for-profit acute care hospitals, cooperative community efforts to restrain cost increases and competition have combined with responsible efforts by physicians and dentists to contain costs.

Renowned and Respected Hospitals

There are six major hospitals located in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area representing two health care systems - Carolinas HealthCare System and Presbyterian Healthcare.

Carolinas HealthCare System

A hospital authority established under North Carolina statute, Carolinas HealthCare System has over 23,000 employees and includes 17 acute care and other hospitals, ten long-term care facilities, and other services and facilities listed below in North and South Carolina. Carolinas Physicians Network includes more than 600 physicians and other health care providers in a variety of specialties. Altogether, CHS includes over 4,300 beds. 2003 revenues totaled $2.4 billion. www.carolinashealthcare.org

Carolinas Medical Center

Charlotte's largest hospital is Carolinas Medical Center with 795 licensed beds. CMC is a state-designated Academic Medical Center Teaching Hospital and the area's only Level 1 Trauma Center, including an air and ground ambulance transportation service. MedCenter Air includes two helicopters, two turboprop and one jet aircraft, plus ground transport units. As a transplant center, CMC offers heart, liver, pancreas and kidney transplants. The Carolinas Heart Institute has performed more than 12,000 catheterization procedures yearly, including both adult and pediatric procedures. More than 1,000 patients undergo open heart surgeries annually at CHI. The Heart Institute has pioneered a number of laser techniques to clear obstructed arteries and treat arrhythmias. The Neuroscience and Spine Institute at CMC performs more craniotomy procedures on North Carolina residents than any other provider. Programs for brain tumors, cerebrovascular disease, pediatric and adult spinal surgeries have experienced tremendous growth.

Work is underway on Levine Children’s Hospital, a 230 bed hospital dedicated to the care of children and their families. Scheduled to open in 2007, Levine Children’s Hospital will provide care in 32 pediatric subspecialties and will include pediatric intensive care, neonatal intensive and progressive care.

Blumenthal Cancer Center, a Teaching Hospital Cancer Program designated by the American College of Surgeons Cancer Commission, offers a multi-specialty team approach to the treatment and prevention of cancer. CMC operates a PET and a PET/CT scanner for the diagnosis of cancer and to follow treatment of certain tumors. The James G. Cannon Research Center provides a central research facility for basic and clinical medicine. Carolinas HealthCare System also operates the Carolinas College of Health Sciences, training nurses, nurse anesthetists, medical, surgical and radiological technologists.

Carolinas Medical Center - Mercy

Also located near the center city is CMC-Mercy, which opened in 1906. This 235 bed hospital offers a range of tertiary medical services including The Charlotte Heart Center; the Lung Center, treating pulmonary conditions and diseases; a dedicated endovascular suite equipped with the latest technology; Same Day Procedure Center, including endoscopy, bronchoscopy and other surgical procedures; pain management services; the CMC-Mercy School of Nursing; a Sleep Center (fully accredited by the American Sleep Disorders Association) where sleep disorders are diagnosed; and emergency services. The Mercy Radiology Center offers comprehensive diagnostic services, including CT and MRI scans.

Carolinas Medical Center - Pineville

Established in 1987, this 109 bed facility services southern Mecklenburg and northern York Counties. It offers the most modern delivery services including labor, delivery, recovery and post-partum suites for mother and baby, as well as neonatal intensive care. Other services include general medicine, inpatient and outpatient surgery, and intensive care; cardiac care, including cardiac catheterization services; a Sleep Center (fully accredited by the American Sleep Disorders Association) where sleep disorders are diagnosed; 24-hour emergency services, and a full range of radiologic diagnostic services including CT and MRI scans.

Carolinas Medical Center - University

Serving northern Mecklenburg County, this 130-bed hospital opened in 1985. Major construction projects have been approved and will significantly expand services and facilities, especially the Women’s Center and its popular Labor-Delivery-Recovery-Postpartum services. CMC-University provides inpatient and outpatient surgery; an eight-bed intensive coronary care unit as well as telemetry services for patients with serious medical needs; a state-of-the-art angiography suite can image blood flow via angiograms, veinograms and arteriograms; nuclear medicine and vascular imaging services and a Respiratory Diagnostic Center; chemotherapeutic services in comfortable surroundings for inpatients and outpatients; a fully accredited Sleep Center; Obstetric and Gynecology services are offered, including a popular birthing center. The Emergency Department is equipped to handle minor and life-threatening emergencies, supported by CT and MRI scanning capabilities.

Carolinas Medical Center-Northcross

Located in Huntersville, the facility provides outpatient surgery, endoscopy and pain management procedures. An outpatient-imaging center, with CT, ultrasound and x-ray services is also located at CMC-Northcross.

Specialty Hospitals, Competent Clinics and Medical Services

A variety of smaller hospitals are located throughout Charlotte-Mecklenburg and the region. Some of the services offered by these facilities include specialized treatment for: stroke, brain and spinal cord injuries; chemical dependency; emotional and mental illness.

A variety of freestanding clinics, centers and medical practices located throughout Charlotte-Mecklenburg bring medical services almost to your doorstep. These include: urgent care centers, sports medicine clinics, outpatient surgery centers, mobile lithotripsy units, mobile breast mammography centers, oncology practitioners and arthritis centers.

Regarded Education Opportunities

Charlotte's hospitals are also major education forces in the community. They each offer training in a variety of fields. Carolinas Medical Center has 200 resident physicians in its 10 medical and dental programs taught by 150 full-time faculty physicians. CMC’s Carolinas College of Health Sciences provides a variety of educational offerings and CMC-Mercy also has a school of nursing. Presbyterian offers Schools of Nursing, Radiologic Technology, and Surgical Technology. In addition, Central Piedmont Community College in downtown Charlotte offers one and two year degrees in 11 medical fields. In addition, Queens University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte offer both a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree in Nursing.

Presbyterian Healthcare

Presbyterian Healthcare consists of four hospital facilities and a network of primary care physicians. Together they form an integrated, not-for-profit health care system serving the region. Operating with this system are two acute care hospitals, two specialty hospitals, outpatient and same day surgery centers, school of nursing and surgical technology, three urgent care locations and other ancillary services. www.presbyterian.org

Presbyterian Hospital

The flagship hospital for Presbyterian Healthcare is Presbyterian Hospital. Located in downtown Charlotte, the 581-bed facility celebrated its 100th year of service to the community in 2003.  Its main specialties are Cardiovascular, Oncology, Orthopedic and Women's Services.  The Presbyterian Cardiovascular Institute offers complete prevention, diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitation services, including advanced cardiovascular research studies.

In 2003, Presbyterian Hospital launched a Stroke Center that combines educational and preventive efforts with an aggressive treatment program that encourages early intervention.  The Institute also includes the Presbyterian Center for Preventive Cardiology, a 14,000 square-foot facility that includes classrooms, a state-of-the-art cardiac exercise therapy center and advanced technology for cardiovascular risk assessment.

The Presbyterian Cancer Center has led the way in establishing multidisciplinary clinics for breast, prostate and thoracic cancers.  Participation in national clinical trials provides patients access to state-of-the-art treatments.  It was recently reaccredited by the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer as a Community Hospital Comprehensive Cancer Center.  The Blume Children's Cancer Clinic has provided Charlotte with a family-centered approach for treating children with cancer.

Presbyterian has long led the region in providing services for women and children.  Its Hemby Children's Hospital is a separate "hospital within a hospital" that recognizes the unique physical, emotional and social needs of children.  The Hemby Intensive Care Nursery is a Level III facility for premature or sick babies.  In 2002, Presbyterian opened a Domestic Violence Treatment Center in the Emergency Department.  Also in 2002, ground was broken for $58.6 million Women's Center and facility upgrade that will increase the number of post partum rooms and intensive care nursery beds, and provide redesigned labor and delivery rooms.

Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital

Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital has established itself as the region's premiere hospital for diagnosing and treating injuries and diseases of the bones and joints.  The hospital is nationally recognized as one of the best performing hospitals for orthopedic care.  The impressive medical team includes board certified orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists, anesthesiologists, certified registered nurses, therapists, radiology and certified surgical technologists, and a cast of technicians.

Presbyterian Hospital Matthews

Serving southern Mecklenburg and Union County, Presbyterian Hospital Matthews has a full range of medical services, including inpatient and outpatient surgery, radiology, magnetic resonance imaging, laboratory, emergency services and cardiac catheterization.  There are 102 private patient rooms, including six critical care beds.  Other services include cardiology, cancer, rehabilitation and sleep medicine.  Adjacent to the hospital is the newly opened Presbyterian Urgent Care Matthews, providing convenient walk-in care for all minor emergencies and illnesses.  The Family Maternity Center is equipped with every technology to make the birth experience go smoothly and safely.

Health Care Cost Index of Mid Size Cities*

Rank	City	Cost Index
1.	Jacksonville, FL	84.6
2.	Nashville-Davidson, TN	84.7
3.	New Orleans, LA	89.9
4.	Baltimore, MD	90.0
5.	Memphis, TN	90.9
6.	Charlotte, NC	95.4
7.	Oklahoma City, OK	96.0
8.	Fort Worth, TX	96.6
9.	Virginia Beach, VA	100.4
10.	Atlanta, GA	109.7
11.	Cleveland, OH	111.1
12.	Tucson, AZ	111.4
13.	Fresno, CA	113.0
14.	Las Vegas, NV	113.5
15.	El Paso, TX	114.8
16.	Albuquerque, NM	117.9
17.	Denver, CO	123.1
18.	Washington, D.C.	124.6
19.	Portland, OR	131.4
20.	Boston, MA	135.5
21.	San Francisco, CA	148.1
22.	San Jose, CA	164.3

Source: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, first quarter 2003

* Mid Sized Cities defined as population between 400,000 and 1,000,000

Specialty Hospitals, Competent Clinics and Medical Services

A variety of smaller hospitals are located throughout Charlotte-Mecklenburg and the region. Some of the services offered by these facilities include specialized treatment for: stroke, brain and spinal cord injuries; chemical dependency; emotional and mental illness; eye, ear, nose and throat conditions; and oral, plastic and cosmetic surgery.

A variety of freestanding clinics, centers and medical practices located throughout Charlotte-Mecklenburg bring medical services almost to your doorstep.  These include: emergency medical centers, sports medicine clinics, outpatient surgery centers, mobile lithotripsy units, mobile breast mammography centers, oncology and arthritis centers.

Highly Trained Physicians and Below Average Costs

Whether your medical needs are major or minor, you will find the right physician in the Charlotte area. The Mecklenburg County Medical Society lists 1,400 member physicians; the Charlotte Dental Society has 356 members. You will also find the cost of a general office visit to be reasonable. Citywide, a visit to a physician averages $56. Dental visits average $89.60(based on the ACCRA Cost of Living Index, First Quarter, 2003). The cost per day of a hospital bed in Charlotte averages $525.03.

Regarded Education Opportunities

Charlotte's hospitals are also major education forces in the community. They each offer training in a variety of fields. Carolinas Medical Center has 198 resident physicians in its 20 medical and dental programs taught by 153 full-time physicians, dental and PhD clinical and research faculty members. Presbyterian offers Schools of Nursing, Radiologic Technology, and Surgical Technology.  In addition, Central Piedmont Community College in downtown Charlotte offers one and two year degrees in 11 medical fields. In addition, Queens University and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte offer both a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree in Nursing.

Directory of Services

Mecklenburg County Medical Society
704-376-0847

Charlotte Dental Society
704-376-6555

Coordinated Health Care Management
704-334-7656

Hospitals: General Acute Care

Carolinas Medical Center (795 beds)
704-355-2000

Carolinas Medical Center - Mercy (235 beds)
704-379-5000 

Carolinas Medical Center - Pineville (109 beds)
704-543-2000

Carolinas Medical Center - University (130 beds)
704-548-6000

Presbyterian Hospital (581 beds)
704-384-4000 

Presbyterian Hospital Matthews (102 beds)
704-384-6500 

Hospitals: Specialty

Behavioral Health Center - CMC Randolph (66 beds)
(psychiatric, substance abuse and behavioral illness)
704-358-2700 

Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation (133 beds)
(spinal cord, brain injury and stroke)
704-355-4300 

Carolinas Medical Center - Mercy Horizon (11 beds)
(inpatient/outpatient detoxification)
704-379-5248

Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital (168 beds)
(bone injuries and diseases of bone, muscle and joints)
704-375-6792 

Government Health Agencies

Mecklenburg County Health Department, operated by Carolinas HealthCare System
704-336-6400

Mecklenburg County Emergency Medical (MEDIC)
704-943-6000

Mecklenburg Mental Health Services
704-358-2700

Related Links

 

Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
330 S. Tryon St., PO Box 32785
Charlotte, NC 28232
(704) 378-1300