University of Rochester Medicine

University of Rochester Medicine: academic health system in Upstate New York

University of Rochester Medicine (URochester Medicine) is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian, nonprofit academic health system. It forms the core of the University of Rochester's missions in health research, teaching, and patient care. Its activity combines clinical care with the training of health professionals and biomedical research.

Care structure: eight hospitals and a care network

The clinical entity of URochester Medicine comprises eight hospitals distributed across the Finger Lakes and Southern Tier regions: Strong Memorial, Highland, F.F. Thompson, Noyes Memorial, Jones Memorial, St. James, Geneva General, and Soldiers & Sailors Memorial. In addition, there are Golisano Children's Hospital, Wilmot Cancer Institute, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester Medicine Home Care, the Highlands at Pittsford and Highlands at Brighton senior living communities, nine urgent care centers, and an extensive primary care network.

The system's hub is Strong Memorial Hospital, with 897 beds, designated by the New York State Department of Health as a Level I regional trauma and burn center. It houses nationally recognized care programs, such as the only heart and liver transplant programs in Upstate New York, the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience, Golisano Children's Hospital, and Wilmot Cancer Institute, an NCI-designated cancer center with expertise in precision medicine, complex cancers, and clinical trials.

Biomedical research and clinical trials

Around 3,000 researchers work across the system studying common and rare diseases, from cancer and heart disease to Parkinson's and pandemic flu. Over the past five years, URochester Medicine has received more than $1.34 billion in funding for biomedical research, placing the University of Rochester School of Medicine & Dentistry among the top 26% of U.S. medical centers for federal research funding. The system was one of the first twelve academic health systems to receive a Clinical and Translational Science Award from the National Institutes of Health, with $86 million in continued funding through this program. The university also received a unique $19 million award to coordinate more than 50 academic health systems participating in the Clinical and Translational Science Awards program.

Academic and health professional education

The School of Medicine & Dentistry integrates classroom and clinical learning throughout the four years of training. Graduate Medical Education offers more than 90 programs across numerous disciplines. The School of Nursing offers options for all types of students, including career changers. The Eastman Institute of Oral Health attracts postgraduate dental students and residents from around the world.

Health equity and community health

The system states its goal as equal life expectancy for all members of its community. To this end, it develops partnerships, new initiatives, and training for clinicians and scientists aimed at transforming how it operates and delivers care. Its community work areas include the Center for Community Health & Prevention, government and community relations, the Monroe County Community Health Improvement Plan, pediatric community resources, community dentistry, and mental health resources.

Recognition and economic activity

Strong Memorial Hospital is recognized as the top hospital in the Rochester region and the best in New York State outside the New York City area by U.S. News & World Report. It has also received the Consumer Choice Award from National Research Corporation every year since its inception. With more than 26,000 employees, URochester Medicine is the largest component of the University of Rochester, the largest private-sector employer based in Upstate New York, and the sixth-largest employer in the state. Through wages, purchases, capital investments, and visitor and student activity, the university generates an estimated 56,000 jobs across Upstate New York.

Patient care and digital services

The system offers access to urgent, emergency, and virtual care, as well as an online portal, MyChart, to schedule appointments, view test results, complete eCheck-in, and read notes from your provider. It also allows paying bills online or by phone and setting up recurring payments. Patient care includes finding providers, cost estimates, patient referrals, and access to clinical trials.